New platform aims to match buyers with buying agents

A former lawyer has used her own experiences of trying to buy a home to launch a platform that matches homebuyers with a buying agent.

Claire Whisker, who launched short-term lets platform Veeve in 2011, has unveiled First In The Door.

Consumers input details about their home buying criteria such as location, price range and property type. They can then view a shortlist of buying agents with the relevant expertise for their specific search. 

Selected buying agents are charged a small membership fee for a directory listing and then pay a matching fee for qualified leads.

Buying agents can sign up for £675 plus VAT annually.

In just a few months, First In The Door has developed a comprehensive network of professional buying agent partners, who collectively service the overwhelming majority of the country. The company will also be launching its service in London soon.

Buying agents signed up to the platform include Victoria Robinson Property Search, Colin McKenzie Property Search, Rowallan Buying Agents and Lucy Winfield.

Whisker said: “Professional buying agents bring a huge amount of value to the search and buying process but only a tiny minority of us in the UK are familiar with the concept.

“First In The Door was created to spread the word and to bring a transformational shift by unlocking access to an otherwise fragmented buying agent industry. Our platform’s capability to establish an instant connection between active homebuyers and buying agents will bring scale and visibility to a sector with limited brand recognition as a whole. 

“With the current property market in a state of flux, we believe there has never been a better time for homebuyers to enlist the support of a professional buying agent.”

She said members will receive a range of tools to help them win more clients and also to differentiate themselves in the marketplace - all managed from a personal dashboard.”

Whisker added: “Members are in complete control over the type and value of the leads they receive with a quick tweak of their lead preferences.  

“They have a WhatsApp style messaging system and call back option so they never miss a beat, in addition to features such as tags, badges, awards and accreditations so they can stand out from competitors. Members can also request reviews from past clients as well as endorsements from other professionals in the property ecosystem.

“Our agent network is built on an exceptionally high calibre of industry professionals. Each one has been interviewed and vetted by the team to ensure they can deliver a best-in-class service and enhance the buying process.”