A new regionally focused property portal has been launched as an alternative to the main property websites such as Rightmove and Zoopla.

Three independent estate agents are behind the new property search platform, which aims to appeal to estate agents, buyers and sellers on a local level.

Localmove.co.uk has been developed by Acres, Green & Company and Paul Carr, which have 26 branch offices between them in Sutton Coldfield and the immediate surrounding area in North Birmingham.

With other local agents on board, the trio claim that it gives local buyers access to more than 70% of properties in the borough and they expect to reach 90% soon.

This is the latest example of local agents across the UK teaming up to develop an alternative portal solution after becoming disillusioned with national portals’ fees, according to Nigel Deekes of Acres, and director of Localmove.

He said: “There has been much debate in the market about the cost of national portals and we felt it was time to take action. We know from our own statistics that 90% of sellers and buyers want to focus on property in their local area within a radius of around fifteen miles. What’s required is a property portal to enable this to happen effectively and efficiently.

“Fundamentally, property buyers will search where the majority of the property of interest to them is advertised. Localmove will deliver not only the most local property but also a group of estate agents that have the experience to assist them with their property journey. By teaming up to launch Localmove, we can ensure that we remain competitive in terms of cost, whilst really focusing on the local property market to deliver a better service for the house buying/selling public.

“For far too long agents have been at the mercy of national portals who are strangling the independent agents and now is the time for these agents to be able to reduce their portal costs and take control back.”

The Localmove platform allows purchases and sellers to search for property using all common filters, register their search and receive emails regarding listings that match.

The trio behind the new portal have plans to move into neighbouring towns, such as Walsall, Tamworth and Lichfield, and have launched a franchise model to help agents in other parts of the country tap into its potential success.

Paul Ivens of Green & Company, director of Localmove, commented: “All previous attempts to break the portal duopoly have failed because being national is not appropriate; it doesn’t work. We know agents across the UK are disillusioned with the national portals’ attitude to agents and their fees, and we know they want an alternative to the current choices.

“We believe that creating local/regional groups – who own and have control of their online marketing – is the way forward and the Localmove concept provides a viable choice. This has real potential to change the way buyers view properties.

“We have a real opportunity here, perhaps this is the last chance to take back control, and it’s time for a change. One of the developments we are currently evolving is the creation of local business marketing and events, thus enabling Localmove to be the centre for all community information.”

Under the existing proposal, all agents pay £150 per office per month to list properties with  Localmove, while there is also a franchise option.

Paul Carr of Paul Carr Estate Agents, director of Localmove, said: “Localmove has also developed a franchise option to support those looking to follow suit in new locations, creating an opportunity for likeminded agents across the country to take control of their own areas.

“Any group of agents can take a franchise and thereby own and run their own Localmove portal, which will be totally owned and independently run by its member firms, with shares for each member. It gives local agents across the UK the chance to cut down their portal costs whilst buying into the success of this model with a share in the ownership of Localmove.”

The Localmove platform has been built by property website developer Homeflow, which currently hosts around 2,000 estate agent offices nationwide.

Jeremy Harford Tapp, director of Homeflow, said “When I was first approached regarding Localmove I knew instantly that the idea and timing for such a portal were perfect. It is brilliant in its innovative design and concept.”