It’s certainly been interesting reading over the last week; the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) are now looking to promote online UK Property Listing services in a bid to drive down the cost of Selling or Letting your home.

Those who are savvy in their search for UK property listings know that there are viable alternatives to the traditionalist ‘list your property with the Estate Agent’ approach.  Statistics continue to point towards the fact we spend more time searching UK property adverts and listings online regardless as to whether you want to buy or rent property.   Therefore, given the recent OFT comments, there is a huge opportunity for alternative property listing services to not only enter the marketplace, but contribute to the goal of reducing the cost of selling or letting your property in the UK.

It’s a refreshing approach by the OFT.  The momentum now has to be with those new property services that look to serve the UK property market consumers.  However, such property listing opportunities need to be grasped now.  There is no doubt that selling or renting a UK property online is convenient and can be hassle free.

In addition to the huge audience of excellent prospective clients, the Internet offers cost effectiveness that traditional media cannot. Websites are more engaging and informative than even the best printed brochures. Emails and the use of social networking sites make it easier and cheaper to keep in touch with existing clients.  You don’t need to have a big marketing budget to create a professional online presence.  Estate agents themselves already have an online presence.  What will be interesting is whether the cost of selling or letting property in the UK does come down and if those new property listing websites can break the mould and become true competitors.

2009 was the year to forget given the Credit Crisis and the downturn in the UK economy.  The optimists amongst us are predicting a better 2010.  Whilst we are far from coming out of the woods yet, recent results and statistics suggest we are heading in the right direction.

So has 2009 had any lasting effects on the UK property market?  Well, it’s more apparent that we all value our money that much more.  Whilst in the past during the UK property boom years there wasn’t a second thought before placing properties with Estate Agents to attract would be property purchasers or renters.  However, will 2010 see a much different approach?  Are we more careful now about the cost of goods and services we use, Estate Agents included?

There are viable alternatives to the traditionalist ‘list your property with the Estate Agent’ approach.  Statistics point towards the fact we spend more time searching UK property adverts online regardless as to whether you want to buy or rent property.  So consideration should be given to a Free Property Listing approach. There are some fantastic, hassle free, online UK private property websites that offer such services.  They are not estate agents, but property lead referral services putting UK property sellers and landlords in touch with people who are looking for property wantedto buy and rent and vice versa.  Such sites in most cases give you the opportunity to test the market.

Whilst the Do It Yourself property advert may not be considered by all; the fact that you can save a considerable amount of money in Estate Agent fees should mean it is at least given a second thought.  Such property listing sites should be seen as credible alternatives offering a simple service that should prove popular easing the hassle of buying, selling, letting and renting property.