Supermarket giant Asda today launched a home selling service to rival traditional estate agents. The service, dubbed Homes@Supermarkets, will be the first time property has been sold through a supermarket, enabling people to look for a new home while they buy their groceries.
It is being piloted at 10 stores in the North East, with a view to rolling it out across the country early next year. The supermarket is charging people just 1% commission to sell their home, half the 2% average fee charged by an estate agent. It will also provide a link to a firm of solicitors and mortgage brokers, and plans to provide Home Information Packs to sellers free of charge when they are introduced in June next year, potentially saving them more than £650.
Asda has recruited 40 valuers, surveyors and estate agents to run the service.
Properties for sale through the supermarket will be displayed on a computer terminal in the group's stores. People can also view details about the properties online. Both buyers and sellers can register their interest through one of theterminals or online, and they will then be contacted by a Homes@Supermarkets representative, who will arrange visits and viewings in the traditional way. The group said being able to browse houses while doing your weekly shop was one of the most convenient ways to keep an eye on the local property market.
