Finance
Almost 150,000 extra transactions might have taken place had Stamp Duty been abolished, claim
CEBR research analyses impact of the property tax on housing transactions over the past five years
News
Agency
Property duo launch free private ‘for sale by owner’ platform, saying it will be a game changer
Estate agents launch new 'internet utility' with listings free to all vendors – but welcome agents
Agency
Agent’s ‘make your own sandwiches’ advice for first-time buyers to make sacrifices backfires
Backlash as agent suggests ways for first-time buyers to save deposit
Compliance
Letting agent prosecuted after failing to obtain licence in ‘first’ Rent Smart Wales court case
Letting agent who failed to obtain licence to be in business hit with fines
Agency
Claim that ‘only one of our agents could get vendors highest price’ withdrawn after complaints
Complaints to Advertising Standards Authority result in informal resolution
Agency
Zoopla welcomes back 15-branch regional firm as the PR battle continues
Stakes raised in PR battle as OnTheMarket expected to reveal details of stock market listing
Acquisitions
ZPG confirms approach to GoCompare but ‘£460m bid’ is turned down
Zoopla parent company now has until December 12 to 'put up or shut up'
Acquisitions
Belvoir says shareholders in Property Franchise Group want merger talks
Time running out for Belvoir to 'put up or shut up' in merger bid
Finance
Transactions slide across the UK while lending figures for house purchase take a tumble
Sales volumes down across English regions – but figures are historic
Agency
eMoov ‘suspends’ plans for portal listing after EYE questions if raffle property is a private sale
Portal listing called into question after vendor pays to list property on Rightmove and Zoopla as a raffle prize
Agency
Over 1,000 branches that left Zoopla after OnThe Market launch ‘have now returned’
Zoopla branch numbers climb amid claim that OTM branches have fallen to a low of 5,500
Agency
High street agents close more offices than ice cream parlours, supermarkets and bookshops
High streets are changing as more agents and charity shops close
Lettings
Hamptons set to trial deposit replacement insurance product for tenants
Branches will trial choice of traditional deposits or insurance scheme
Agency
Online agents’ low fees DO attract consumers – but so do their promises of customer service
Trust is single biggest factor for public when it comes to choosing an agent, says reviews site
Other News
Estate agent laments lack of police support over moped gangs
Warning to agents as yet another office is targeted by moped gangs
Finance
Cash purchases rise to two thirds of the buy-to-let market, says Countrywide
Record numbers of landlords using rising house prices to fund their buy-to-let portfolio
Finance
allAgents hits 40% of fundraising target in legal battle with Purplebricks
Purplebricks shares slip again – and THAT advert is changed
Compliance
Ombudsman continues crackdown on letting agents breaking law over fees
Ombudsman revs up fees campaign with letting agents
Compliance
Woman agent ‘groped’ by manager says commission-based structure encourages sexual abuse in industry
Managers hand out the leads – and the pressure is on junior staff to impress, says woman agent who was sacked after complaining of groping incident
Other News
Rightmove says almost four in ten current vendors have cut asking prices at least once
More properties on market have price reductions than for five years – and annual house price inflation slows to a near halt