A company in Cardiff is claiming to be one of the first independents to offer side-by-side hybrid agency and traditional high street services.

It’s a move already made by Countrywide with its selective hybrid digital roll-out, but Four Walls Online claims to be one of the early adopters among smaller, non-corporate agents.

The agency, which is part of a local housing association and operates from its HQ (see above), has launched a digital platform that enables it to offer both traditional high street services and an online-only model to landlords and vendors.

Cardiff city centre-based Four Walls Online says it believes the high street and hybrid agency models are not mutually exclusive. The company’s Property Platform enables clients in both sales and lettings to log on at any time and using any device to progress the sale or let of their property including scheduling viewings, negotiating offers and managing payments.

The system was soft-launched during the first week of July and Four Walls Online says it has so far processed three sales and ten lets through the system.

Hybrid agency

Four Walls Online offers two sales pricing packages. The first is a ‘sell-it-yourself’ style online packaged priced £595 and charged up-front. Viewings, sales progressions and other services are extra. It then also offers a ‘complete’ service which is charged as a traditional fee of 0.75% paid on completion but within a minimum charge of £1,800.

On the lettings side, it offers traditional percentage-based fully-managed options, but also a tenant-find only service for £355.

“95% of property searches begin online, so choosing an online agent is a smart decision, but we also know from our research that online services aren’t for everyone,” says Francesca Coles, (pictured, left) who runs the company’s online-focussed activity.

“A vendor might be happy to handle their own viewings, they may prefer our experienced property professionals to handle sales progression for them – so we help our customers tailor their package to suit their needs and budget.

“The savings we’ve made as a result of launching our Property Platform [are being] passed directly to our customers by offering some of the most competitive prices around, with the added value of exceptional customer service delivered by our professional, local team in Cardiff.

“Basically, we’re trying to change the way you think about estate agents – online or otherwise.”

Four Walls Online, which is a member of Rent Smart Wales as well as ARLA, NAEA and ALMA, was set up by Cardiff’s Cadwyn Housing Association to generate income for it and help fund and develop local communities.

“Having rented, managed, maintained and developed property in Cardiff over the last 40 years, Cadwyn has a wealth of expertise which we’re now harnessing to change the status quo in the professional sales and lettings market,” says Chris O’Meara, Chief Executive of Cadwyn (pictured, right).

“We’re living proof that estate agents can be fair, ethical, and customer focussed – while raising funds for social tenant services and improving communities.”