For sale boards serve two main purposes - alerting prospective buyers to an available property and to help estate agents advertise their name.
However, as a result of the explosion in use of property portals, the need for such signs is growing less.
Add in complaints from neighbours, local councils and other restrictions which prohibit their display and it could be that the days of traditional estate agent signs are numbered.
Indeed in one part of London, agents themselves have reportedly ordered staff to remove high street signs because they look "ugly".
A total ban on agent signs is being considered for West Hampstead. Hampstead, Belsize Park and South Hampstead are already sign-free on their high streets.
Comments
Ahhh... sorry - see where you are coming from.
To be honest I have become rather anaesthetised to the right-hand side of this page so I never noticed. But, darn you, now you have re-heightened my awareness - wonder how many weeks it will take me to steer my attention away once more!!
I was thinking you meant in terms of journalism or professionalism. Silly me.
I wonder what the advertisers/sponsors think. Do THEY read what the readership are posting, do you think More importantly for them - what about those that DON'T post any longer...
Look a bit closer Peebee, it has stopped flashing and blinkinking like a pervert with a tick and the add comment box has been dropped down to after the comments rather than before.
Someone has noticed that the reads and comments have fallen into the basement and is trying to find a half way house between to old and the new.
Unfortuneately the place sinks of spivvery now and the readership has abandoned.
The quanity of content is here but the quality is simply woeful. I am sure Mike Jones might be a thoroughly nice chap but he certainly hasn't yet produced a single story that has held any interest for me in over 7 week.
This story is so pathetically weak and a clear demonstration that Mr Jones has no real depth to his understanding that if I were Nat daniels I would be having serious concerns about the future. The old site layout isn't the answer!
'Funny' - "Looks like someone is trying to put EAT back to the way it was..."
Sorry - I've been malingering around this site for several years, and I don't remember it ever being anything like this.
I wrote an article on this very subject - I just re-read it and its actually quite good. I was surprised - [url="http://old.estateagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/Eric-Bushell-Blog"]MORE HERE[/url] - PS - I got fined for an illegal board the following week - but thats another story
Looks like someone is trying to put EAT back to the way it was albeit with the pi55 poor graphic design of an A level student.
Total waste of tuime if the content is still down on the floor like it is. I am surprised Mike Jones put his name to this attempt at journalism.
Now, now, 'Guest' - you'll be labelled arrogant if you take that attitude... ;o)
What a load of Cr*p, not content to this at all!! This is not news, theres not facts, no quotes, and no stats. Boards will always be a key marketing too for estate agents!
Ahhh, CT - you've got me bang to rights on that one. In fairness, however, I didn't make it very difficult.
Here's the thing. I was responding to a ridiculous post from what was, based upon the content, most probably an employee of the website it related to - or some SEO bod based in Kuala Lumpur or other entirely relevant location. Has 'Whassname Jasper' so far challenged me on the point No. And you will find that I wasn't the only person who found enough holes in the posts to classify them as material not even suitable for net curtain.
But in respect of YOUR 'Google paid-for' argument, and for the avoidance of doubt - I agree.
That being said, I don't use them myself.
But then I don't eat eggs - but I acknowledge that there must be a market for them... ;o)
Arrogance Me Hey - if you like the word, and you think it fits... then fine.
PeeBee,
Your statement that NO-ONE clicks on Google paid for ads is so wrong that it is laughable.
Google's rapid emergence as one of the World's most influential and profitable companies was based on their mastery of Pay Per Click advertising and the massive multi-million dollar daily revenue that it generates. MILLIONS of people the world over click on paid for ads every day.
Presumably the arrogance you display in your quick to condemn replies extends to believing that because you don't click on paid for ads nobody else in the world does. Comical ;)
Trust YOU to bu99er up my theory, Bollinger - you renegade!
Know what - that sounds like a plan.
I'll forward diary it.
Oh - and what I write are MY thoughts - no-one else's.
Ms Renshaw and I had the gloves on many times over certain stories over the years - and would no doubt have continued to do so. One thing that I WILL say for her - she never ignored her readership, as seems to be the new style.
Yeah... little tinker, aren't I ;o)
I've just clicked on every advert on this page!
PeeBee,
Interesting statement you made on the YouGov thread: Thirdly, and as in classic tradition, saving the best 'til last, you draw our attention to a GOOGLE PAID FOR AD. No-one - repeat - NO-ONE, uses those.
Are you actually saying that NO-ONE clicks on Google paid for ad
Get over it Peebee - These stories have always been on EAT - not sure your connection with Ros but your bleating is becoming so boring. Get over it and move on!
Better still if you do not see any merits in the site stop reading and posting, i am sure nobody will miss your input!
YET ANOTHER comic-book 'story' from the "bright, new" EAT.
"However, as a result of the explosion in use of property portals, the need for such signs is growing less."
Portal THIS; online THAT - is this REALLY what you believe Estate Agency is all about, EAT
If ALL an Estate Agent can do is upload and Tw@tter all day, then pity their poor vendors - and purchasers, for that matter.
Turn the damn internet off - lets see how we all fare in the REAL world!
The other distinct advantage to that idea is we wouldn't be subjected to billshut like this, masquerading as "news".
I'm totally disillusioned with this complete joke of a site.
Will someone - ANYONE - out there please, please come up with an alternative to this drivel.