Yopa | Review, Fees & Guide

Yopa prides itself on taking the guesswork out of selling your home and moving. A reputable online estate agency headquartered in Watford, England, Yopa is a full-service agency offering fixed fees and helpful tools, both online and in person.  

Homes listed with an agent tend to sell faster and for a higher selling price. But with so many agencies in the UK area, how do you know which one is the best fit for you? Knowing what each service offers and how much they charge can help you make a more informed decision.

In this article, we’ll offer a comprehensive look at Yopa including reviews, services, fees, awards, and more.

At A Glance

YOPA look to be good at most things. Below we rated the online agency based on a few important factors that are essential for sellers.

How do they compare against other online estate agents?

If you’re searching for Yopa, you’re probably looking for a low cost estate agent to sell your property. Below is a quick comparison of online estate agents which may save you time (rather than ready the entire article!)

Purplebricks is the biggest name in the online agency world. But sadly they have a few problems: fines, falling share price and redundancies.

Sold.co.uk is a lower cost option out of the bunch. But it’s not quite clear on their site how much they charge for add on’s and some sellers may get stung with hidden fees down the line. However they have good online reviews which may alleviate some concerns.

About Yopa 

Yopa is a full-service online estate agency that was first established in 2015. The company prides itself on offering high-quality services for a fair, fixed fee. According to their LinkedIn profile, Yopa is currently one of the largest estate agencies in the UK and is backed by some of the biggest names in the property industry.

Although Yopa is primarily an online estate agency, similar to Purplebricks and Strike. It offers the same start-to-finish service as a high street agency with some local agents available for in-person meetings and viewings. The easy-to-use website offers several high-tech tools to simplify the sale process and keep you informed every step of the way. 

Some of the main highlights of Yopa include evening and weekend hours for hands-on customer support, local agents on the ground to offer customized services, and even help with conveyancing and mortgage approval. 

Yopa strives to create a stress-free experience for every customer so that you can focus on other important aspects of your move. Yopa’s staff is composed of experienced estate agents, customer service specialists, property and marketing experts, and programmers. While Yopa’s primary focus is selling homes, the agency also offers services for buyers.

 

Yopa Statistics, Awards, and Recognition 

With over seven years in the business, Yopa has accumulated some pretty impressive statistics and accolades. 

• On average, Yopa saves property owners in London £6,100, which equates to about 81% in estate agency fees. 
• Property owners in other parts of the UK can save an average of £2,800 when selling a home using Yopa. This is an average of 76% savings in estate agency fees.
• Yopa sells homes 17% faster than other online estate agencies.
• Yopa agents tend to get property owners above the asking price. 
• Yopa sells a home every 12 minutes. 
• Over 35,000 people have successfully sold their homes on Yopa to date.
• Buyers are three times more engaged with Yopa’s 360-degree 3D tour feature than traditional 2D imagery.
• In 2017, LinkedIn named Yopa as one of the top startup companies to work for, helping recruit qualified and experienced agents. 
• Yopa was named Best Online and Hybrid Estate Agent of the Year by allAgents in 2019.
• Yopa was named Hybrid Agent of the Year 2021 at the Negotiator Awards.

 

Expert Opinion

Yopa is a solid company offering sellers a simple and low cost way to sell their property.

Their fees are lower than the online agent market leader Purplebricks and their range of services are pretty similar.

In addition, the company hasn’t been dragged into false advertising or regulatory issues – this indicates a strong core set of values and operational management within the firm.

Sellers choosing Yopa should have confidence in their selection and based on online reviews, the property should be sold with minimum fuss.

 

Raj Dosanjh, Rentround founder. 

Competitors

Yopa’s two main competitors are Purplebricks and Strike. While all of these estate agents are reputable in the UK, each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a closer look at how Yopa stacks up against these other big names in the industry. 

