x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.


TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

‘Watershed moment’ as estate agents and conveyancers agree to ditch rivalries

Estate agents and conveyancers have agreed on better working relationships at the first collaborative event between the two professions.

There has been a historic rivalry between agents and conveyancers, with each often blaming the other for transaction delays or disasters.

But an audience of 250 agents, conveyancers and suppliers gathered at the The ESTAS forum, hosted in partnership with property blockchain network Coadjute, last week to discuss a new era of partnership.

Advertisement

The event was hosted Rob Hailstone, chief executive of Bold Legal Group and Iain McKenzie, chief executive of The Guild of Property Professionals.

Speaking at the forum, McKenzie, said: “Sales fall through because of stagnation and collywobbles.

“If communication is there from the early stages, that helps go through the process.”

The event also featured a presentation from the Guild’s head of compliance Paul Offley, who discussed the importance of how upfront material information can help the consumer.

He told the audience: “Back in 1978, when I first stated, we did an awful lot on brochures.

“They contained the name of the seller, solicitors, local authorities, rateable values and told us about the services connected.

“Since then, we have moved on and some things have improved and others haven’t.

“Will providing material information speed up the process? It will identify issues that are likely to cause a delay.

“It can also help raise standards.”

Collaboration and the better use of technology were overriding themes throughout the day and the commercial benefits were demonstrated to the audience.

Dan Salmons, chief executive of Coadjute, says: “We were delighted to support this opportunity for agents and conveyancers to come together to discuss collaboration and consider practical steps for how the property market can ‘work together better.’”

“This event really felt like a watershed moment for our industry and tangible proof of how the property market can initiate a new era of collaborative people, processes, and technology. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing the progress we can all make in the next 12 months to create a better experience for the buyers and sellers and also the professionals that serve them.”

Ben Marley commercial director at ESTAS, added: “We've been overwhelmed by the positive feedback we've received from agents and conveyancers who attended. 

“It was the first time ever this audience has met and there was a genuine feeling that we really have kicked started a movement for likeminded agents and conveyancers to 'work together better'. 

“Everyone who attended left with a simple five point plan to help their businesses speed up transactions and improve the home moving experience for their clients which is exactly what we wanted to achieve.”

The forum was held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane, home of the famous ESTAS Customer Service Awards which take place in October.

Angels Media, publisher of Estate Agent Today and the other Today titles - was the media partner.

You can watch all the presentations and the panel discussions on The ESTAS YouTube channel below, with the latest example here:

icon

Please login to comment

MovePal MovePal MovePal
sign up