Zoopla hails return of 100 agents’ branches since end of ‘one other portal’ rule – but all still list on OTM

Zoopla owner ZPG said it has more than 100 agent branches since the flotation of OnTheMarket on the stock market last month.

The flotation meant an end to the ‘one other portal’ rule for some OTM members.

Among the companies to have rejoined Zoopla since its flotation on February 9 are Curchods with 19 branches, Douglas & Gordon (18 branches), Henry Adams (15 branches), Morris Marshall & Poole (five branches) and Whitakers (four branches).

ZPG added that Chancellors has also renewed its listings agreement.

The portal said “numerous” other agents with one, two or three branches had also joined.

However, all of the businesses named also still list with OnTheMarket, including Chancellors, which OTM signed last month to a new five-year deal.

Mark Goddard, ZPG Property Services’ outgoing managing director, said: “We are delighted to welcome back and further cement our relationships with all these agents from around the country who understand the advantages we deliver to their business.

“Our proposition continues to go from strength to strength and with the best value portals, most advanced software and widest range of tools we continue to help agents gain exposure and generate additional revenue.”

A spokesperson for OnTheMarket said: “In the first two weeks of trading on AIM, we welcomed Arun Estates and Chancellors Group of Estate Agents which between them operate more than 150 branches.

“In addition, we had signed up 243 new listing agreements with agents within the first two weeks after our admission to AIM and agent support is continuing to grow.”

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8 Comments

  1. Toddy

    If this whole OTM excercise has taught us anything it’s that we don’t need to list on 3 portals to sell houses. Don’t understand those going back to Zoopla. Yet to hear a solid business reason why. There is still the feeling that agents have to list on Z rather than want to.

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    1. Typhoon

      In certain parts of the country the aggression with which competitors use the “they not listed on Zoopla” line is extreme That’s the reason.

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  2. Essjaydee51

    I agree you don’t need three but what surprises me is that you don’t mention R and the whole point and hope was to make a portal for agents that is run by agents and is financially more cost effective, by using Z instead of R that would have slowed down or with greater support, stopped R in its tracks from sending out rate rise demands!

    it is people with your mindset that hasn’t supported OTM and obviously only using R ( admittedly the best) that hasn’t helped the cause and thus strengthened R’s hold whilst weakening those that would actually help our margins rather than the shareholders dividend.

    With quicker sustained support and more agents coming on board that title of best would have been diluted and then up for grabs by all three  portals with them  having to lower their costs but here we are, back in a mess and having to say to the likes of R, how far over do you want me to bend sir!

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    1. AgencyInsider

      Far as I understand it the OTM intention was, and is, to build to strong No2 position, pushing Z back to No3. At that point we won’t need to list on all three.

      Then, depending on its strength of numbers and its war chest size, OTM may take a pop at RM.

      If it really did become a credible threat to RM (BIG if) then that is the time that RMs rapacious profiteering may be brought into check. But it’s going to be a looooong time coming so you’d better keep that tube of lube to hand, ready for the annual RM price rises.

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  3. surrey1

    A fool and his money….

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  4. International

    IF ONLY……….all or a very much larger number had supported OTM, then the objective would have been achieved. They would have had the money to invest in marketing and most agents would be saving a lot of money by having dropped one, if not both of the other leading portals. OTM was a brilliant “mutual” idea and agents through sheer fright failed to back-up each other. Just the same is the reason for the collapse of a decent level of fees !

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  5. GPL

    Sorry??!!!! someone in this thread talking about estate agents NOT supporting OTM?!

    Don’t get me started with COnTheMarket, been there, done that, got shafted. As I’ve said, at least Rightmove face you while they shaft you!

    Zoopla? pointless in my view however Typhoon points out a fair reason why Zoopla.

    OTM/ZOOPLA can be summed up as follows….

    ”It’s my ball, NO IT’S MY BALL, No it’s not, it’s my ball…..”

    ”I’m going to play with my Teddy then, MY TEDDY’S BIGGER THAN YOUR TEDDY, No it’s not!, YES IT IS!…”

    ”Right, I’m going to play with my ball then, I TOLD YOU IT’S NOT YOUR BALL!”

    ……Enter Big JONNY RIGHTMOVE ….who grabs the Ball, shoves them both to the ground, and then walks off saying “ IT’S MY BALL! ALWAYS WILL BE! “

     

     

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  6. HITMAN32

    GPL you must have been bullied and still are by sounds. You need to stick up for yourself, RM don’t bully me and as for Z I’ve never needed them for over 4 years, can’t understand why agents are selling their soles to the devil. Arrrr got it! It’s because they are offering a cheap deal, latest Z deal 6 months free then £50 for next 6 months on a 12 month contract. It would make sense for all agents to drop RM and Z then sign up to OTM only. If they had any guts!

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