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Written by rosalind renshaw

Property Place, the new Facebook property platform, has released details of its deals for agents.

It is charging £50 per month per agency (not branch), and will fix its fees for two years.

It is promising to cap any increase for the following three years for all agents who sign up before March 1.

Founder Sohail Rashid has had to move to placate agents following a press release aimed at the consumer press which claimed everyone hated estate agents.

He also said there will be no set-up fees and unlimited property uploads.

He said: “With over half the UK population on Facebook, it is more than likely that your next buyer or tenant is going to be on there.”

He claimed the launch had been ‘hugely successful’, adding: “Property Place is not another property portal. It is, and will remain, an open community for the UK property sector and it is the community members that will decide how property will be marketed on there.

“We’ve had a phenomenal number of independent agents sign up to our services, and at £50 per month, they don’t have to replace resources and staff members to use an application that is globally recognised as being at the forefront of social media integration.

“We hope that our five-year guarantee demonstrates our intention to work with independent agents during what is going to be a tough period for the entire sector.”

Comments

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    Yeah you are correct. People will never buy clothes, download music, sell cars or rent houses on Facebook.

    What a stupid thought.

    • 09 February 2012 13:05 PM
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    "Another Idiot" - You called yourself an idiot, but this gives you no right to call me or anyone else on here one. How rude! A comment board is to share opinions.
    Back to the subject then.. just because you don;t like RM does not mean that we need to 'try' any different thing that comes along. This one feels very wrong and the business model does not stack up. Go ahead and waste your money. My opinion is we don't need it as social networks are not about posting our properties on. People don't use facebook to search for properties.

    • 09 February 2012 09:33 AM
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    @Get Real One to avoid on what basis? Because it is offering something different and most of us don't like Vebra? It's idiots like you that make RM's job easier. . Don't get me wrong, it might not work but I'm just saying we've got to try something otherwise as soon as RM decide to do private listings we are all buggered. What will be our alternative then?

    • 08 February 2012 17:39 PM
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    "another Idiot", It doesn't mean that Property Place is going to work, or we should support it, just because we don't want RM to have a monopoly.
    New entrants with fancy new models should be evaluated on their own merits - the problem with this one is the founder and Vebra owners seem to be weasling around and making a mess of communication so its got everyone's backs up before its really started. One to avoid..

    • 08 February 2012 09:32 AM
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    Why is it that some "estate agents" are so scared of this platform? Is it because you are RIGHT MOVE SHAREHOLDERS. I hope this works. Something needs to change and its about time somebody tried to make it happen. It's meant to be a Property Market, not a Money Market for some shareholders sat in New York City.

    • 06 February 2012 22:27 PM
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    As always, baffled.

    1) If you are worried about being on the same page as private sellers - why don't agents get together - en masse - chip in £20 each and get someone to knock up the relevant Facebook page? And make it agents only. And advertise it yourselves - in your ads, in your shop windows, on your web sites etc. - just as you do for the portals.

    2) How long will it be before one of the big portals offers this service - and charges you an extra £100 a month for it?

    3) You should not be frightened of appearing next to private sellers. Most people selling prefer to have an agent as a buffer between them and potential buyers. And, as a potential buyer, I would tend to be a bit wary of a private seller - they may not be serious and they may have got agents in to value and stuck 50k on - I certainly wouldn't trust their valuation.

    • 05 February 2012 12:08 PM
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    Sorry Ted not possible.

    The word "Gullible" has been removed from the English based dictionaries.

    • 04 February 2012 04:53 AM
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    Any agent that subscribes to this, imho, is gullible.

    And . . . desperate, very desperate. Inept probably.

    Facebook is great, but it 'aint Rightmove or Autotrader or Ebay, it is . . . Facebook. Crickey even my dog (really) has a Facebook account.

    Hassle me (or my dog) on Facebook, and me and Molly will slaughter you.

    • 03 February 2012 22:16 PM
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    "Professional Social Media

    April 2011 – Present (11 months)

    Developed a new business process that will lead the way property is bought and sold in the UK by providing consumers with more control and transparency in the property buying and selling process on an innovative viral platform. I project managed the development and integration of Property Place on the Facebook platform.
    Our Vision: To provide users with a direct marketing platform for residential property for sale, rent and room share. "

    To provide Users ( Private individuals ) with a direct platform to bypass estate agents

    A dig around Linkedin shows that he is a natural Entrepreuer and Marketing guru, is that the sort of chap who would use an external PR company? I don't think he can suggest anyone else filled in his Linkedin profile.

    The game is up Spiv, no-one likes a wrong-un (ask Mark)

    • 03 February 2012 17:20 PM
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    Before anyone gives him a penny we ought to be told how much he has been given by or has given to GMGPS and what shady commission deal is in place either way.

    I bet Porno Mike O is pleased that he is no longer the most loathed bloke in the industry.

    • 03 February 2012 17:03 PM
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    Ok lets give him the founder of Property Places one last chance to convince us to spend anymore time on debating the worth or worthlessness of his portal.

    Please answer this one question;

    How much money are you spending this calendar year on consumer advertising?
    Please list by budget per medium, eg online (inc paid for facebook ads), press, TV, Radio, PR (oops).

    Agents can then make their own minds up about whether this is a place to be listed on.

    • 03 February 2012 16:14 PM
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    I told you already No one like agents so just pay up mugs.

    • 03 February 2012 15:32 PM
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    There probably are 500 agents stupid enough to sign up.

    That will be £300,000 + a bit of dosh from some private listings.

    Nice get quick rich scheme, this chappy could be sunning himself in the maldives in year or so's time, laughing at agents.

    And we all think Miles Shipside is a To***r.

