Rightmove has ‘uncontested market leadership’ says City analyst

Analysts at investment bank Liberum have reported that Rightmove has gained market share to stand at 82%, giving the portal “uncontested market leadership”.

By contrast, Liberum reports that market share for Zoopla, OnTheMarket and Primelocation has fallen.

It puts the market share of OnTheMarket and Primelocation at just about equal – although that particular chart only goes up to July.

However, it also reports on its latest survey of just over 1,000 people in October.

For the last seven quarters, Liberum has asked: “Which property portal do you use when searching for sales / lettings?”

A total of 53% said they would use Rightmove when looking for sales and 51% said they would use Rightmove when looking for lettings.

The report claims that both Zoopla and OTM have lost market share to “other property websites”.

Liberum concludes: “The cost of listing on property portals is very small for an estate agent as a percentage of revenues.

“We see little incentive for estate agents to leave the clear market leader as the shift to online sales continues.

“In short, we have seen Rightmove evolve into the UK property portal of choice.”

Graphs: Liberum

Liberum market share

Liberum Sales

Liberum Lettings

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39 Comments

  1. EHenderson

    Figure 28 suggests that Zoopla is gaining but the top graph shows them losing share. A bit confused really.

    If this is the effect of OTM, and these stats are to be believed, would anyone agree that the project has completely failed to achieve its objectives? Or are there some who will still claim that the project is on track?

    Time for a rethink?!

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    1. GPL

      It’s predictible….. press….. flush….. and out comes EH

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      1. Simon Chan

        There is no such shop as Tesco’s. It’s Tesco.

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  2. GPL

    Rightmove has been No 1 for years….. so, the “evolving” revelation from these Analysts suggests they live in a bunker somewhere.

    Rightmove remain a business built on the stock supplied by estate agents….. and as it has grown it has alienated itself from thousands if its members!…… hence the arrival of OnTheMarket.com

    At what stage does Rightmove pause, bend over and gaze up its portal and decide to really address its monumental failings in its service, attitude & costs to members?….. or does it choose to think it dominates to the exclusion of its paying members….. and it always will?!

    Like the Supermarkets…..Rightmove better look at themselves….. or rock on and take the attitude that they are in charge of the UK Property Market?…… look at Tesco’s etc…. keep ignoring your paying members Rightmove and, in my view, you will rightly pay the consequences!

    Rightmove have demonstrated over and over that they have forgotten their paying members and serve themselves and the stockmarket.

    ……Rightmove? …….have evolved into WRONGmove!

     

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    1. danny

      GPL , you don’t half talk some utter nonsense . Rightmove are laughing at you right now ….. To your face . You are a OTM member that finished with zoopla no? Your not allowed to rant with sentiment about how they will “pay the consequences . It’s like the Pharoe islands declaring war on Russia . You had your chance , you and 5000 others blew it, now you will “pay the consequences” as actions speak louder than words. When you make your own portal and then dump their nearest competitor what message do you think that sends….

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      1. Simon Chan

        Game, set, match.

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      2. GPL

        danny?…… who woke you up from your backroom slumber…… I can’t remember who you stand for….. I know it’s not our industry….. so, which one of The Duopoly do you portal lap dance for? in your “find your happy” thong.

        I stand corrected by Mr Chan, like sheep…. Tesco are singular in name….. and I believe they or Asda….. and I’ll check with Simon re Sainsbury …’s

        ……ignoring your paying customers has consequences…. eventually.

        however danny?….. we’ll rename you Teflon because you are clearly perfect and non-stick!

         

         

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        1. danny

          Have you been skipping your banter classes again? My 6 year old could have formed a better riposte …

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          1. danny

            Define eventually GPL , Rightmove have operated since the early 90’s , we haven’t been happy with their pricing model for 15 years . A bunch of agents got together to form a portal to show them what for …. And then removed themselves from their nearest market rival… Actions … Words …. One speaks volumes , like I said , there is probably a bunch of reps in Rightmoves head office devising a price increase quaffing champagne huddled round a computer reading this howling with laughter … Directed squarely at you

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            1. GPL

              Danny….15 Years Rightmove have been going…… and yet OnTheMarket.com have dared to arrive and exist for less than a year, despite the DoomGhouls howling away “they’ll not last, I’ll give them 6 months, Rightmove and Zoopla will wipe the floor with them!……” really?! Oops….. OTM Members forgot to obey The Duopoly!

