Social media discussion: Do UK estate agents deserve their reputation?

Estate agents get a hard time but is the reputation deserved? Property commentator Russell Quirk and others will discuss where the industry stands, how it can improve and what the US industry can teach us Brits.

The discussion will take place on Sunday at 7pm via ClubHouse, an exclusive social media platform that is invite only. It now has around a million members and has started to creep into the UK from its American origins. To apply, you will need to set-up an account.

Quirk will be joined by Graham Lock of FIA and others in discussing “Do UK Estate Agents Deserve Their Reputation?”.

Quirk said: “Whether the contention is that the reputation is good or is bad, remains to be seen. Or heard even. One wonders what the solutions proposed will be especially as there are thousands of US based realtors active on the platform that may jump in to teach us a thing or two.”

Join them on Sunday at 7pm, live. If you are a ClubHouse member already, of course. If not, you will have to register for an account.

Quirk added: “ClubHouse is really different, like a live podcast on subjects that you are interested in and that you can sit and listen to live or speak on too if you wish to get truly involved. I think there’s a real opportunity for UK agents and others in property to get together to discuss, debate and collaborate on the big things affecting the sector and, refreshingly, it’s not an anonymous platform and so the usual curtain-twitching trolls are certainly not on the guest list’, says Quirk.

“At last, perhaps this might be the platform that we all need to begin to improve our industry from the inside by talking about it – and so let’s start with reputation, a hot topic as ever. Is it that bad here compared to, say, the US? And if so, what are we going to do about it?”

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12 Comments

  1. LondonRealtor

    I find the constant comparison between here and the States really boring, clearly none of the people writing about the subject have ever worked there in that capacity, or understand the American psyche. People get all starry eyed when you talk about 6% fees, what they don’t comprehend is that Realtors, to put it really simply are 1/3 entrepreneur, 1/3 chartered surveyor and 1/3 conveyancer. Having said that Ive met plenty of brokers in my time who were really shoddy, just because you might have the piece of paper doesn’t mean you’re any good at your job, and comparing it to here, vice versa!

     

     

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    1. Constructionboffin

      I can assure you that Realtors in the United States are in no way 1/3 Chartered Surveyors.  I state that, being a Chartered Surveyor myself and having practiced in the United States for over three years.  I am intrigued, what skills as a Chartered Surveyor, do you believe that they bestow on their clients?

      Nevertheless, the the Realtors that I meet in Tennessee, were professional, fully qualified, regulated and licensed individuals.  Can that be said of all Estate Agents here?

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  2. AndSotheStoryBegan

    I find it ironic that an agent with one of the worst trade reputations in the industry is leading the discussion on improving the position of his peers. That he is aligned to a USA model that actively encourages a practice abhorrent to most Homeowners (door knocking) is evidence of little desire to achieve a better reputation. It’s simply another platform on which to promote the p.r hustle.

    There is one thing preventing individual agents from improving their individual reputation and that is transparency of character and practice – something that most agents can’t live with.  If you can handle it, do it and enjoy the benefit of trust.

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  3. ARC

    Good luck getting an audience Mr Quirk because it’s only the “curtain twitching trolls” that pay you any attention.

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  4. Moveaside01

    Who actually appointed Russell Quirk as some sort of industry expert, apart from Russell himself of course? Frankly I’d rather liaise with next door’s cat if I wanted advice on Estate Agency matters………….

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    1. jan - byers

      LOL

      Meeeew

      Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

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  5. Vanessa Warwick

    The irony of hosting a social media discussion on a new and unproven platform – which is mostly sharks and con-trepreneurs selling their courses to be a millionaire in a year with no money – which most property industry people will not be a member of and will likely not wish to join.

    Why not host a live youtube debate with chat that is far more accessible and transparent?  That’s what social media is all about imho.

    It’s also disappointing to see Mr. Quirk claiming that anyone who doesn’t share his opinion is a “troll”.  They’re not.  They are just people who don’t share his opinion – whether they be anonymous or not.

    Open debate from people of all views is by far the most healthy and valuable.  Excluding people who don’t share your opinion is evidence of someone trying to control a conversation – and that is not a debate.

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    1. Dick Value

      Well said.

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  6. Anthony Kerrigan

    I am unsubscribing from this site.

     

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  7. Woodentop

    Russell who?

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  8. Woodentop

    The only people who give agents a bad name as the “norm”, are people who try and make a story out of it in thier own self publicity.

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