Archive

This article was originally written for City AM in response to an article it published attacking letting agents. See more here.  A...

When it comes to major issues confronting housing, and in particular the direction that the government would like to take the...

The Money Laundering Regulations require estate agents to risk assess their business relationships and apply an appropriate level of investigation to...

Who are you? Mikus Opelts, CEO of Giraffe360 What is Giraffe360 and what does it do? Giraffe360 is a unique digital photography subscription service...

Instagram (or, as the younger generation would have it, Insta) is, by any measure, massive.  Only launched in October 2010, it’s a...

A new sales portal has launched with a radically different business model, aiming to pay agents to list on it. It’s the brainchild of...

More details are emerging of the first-ever ESTAS conference for conveyancers - the Bold Legal Conference - taking place on the...

The Money Laundering Regulations require estate agents to risk assess their business relationships and apply an appropriate level of investigation to...

The head of an online agency has accused the National Association of Estate Agents’ conference of being “a sea of old...

Who are you? I’m the Director of Sales for both the well-known industry leading Today publications and The ValPal Network. Leading publications: Estate...

To a sales-focused agency, having a lettings department can sometimes feel like losing control of the business. Recent cases of property management...

OnTheMarket is to continue its TV advertising campaign throughout February - and this time it’s ad is also going to be...

Agents need to focus on more targeted marketing using a mix of traditional and modern methods to optimise their position in...

A new bespoke Customer Relationship Management system developed by The Property Franchise Group claims to enable High Street agents to fight...

I don’t think I can add anything more to the excellent 2019 pieces we’ve seen on EAT in recent weeks –...

When it comes to building online reputation, Google is king. It is estimated that over 90% of consumers Google a business before...

A firm which recently joined the ‘hub club’ of agencies using centralised services offices says its won a major new build...

It’s safe to say that the majority of agents will be glad to see the end of the past two years....

Having built over 1900 websites for estate and lettings agents in the last 16 years, we know a thing or two...

Audioagent and KeyAGENT have merged to create the UK’s largest property marketing group. Together they provide property marketing services to the UK’s...

I’m spending a lot of time in airport terminals waiting for flights. They’re not the most comfortable of surroundings, but at...

High-end agency Harrods Estates is not content with selling homes in London’s infamous challenging market - now it’s marketing a box...

Photos and floor plans remain an essential tool in property marketing. Despite a wealth of choice from aspiring UK PropTech start-ups the...

Given that online property portals, dominated by a handful of websites, are by far the most popular home search method, it...

It’s the most obvious visual medium high street agents have at their disposal, and for many decades has been absolutely pivotal...

A recent 'red flag alert' report from an insolvency firm warned that the number of real estate businesses defined as being...

Given that ‘UK buyers are the most digitally active home hunters’, with HSBC’s Beyond the Bricks report stating that 90% of...

OnTheMarket has this morning announced that franchise giant Belvoir will list all of its 300-plus branches on the challenger portal.  This includes...

Andrews, which has over 50 branches across the south of England, is the latest major chain to sign up to OnTheMarket. In...

The perils of property competitions and raffles have once again been demonstrated, this time with the Advertising Standards Authority upholding three...

Estate agents say the continuing gentle slowdown reflected in the latest government house price figures will be the story of the...

Yieldit, an online agency that specialises in selling investment houses and apartments with tenants in situ, is claiming a strong quarter...

Fake news has become the popular catchphrase of a certain orange-tinted president in recent years. And everyone, from tech giants like...

In our previous 2 blogs we have covered the definitions of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPRs) and what the practical...

Out and about recently, I got to thinking: how often do I actually have the call for cash anymore? Or, for...

When Oakland A’s, a small-market team, stunned the baseball world 16 years ago by transforming itself into world-beaters on a shoestring-budget,...

The debate over alleged ‘down-valuing’ by mortgage lenders has flared again with one leading agent claiming that surveyors are just “covering...

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - which replaces the Data Protection Act 1998 - has now become effective and is...

