The first 100 relocation agents to graduate from a new online training course hit the streets this month - a classic sign of the high-end housing market remaining robust.
The newly-accredited relocation specialists - known to some in the industry as buying agents - have been trained by the Relocation Agent Network, run by US-based global relocation facilities firm Cartus.
To be successfully accredited, participants must complete three phases of learning, which begins with four training sessions on the importance of customer service.
This is followed by three online seminars covering the Relocation Agent Network Referral Process and how best to help customers who are relocating around the UK.
Finally, participants must convert their theoretical learning into real life by delivering assistance to specific relocating customers; their performance is then assessed.
However, this new glut of buying agents is not universally welcomed.
One senior Savills agent told EAT, on agreement he would remain anonymous, that this lot always proliferate when the wealthy end of the market is doing well but buying agents are typically older estate agents or returning Mums who think it's easy - and it's not.
He claims inexperienced and part-time relocation agents can sometimes inadvertently mislead their clients because they lack the contacts and time to get advance leads on homes en route to the market - so effectively end up charging clients for providing information about properties which are already in the public domain
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