Yopa vs. Purplebricks

Yopa and Purplebricks offer many of the same services including buying and selling. They both offer free valuations and online booking as well. Unlike Yopa, Purplebricks also has letting agents on staff to assist with rentals and property management. 

Yopa is predominantly known for helping property owners sell their homes. They offer 3 distinct packages – core, premium, and ultimate. Each plan gets increasingly more expensive as more services are added. The core package is £999, the premium is £1,999 and the ultimate is £1,399. Yopa also lets property owners pay for premium listings at the rate of £99. You can also upgrade to a featured property listing for £149, unlimited hosted viewings for £300, and EPC services for £85. 

Purplebricks doesn’t offer specific packages or plans. Instead, you can hire the agency for a flat fee of either £999 outside of the city or £1,499 in London. These figures represent a starting point and may increase if your listing requires more time and attention. Similarly, Purplebricks offers individual services including viewings for between £300 and £360 and EPC certificates for £84, which is almost the exact same fee that Yopa charges. 

Both Yopa and Purplebricks offer several payment options as well including a “Pay Later” feature. It’s important to note that, on Purplebricks, this delayed payment option of 10 months also comes with a conveyancing fee. Yopa’s other payment plans include no sale, no fee, or a single, upfront payment. 

Yopa vs. Strike

Another prominent estate agency in the UK is Strike. Strike Online Letting Agents offers a variety of individual services for both buyers and sellers. Unlike Yopa, Strike doesn’t have set plans or packages, one reason being that they advertise their services for free. Strike lists properties for sale and also has a search feature for prospective owners and investors. Since nothing in life is free, you’re probably wondering what the catch is. 

While it’s true that Strike will list your property for free, you’ll need to pay for any other services along the way – and that’s how the agency makes its money. The agency’s free services include a valuation, a basic listing on popular portals, a free app to download and track your property, customer service support, and professional negotiations. Some add-ons include mortgage advice, moving services, marketing, and hosting viewings. 

 

Contacting the Company

One nice feature about Yopa is that they make it easy to get in touch. When you click on the “Contact Us” tab in the upper right-hand corner of the page, you can choose between sending them a message using a convenient contact form or calling the phone number that’s listed. If you click on “Message Us” you’re met with several different options and information. 

We clicked the messaging option and were redirected to a page that listed Yopa’s hours of availability (Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Outside of these office hours, clients are encouraged to contact their agent directly or send a message using the contact form. The website states that most inquiries are addressed within 24 business hours. They even tell you that their busiest hours are from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. so it’s recommended you call early in the morning or later in the evening.

We decided to send a message using the contact form and were pleasantly surprised to receive a response the next morning. The agent that responded was very professional and knowledgeable but did recommend we call for more information during regular business hours. Even if Yopa’s daily hours don’t work for your schedule, the agency gives you plenty of other ways to get in touch like sending an email, requesting a callback, and checking the FAQ page. 

What We Like About Them

Plenty of Payment Options

Yopa offers a payment option for every need and budget. Whether you choose to pay upfront or defer your payments until the end, you can find a payment structure that works for your current financial situation and schedule. Not only can you choose to now or later but you can also select the “no sale, no fee” option. Just be sure to do your research because some customers claim that choosing this last option may result in higher overall fees in the end. In addition to 3 ways to pay, Yopa also has 3 distinct packages that make it easy to find the service you’re looking for.

Easy-to-Use Website

The website itself is easy to use and navigate. Because Yopa focuses primarily on buying and selling, the navigation menu at the top of the page is clear and organized. Simply select the service you need and then one of the options from the drop-down menu. You can also use this search bar to find local Yopa branches in your area and career opportunities and to access news, guides, and recent articles. 

 

Potential Improvements

More Affordable Pricing

A common theme seen in several Yopa reviews is that despite the agency’s numerous payment plans and schedules, their individual services can get quite costly. This is especially true if you decide on the “no sale, no fee” option, where the end price is based on Yopa’s most expensive, premium package of £1,399. Even though you only pay this if your property sells, that’s the ultimate goal, which means you could wind up paying a lot more than you bargained or budgeted for. 

