Do I need an account to search, and what does registering actually give me?
No account is needed to search. An account adds four things.
You can search, filter, sort, open any property page and read the full description without signing in or being asked to. Nothing about browsing a portal is gated.
Registering adds four things:
- Saving properties, so they are waiting under Favourites next time.
- A record of the enquiries you have sent, under Enquiries.
- Listing a property, if you registered as an agent or a home owner.
- The paid promotion and lead tools, if you registered as an agent.
One thing worth knowing before you send your first message: sending an enquiry from a property page creates a portal account for you if the email address you use does not already have one. The consent line under the contact form says so. See the answer on what happens when you contact an agent.