Before I get into the nitty gritty of the government (well, one of its startup accelerator schemes) giving away £20,000, let...

A new digital product claims to help agents estimate which of their past customers are statistically most likely to move again...

I loved my Foxtons office. I started in the Battersea branch. It was the old-style office; traditional carpets, actual properties in...

Everyone wants to rank highly on Google. Why? Well, as the world’s biggest search engine, with more than 65% market share,...

The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 require estate agents to risk assess their business relationships and apply an appropriate level of investigation...

PayProp clients power through their monthly invoicing, collections, settlements and payouts in just a few clicks – whether they're managing 1...

An insolvency firm claims 153 estate agencies have gone bust in the past year with more than 7,000 “showing signs of...

Cast your mind back to July 2008 – Gordon Brown was Prime Minister, the Euros were in full swing in Austria/Switzerland...

Letting agents are being advised to think seriously about how they can recoup costs to help compensate for the introduction of...

A property portal that describes itself as free-to-list has launched today, taking the industry by surprise - however, at least one...

Last time out I looked at the growing importance of content, social media and design – but these should only form...

A leading agent has urged major portals Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket to feature virtual viewings content more prominently on their platforms. Writing...

Firstly, my sincere apologies - it has now been over a month since my last PropTech blog, doesn’t time fly!  In the...

Sotheby's International Realty has launched what it claims to be the first 'real estate-branded' augmented reality (AR) app. 'Curate', which is now...

As promised a few weeks ago, this week’s Natter concentrates on the importance of content, design and social media, three easily...

Graham Norwood has scooped two accolades in the prestigious Property Press Awards for his work on Estate Agent Today and Letting...

How much more of it would you have if you could do all your month-end payments and reconciliations in a couple...

Maplin, Toys R Us, Carpetright, Warren Evans – what do they have in common? All are well-known high street chains that...

In the modern marketplace – where people live their lives on their smartphones and tablets, social media has a bigger influence...

OnTheMarket says estate agencies with some 1,000 offices have joined the portal in the five weeks since it floated on the...

In the first of an ongoing series exploring the people who make the property industry tick, I catch up with James...

Getting your property marketing right is vital, and the starting point is with professional images.  With most buyers browsing the internet for...

Your buy-to-let investment is an extremely valuable asset and you need to know the income generated from it will be safely...

When it comes to growing your business sustainably, maintaining a brand that is eye-catching and identifiable with your audience is vital...

Co-Founder Gary Keller has declared that Keller Williams (KW) is, 'no longer a real estate company...we are a technology company No....

OnTheMarket has told the City this morning that it has already signed up 81 new listing agreements by 5pm yesterday, completing...

A range of factors - including fierce competition under the supplied housing market, rising property prices and political uncertainty – have...

The printing industry is in the midst of a decline as digital products and services displace printed materials, which is why...

The BBC says it is to broadcast a special one-hour radio documentary this weekend investigating online estate agencies. The show will go...

PropTech firm Iceberg Digital has revealed an expansion of its marketing deal with franchise agency giant Hunters.  This will involve local content...

In recent years January has become the month of detoxes, fad diets, health kicks such as Dry January and Veganuary, and...

Agents’ Mutual has released more details of its float on the stock market, which begins on February 9 with a placing priced...

While there is a distinct market for flats held on particularly short leases, there is a middle ground where flat owners...

Two UK online estate agencies have been named in a list of the world’s top 50 real estate start-ups to watch...

In 2018, Google will introduce changes to the way it ranks websites, meaning sites will be ranked on the quality of...

Just a fortnight today we’ll be packing our bags and preparing for a well-deserved but all-too-short festive break...but until then, there’s...

Today’s the big day when we make our draw for two lucky Estate Agent Today readers to attend the prestigious Agents’...

Hands up if you’ve read all of the property reports that have been published in the past week or so? Forever...

As we hurtle towards the end of 2017, it’s time to reflect on the year that’s just been.   Even better, this property-based...

A large part of the DCLG’s Call for Evidence on the home buying and selling process focuses on the role of...

