One of Britain’s most experienced estate agents says there’s no alternative to Rightmove, and the portal’s relationship with the industry is not worse in principle than any other supplier in a strong position. Lee Wainwright – former chief executive of Purplebricks UK and a former managing director of 116 Bairstow… Read More »Rightmove no worse than many other suppliers says ex-Purplebricks boss
Boris Johnson is considering introducing a mansion tax for high value homes according to a Sunday newspaper. The Telegraph – citing two separate but unnamed sources – says the measure is being considered as a way of helping pay for large scale infrastructure improvements, primarily in the north of England.… Read More »Mansion Tax on high value houses being considered by government
New research suggests the internet and broadband coverage have become even more important to buyers and tenants. The study – involving 228 housing professionals and 2,000 homeowners or renters – shows that 86 per cent of the public claim having a decent connection in their property is important and 64… Read More »Broadband seen as ‘4th utility’ by buyers and agents
Agents “dread” buyers’ questions on value, asking prices and nearby new development according to a survey. Some 50 agents and over 1,500 owners who had purchased in the past three years were questioned by interiors firm Hillarys over their dealings with estate agents. The questions the agents apparently dreaded most… Read More »Buyers’ questions on value and price ‘dreaded’ by agents
Suddenly Brexit Day is nearly here. It may have taken three and a half years from the Referendum but the UK will, within days, be outside of the EU. Whatever one’s views, and whether or not that is a cause for celebration, there is substantial work to be done by… Read More »Brexit challenges for agents and the property industry
An estate agent has set up his own buying operation because he claims the quality of service for high-end buyers has “dwindled” in recent years. Matthew Jackson, a former head of new homes and investment at London-focussed agency Chestertons, has now set up Oakmont Private Office. He is damning in… Read More »Quality of agency service for high-end buyers has “dwindled” – claim
The hugely-respected Phil Spencer is to write a regular column for the industry on Estate Agent Today under the auspices of his MoveIQ service. Throughout his 30 year career Phil has worked as a buying agent, housing market commentator TV property expert and as an awards ambassador; throughout this time… Read More »Phil Spencer to advise agents how to meet public expectations
Some buying agents have batted away the many signs of an improving housing market but one says the Boris Bounce is likely to create a huge boost for prime London. Fraser Slater, chief executive of buying agency Ludgrove, says: “With a vastly improved political backdrop, the threat of a hard-left… Read More »Prices up! Transactions up! Agent forecasts a boom in 2020
The proportion of 25 to 34 year olds who own their own home in England has risen for the first time in over a decade. There are now as many owner occupiers in this age range as there are private renters according to the government’s annual English Housing Survey. It… Read More »Home ownership amongst young people up after a decade of decline
The Competition and Markets Authority says it wants to send “a strong signal” to the estate agency industry that price-fixing will not be tolerated. The CMA has in recent times probed three cases of price-fixing amongst agents in different areas. These were: 2019: agencies Michael Hardy, Prospect, Richard Worth, and… Read More »Watchdog issues “strong signal” to rogue agents who price-fix
