ALMOST a quarter of all homebuyers now use the Internet to aid their search, compared with just three per cent five years ago.

Andrew Benn, managing director of Mann Countrywide, said: “rightmove.co.uk is probably the UK's most visited site. People can broaden their area of search, quickly comparing values and accessibility. But once they've narrowed the field, they like to come to see us, to talk through all the prospects, their finances and the status of their disposal.”

Nevertheless, greater use of the Internet means that some people are tempted to try selling their own property. But what are the risks?

Mr Benn warned about personal security: “A well trained estate agent will be able to find out quite a lot about a potential buyer during discussions about their needs; they spot the time wasters and those with other motives for viewing properties.”

Mann Countrywide can be contacted on 0208 850 5566.