Tech
New draw-a-search tool leads to a sharp rise in bespoke searches
There are now 430 agents signed up to use Rightmove’s Viewings Manager tool.
News
Politics
One in six homes sold for over asking price as stamp duty holiday deadline looms
Mark Hayward, chief policy advisor, Propertymark: “It is fantastic to see the property market continuing to thrive, fuelled by the announcement to extend the stamp duty holiday.”
Politics
New Help to Build scheme ‘will create more stock for the property market’
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick: “Building your own home shouldn’t be the preserve of a small number of people, but a mainstream, realistic and affordable option for people across the country.”
Agency
LSL and TPFG join forces to expand mortgage and protection advice services
LSL will provide digital and face-to-face mortgage and protection advice to TPFG’s expanded network of over 430 estate agency offices.
People
STAA announces board appointments
Chair Merilee Karr: “The STAA has been incredibly valuable in supporting all of the hosts and businesses in the industry through a challenging year and we look forward to helping the sector recover even stronger.”
Agency
People camped overnight outside estate agents for new homes
Estate agent director Jeanne Fry-Thomas: “We just don’t have the stock. The demand is there, but we don’t have the properties.”
Agency
Estate agent removes photo after flag featuring a swastika causes offence
The image was taken inside a property for sale in Hough-on-the-Hill.
Finance
Stamp duty receipts increase sharply despite holiday
Jonathan Stinton at Coventry Building Society: “These numbers are surprising but anyone in the industry will know how frenetic it has been over the past few months.”
Agency
Last week’s Foxtons AGM ‘must serve as a wake-up call for the board’
Major changes are needed, says investor
Agency
Adam Hayes opens third office as business expands
Adam Hayes continues its expansion with the opening of a new office in Finchley.
Agency
JOHNS&CO opens new office in Brentford
The new JOHNS&CO office, which launches today, is offering a 0% commission initiative.
Agency
Hamptons to hand Just Move In referral fee to Marine Conservation Society
The estate agency says that for every new customer that signs up to the service, a carbon-absorbing mangrove tree will be planted in their name.
Acquisitions
LSL unveils new mortgage broker Pivotal Growth
The joint venture, known as Pivotal Growth, will be powered by market-leading technology, first class regulatory compliance and exemplary customer service, LSL said.
Compliance
The Deposit Diaries: Reasonable adjustment and equality in tenancy deposit disputes
Sandy Bastin, head of adjudication services at Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS), explains what reasonable adjustments are.
Politics
Relaxations to the statutory residence tax rules should be made permanent
Nimesh Shah, CEO at Blick Rothenberg: “The government were right to make tax changes after James Dyson wrote to the Treasury at the start of the pandemic last year.”
Politics
The government pledges to ‘support first-time buyers and the housing market’
Housing minister Christopher Pincher: “In a year that has tested us like no other, we have never felt more of a connection to the place we call home and the sense of security and comfort that comes with it.”
Agency
Fresh data ‘suggests no improvement in Purplebricks’ market share’, says UBS
Adam Berlin, media analyst at UBS: “Longer-term, we have become more cautious on Purplebricks’ ability to win material market share.”
Finance
Foxtons chief executive receives £1m bonus package despite shareholder revolt
Almost 40% of investors fail to approve controversial payment plan.
People
Comings and Goings
LRG makes key appointments; FocalAgent recruits Karl Meier; Redrow promotes Rose Sandell
Acquisitions
Sequence agency network agrees deal with part exchange service
The deal will also allow Sequence to offer Spring’s fully-funded part exchange services to all of the new-build developers that it works with.