Online Estate Agency – The Rise of The Machine (Interview CEO of emoov)
June 21, 2018
Q: How are things going for emoov in the world of UK Estate Agency? I am sure things are looking very rosy and you will be able to dispel any myths out there that the online estate agency sector is not doing all that well with valuations to sales ratios and are just being held up by big city investments.
The sector has grown by 196% since the end of 2014, according to Rightmove. Our listings are now at an annualised 13,000 making us the seventh biggest estate agency business in the UK. Purplebricks are now in the top three. Therefore how can anyone honestly and with a straight face claim that the new sector is not growing?
The evidence that I see with regard to sales vs listings ratios is that so called online agents’ performance is the same as high street agents. I mean, why wouldn’t it be when we all advertise in the same places? And please, magic applicant hot boxes and exclusive buyers? These relics of the profession are as obsolete as fax machines.
‘Big city investments’ are indeed supporting the new sector. As they are supporting Ocado, Uber, Transfer Wise, Twitter, Snapchat, WeWorks etc etc… So what? The traditional sector is way too obsessed with the profitability of the ‘online’ model when they should be much more concerned about their own.
Q: Though we consumers are shopping more and more online, there is still that slight reluctance to steer themselves away from the high street estate agent – In your opinion, outside of the cost saving opportunity, why should the seller and the buyer look to engage and trust emoov?
24/7 accessibility. More control through technology. Better service. A better price achieved (1% by us on average according to Zoopla stats). Plus the avg £3000 fee saving of course
Q: PropTech is shaking up the industry with many elements of estate agency streamlined thanks to new software, CRM, apps and more – Is emoov an adopter of #PropTech – Maybe you now have your very own #PropTech incubator at your head office?
We don’t operate an incubator. We build our own proprietary software based on customer journey desirability, a quest for cost efficiency and through rigorous testing and evolution. So yes, I guess you could say we are an adopter of PropTech although I’d say that given our unique platform we are actually PropTech pioneers.
Q: I’m a passionate, ambitious and a hard working individual and would love to get in to UK Estate Agency and make myself a good living – What opportunity can emoov give such a person if they are considering becoming a local agent with you?
As a Local Property Agent, the opportunity to work and progress within a company that’s at the leading edge of the industry and is growing fast, always innovating. Earnings are greater than the high street equivalent for those that are prepared to step out of their traditional agency comfort zone.
Q: What is the vision for the next five years?
To cement ourselves as the UK’s best known and loved estate agent and with a 10% market share. And to ensure a profitable return for those investors that have supported us so well.
You May Also Enjoy
Budget Commentary – Mansion Tax, Business Rates & Planning Reform
Andrew Teacher, Co-founder at LauderTeacher, one of the UK’s leading advisors on real estate communications, investor relations and a former spokesman for the BPF, comments on the potential Budget. Mansion tax “Nobody likes paying tax, but the reality is a council tax revaluation is long overdue. Rather than distorting the market, which is what a…
Read More 
Budget 2025 market data & home-mover and agent insight
Speculation about property tax changes is fuelling uncertainty across much of the market Rightmove research found that home-movers would favour staggered stamp duty payments, while a poll of estate agents also suggested that staggered payments would be a preferable change to shifting payment to the seller Rightmove data on rumoured property tax changes Mansion Tax…
Read More 
Breaking Property News 24/11/25
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Symple resolves four core issues in the new Renter’s Rights Act Automating compliance in the new PRS landscape The Renters’ Rights Act has raised the bar for private landlords in England in terms of property condition, hazard resolution, evidence of compliance and regulatory registration. Symple…
Read More 
What does Rachel Reeves have in store for the UK property market?
With the Autumn Budget now just days away, speculation is mounting that the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will use property taxation as a central tool to address the widely reported fiscal shortfall of between £20bn and £40bn. As a result, the housing market has entered a period of caution, with asking prices falling 1.8 percent in…
Read More 
Why Property Guarantors Need Legal Advice Before Signing
When it comes to property deals, it’s natural to look for additional support, especially when you’re not fully confident about meeting the terms of the agreement. This is where a guarantor comes into play, as they step in to give the property owner some assurance. The idea of helping someone you trust can feel quite…
Read More
Breaking Property News 21/11/25
Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. VE+ the new procurement engine cutting developers costs without compromise Finishes packages are specification sensitive and expensive components of any build – VE+ fixes this As construction costs continue to climb and procurement timelines tighten, developers and contractors are being pushed harder than ever…
Read More