Online firm Housesimple claims it’s second largest ...

Online estate agency Housesimple is extending its offer to sell homes for free to some postcodes in the Midlands.

The offer is now available in 25 postcodes in three different areas of the country and Housesimple claims the initiative has made it “the second largest estate agent in the North of England.”

It also claims to be “a leading agent in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield.”

Since trialling its free listings service in January, Housesimple says it’s “helped over 5,000 people move hassle-free, saving them an estimated £7m in total fees” and states it’s one of the leading estate agents in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Sheffield.

The latest expansion is into the city of Nottingham where vendors in postcodes NG1 to NG8 - it’s officially launching on December 27.

The agency says that based on the city’s average property price of £218,078, home owners could save nearly £3,500 in fees - but that assumes the property actually sells and the vendor does not have to use a High Street agent.

Housesimple chief executive Sam Mitchell says: “We are on a mission to change estate agency for the better, by making the experience of buying and selling property simple, transparent and free … Nottingham stands out as having one of the strongest property markets in the UK. The city has seen consistent house price growth in recent years, homes are selling in good time and very close to asking price.”

Under the free deal, sellers still receive valuations, photos and floorplan, ads on Rightmove and Zoopla, a For Sale board, “and the support of a dedicated team at every step from valuation through to completion” which the agency says includes “negotiations and sales progression.”

Rather than charging commission or upfront fees Housesimple earns referral fees from no-obligation services including mortgages, conveyancing and insurance.

“Looking ahead to the New Year we will be expanding into even more cities and towns across the country” says Mitchell, who over the summer said he wanted the free deal extended across the entire country in around 18 months.

Founded in 2007, Housesimple is backed by investors including Sir Charles Dunstone, together with his business partner, Roger Taylor.