A property portal which allows both private sellers and agents to list says that it is being approached by vendors whose agents are using OnTheMarket.
It also claims to having had approaches from OTM agents themselves, and that the ‘one other portal’ rule does not apply to it.
However, yesterday evening OTM said that it does consider the House Shop to be a competing portal. It said it did not wish to comment further.
The House Shop changed its name from the Little House Company two weeks ago, rebranding itself as a platform for private sales and both online and high street agents.
Partner Nick Marr said: “In recent weeks we have been approached by vendors whose agent is purely advertising with OnTheMarket.
“These vendors want to be proactive and in most cases they are able to list with us to top up their marketing.
“OTM estate agents have approached us as they seek more places to generate both vendor and buyer leads.
“We are not part of the ‘one other portal’ rule and we welcome OnTheMarket agents to The House Shop.
“The ethos is pro-consumer, pro-choice and is probably the exact opposite to newbie portal OnTheMarket.
“Online estate agents are part of the future and we intend to offer their listings and services to home owners who visit TheHouseShop, along with private sales, high street agency and auction.”
Marr said: “We intend to be a gateway to all the ways an individual can sell or let a home.
“Our visitors choose how they want to market their homes. We see working with online estate agents as an essential part of consumer choice.
“We look forward to working with online estate agencies who will benefit from our advertisers referrals and from the buyer enquiries we will generate for them.”
The original Little House Company launched in 2000 as a DIY sales portal.
The House Shop now says on its front page that it lists property for sale and rent “by estate agent and by owner”.
Comments (10)
I struggle to understand how we can continue to shoot down any hint of customer choice for fear of losing business.
Any seller when presented with an agency service compared to a fsbo service should be able to see the superior service offered by an agency… Or are we scared that maybe our service is no longer so clearly superior?
Most agents advertise on Rightmove and they accept private listings.
Why would any half sane agent sign up to a website where their sellers can advertise privately in competition to them. It’s a world gone mad.
Most agents advertise on Rightmove and they accept private listings.
Typhoon – if a vendor proves to be “competition” to the Agent – then I think the vendor made an unwise choice of Agent in the first place…
Sounds like wishful thinking and more about a bit of free publicity.
@Nick…..”Partner Nick Marr said: “In recent weeks we have been approached by vendors whose agent is purely advertising with OnTheMarket.”
By saying “vendors” in the plural – how many properties(owners) have actually approached you in this situation , or is it just “vendors” as in more than 1 owner of 1 property?
…or is it complete utter billshut?
I was trying to be less direct……you’ve probably scared him off now ! 🙂
Sorry wilko. It never occurred to me that someone who “appears as ‘property expert for the BBC and overseas property TV shows” would run off, shaking like a sheep sh!tting snowballs, because of a relatively timid one-liner from ickle moi!
Funny old world, innit! ;o)