Top Tips for using Zoopla & Rightmove more successfully
January 2, 2019
Most searches for property online will undoubtedly take place on either Zoopla or Rightmove. The internet today is key in helping people to buy and sell property in the UK and globally too for that matter. The good old and reliable high street estate agency obviously will offer you a very hands on service and key local knowledge and your naked eye will spot for sale signs up in the area you are searching to move if local enough – But online is where it is happening for property searches.
Zoopla and Rightmove dominate the UK property portal scene with both being household names and both being easy to use and access (Apps for Android and IOS). Rightmove is said to be receiving over 125 million visits monthly and Zoopla (along with Primelocation) 50 million plus.
How about using each platform that little bit more wisely especially if you are hunting for the best property for your money:
- Both portals enable you to register yourself an account and save searches and also listings. You can also be alerted to new listings (including reductions) on specific searches so you can find out sooner rather than later about what is coming on to the market.
- You can obviously search smaller areas such as villages, postcodes and towns or you can search counties – If you use their ‘draw your search‘ facilities you can be even more precise with where you search and these can also be saved for future use. It is a good idea always to expand your search slightly especially if you are struggling to find local listings of interest / in your price range.
- Make sure you put in order how the results are shown depending on what you are after. Zoopla gives an added function of ‘Most Reduced’ order which is useful for those looking for distressed sales and though Rightmove does not offer similar you can put listings in order of ‘Newest First’ which shows you both recently added and recently reduced listings. Some people prefer to view listings that have been for sale the longest and Rightmove enables you to seek them out by sorting by ‘Oldest listed’. Concerned that you are missing out on something special – Zoopla allows you to search by ‘Most Popular’.
- Do not be shy to study property above your price range. Do consider that most property will not sell at their asking price and some reports say that an average of 10% is usually the difference between asking price and selling price.
- Do not rely just on the portals. Do think about contacting local high street agencies and online / hybrids agents to put your name on their books just in case property comes along of which you could be finding out about before that are put on to Zoopla/Rightmove.
- Remember that not every property will be repeated on each portal, some will hold unique listings as not all estate agents will pay to advertise on both (the fees are high). Also consider some of the other portals such as OnTheMarket.
- If you are on the move frequently then think about downloading each platforms free apps available for mobile and tablets (Android and ISO) – Both are super easy to use and quite addictive! There are also apps available for Smart TV etc.
You May Also Enjoy
Section 21 reform divides landlords and tenants
Five months after Section 21 was abolished, landlords and tenants remain sharply divided over whether the reform was necessary, but both sides agree that good relationships and clear communication have the greatest influence on how secure a renter feels, according to new research from LRG. The Autumn 2026 Lettings Report, based on responses from 405…
Read More 
70% of landlords anticipate rent rise due to Autumn Budget
As landlord exodus threatens rental supply The latest research from LegalforLandlords has found that 70% of UK landlords are considering increasing rents following the Government’s latest property income tax changes, while almost half are considering selling properties or reducing their portfolios, raising concerns about the future availability and affordability of privately rented homes. LegalforLandlords commissioned…
Read More 
Estate agent earnings fails to keep pace with inflation
Estate agency earnings have failed to keep pace with inflation over the last decade, despite more positive growth in recent years, according to the latest industry analysis from eXp UK, highlighting why more agents may be looking towards the self-employed model to maximise their earning potential. eXp UK analysed Office for National Statistics (ONS) data…
Read More 
Southern landlords face up to £22,000 tax hit
Landlords in the South East could pay more than £22,000 extra tax over 25 years, with those in the South West facing more than £19,000 Property income tax hike squeezes a generation that has turned to bricks and mortar to fund retirement Retirees across the South of England who rely on property to supplement their…
Read More 
Corporate landlords cautiously optimistic after first six months of RRA
Impact of Renters’ Rights Act not as bad as feared for professional investors More than four in five (82%) corporate landlords looking to expand Analysis of data from LRG’s Living Markets division reveals that after six months in force, the Renters’ Rights Act is yet to have any significant negative impact on the corporate landlords…
Read More 
Property market has failed to meet expectations
Two-thirds of developers say property market has failed to meet expectations as Autumn Budget fails to boost confidence Jonathan Samuels, CEO of specialist lender, Octane Capital, believes that the Autumn Budget has done little to restore confidence across the UK development sector, with the firm’s latest industry insight revealing that 67% of developers feel property…
Read More