Selling a property has traditionally meant choosing an estate agent and paying commission when the property sells. But as technology changes the way we search for, buy and communicate about property, could it also give homeowners another choice - and potentially save them thousands in the process?

For generations, buying and selling property in Portugal was often far simpler than it is today.

A discreet "Se Vende" sign outside a home. A recommendation from family or friends. Conversations between neighbours. Buyers and sellers speaking directly, with a trusted solicitor guiding them through the legal process.

Property was often sold through relationships, local knowledge and trust.

Now, even that traditional sign outside the property can be brought into the digital age.

Once a property is listed on Slide'N Doors, sellers can download a unique QR code for their property, print it and display it at the home in the traditional fashion.

A potential buyer walking or driving past can simply scan the code with their phone and instantly see the property listing, photographs and information.

They no longer just know a property is for sale - they can immediately see what's for sale.

Over time, estate agents and property agencies became an increasingly important part of the market, particularly as Portugal attracted buyers from around the world.

Today, Portugal is one of Europe's most sought-after destinations for relocation, retirement and investment. International buyers search for everything from Algarve villas and Lisbon apartments to countryside quintas and coastal homes.

For buyers unfamiliar with the country, experienced estate agents can provide valuable local knowledge and help navigate the language, legal process and property market. For many homeowners and buyers, using an estate agent remains exactly the right choice.

But technology has now created an interesting opportunity: to bring some of that traditional simplicity back.

That is where Slide'N Doors comes in.

Slide'N Doors uses modern technology to make one of the oldest ways of selling property possible again - owner and buyer connecting directly - but with the reach and presentation of a modern property marketplace.

"I've bought and sold property before," says Wayne Johnson, founder of Slide'N Doors. "Looking for property in Portugal made me realise how personal selling a home really is. The owner knows every detail - every improvement they've made, every view from the terrace and all the little things about a home that you might never discover from a property description."

The question wasn't simply about saving commission. It was why choosing to sell privately should mean having fewer professional ways to present what is often someone's most valuable asset.

For years, private sellers have largely relied on social media, classified websites and general marketplaces to advertise their homes. While these platforms can generate interest, they were not designed specifically for property, leaving homeowners competing for attention alongside everything from cars to furniture.