              Here’s the deal danny….. Zoopla wasn’t even a rival for itself…. it sat there obedient, gazing lovingly up the portal bottom of Rightmove! I recall Zoopla commenting years ago that they weren’t there to undercut/rival Rightmove but would actually, in effect, follow their lead….. which in terms of being compliant they did! Zoopla suddenly bent over and danced the merry discount tune when so many walked away to OTM! …. and it was a useless gesture as they provided no competition to Rightmove, merely a distraction!

              The only valid point is Rightmove having a bigger market share however that dear danny is Zoopla’s fault as they failed for years with their compliant Duopoly attitude…. so their “eventually!” was the arrival/launch of OTM!

              To be fair to Zoopla…. they are going in a different direction as they read the writing on the wall!

              So, back to Rightmove?! …..anyone who truly believes their “eventually” won’t come either assumes that All Estate Agency Members of Rightmove have Zero common sense and intelligence to recognise that our industry is alarmingly in danger of being sucked into the Anonymous Catch All Property Portal that is Rightmove, and if our industry succumbs/surrenders to this option then they have only themselves to blame, because they danced when The Dictator pulled the portal strings! …..or danny? …..or EVERY UK ESTATE AGENT only cares about their own business and NOT OUR INDUSTRY…… in which case we have already lost!!!!!!

              The EXISTENCE OF OTM suggests that OUR INDUSTRY has the ability to breathe for itself however….. all those REAL Estate Agents that don’t support the growth of OnTheMarket.com are then, in effect, strangling the future existence of our industry!

              As as biker….. I stopped one morning in the torrential rain to help a guy who had broken down on his motorcycle….. because I care about that group of individuals….. last week whilst on holiday…. I sold houses, helped clients offering for properties…. I helped a neighbour….. yesterday amongst a busy morning I went along to our local War Memorial and paid my respects because I wouldn’t exist now as I do if it wasn’t for all those that sacrificed, all those years ago…… and all of the aforementioned, like so many others….. demonstrates that I am NOT Mr IN IT ONLY FOR ME!

              Rightmove serve themselves, then their visitors…… THEY JUST FORGOT ABOUT SERVING ME! …….and yet I PAY THEM!

              ……do me a favour danny….. pay someone to make a soapbox for you and then let them give it away to someone else….. that might just demonstrate that you are not totally focused on yourself!!!

              As for Rightmove increasing prices danny? …..best learn to negotiate until their “eventually” comes crashing down on them.

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          2. GPL

            Ok danny…. in the words of the Portal Pet Shop Boys…… I’ve got the time if you’ve got the money.

            Firstly….. I’m howling with laughter that you have offspring!?….. that’s just scary!…… lots of Little Danny’s singing their hearts out….. all blessed by The Rev Rightmove! ……a sweet portal family.

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  3. Robert May

    and who wrote this, Elle Stevenson?

    “We see little incentive for estate agents to leave the clear market leader as the shift to online sales continues”

    How exactly did asking 1000 people anything lead to that as a conclusion?

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  4. wilko

    Rightmove, in this position, are going to carry on increasing, increasing, increasing and then increasing fees………What is the top most figure per branch that you would continue to pay……???

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    1. Paul House

      Precisely Wilko, i’m hearing stories of some agents paying between £1700-£2000 per month, to think that in 2007 we were all paying roughly £300 per month for listings only until all the products were then launched.

      How much will we all be paying in 5 years time I wonder?!

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      1. the message

        Paul – its irrelevant what you used to pay. Surely the answer is you just pay when its value for money, and when it isn’t you don’t. Those agents that are paying £2k a month obviously believe its worthwhile, those that refuse to pay £500 obviously believe it isnt. The world has changed hugely since 2007, and will continue to change dramatically, and all of us need to evolve with it. In 2007 there wasnt even something called an iphone or ipad, historic prices weren’t available, nor google streetmaps. the consumer world is changing every day, just deal with it.

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        1. Paul House

          The Message…In 2007 £300 per month per branch would be the equivalent of one person’s weekly salary. Some agents are currently paying £2k per month per branch which is the equivalent of one person’s monthly salary. At the current rate of trajectory agents will be paying around £5k per month per branch in 5 or 6 years’ time, that equates 3 persons monthly salary.

           
          Do you think this sustainable?

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          1. the message

            deoends if its bringing more business in,or its making your operation more efficient. I reckon we do 40% less wasted viewings now from a decade ago because people have seen 24 pictures, and a google streemap before tey come along.

