Agency goes hybrid during lockdown by joining online ...

The online agency network love2move has won a new agency client despite the Coronavirus lockdown.

Pinkerton - which covers the North Down, Ards and Comber areas of Northern Ireland - has signed up both of its branches to the network.

love2move’s platform means agents can continue their traditional commission-based physical service but can also offer a dedicated online sales option - it costs £895, payable upfront by customers.

Founded in 2017 by Georgina Cox and Mark Worrall, love2move was established to offer High Street agents an opportunity to maintain and build an online option.

“Welcoming Pinkertons into the love2move network during these challenging times shows estate agents are planning for the future. It is a great example of the forward-thinking agents that recognise that providing its clients with a choice of selling options, including fixed price online sales with different payment terms, can create more sustainable businesses” says Cox.

She says online transactions are increasingly becoming a central part of the property industry.

Victoria Pinkerton, managing director of Pinkertons, says: “There’s never been a better time to offer clients choice, giving them options and we are confident our service will stand out against our competitors even more than ever before.

“We are committed to provide a highly professional service based on traditional values combined with modern technology which is constantly evolving to meet changing client needs and we see love2move as an important part of the development of our business.”

love2move, which now has 45 independent agency operators in its network across the UK, says the adoption of an online option gives members “the opportunity to enhance their fee structures to reflect the more personal service clients receive when choosing the classic full-service estate agency route.”