BREAKING NEWS – 5 top stories 01/02/2021
SDLT HOLIDAY EXTENSION DEBATED TODAY
At 4.30 pm today the government will debate an extension to the ‘stamp duty’ holiday, the petition seeks to extend the present non-payment of the tax in its present form until the 31st of September.
With Lockdown 3.0 and a large number of properties set to miss the present deadline, many in the industry will be keen to get clarity around this topic soon, though it is likely the Chancellor may defer any decision until his March budget.
THE PROPERTY FRANCHISE GROUP HAS MADE A SUCCESFUL OFFER TO BUY HUNTERS
Though not a done deal, an acceptable price for the Hunters group has been brokered by TPFG, which if it goes the distance will add a significant network of agencies to the TPFG stable of companies.
Richard Martin TPFG commented that, ‘We have reached an agreement with the Hunters Board and major Hunters Shareholders on the recommended acquisition of Hunters.’
THE GUILD’S CEO BACKS BOOMIN AFTER DATA CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED
Following assurances from the Boomin c-suite regarding how data is to be utilised, CEO Iain McKenzie of the Guild of Property Professionals has publically endorsing the new portal, and will be recommending its use to its 800 members.
FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ZPG AND CONNELLS ANNOUNCED
Though already utilising Zoopla, Connells has entered into a deeper partnership whereby it will be a testing ground for many of the new inniatives that the portal is looking to develop.
This is a clever move as it in some ways avoiding the cost of the development of these expensive services. It is clear that agency is now more than ever becoming a digital business model.
PRESSURE IS STILL ON FOR PHYSICAL VIEWING BY AGENTS TO BE STOPPED
In a number of National newspapers the theme of not allowing physical viewings to take place during Lockdown 3.0 is picking up momentum. Focus has been out on buyers viewing out of their zones, and the increasing risk of ‘strangers’ walking around properties.
At present the government is taking the line of a watching brief, but like all things an announcement could be made at any time depending on the rate of Covid-19 infections and what other businesses or industries have more severe restrictions placed on them.
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