    • 03 February 2012 15:03 PM
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    I'm very surprised nobody has touched on the thoughts of thecrux - he/she is spot on. It's a completely unproven site....why gamble on it?

    I imagine alot of us use Facebook daily. Now, EAT, aside, when/where have you EVER heard/seen of "property place"? ..... No further questions, your honour. Not seen it once on Facebook, nor seen a single tiny reference to it by anyone.

    There are some very deserving charities. Your £50pcm will be much better spent there guys and girls.

    • 03 February 2012 14:58 PM
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    NO he needs to pay us to list on his site, why the hell should I give money to a man who has publicly called EAs a bunch of C***s.

    If we then proceed to make him a wealthy man, then we are what he describes us as!

    • 03 February 2012 13:55 PM
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    @Fun Boy Agent on 2012-02-03 10:42:21

    You know, I think there possibly are!
    But what if there are only 500 who are silly enough to fall for this? Still not a bad return for Mr.Rashid before he has to apologise again (within the two yesrs) when it fails.

    • 03 February 2012 12:34 PM
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    erm, doesn't a portal / facebook app / whatever have to prove it has a meaningful audience reach before even attempting to charge?

    the product is audience. no audience, no charge.

    if not, i'll launch a new site tomorrow.

    • 03 February 2012 12:31 PM
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    CHANGE THE COLOUR OF A LEOPARD'S SPOTS YOU CANNOT. THIS YOUNG PADWAN - MUCH TO LEARN HAS HE...

    READ CAREFULLY THE PREVIOUS PRONOUNCEMENTS OF THIS MAN. IN HIS HEART HE IS COMMITTED TO PRIVATE LISTINGS AND HOLDS A DISDAIN FOR AGENTS:

    http://www.estateagenttoday.co.uk/news_features/New-Facebook-app-launches-to-sell-houses

    ##########

    Rashid said that he fully expects the launch to be controversial, with agents objecting to being on the same page – literally – as private sellers and landlords.

    He said: “I am expecting feedback from agents, although I have not had this so far. Agents have their heads in the sand that it will always be agents who sell and let properties, but the OFT report suggests differently.

    ##########

    ADVICE HAS HE TAKEN ON PR POSITIONING NOW. BUT TRUST NOT BLAMING HIS PREVIOUS PR AGENCIES, THIS FEELING IS IN HIS HEART.

    IRRELEVANT BESIDES THE DEBATE IS.

    WISE ARE THOSE WHO REALISE FACEBOOK A RESPONSE MEDIUM IS NOT.

    THE FORCE IS WEAK WITH THIS ONE. MONEY YOUR SAVE FOR WISER THINGS.

    MORE INTERESTING THE DEBATE IS ON LORD GODDARD OF PLANET VEBRA TAKING BENEFIT FOR GIVING YOUR LISTINGS TO THIS PADAWAN WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE

    • 03 February 2012 11:52 AM
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    Ray,

    That would be £50k pcm.

    Are there 1,000 stupid EA's out there?

    Maybe.

    • 03 February 2012 10:42 AM
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    Sorry, £600,000
    (Time to retire completely?)

    • 03 February 2012 10:25 AM
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    As many are saying, the concept is a non-starter.
    However, if only 1000 agents sign up that will be £50,000 in the bin.
    Nice little earner to walk away with after say a year.

    • 03 February 2012 10:18 AM
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    If we sign up but then 6 months down the line decide it isn't working for us, can we walk away or are we commited to the full two years worth of subscriptions?

    • 03 February 2012 10:16 AM
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    FB is a social site, not a selling site.

    My kids use it all the time, they are not potential buyers and wont be for years to come.

    I ave heard many younger people say that if they start to get bombarded with random advertising they will stop using FB.

    Property is not the only industry being courted, anything that is advertised is a target for the money people.

    Cars, games, gadgets, hifi, movies, etc..

    The fact millions are on it and money men want to use it to get to the millions, is the very reason they will destroy it.

    • 03 February 2012 10:15 AM
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    I'm more intrested in how I get my properties OFF this app

    • 03 February 2012 09:20 AM
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    1 year = £600

    That's the same as I pay RM in a month.

    No brainer to at least give it a go.

    BUT

    Imagine all the LOLs, ROFLs and LMFAOs.

    Someone said to me the other day when I was ranting about this that it is great for SEO.

    I thought "Meh, maybe" but there are other ways.

    It does have a huge potential for abuse and if you are not very careful you can really damage your reputation (if you generate one in the first place of course).

    • 03 February 2012 08:58 AM
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    The news is full of Facebook this and Facebook that.
    It's growth continues to be massive.
    It is a social platform but a huge opportunity to promote your business. Several software companies like VEBRA and DESREZ already offer clients the ability to get properties onto Facebook pages.
    From the few agents in my area who use it, it is starting to become a serious and interesting route for me and them.

    • 03 February 2012 08:50 AM
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    For that money, just get a facebook app made with your own branding. It's not expensive or difficult and plenty of programmers can do this.... Money for old ropes?

    • 03 February 2012 08:50 AM
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    I don't see why we shouldn't give this a chance, I think its a great idea! Well done mr rashid!

    • 03 February 2012 08:38 AM
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    A new website offering a 5 year guarantee!
    The only guarantee it can give is that it won't be around in 5 years!

    It's been reiterated many times before. Facebook is a social media platform. Not for searching for properties.

    That's what google is for! I pretty sure if it was that great then RM would have jumped on it long ago.

    Use Facebook for what it was intended for and. Use your website and portals for everything else

    • 03 February 2012 08:23 AM
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    call it £25 a month, of free the damage has been done

    • 03 February 2012 07:21 AM
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