Industry Interview: Spencer Fortag MARLA MNAEA of Dockside Property Services Kent
December 8, 2016
How important is it for estate agents to embrace innovation and technology in the industry to both find new clients and marketing their clients property?
I don’t think this is important. I believe it is essential. Clients today, of whatever age, tend to be tech savvy so agents that embrace bothÿinnovation and technology will flourish. Those that do not evolve will, like theÿdinosaurs, become extinct. Innovation and technology allows us to market to clients. we would not normally be able to, in a way that engages and excites them.
They say traditional / high street estate agents may disappear and be replaced by online and hybrid agencies – What is your opinion on that?
Personally, I welcome the challenge that online andÿhybrid agents bring. I do not believe high streetÿagents will be replaced because I feel that trad-agents can offer a better and more personalised service. Property, like car sales for example, remains one of the fewÿbusiness transactions where actual people still need/prefer to view the actual product on offer. Until weÿhave full-on, holographic, virtual reality property tours, trad-agents really do have the upper hand!
Has the choice to leave Europe, Brexit, made any effect on sales of property and consumer confidence within your area?
I operate in two very different regions; Medway and Canary Wharf. I believe the impact on Brexit in any given area isÿdirectly correlated to how that area voted. Canary Wharf, for example, with its highÿpercentage of financial services workers, voted at around 70% to stay. Medway,ÿhowever, voted at almost the same number to leave. Therefore, the result was felt more as a shock in Canary Wharf, than in Medway. Some overseas buyers haveÿexpressed concerns, but the reasons that most of them buy in theÿUK and London have not changed. We stillÿhave a safe, democratic society,ÿsteadfast land titles, low interest rates and an excellentÿcultural and educational reputation. Long may those continue!
2013 – 2016ÿARLA Regional Representative for Kent
MD Dockside Property Services Kent Limited
Regional Manager Landmark Estates
You May Also Enjoy
New-build demand dips in Q3 as homebuyers sit tight ahead of autumn statement
The latest market analysis from Property Inspect has found that fewer than one in five new homes are currently securing a buyer, with homebuyer demand for new-build properties falling on both a quarterly and annual basis. Property Inspect analysed current market listings looking at what proportion of new-build properties are already marked as sold subject…
Read More 
Rightmove celebrates 25 years of viral property moments
As Rightmove marks its 25th birthday, we’re celebrating the properties that stopped people mid-scroll, sparked thousands of shares, and became internet sensations. From a house with its own Tardis to a shark crashing through a roof, these homes prove that the UK property market is anything but ordinary. With billions of minutes spent on Rightmove…
Read More 
Rental stock availability in England rises by 19.7%
The latest rental stock analysis from Adiuvo, the UK’s leading provider of 24/7 property management solutions, reveals that tenants in England are benefitting from a 19.7% increase in stock over the 12 months leading up to Q3 2025. In some areas of the country, annual stock growth easily exceeded 50%. Adiuvo has analysed rental listings…
Read More 
Tenant demand continues to climb in Q3 as rental market shows no signs of cooling
The latest market analysis by Dwelly, one of the UK’s leading lettings acquisition and success planning experts, has revealed that tenant demand continued to climb across the rental sector during the third quarter of this year, with West Sussex home to the highest demand, whilst Rutland saw the largest quarterly increase. Dwelly’s Rental Demand Index* analyses…
Read More 
Halifax House Price Index for September 2025 – Thoughts from the Industry
Halifax House Price Index for September 2025. The latest index shows that: On a monthly basis, house prices fell by -0.3% between August and September 2025. However, house prices were up 1.3% on an annual basis. The new average house price now sits at £298,184. Thoughts from the Industry. Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments:…
Read More
Halifax House Price Index for September 2025
House prices in September 2025 were -0.3% lower than the same month a year earlier. Average house price – £298,184 Monthly change -0.3% Quarterly change +0.4% Annual change +1.3% Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages, Halifax, said: “The average UK house price edged down by -0.3% (£794) in September, following a modest rise in August.…
Read More