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Sellers desert online agents for High Street rivals, says Zoopla

Almost eight in 10 sellers have instructed High Street agents in the past year - a significantly higher figure than 12 months ago.

The study involved 6,000 people and was conducted for Zoopla; specifically it shows 79 per cent instructed High Street agents in 2019, whereas in 2018 the figure was 66 per cent. 

Some 20 per cent of the same instructed online agents - although Zoopla’s research shows only nine per cent actually sold through online firms, suggesting the rest went on to commission High Street companies.

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“Estate agency as an industry is increasingly diverse and the emergence of onlines and hybrids have certainly given the market a new dimension. That said, with research indicating High Street agents steadfast in their appeal, it suggests all operators are working to differentiate and add value to consumers whether it’s through local knowledge, sage market insight or competitive fees” says Zoopla’s chief commercial officer, Andy Marshall. 

“We are also seeing agents actively diversify the services that they offer vendors. Not only does this reap financial rewards for their businesses, but also provides a one-stop shop and eases pain points for buyers and sellers” he adds.

Regionally, High Street agents are most popular in the South West, with 83 per cent of vendors using a traditional firm in 2019. East Anglia and Wales follow with 82 per cent. Scotland saw the lowest proportion of sellers opting for a High Street agent - 64 per cent.

The portal’s survey also suggests that, aside from their core business, agents are diversifying revenue streams.

Some 43 per cent are now offering mortgage advice and brokering, with 42 per cent providing legal services.

 

The Zoopla survey - conducted before this week’s government statements about possible disruption in the near future caused by Coronavirus - also shows 52 per cent of agents anticipating more properties coming on to the market in 2020.

This is significantly higher than the 39 per cent recorded in 2018.

  • Simon Shinerock

    Crucially the survey only represents those who completed it, they will not be representative of the entire market. It is very likely that unconventional choosers are far more likely to respond to a survey like this and use an online agent. My feeling is the purely online model is imploding, we shall see

  • John Evans

    PB was happy with £18M in banked fees without selling their client's homes - easymoneyfromidiots.com

  • Murray Lee

    They have seen the light!

  • icon

    Remember: Your Zoopla subscriptions are paying for stuff like this.

  • Andrew Stanton PROPTECH-PR A Consultancy for Proptech Founders

    Actually in my experience - and yes everyone knows my views on online agents - typically when looking to list a vendor will speak to an online agent prior to marketing. A decade ago a vendor might have had 3 agents 'in' to pitch, all 3 would have been traditional agents, maybe one or two corporates. Now the online option is explored, maybe a hybrid and then a 'traditional agent'. And I do not see this changing, also as the mobile is the weapon of choice, those who get to pitch for the business are those on that mobile. So a wake up call for the social media blind amongst the agency community.

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    • 06 March 2020 15:15 PM

    The mobile is the way to get in front of people's faces.
    Computers are so last year.
    I can't even be bothered to get up and turn the lap top on.
    My mobile I use from a laziness perspective.

    I search site from my mobile cos I'm lazy.
    I also take notice of messages and notifications sent to my mobile.
    The key to get sellers and purchasers noticing you is get on their mobile.
    I simply can't be bothered to traipse round EA offices cos I'm lazy.
    I love the main web l
    Portals.
    They are great for the lazy of us.
    Something to think about.
    However FB is becoming a good lead site

    Will start checking FB as well as
    RM
    OTM
    Zoopla
    As an EA you need to be one of these to cope with lazy like me!!

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