While much has been said about a ‘new normal’ and a new way of conducting business, eight out of ten agents still believe that a physical office is a vital aspect to their business.
Although agents have had to quickly adapt to working in lockdown and maintaining their business remotely, most say that they will be returning to their offices once the Government has advised that it is safe to do so.
The Guild of Property Professionals surveyed its members, asking whether they would consider alternative ways of working and whether they would be reopening their physical offices once the lockdown restrictions had eased.
Iain McKenzie, CEO of the Guild said:
“While most said that their office environment would need to be set up differently to ensure social distancing restrictions and health guidelines were adhered to, the majority were hoping to return to their offices and keep their agency model as it was.
“Although websites, portals, social media, and more recently virtual viewing and valuation tools, are key elements to the estate agency, many still feel that a physical office presence and being able to interact with the public will remain a large part of their business going forward, even with social distancing measures in place.
“While the sector has quickly adapted to using technology and virtual tools, something that may have been considered a gimmick a mere few month ago, the reality is that estate agency will always be a people business.”
The results are not surprising considering most independent agents are a single branch high street agency that are the backbone of their local property market and an integral part of their community.
As a single branch operation, what would be the alternative working situation other than to reopen their office?
A large portion of the agents believe that the presence of a high street office will continue to enhance their brand.
When asked if they would consider a hub style agency in the future with agents working remotely, the respondents were split.
Half said it could be something they would consider in the future, while half said they were happy with their current model and wouldn’t want to change.
“While most of our network regard a physical office as important, it seems that many are open to change as things progress and the market settles into a new post-COVID-19 normal.
“Around 53% of members said that they would have fewer desks in their offices, with approximately a third saying they would enable some of their employees to work remotely on a permanent basis.
“If the last few months has taught us anything, it is that agents need to be adaptable, ready to innovate and of course resilient,” says McKenzie.
He added that when agents are allowed to return to their offices, whatever that may look like, the most important thing is to ensure everyone’s safety is a priority.
“It is vital that all sectors returning to work to do so safely.
“Following Government guidance, we’ve worked closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to develop the six-point guide for estate and lettings agents returning to work.
“Our number one priority is ensuring that our members adhere to Government advice and can provide a safe environment for all concerned while they carry out their business.
“By working together and following some simple yet essential steps, we can all help keep each other safe while getting people moving,”
Comments (4)
If 85% say they need an office base after Covid-19 lockdown, why would agents consider not using that resource with the effective communication and operating standards it offers compared to a hub or staff working from home. We are a service industry and one of the biggest customer complaints is lack of access, knowledge and communication within the business and to customers. Hubs can never provide that service and a fundamental flaw in on-line only agents. The only advantage of a hub is cost saving for the hierarchy to make more money in their pocket. Think call centres … they are not popular with their customers and for so many reasons. Independent high street agents will wipe the floor, as has been proven for decades.
It doesn’t matter how big you are, its is how good you are.
Relationships are built when people aren’t actively looking to move. being visible and accessible where you do business is important and being a place where people can go and ask questions and trust the people who supply the answers is even more important.
I get the hub model and I see the beneifts of it. We’ve had an upstairs office, a shop, then been in a business centre and now we’re back in a shop. I see the way our shop is a place people like to visit and how we are growing relationships through the interactions we have there. HIgh street offices will need to be more than just a place to hold desks and if agents get out into the high street itself and engage on a human level with their community it will become more than just an office.
Being a digital mayor is cool but people need to know where to find you and we’ve found that having a place really matters.
Presence has always been key and why 95% of the market is still with the High Street.
I still believe in face to face contact, having had to close our office and work from home has been very easy process and has given me a side of the online agent. ( Which I Don’t Like) I have worked from home really more than I realised in the past, by answering emails to 2 am, admin and accounts, I know its good to be able to work anywhere in the world from your phone.
But walking into your place of work, your own showroom and office, does make you feel great!
You want to motivate yourself and staff, you want to sell that little two bed which has been sat in the showroom windows for 6 weeks now and not getting the interest.. New Photos Text Ect .. ideas Buzz in an office..
Having a showroom speak volumes and that you don’t get on line, your walkins which pass and pop in for a chat, they will one day be selling and thing of the agent that offered a coffee
We are slowly getting back to a Staff One in One out daily run of the office which is so rewarding that stuck at home.
Safe and Healthy Work Place Is Firstly Our Priority