BREAKING NEWS -top 5 stories 03/03/2021

Estate Agent Networking Breaking News

STARBERRY ACQUIRED BY EPROPSERVICES

In the second, of what now looks like a trend technology brands are buying up or into website providers who have cutting edge services which create lead generation for clients. This time it is Ben & Rus Sellers of Starberry being bought out by epropservices headed up by CEO Jon Cooke.

Knowing Ben personally, a man who positively sizzles with energy and possibilities, this is a brilliant strategic fit for both operations, as the Starberry vision and understanding of the power of what they can and do for clients will dovetail well into the ever-growing epropservices empire.

AGENTS HATE RIGHTMOVE THE PUBLIC LOVE IT – ACCORDING TO THE TIMES

Patrick Hosking the Financial Editor of the Times newspaper reported two days ago that though the public loves Rightmove, the agents, the paying customers hate it. See his commentary,
‘Yet while the users are addicted to the site (weird fact: usage peaks just before 9pm on Wednesday evenings), its actual paying customers detest it — or at least are very frustrated with it. Estate agents are resentful of the sometimes thousands of pounds per month per branch they are charged for advertising homes on the site.

The agents, as they see it, do all the work in wooing the vendor, valuing the home, taking photos, writing up the particulars, arranging viewings and conducting negotiations. Rightmove offers a perfectly good service, but takes a large chunk of money for adding very little — and keeps raising its prices.

It is, … “an abusive relationship”. It has “a psychological chokehold” over agents, who are terrified they simply won’t receive instructions from vendors and landlords if they don’t use the most popular portal in Britain. Ninety per cent of all agency branches — more than 19,000 of them — are signed up’

BUDGET DAY

Soon we will know what the Chancellor has cooked up, where he is on SDLT, increasing taxation on property, increasing corporation tax, and what other inniatives he has for stimulating or cooling the property market – full analysis tomorrow.

HUGE UPTICK IN DEMAND FOR PROPERTY

Despite all the negatives of the pandemic, the sentiment in the housing market is extremely high, many agents are reporting they have limited stock and too many buyers.

RENTAL SECTOR HEALTHY DESPITE PANDEMIC PROBLEMS

A recent study states that despite the amount of tenancies where tenants are behind on rents, rents themselves are actually increasing and the need for more rented accommodation is at a healthy level.

Andrew Stanton

CEO & Founder Proptech-PR. Proptech Real Estate Influencer, Executive Editor of Estate Agent Networking. Leading PR consultancy in Proptech & Real Estate.

You May Also Enjoy

Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove House Price Index: New record asking price with resilient activity despite stamp duty increase

The average price of property coming to market for sale rises by 1.4% (+£5,312) this month to a new record of £377,182. This is a larger-than-usual April price increase, despite a decade-high number of homes for sale for the time of year A snapshot of the post-stamp-duty-increase market suggests movers are carrying on and have…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Boost Spring Valuations: Is Upgrading to Double Glazing Still a Top ROI?

Come spring, the property market always picks up pace. As an estate agent, you know the questions start flooding in from homeowners wanting to maximise their sale price. Top of the list for many? Windows. Specifically, is splashing out on new double glazing actually going to deliver a worthwhile return when they sell? It’s a…
Read More
LIVING BY THE SEASIDE 2022
Breaking News

COVID five years on: City and coastal trends reverse as homes by the sea take longer to sell

Rightmove’s new report looks at how the market has changed five years on from the pandemic starting Many city and coastal trends have now reversed, with homes near the sea taking three weeks longer to sell compared to 2020, and the majority of buyers in the capital looking to stay rather than leave London A…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

What it takes to make real estate development financing work

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners Securing financing for real estate development has become an uphill battle. With interest rates still elevated, inflation pushing construction costs higher, and planning delays introducing further uncertainty, developers face a challenging environment. Traditional lenders, constrained by regulatory pressures and rising risk aversion, have scaled back, creating…
Read More
Home and Living

Signs Your Roof Needs Professional Repair: Don’t Ignore These Red Flags!

The roof of your home is one of its most vital components. It serves as the first line of defense against the elements, shielding you and your family from rain, snow, wind, and UV rays. A sturdy roof also enhances the energy efficiency of your house, helping to regulate temperature and reduce heating and cooling…
Read More
for sale sign london
Estate Agent Talk

Cheap Local Estate Agent

How much is the average estate agency fees in England for 2025? The figure of 1.42% (including VAT) is the average estate agency fee in 2025. This average fee for selling your home can vary with figures between 1% and up to 3.5%, there may be some lower and higher too. How you are looking…
Read More