Difference in house prices on different websites - why?

[musicfan]

Hi All

Just curious, looking at different housing websites (daft, myhome, property news, estate agents websites) and am just wondering why the same house can be different prices on different websites? I'm not talking about different estate agents - these are cases where the same estate agent is advertising a house on 1 website at a different price than their own website for example?

Is it just down to a typo or one of the websites not being updated?? Just wondering cos its not just one or two houses!

Thanks

 

[PM1234]

Friends of mine noticed something similar when they were selling their house. Their EA advised them that their ownn website isn't updated as frequently as the 'big' websites. Quite often their house stayed at the original (higher) price on the EA's website for some weeks after the reduced price was agreed.

 

[groom]

I notice alot of discrepancies or misleading statements on property websites. Sometimes a one bedroom is listed as a two bedroom and I have rung about the property to be told its a mistake. Meanwhile months later the mistake isn't rectified.

It seems to me that in these cases EAs are trying to get some sort of interest at any cost although its more likely just to annoy people like myself

 

[Flax]

Is it just down to a typo or one of the websites not being updated?? Just wondering cos its not just one or two houses!

Two potential reasons -

A. The agency isn't updating the prices on each website.
B. The agency tries to update the prices on each website, but there is a delay before the update appears online.

I work in IT, so I suspect the reason is A.

 

[BetsyClark]

I've seen 3 listings on Daft for the same house at the same time, with different EAs (and prices!) listed. I know this house has been sold and suspect that Daft is slow in updating its website to reflect sales or changes in EAs.

 

[mathepac]

Two potential reasons -

A. The agency isn't updating the prices on each website.
B. The agency tries to update the prices on each website, but there is a delay before the update appears online.

I work in IT, so I suspect the reason is A.

and a third reason might simply be that different EAs value a property differently.

 

[MrMan]

It seems to me that in these cases EAs are trying to get some sort of interest at any cost although its more likely just to annoy people like myself

I wouldn't think so, if you look at it logically if someone was to select one beds and a 4 bed was listed in the one bed section it won't change your outlook or budget. If anything its harmful to the EA for the wrong info to be out there as the genuinely interested punters might not be viewing their properties on line.

 

[groom]

I wouldn't think so, if you look at it logically if someone was to select one beds and a 4 bed was listed in the one bed section it won't change your outlook or budget. If anything its harmful to the EA for the wrong info to be out there as the genuinely interested punters might not be viewing their properties on line.

Logic eh? Why would someone bother listing a 4 bed as a one bed except by accident. No one could be interested in a one bed at a 4 bed price.

Conversely I have seen a two bed advertised at a good price and have phoned about it to be told that its actually a one bed, an error was made putting up the ad but that I should still look at it as its exceptional value... Months later the ad wasn't fixed.

I don't disagree though that it is harmful for all EAs as it affects the reputation of the profession

 

[MrMan]

Logic eh? Why would someone bother listing a 4 bed as a one bed except by accident. No one could be interested in a one bed at a 4 bed price

That was the point I was making.

 

[shanegl]

I wouldn't think so, if you look at it logically if someone was to select one beds and a 4 bed was listed in the one bed section it won't change your outlook or budget. If anything its harmful to the EA for the wrong info to be out there as the genuinely interested punters might not be viewing their properties on line.

Bait and switch as a dubious sales tactic is as old as the hills. While upstanding EAs such as yourself might not do it, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to find out that some get up to it.

 

[groom]

That was the point I was making.

Well the point you made was irrelevant.

I was highlighting where a seemingly good offer is actually not worthwhile supposidly by error but the error is never corrected.

 

[MrMan]

Bait and switch as a dubious sales tactic is as old as the hills. While upstanding EAs such as yourself might not do it, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest to find out that some get up to it.

I wouldn't put it past alot of people, but personally speaking I have had mistakes show up on daft where it would work against me i.e I've had a few detached houses that have come under the 1 bed section, there aren't too many of those around let alone anyone looking for them.