New sites will add to competition online .

Where ever we seem to look these days there seems to be changes taking place within the property industry, the portals sector appears to be attracting the most attention, most readers who follow blog sites like this one will have seen a string of announcements recently re sites being launched. Lets run through a few and maybe your views on any or all of the newly launched sites may give us even a wider understanding as to whether agents will benefit or to what degree in efficiency and savings, so replies would be welcomed.

RaterAgent.co.uk launches January 15th
It has recently come to my attention that rateragent.co.uk will be launching in just a week, the site is being launched by CEO Mal McCallion who helped launch PrimeLocation in 2000 and was also involved in the launch of Zoopla’s estate agency proposition in 2009. The site will be aiming to become established as the most efficient and well-used agent rating website for the public and will be directly in competition with Allagents. Another key area of raterAgent will allow agency proprietors to register individual staff, they can also be rated by the public, this I can see very benefical in group agencies where management can monitor performance of individual salespersons.

Bambooauctions.com launching this month.
Well, there is no shortage of well known persons involved in the launch, backing and running of this auction site for estate agents only. The founder is Robin Rathore who is a lawyer himself, Faisal Butts who already backs several property ventures including eMoov and Ivygate estate agents, Chris Brown, a past president of both the NAEA and NAVA (the National Association of Valuers and Auctioneers), an impressive line up. The service will be totally online, sellers will not be charged to list either, revenue creation will come from sharing commission earned by the agent.

Onthemarket.com launches January 26th
Out of all the new launches probably this is the one that is causing the biggest debate amongst agents, created by Agents Mutual this portal will be in direct competition to Rightmove and Zoopla, not only in competition but will impose rules on its members that they can only go with one other portal, quite controversial in itself. The details about onthemarket.com were covered in one of my previous blogs, sufficient to say all eyes will be peeled for what will be a very interesting launch and how well it will perform in achieving results for its clients.

Houser.co.uk launches January 12th
Well this one has taken most by surprise, founder Rocky Mirza has come up with a completely new idea for his portal that will offer free listing to agents by taking the properties directly from the net by crawling agent websites and other published sources, in a similar fashion as to the way google searches. It will certainly be a revolution in the way properties are marketed and a fair few agents have already registered for the service, the service to agents will be free from the onset, additionally the service will also be available to private sellers. The website is now on the net and is at present on countdown until the launch.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act-lessees can control their own destiny

Matthew Pennycock, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, has made a Parliamentary Statement regarding the future progress of the Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act 2024. The Government have formally recognised the “significant complexity of the task” and that the legislation was rushed in at the end of the last parliament and as a result…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker 22/11/24

The current average asking price of a typical first-time buyer property is £225,340. For someone taking out an average five-year fixed, 85% LTV mortgage, the average monthly mortgage repayment on this type of home is now £1,104 per month if repaying over 25 years, compared with £1,138 per month a year ago (when the average first-time buyer property asking price was…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The Architecture Of Attention Behind Social Media Addiction

In the digital age, social media platforms have revolutionized how we connect, share, and consume information. Behind their sleek interfaces lies a sophisticated architecture of persuasive technology.  These platforms employ intricate design patterns and technical elements to capture and hold user attention. From subtle visual cues to complex algorithmic systems, every feature serves a calculated…
Read More
Breaking News

2025 Predictions for the Private Rental Sector

Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director, Leaders Romans Group (LRG) “As we approach 2025, the lettings industry is entering a phase marked by stabilisation and opportunity. Rental inflation has slowed to an average of 3-4% for new lets, reflecting the effects of affordability constraints; renters’ budgets are beginning to limit how much rents can rise.…
Read More
Breaking News

Response to Matthew Pennycook’s Statement on Leasehold Reform

Yesterday, Secretary of State Matthew Pennycook made a Ministerial Statement on the future of leasehold reform. Responding, Mark Chick, director of ALEP and a Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP said: ALEP welcomes the ministerial statement which puts in place a timeframe and some objectives for the implementation of the Leasehold & Freehold Reform Act.…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Essential Garage Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

Maximize your garage space with practical storage ideas that keep your items organized and accessible. If you’re dealing with a smaller garage, smart solutions can make a big difference in keeping your space neat and usable. 1.  Wall-Mounted Storage Wall-mounted storage is an excellent way to save space and keep your garage organized, especially in…
Read More