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

Estate Agent Talk

Landlord Safety Certificate Cost Breakdown for London Property Owners

London Safety Certificate is your trusted provider in London, offering fully accredited and dependable services to help landlords meet their legal obligations with confidence. As a landlord, you’re responsible for guaranteeing that your property meets UK legal safety standards, which means obtaining various safety certificates. The costs for these certificates can vary; for instance, a…
Read More
Breaking News

Nationwide House Price Index – Thoughts from the Industry

The latest Nationwide House Price Index for July 2025 shows that: House prices increased by 0.6% between June and July of this year. On an annual basis, the average house price increased by 2.4% up from a 2.1% annual rate of growth in June. As a result, the average UK house price now sits at…
Read More
Breaking News

Nationwide House Index – July 2025

Annual house price growth edges higher in July Annual rate of house price growth increased modestly in July to 2.4%, from 2.1% in June House prices were up 0.6% month on month UK house price to earnings ratio at lowest level in over a decade at c.5.75 Headlines Jul-25 Jun-25 Monthly Index* 540.5 537.4 Monthly…
Read More
Breaking News

Late payment reforms offer hope for SMEs

The Government has unveiled its Small Business Plan aimed to support SMEs and unlock growth. This plan outlines their intention to tackle late payments, an issue which costs the UK economy £11bn a year and forces 38 businesses to shut down every day. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said:…
Read More
Breaking News

Late payment reform is welcome, says FMB

Measures announced as part of the Government’s ‘Small Business Plan’, to tackle late payments and tool theft, futureproof skills, and improve access to finance, are welcome steps to create a more level playing field for small building companies, say the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB commented: “Late payments…
Read More
Social Housing 2019
Breaking News

Build to Rent sees global surge

Build to Rent Goes Global: New Data Reveals Surge in UK, US, Australia and New Zealand New global data from Inventory Base reveals that Build to Rent (BTR) is no longer a UK phenomenon. n, it’s a rapidly expanding housing model gaining serious traction across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Nowhere is this…
Read More