On a mission to make moving easy, Strike is the first agent to sell homes via a mobile app for free. The app is part of a full-service offering helping buyers and sellers from listing to completion.
Strike is the evolution of Housesimple, one of the UK’s first online agents, which sold £1 billion worth of properties after it became the first agent to sell homes for free in 2019. From today Housesimple has re-branded and expanded to form Strike.
Using Strike and avoiding estate agent fees could save sellers in Manchester almost £3,000 in commission, based on the average Manchester house price*. In the last 12 months alone, Strike sellers in the North West, Yorkshire and Nottingham saved a total of £11.4 million in fees.
Sam Mitchell, chief executive officer at Strike, said: “Strike is here to redefine the way we move. Estate agency hasn’t changed for 200 years, we’ve been overcharged and underwhelmed. It’s time for a change.
“We set out to shake up the estate agent industry last year, becoming the first estate agent in the UK to sell homes for free. In the process, we’ve become a market leader across the North, including in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield. We’ve sold £1 billion of properties and saved our customers over £15 million in total fees since we launched our free service.
“But now it’s time to go even further. With Strike, we’re taking everything customers loved about Housesimple, making it more intuitive and adding a new mobile edge. We’ve launched a new app that lets you sell your home from your phone. And expanding across Tyne Tees, into Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, doubles our geographic footprint and makes Strike a real northern powerhouse.”
The enhancement of Strike’s digital services comes at a time when demand for online services has never been higher. New research conducted by Strike found that as a result of the pandemic 43% of those in the North West looking to sell their homes in the next 6 months said they are more likely to consider using an online estate agent. Prospective sellers in the region are more likely to rate a good digital experience (35%) as more important than a high street branch (20%).
Strike’s research also found that 66% of sellers in the North West are now keener to use an agent who sells for free, with 56% saying the choice is a no brainer as they offer the same service.
Strike has created a simple, new way to buy and sell through an app and hub. The new service also allows customers to:
Control the entire process from your phone
Manage adverts before they go live directly from the app
Manage adverts, viewings and offers from our new Strike Hub
Accept, reject and propose new times for viewing requests
Message buyers or sellers directly once they’ve booked a viewing or made an offer
Sam Mitchell continued: “Estate agents are notoriously inflexible. Strike’s mission is to make moving easy. That means we are constantly adapting and improving our service to what people actually want. For our customers, this means saving you money, whether you need stress-free mortgage advice or to sell for free. An intuitive, digital experience that’s safe, hassle-free and puts you in control. Real, friendly experts supporting you at every step. And of course, a jargon-free and straight-talking culture, working together to sell homes quickly, easily and for the best possible price.”
Backed by Sir Charles Dunstone, Strike is available to buyers and sellers across the North of England. Sir Charles Dunstone, majority investor in Strike, said: “We are so excited to be challenging the industry with Strike. We believe the way Strike blends people and technology to sell homes for free is a truly disruptive proposition that will lead to a better deal for customers.”
