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
The Biggest Factors that Reduce Property Value
If you are looking to sell your home, or if you own a number of properties, then you’ll want to make sure that your sale price matches your valuation. With that said, there are a number of factors that might affect this. Underpinning Subsidence can be scary if you’re a homeowner. There’s no doubt that…
Read More 
How to Transition from a Fixed-Term Tenancy to a Periodic Tenancy
Transitioning from a fixed-term tenancy to a periodic tenancy is a common occurrence in the UK rental market. It offers flexibility and convenience for both landlords and tenants by continuing the rental agreement on a rolling basis once the fixed term ends. Whether you’re a landlord managing a property or a tenant seeking clarity, Martin…
Read More 
Housing sales end 2024 on a high, but buyers more cautious about how much to pay for homes as mortgage rates drift higher
Buyers and sellers returned to the market over 2024 building a sales pipeline 30 per cent larger than a year ago with 283,000 homes worth £104bn progressing to a sale in 2025. This is the largest end of year total value for four years. House prices have returned to growth with the average house price…
Read More 
£21 million to live on UK’s most expensive street
· Knightsbridge in London now the priciest UK street · The UK’s 10 most expensive streets all in the capital, with an average price tag of £16.5 million · East Road in Weybridge the most expensive address outside of London · Priciest UK properties are 60 times more than a typical home Lloyds has revealed…
Read More 
Breaking Property News 20/12/24
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Why estate and letting agents must embrace innovative technology in 2025 As we step into 2025, the UK property market continues to shift, and estate agents face mounting pressure to meet the evolving expectations of buyers and sellers. The days when static images sufficed…
Read More
Breaking Property News 19/12/24
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. High street Auctions’ initiative launches to revive Britain’s town centres This month the UK Government rolls out its highly anticipated ‘High Street Auctions’ scheme, a flagship measure of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This initiative grants local authorities the power to take…
Read More