A More Thorough Background Check on Buyers and Agents

Other negative reviews of Yopa surround the agents themselves and their inability to find qualified, serious buyers. Some customers reported their house sales falling through at the very last minute, while others only had a few viewings scheduled even after months on the market. Yopa may need to perform more serious background checks on potential buyers to reduce false hope and headaches for sellers. 

Another customer claimed the agent itself never showed up for the free valuation and other referred solicitors that weren’t a good fit. Yopa may benefit from investing a little more time in its customer service and creating a personalized experience for clients.

 

The Sign-Up Process

You can get started on the site by utilizing some of Yopa’s free tools, like booking a valuation. Simply click on the orange “Book a Valuation” button in the top right corner of the page. You’ll be redirected to a landing page where you can enter the property’s postcode. You can also call Yopa’s contact number for additional help. 

After entering your specific location, Yopa will generate a list of available agents and a scheduling tool for booking an appointment that works for your schedule. 

Once you pick a day and time, click “Next”. The final step in the process requires you to enter your contact information including your name, email address, and phone number. 

You can also choose from an instant online valuation or perform a property search. 

How It Works

If you’re looking to list and sell your home on Yopa, you can get started in four easy steps:

1. Schedule a Valuation

Schedule a time for a free valuation that works for you. A local agent will visit your property, value your home, and offer a complete explanation of how they arrived at that number. They’ll also ask what exactly you want and expect from the move including a listing price and what your timeline is. 

2. Instruct

After your initial meeting and consultation, it’s time to get your home ready for the market. Yopa’s agents will help with this also and you can choose to pay upfront or pay later.

3. Selling

Once the agent creates your listing, your property will appear on all major property portals including Zoopla and Rightmove. When an interested buyer reaches out, your agent can host viewings (for an additional fee) or you can do them yourself. Yopa lets you choose the services and fees you want.

4. Negotiate the Final Sale

Yopa agents stick with their customers from the beginning to the end of their sales. Your local agent and team will negotiate all offers that come in, working to get you the best possible price. They’re also on hand to answer any questions you have along the way, draw up the necessary paperwork, and make sure the sale is done right.

 

Services and Fees

Yopa offers a few different packages for property owners looking to sell. Customers are also given three options for payment (more on these in a minute). But first, here’s a breakdown of Yopa’s available packages with prices and additional services and fees.

Core Package

For £999, Yopa provides you with everything you need to sell your property. This includes:

• Dedicated estate agent
• Adverts on Zoopla, Rightmove, and other popular property portals
• Sale board for your front yard
• Detailed floor plan
• Professional photos
• Access to your YopaHub account

Premium Package

The most popular Yopa package is their Premium package which costs £1,399 and includes everything in the Core package plus the following services:

• Unlimited hosted viewings
• Premium listings on Zoopla and Rightmove
• A discount on Scout mortgage broker fees (£349)

Ultimate Package

The most expensive but most effective package is the Ultimate. Sellers get everything in the Ultimate package plus the following for £1,999:

• Featured property listings on Zoopla and Rightmove
• A 360-degree 3D tour
• A £290 discount off Just Move In
• A £549 discount on Scout mortgage and broker fees

In addition to these packages, you can also add on individual services for a fee. Here are your options:

Premium Listings

Starting at £99, you can pay for a premium listing that stands out on Zoopla and Rightmove. Premium listings get more attention and increase your chances of landing a sale. 

Featured Property

Featured properties on most property portals stay at the top of the search results page longer, getting more attention and views. For £149, you can earn your spot at the top and be one of the first listings a potential buyer sees.

Unlimited Hosted Viewings

If you don’t have the time, patience, or interest in hosting your own viewings, this service is for you. For £300, Yopa’s local estate agents will schedule and host all viewings for potential buyers, simplifying the process for you.