Winter seems to be firmly with us now, if the plunging temperatures are anything to go by. After a ridiculously mild...

We recently witnessed the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) increase the base interest rate for the first time since...

The fact is that most house hunters simply do not have the time, let alone the inclination, to trawl around properties...

A new online property competition platform has launched that gives entrants the opportunity to win a home for £2 - but...

They say presentation is key (something that Theresa May now knows all too well after her calamitous conference speech). But equally...

Employment tribunal fees could soon become extinct, after the Supreme Court ruled they were an obstacle to the ‘access of justice’.  Once...

A new firm has launched in Surrey describing itself as “the premium hybrid estate agency” with an innovative presence on the...

Carter Jonas has launched a new website which it says ”reflects and enhances the business’ role in delivering a highly personalised...

The founder of a new online sales assistance service says agents are often unfairly blamed by the public for failings in...

An early Gold member of OnTheMarket is making a last-ditch bid to stop its parent company, Agents’ Mutual, from floating on...

Parliament is sitting again and the entire lettings industry is waiting with bated breath for more detail on the government’s proposal...

Online estate agency YOPA - well known recently for advertisements featuring the Village People - is this evening launching a new...

Stephanie Slater died last week, aged 50. Whilst she died from cancer (tragically, only 11 days after diagnosis), it’s the events...

Giving clients reliable advice when they are buying, selling or letting a home lies at the core of every successful estate...

Are you protecting your data right? This may sound like the sort of direct warning you get from cold callers or...

The Advertising Standards Authority has banned online agency HouseSimple from claiming that High Street agents charge “1.5% to 4% (plus 20%...

Agents’ Mutual has confirmed that it proposes to form a new company, OnTheMarket plc, to list on the AIM market of...

Let’s start with a quick fire quiz. How many more leads do you think you’d get with photos that have been...

As discussed in our previous article, it’s all about the first impression. Once your team have handled that initial phone call...

We’re already more than halfway through 2017 and, against all the odds, it’s pushing 2016 close in terms of eventfulness and...

Foxtons is reported to have teamed up with Oracle to improve its targeted digital marketing and lead generation. Oracle’s Marketing Cloud product...

Living next to inconsiderate neighbours can be a nightmare, but letting to bad tenants can prove costly, especially when issues, which...

How many property professionals are truly happy with their revenue? High levels of competition from new market entrants is a significant...

One of the industry’s leading trainers and consultants claims there is “a gaping hole” in the way agents use marketing content...

Dear Sales Doctor, The biggest challenge I’m facing right now is winning more instructions. What advice do you have for my listers...

Estate and letting agents' property descriptions are becoming increasingly likely to appear in keyword searches, according to a web marketing expert. Director...

Google, under the command of parent company, Alphabet, has set its sights on building the world’s first digital city, in Toronto,...

Two of the most influential figures behind the PropTech sector have run a microscope over Rightmove’s business model and technology -...

It’s that time of year again – peak conference/event season. And, while Brexit and a shock snap general election are dominating...

Purplebricks' share price moved up over two per cent yesterday on the strength of its latest trading statement - but its...

Odds are that you use TripAdvisor when you book a restaurant or hotel; perhaps you scroll down Amazon before clicking ‘buy...

Not only did Theresa May stun everyone with her decision to call a ‘snap election’ but with the campaign now underway...

Countrywide’s Bairstow Eves brand has launched a series of video guides for customers using their £995 online agency service and for...

The new chief executive of the Guild of Property Professionals has accused some online agents of carrying out “aggressive” marketing campaigns...

Being featured in newspapers, magazines and websites, as well as on radio and TV, can be a great way to build...

It’s never more obvious how important good communication is for letting agents than in times of bad weather. Havoc caused by...

For my latest Property Natter I have sought the opinions of two well-known property consultants - Michael Day, managing director of...

The publication of our Strategic Plan, ‘Building the framework for the future’, met with an anticipated degree of positive and not-so-positive...

