If it’s not broken, don’t fix it!

If it is not broken do not fix it

Prior to my epiphany with Proptech a few years ago, try saying that with a few seasonal drinks inside you; I was a traditional property man, a stalwart of the status quo, and slow to adapt to change. Not quite one of the ‘if it is not broken don’t fix it’ brigade but close.

Now I am in the other camp, having seen how much drudgery and Groundhog day processes spin along in the ever-complex property ecosystem. And I want with your help reader to explore how life can be better if property or a service industry is in your blood.

Speaking recently to Iain McKenzie CEO of the Guild of Property Professionals, a man with an enviable and distinguished career in agency, we explored how this terrible pandemic did have a few silver linings.

Iain explained, ‘When the property market first went into lockdown, more agents were forced to evolve with virtual interactions as the only way that they could carry on promoting properties. Subsequently, Government guidance in May stated that virtual viewings and valuations should be the first interaction with vendors and buyers.

Teasing him, I said was this not just a gimmick, that would evaporate hopefully like Covid-19, his response was, ‘Those Guild members who use the virtual tools included in their membership have identified that not only is this style of interaction exceptional customer care, but it also improves the efficiency of their business.

Being me I obviously burrowed a little deeper, I asked – tech costs money and what about our friend Mr ROI (Return On Investment)?

Back came Iain’s answer – ‘At a recent Guild Advisory Council meeting our Members were saying that their viewing to sale ratio has gone from 13/1 to 4/1, because they are sending virtual viewings and videos to customers in the first instance, and only doing physical viewings when the customer is genuinely interested.

Clearly, these type of efficiencies, add significant profit to a business, and makes for a more seamless consumer/agent centric service. So maybe changing inefficient ‘unbroken’ legacy systems might be worth a try after all?

If you have a view – please let us all know. – Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward.

Email me at info@stagingsite.estateagentnetworking.co.uk if you have any comments or suggestions for me.

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 asks government to carefully consider property tax changes

The UK’s largest property platform Rightmove is asking the government to carefully consider the impact of any changes to property taxation to avoid unintended consequences which would risk stalling parts of the market. Key data National property tax Just under a third (30%) of homes for sale in England are priced at over £500,000, and…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Get Fast and Reliable Basement Flood Cleaning Services

Having water in your basement is awful. It could be because of a storm, busted pipe, or bad sump pump. Whatever the reason, water damage in your basement has disastrous effects if not dealt with. Basement Flood Cleaning Services are what you need. They will dry it out, disinfect the floor, and have your basement…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 21/08/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Providing comprehensive, predictive operational intelligence across all aspects of building operations  JLL (NYSE: JLL) this week introduced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that are now available as an add-on to Prism, its award-winning building operations platform. As part of JLL’s property management technology ecosystem powered by…
Read More
Breaking News

UK House Price Index summary: June 2025

The average monthly rate of house price growth in June was 1.4%. The average annual rate of house price growth in June was 3.7%, up from 2.7% in May. As a result, the average UK house price remains at £269,000.   CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, commented: “June’s figures reflect a market that is steadily…
Read More
Breaking News

Private rent and house prices, UK: August 2025

Average UK monthly private rents increased by 5.9%, to £1,343, in the 12 months to July 2025 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 6.7% in the 12 months to June 2025. Average rents increased to £1,398 (6.0%) in England, £807 (7.9%) in Wales, and £999 (3.6%) in Scotland, in the 12 months…
Read More
Breaking News

Industry response to latest inflation figures

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments: “Unfortunately, any increase seen within the rate of inflation does brings very justified concerns to consumers, many of whom are still struggling with the cost of living, which has been steadily rising over the past few years. “Although there is more work to be done to help ensure inflation…
Read More