Energy Performance Certificate

Every home needs a valid EPC for sale. Yopa can take care of this for you for just £85. Get your EPC before you list your home to help your sale go faster and more smoothly. 

 

Three Ways to Pay

Yopa offers three convenient ways to pay for its packages and services. 

No Sale, No Fee

This option means that if your house doesn’t sell, you don’t pay a penny. You also don’t pay anything until the sale is final. This payment option includes all the extras included with the Premium bundle. Pricing varies based on location and other factors so customers need to contact a local agent for more details. 

Pay Now

This is Yopa’s best value when it comes to paying a fixed fee. The agency provides everything you need to get started and you can choose from any of the above packages. Payment is due upfront.

Pay Later

Another great value for a fixed fee, customers choose to pay when their home sells or after 10 months – whichever comes first. You can also use Optimus to find a conveyancer and choose from the three packages listed above to get started.

 

Yopa for Buyers

Yopa estate agents don’t just help sell homes. They can also help people find their dream homes. The website’s property search feature lets you search homes in the local area based on size (number of beds), price, and location. 

You can also get a mortgage in principle. Yopa has services for first-time buyers, homeowners looking to remortgage their current properties, and moving services.

 

Pros and Cons of Yopa

The best way to get a clear picture of how well a company delivers on its promises is to check out what real customers have to say. Even an online agency like Yopa has experienced its share of negative reviews and critics.

As of this writing, out of 17,546 reviews on Trustpilot, Yopa has a 4.7 out of 5-star rating. That’s pretty impressive. Here are some of the main features people like about the agency and its services.

• Agents have great knowledge of the local market
• Good communication and customer service throughout the entire sales process
• A smooth, seamless transaction from start to finish 
• Efficient, no nonsense service
• Real-time updates about viewings and offers
• Stress-free and hassle-free service

Only 6% of reviews on Trustpilot were “poor” or “bad”. Here are a few complaints customers had. 

• House sale fell through 
• Only a few viewings
• Buyers that weren’t checked out
• The agent was a no-show for a valuation appointment
• Referrals to solicitors that weren’t right for the job

 

Yopa: A Hybrid Estate Agency 

Whether you like the personal touch of working with a local agent or the convenience and technology offered by online agents, Yopa does it all. A well-known estate agency in London and throughout the UK, you can choose from one of their convenient packages or add individual services that fit your needs and budget. Since they offer a free valuation, you can meet with an agent and get a better idea if Yopa is the best agency to list your property.

 

YOPA FAQs

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h2″ question-0=”What is Yopa?” answer-0=”Yopa is a full estate agency service that connects property owners with award-winning estate agents who offer a variety of services including home valuations, marketing, viewings, and negotiations. ” image-0=”” headline-1=”h2″ question-1=”Who owns Yopa?” answer-1=”Yopa was founded on September 1, 2015, by Danial Attia, David Jacobs, Alistair Barclay, and Andrew Barclay. ” image-1=”” headline-2=”h2″ question-2=”How does Yopa work?” answer-2=”Yopa is primarily for homeowners looking to sell a property. The first step is requesting a valuation. Once you know how much your house is worth, you can instruct your Yopa agent on how to proceed. You can call them, click the link in your valuation report, or by going to YopaHub and click “instruct”. ” image-2=”” headline-3=”h2″ question-3=”How much does Yopa charge?” answer-3=”You can choose from different payment options. While some clients choose to pay upfront while others opt to differ their payments for 10 payments. Yopa also promotes “No Sale, No Fee” which means clients don’t pay a penny until their house is sold. Yopa offers three main packages. The core package costs £999, the premium package is £1,399, and the ultimate package is £1,999. You can also purchase individual services including premium listings starting at £99, featured property listings for £149, unlimited hosted viewings for £300, and energy performance certificates for £99. ” image-3=”” count=”4″ html=”true” css_class=””]