Each of Hunters’ 180 branches will soon be able to create their own online branded monthly property lifestyle magazine or newspaper.   The...

A US technology company is warning that estate agency websites with log-in pages are “at risk of data theft, account takeover...

Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered his first Budget this week pledging extra funding for the NHS, transport in the Midlands and the...

The housing market has not been short of a White Paper over the last few months, and while you might just...

A new website supporting high street estate agents has recently launched. Agent Locator provides an online platform for high street estate agents to showcase...

If you work in lettings, I’ll already have a pretty good idea on how you feel about the current Conservative Government.  The...

The story of the week has been the first steps of a trade body to represent independent estate agents - as...

The go-ahead has been given to create a group aiming to unite independent estate and letting agents into a single powerful...

2016 was quite a year – eventful, dramatic, shocking and impossible to predict. In no particular order, we saw Leicester winning...

One of the country’s leading estate agency consultants and trainers, Richard Rawlings, this week embarks on a six-week tour of the...

One of the earliest entrepreneurs to found a website to allow for-sale-by-owner property listings back in 2000, predicts current online agents...

Richard Morris MD at Hartleys Estate Agents, part of the Newton Fallowell Group, approached Mid West Displays looking for a team...

What a mad, bonkers year it’s been. We’ve had, in no particular order: Trump, Brexit, Leicester winning the Premier League, a...

In the world of property and estate agency, competition is always fierce. It’s the same when it comes to your website....

We are now only days away from one of the most-anticipated events in UK politics; one which has a considerable impact...

Facebook is a difficult beast to tame. You have 2,000 followers, but your most recent post was only seen by 200 people....

All estate and letting agents now have a website – but just how effective is yours? Your 'virtual shop window' is now...

YOPA, the online agency that recently had an extensive TV campaign, has amended the content of its website following a complaint to...

The key lies in improving your customer experience through technology For Agents, the tremendous growth in online estate agents highlights a strong...

Later on, the title of this piece should become clearer (at least I hope so). First, though, a few bits and...

For many people buy-to-let continues to look an attractive income investment at a time of low saving rates and stock market...

It’s a headline from an Australian business journal this week but it has a familiar ring to it: “Estate agents’ attempts...

Harmony – it’s not always a word that springs to mind when thinking about the world of work. But if you think...

It’s easy to forget, but there was a time when the internet didn’t exist. When the idea behind the world wide...

Surveys on housing and Brexit are coming thick and fast - the latest have Haart estate agency reporting a £30,000 price...

Whether you work from a traditional office, a coffee shop or a bedroom, one thing's for sure is that these days...

Zoopla is linking with Samsung to offer its members giant touch-screens for use in offices, displaying the agents’ own inventory of...

It’s never been more important to show clients you know the market. Using market intelligence is a powerful tool. It allows...

I’m indebted to one of the most enthusiastic estate agents I’ve had the pleasure of meeting for suggesting the subject of...

With more house-hunters than ever now starting their search for a new home by typically looking online on one of the major...

It’s nearly June – June! – already. Seriously, where has this year gone? This means summer is nearly upon us, with a...

Winners’ reactions and views from a fantastic day of celebration! The Kings Group scooped the gold award for Best Estate Agent in...

The Competitions and Markets Authority has sent two open letters - one to online publishers and one to marketeers - warning...

Storm Katie (makes it sound so harmless when they give it a name like that, doesn’t it?) might have given the...

Estate Agent Today readers are amongst the first to be able to see Fine & Country’s new TV advertisement to be...

The Conveyancing Association is launching a training course for estate agents, as the debate swirls over whether a shortage of conveyancers...

The chief executive of Countrywide has lavished praise on Rightmove and Zoopla for being consumer-friendly and offering agents good value marketing.  Alison...

With the scale of devastation from flooding witnessed recently, anxiety about purchasing a property in a flood risk area is heightened....

Fine & Country is launching a series of TV advertisements on Channel 4 next month in what it believes is the...

Marketing and property often go hand in hand. But from time to time you might come across certain marketing terms that...

