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
What to know when buying land
The closure of UK Land & Farms (UKLAF) has left a significant gap in the UK’s specialist land market with buyers and sellers now forced to adapt after 18 years of relying on UKLAF as the cornerstone of the industry. As interest in land continues to grow, the company says the closure also serves as…
Read More 
Tenant demand strong, landlord supply shrinking
New RICS data shows tenant demand at its strongest in over a year – while landlord supply keeps shrinking. That’s not bad luck. It’s a trust problem, and it’s fixable. “These numbers should be good news for landlords. Demand is the strongest it’s been in over a year. Instead, they are deciding to head for…
Read More 
Why Join a Letting Agents Association?
Why Every Letting Agent Should Join a Professional Body The lettings industry continues to evolve, with new legislation, increasing compliance requirements and higher expectations from landlords and tenants alike. For letting agents, staying informed and operating to recognised professional standards has never been more important. Joining a letting agents association provides far more than a membership…
Read More 
House price growth remained subdued in July
UK annual house price growth slowed to 1.8% in July, from 2.2% in June House prices were up 0.1% month on month Average time in a home is 14 years: 24 years for those owning outright and 5 years in private rented sector Three quarters of moves were within same tenure type in 2024/25 Headlines…
Read More 
Rent hikes and tighter tenant checks as landlord costs climb
Rising costs are prompting 63% of professional landlords to raise rents, prioritise lower-risk tenants and reassess portfolios Renters face a more expensive and more selective rental market as professional property investors respond to re-emergence of realistic gilt yields, rising operating costs and regulatory change by increasing rents and reassessing tenant risk and selection criteria, according…
Read More 
North-South divide for time to move as Londoners see longest wait
New analysis reveals a north-south divide in the time it takes to move home: In London it takes 174 days on average to go from agreeing a sale to completing a move, whereas it takes 141 days in the North East Scotland is the fastest part of Great Britain at 98 days, due to the…
Read More