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            1. the message

              it obviously has to stop somewhere, and of course I begrudge every rise, but I also spend a lot less in other areas than I used to. How large can it go? – well I would never have thought it would be this much to be honest!

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    2. smile please

      That’s the problem wilko, its like crack!

      They give you a little to get started, you like it, so you give them a little bit more cash when “the good stuff” comes in. Then you are hooked, they are the only dealer / supplier in town with the good stuff, the others do not come close, They keep increasing your price. You know you should just quit but you cant!

      In the end they have everything, you cant pay them, somebody else will, they toss you aside and bleed the next junkie!

      *i have never used crack but heard it is rather morish!

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      1. wilko

        Agreed, but I’m amazed no one has said an actual amount where they would say “enough is enough” It’s all very well message saying “as long as it provides good value” but that means that no consideration has been given to an an actual figure that he/she is prepared to spend.

        With that reasoning could it get to a point where a branch might make £30,000 a month in fees and Rightmove charge £10,000 for listing.

        With messages argument you could say that is worth it if you believed the properties wouldn’t sell/be listed with your agency  without Rightmove, thereby stopping you from getting the 20k you were left with.

        I’ll ask again…….what limit, cash wise, per month would people be prepared to spend on Rightmove in the coming years?……..As paul said, if, as expected it carries on the same as before we could well be looking at £5k per branch in the next 5/6 years.

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        1. smile please

          Okay,

          For me, if the current market was the same i would, if pushed go to £2,000 per branch.

          I would not want to but if others round me were still advertising at that rate i would have to.

          basically i will pay whatever i have to as every agent round me is on RM and at this moment in time (as OTM has demonstrated) no agent is willing to walk away from it. Not because it will stop them selling property but because other agents will use it against them.

          Like i said its like crack! – You know even now you should walk away but you don’t

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          1. I want to believe

            Therein lies the problem, as long as there are muppets out there that will keep paying the ever increasing prices that RM charge we will all have to keep paying.

            if only there was an alternative, a newcomer that would challenge this very problem.

            Ho hum.

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  5. Landlord

    Interesting the constant OTM, Rightmove etc debate on here.

    The Facts are King Canute could not stop the tide

    Tesco can loose market dominance, Sainsbury’s did before them

    As more people shop on line, it will become more not less likely that house sellers and buyers will use the internet.

    High Street presence is expensive, and charges will be under pressure, so costs will be under pressure.

    The High Street is suffering from on-line merchants providing a better service than even very competitive High Street outlets, items delivered within 2 days, at less cost with more rights to return.

    I would not want to be starting out my career due to the immense changes that are happening due to the digital revolution that has in reality is only just beginning.

    The high Street used to be Bank’s, Building Society’s, Estate Agents and Insurance all in the same general business sector, in that order, now it is Estate Agents and then way behind comes Bank’s and Building Society’s, Insurance has moved off the main streets and gone on line.

    I would expect the High Street estate agent to reduce dramatically, once the change comes and that may be 5 to 10 years away but as sure as the tide keeps coming in twice a day then this will happen.

     

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    1. wilko

      Landlord, Why do you think that Estate agents have survived on the high st longer than “Bank’s, Building Society’s, Estate Agents and Insurance” and you might as well add – travel agents

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      1. the message

        because rightmove dont allow personal sellers??…..

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        1. wilko

          Nice answer message but if it were true then why have the online agents (put on Rightmove from £95) Only gained 3-4 % of the market in the last 10-12 years?

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      2. HarryN

        Err, because people move every 9 years whereas they deal with their bank every week and insurance company every year at least.

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  6. the message

    OTM doing a good job of replacing primelocation though, so OTM is definitely working….for some…..

    Picture the scene……Jan 2013, Savills HQ…

    Lord Savill    I say old bean, isn’t it simply ghastly what these beastly portals are up to..

    Frank Knight   erm, they don’t really cost us that much, small beer really…

    LS – not that you fool, really Frank you are such a dullard, when you were my fag at Eton I should have damn well beaten some sense into you….no, how much they are worth. Billions I tell you, and we have missed out, well its an outrage

    FK – but what can we do…we cant afford the £20m it will take to build a portal to compete with primelocation…….