To those working within the conveyancing sector, the recent statistics from the Legal Ombudsman regarding complaints are perhaps not surprising.  In our...

Let Mid West Displays get your window in shape! Never underestimate the power of high street presence. Image is everything, and what...

Zoopla has instructed Brands2Life to handle its PR, taking over from Instinctif Partners. Brands2Life, which is based in prime central London, won...

Growth Schedule is incredible FREE software very simple to use that enables Estate Agents to manage their social media accounts from...

This week, Storm Desmond has left devastation in its wake. Once again, the nation’s attention is drawn to the threat flooding...

You might recall a collective sigh of relief emitted by stakeholders in the housing market and private rental sector back in...

Once you go beyond the industry’s anger about the Chancellor’s three per cent stamp duty surcharge – and that’s an anger...

We may all be reeling from the surprise Autumn Statement stamp duty shocker but estate agents still find time to do...

There’s no escaping it now. The John Lewis advert has been released, the weather is almost as cold as it should...

Someone told me the other day that it’s now only seven Mondays till Christmas. Now there’s a scary thought. Best get...

House builders say portals are vital generators of leads, especially for drawing in buyers who are not ‘brand loyal’ to one...

Over the past few years Rightmove and Zoopla Property Group (ZPG) have each been spending massive sums on marketing and product...

Well, the hosts have left the party early. England have crashed out of their own Rugby World Cup after a demoralising...

The consumer is King and to protect sellers and buyers' best interests estate and letting agents have to operate in the...

Despite seeing the word in many industry pieces, using ‘crisis’ to describe anything related to the UK housing market at present...

Property software firm VTUK has launched a digital security protection service for estate agents.  With a growing industry focus on digital marketing...

With Autumn on the horizon and the imminent onset of shorter daylight hours, now is the time to plan ahead and...

Public relations is big business these days. Whole companies are set up purely to provide this service. Major corporations have in-house...

So, has everyone been enjoying the fine summer weather we’ve been experiencing? Oh, wait…fear not, I will attempt to inject a...

There has long been the assumption and contention in the industry that portals are expensive. This, however, is not the case. Along...

John D Wood & Co., one of the high end agents in the Countrywide stable, has unveiled its new office interior...

Mid West Displays have had the recent pleasure of working with Martin & Co at their Witney Office giving their window...

Tips on using digital signage in your window 1. Why digital signage is an asset to your business - Raise the profile of...

If business is a bit quiet over the next few Mondays, don’t feel guilty at watching TV - you could even...

Consider the scene. It is July 8th and new Chancellor, Ed Balls, stands at the Dispatch Box giving his first Budget...

One of five estate agents identified in a TV documentary has denied any wrong-doing and has specifically denied any involvement in...

The rising phenomenon of agent-rating and review websites is a topic that seems to have caused considerable division and controversy among...

Channel 4 admits to using what it calls “unusual” secret filming techniques and an undercover reporter posing as a Russian politician to...

Online agency and DIY sales platform Settled claims on its website that traditional agents charge commission of up to 3.5% +...

The UK’s first TV channel dedicated to the world of property will launch on Monday next week at 8am on Sky...

Hello and welcome to my brand new blog! Every month I’ll be giving you an insight into the varied, exciting and...

The National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team (NTSEAT) is to meet with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss complaints...

This publication recently reported on Russell Quirk's latest attempt to upset the establishment, this time by attacking the hallowed ground of...

In 2007, the government introduced a compulsory deposit protection scheme as part of the Housing Act 2004 to help protect tenants...

Mid West Displays have thoroughly enjoyed working with Penneck Estate Agents to design, manufacture & install their new Bevelled Edge Light...

The Today property sites - Estate Agent Today, Letting Agent Today, Landlord Today, Property Investor Today and Introducer Today - have...

Indications are that online shopping is on the up, however, this does not mean the death of the high street, much...

Gareth Styles of Grants Independent Estate Agents, Woking writes: When considering opening a new office in Woking Surrey I met with several...