It’s been another hectic week for the industry, here is what has caught our eye.
First: Portal wars
The prospect of yet another property portal really got you talking.
Called My Property Search, it is promising a “streamlined system” allowing agents to upload properties using Google integration and “time-saving click lists”.
It is going to charge £99 plus VAT per branch, per month.
It also says that in the next few weeks, it will become a familiar sight online as well as in print and on TV and radio.
On the website, it invites agents to “find out more about how we intend to become a well-known, nationwide brand by the end of the year”.
Nextchapter was unsure of their chances of success: “I hope they haven’t under estimated how much national TV advertising costs and how often you need to advertise on TV before people even start considering you. It’s a money pit. Plus they need to convince estate agents to use them and estate agents will only do so if they know it’s reaching enough of the public, but then why would the public want a third or fourth option.”
Basher52 said: “I can’t see any new portal being a success unless they get agents on board in their droves (or have a usp).
“So when their rep phones up and tries to get agents to sign up to an unknown site for £99 a month what’s the answer going to be?”
Second: Feeling the heat in Oz
Purplebricks has landed with a loud thump in Australia.
Its launch has attracted television coverage, which in turn has attracted criticism.
According to commentator Media Watch, Channel Seven ran a “shameless plug” on its news bulletins, “with an even bigger puff piece on Sunrise the next day”.
There is acerbic commentary to watch on this link
Third: Target practice
Why did you start in agency? That is the latest debate being hotly discussed on The Arena forum.
One user, LocalAgent201625, said: “I love the buzz of winning an instruction over my competitors or tying up a sale.”
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