Purplebricks.com to launch any moment now

| Rosalind Renshaw

Purplebricks.com, one of the new-wave contenders in the estate agency world, is launching imminently – possibly today or tomorrow.

Yesterday, a spokesperson said that the site – which is backed by ex-Capita boss Paul Pindar – will launch “this week”.

The site is the brainchild of brothers Michael and Kenny Bruce, who owned estate agency Burchell Edwards before its sale to Connells.

They describe the concept as the UK’s first 24/7 estate agency, and declare that it will “disrupt the property industry”.

At launch, it is emphasising its letting agency operation, which is headed up by Richard Jacques, formerly of Your Move.

The firm says that Purplebrick.com will “for the first time, combine the human face of the traditional letting agency model with a unique, fully interactive and online platform which, for landlords, means that for the first time ever you can have complete control over letting your property at the click of a button, 24 hours a day”.

It adds that the “inconvenience of letting agents’ opening hours is completely removed”.

The site is also emphasising its “full time dedicated support team of highly trained local letting experts available around the clock – allowing landlords the flexibility to either carry out viewings and meet prospective tenants themselves, or enlist the help of their experienced local expert.

“Unlike the majority of other letting agents, all local letting experts from Purplebricks have the Association of Residential Lettings Agents qualification and have undergone a rigorous training programme to ensure that the highest quality service is always delivered.”

Landlords using Purplebricks.com – which will utilise a call centre in Southend – will pay a fixed fee of £199, including VAT.

The fee includes listings on all major property websites including Rightmove, Zoopla and Primelocation, with properties going instantly live once landlords approve their adverts.

Purplebricks.com’s press statement of yesterday says: “With the average property currently on the market to let for just four days the fees charged by lettings agents cannot be justified.”

Jacques said: “We understand that landlords want more control when it comes to letting their properties and need a round the clock service rather than one dependent on a letting agent’s opening hours.

“Landlords need to be able to manage their portfolio from one place, whilst they are on the move, from any device 24 hours a day.  Wherever a landlord is in the world at any time of day or night they have the certainty with Purplebricks that their asset is being marketed better than any other agent.”

Jacques’ previous role at Your Move was as investor club manager. Previously he ran his own business, Hillside Lettings in the midlands.

 

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23 Comments

  1. VTUK
    April 10, 2014 at 08:20

    Not "entirely" the first time, as we have enabled this technology for our clients, across all stakeholders (landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers and contractors) for the last two years. The obvious advantage is that High Street agents can now also be "online" agents, whereas the online model will only ever be just that. Maybe this answers the debate over whether an office presence is sustainable, even for boutique agency without the millions of pounds of backing that Purplebrick benefits from?

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  2. wilko
    April 10, 2014 at 08:22

    Seems a bit complicated….why would a landlord want to "take control" of his let if he is paying an "agent" to do so?
    I must say that I do think the internet will take over traditional agency eventually.
    Last week I got some quotes from builders to build my extension….the virtual builders online were a fraction of the cost of real builders!

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    1. PeeBee
      April 10, 2014 at 09:59

      …and I'm sure you will be over the moon with your virtual extension, wilko!

      You can furnish it with virtual furniture; populate it with virtual people… you can even 'meet' other virtual extension owners online and create your own little virtual town…

      Oh. Sorry – it's already been done, apparently. Another brilliant idea bu99ered…

      ;o)

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      1. wilko
        April 10, 2014 at 10:48

        I'll be inviting my virtual friends round for a party when it's finished to show off my virtual extra living space.

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        1. PeeBee
          April 11, 2014 at 08:03

          I'm virtually happy for you, matey! ;o)

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  3. JTS
    April 10, 2014 at 09:32

    Most landlord's hire an agency because they don't have the time or inclination to manage their properties effectively, having a good agent gives them the piece of mind that there is a professional property expert looking after their asset, not a brainless moron sitting in a call center in south end.

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    1. Trollteon
      April 13, 2014 at 23:46

      *Southend

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  4. Farnaz
    April 10, 2014 at 09:49

    So landlord's would pay more taxes and do more work! Does not sound like a good alternative….agency fees are tax deductable, lets not forget..

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  5. JFK
    April 10, 2014 at 09:50

    Ermmmm, aren't these the same enlightened individuals that launched the spectacular disaster, 'JKM Property Solutions' ? This followed the timely Connells acquisition of Burchell Edwards, just in time to avoid a financial apocalypse. Dramatic online reviews still available !

    http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3221360

    http://www.hotukdeals.com/misc/anyone-bought-sold-using-jkm-property-solutions-burton-935627

    http://old.estateagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/Harry-Hill-property-firm-gets-set-to-wind-down

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  6. wardy
    April 10, 2014 at 10:55

    ''They describe the concept as the UK’s first 24/7 estate agency, and declare that it will “disrupt the property industry”.''

    As a personal favor to you guys, I will take it upon myself to squirrel this firm on launch.
    I look forward to requesting EPC's at 2 o'clock in the morning, discussing local school offstead reports after nights down the pub and you never know, I may may want to book a viewing just before Top Gear starts on a Sunday.

    I'll let you know how I get on.

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    1. PeeBee
      April 10, 2014 at 12:43

      GO!, wardy, GO! ;o)

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  7. MF
    April 10, 2014 at 11:22

    Sounds like propaganda tosh to me…

    No matter what industry, I always prefer personal and professional service. This is usually achieved via "people" businesses – often the small independents.

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  8. PeeBee
    April 10, 2014 at 12:45

    "…is launching imminently – possibly today or tomorrow…
    …and declare that it will “disrupt the property industry”."

    Bring.
    It.
    On.

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  9. JTS
    April 10, 2014 at 14:17

    Purple Bricks rhymes with Purple …

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    1. PeeBee
      April 10, 2014 at 15:08

      Yeah – I've been calling them (in best Rev. Spooner fashion) BurpleP….s since the news first broke, JTS! ;o)

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  10. Paul H
    April 10, 2014 at 16:28

    These purple chaps are missing a trick here, surely with all the savings being passed on by "not having a high street office etc" the site should have been called goldenbricks!

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    1. wardy
      April 10, 2014 at 16:36

      It should of been called 'sh**ing bricks' because that's what the investors are going to be doing at launch.

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      1. PeeBee
        April 10, 2014 at 21:02

        wardy – you're on fire today, matey!! ;o)

        Report
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