    Ian Springett – enter stage left “Only me”…..I have a cunning plan. Why not get a load of small agents to pay for the set up and marketing, and then we can replace primelocation as the dominant high end portal…

    KF ….Oh come on springers old chap, how the hecketty heck could we get some little agent in Swindon or salford or sunderland to pay for the build out of a competitor site to Primelocation….its a crazy idea

    LS – and even if you could, how on earth do I have to avoid ever being in the same room as those sweaty oiks….

    Springers – leave it to me gentlemen…..

    NEXT YEAR

    Springers – BROTHERS, we need to unite to destroy the capitalist vermin that are destroying our business. Yes, I tell you, one member one vote, we are all in this together, united we stand, divided we fall, lets take back what is rightfully ours, power to the people, up the revolution, the working man will have his day etc etc etc

    General plebs – yes springers, where do we sign!

    FK and LS – Well done springers you cad – more champagne!!

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    1. smile please

      Not sure the conversation went like that but did make me laugh, well done!

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      1. danny

        Your forgetting glen tree estates , he said he was involved . Just your average one branch estate agent, selling £10million properties ..in Central London

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        1. the message

          I am chortling at the fact I got 6 dislikes, is that just people who think I am not funny, outraged savills staff, or die hard OTM fans?!

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    2. HarryN

      I don’t believe it is that deliberate but it will be the outcome of the thing…

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  7. Property Paddy

    so your saying http://www.flogmygaff.com hasn’t got a chance then?

    Dammit !

    Oh well better stay with RM & the other one

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  8. Pomdownunder

    RM should Push vendor paid advertising. Accordingly bring the subscription amount down. Agents will be moderately happier. I say moderately as their bottom line costs will be lower, but they wont like asking for vendor paid advertising. Still it benefits the agents P+L.

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    1. smile please

      Agents will be happier if RM take vendor paid advertising? -Err no they would not!

      If RM did that i have not doubt 80% of agents would walk away the next day.

       

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      1. Pomdownunder

        The way you’ve written your reply I’m not altogether sure you understand what I’m referring to. And by the way if 80% of agents were in a position to walk away at any point, why haven’t they for all the reasons that people are already having a whinge at RM for? So 80% my as*

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  9. PeeBee

    From above:

    “As more people shop on line, it will become more not less likely that house sellers and buyers will use the internet… The High Street is suffering from on-line merchants providing a better service… delivered within 2 days, at less cost with more rights to return.”

    CRACKING set of reasons there… I think not.

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  10. Woodentop

    They way things are heading some agents are getting worried they will not have stock to sell that can cover their overheads. Just maybe RM may find finances will see agents leaving them as Z and & OTM are better placed than ever before. I’ve said it before, why support a company that is supporting companies that openly are trying to put you out of business! The public don’t give a damn about RM or any other portal as long as the agents lead to a place where they can see properties to buy or rent.

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  11. GPL

    smile please? ……Quote of the Century!?!!

    “I would pay £2000 per branch……” to Rightmove!!!!

    I pledge 2000 pennies to the “smile please Recovery Treatment Fund” which surely must be initiated as a matter of extreme urgency!

    Apparently John McEnroe has pledged to come out of retirement and stand outside your branches and shout loudly ” YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!!!”

    smile please….. as your enter the next Rightmove Grand Ball know that you will be at The Platinum Table and you can look around the table at the assorted guests dressed as Clowns in Straightjackets!

    It’s almost funny….. yet sad….. that an apparent estate agent appears completely compliant and unable to negotiate with a service supplier.

    Here’s a thought folks……. imagine every Rightmove Paying Member cancelling their Direct Debit in December 2015…… and let’s see who blinks first! estate agents or Rightmove!

    I remember a monumentally crucial negotiation between 2 major service suppliers that provided advertising services for Estate Agents….. the dominant supplier had sat there for years bathing in its million pound plus profits, increasing them every year, annually shafting their paying clients…… sound familiar?!….. and then it was decided enough was enough because there was a democracy and this was a dictatorship service…… so each were placed in different rooms in a well known hotel and just before the final bell tolled and we all changed service suppliers…. the dominate supplier came running back to the table to renegotiate terms….. and so that dictatorship was finally broken! ……the years and years of kicking the clients and kicking them, and kicking them led to a revolt because you can only keep kicking for so long…..eventually those on the receiving end finally have no option but to simply stop the kicking!!! …… and there, for all to see….. is the downfall of the dictator!

    Lessons to be learned on both sides folks!…… lessons to be learned!!!

     

     

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