Yopa is achieving almost £13,000 more than the average agent on a typical £450,000 home, the online agency brand claims. Using TwentyCi...
Archive
![Industry Views - Do Online Estate Agencies Exist Any More?](/upload/images/1%20--%20Proofed%20--%20Industry%20View%20Do%20online%20estate%20agencies%20exist%20any%20more%20IV.png)
Is there such a thing as an online estate agency any more? A decade ago, about the time I started editing Estate...
18 May 2024
From: Features
![Boomin liquidation: ‘Insufficient funds to repay creditors’](/upload/images/shutterstock_2153891527.jpg)
The liquidator of collapsed portal Boomin is investigating a sale of the portal's intellectual property to My Bespoke Room as its...
11 January 2024
From: Breaking News
![Bruce gives new backing to interior design venture](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Compliance-2-400x310.png)
Former Purplebricks and Boomin boss Michael Bruce has taken part in a new funding round for interior design platform My Bespoke Room. Bruce...
25 September 2023
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks' Kenny Bruce returns to estate agency](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews2-400x310.png)
Purplebricks co-founder Kenny Bruce has returned to the estate agency world. Bruce, who helped launch Purplebricks with his brother Michael as well...
04 September 2023
From: Breaking News
![Bring back Bruce? Sack Pindar? What’s next for Purplebricks?](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/PropertyNews3-400x310.png)
Purplebricks’ share price hit a new low last week after it announced a strategic review that could lead to the sale...
20 February 2023
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter – the five biggest property moments of 2022](/upload/images/Site%20logos/PropertyNatter-2019-400x310.png)
As we get ever closer to 2023, this final Natter of the year is dedicated to the five biggest property moments of...
17 December 2022
From: Features
![Boomin officially names liquidator amid £10m owed to creditors](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Collapsed challenger portal Boomin has officially named its liquidator as company documents this morning outlined a deficiency of almost £10m in...
02 December 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin goes bust but Agents Together project unaffected](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Challenger portal and property platform Boomin informed staff that it was calling in liquidators yesterday. As first reported by Sky News, the...
01 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![‘We are sorry’ – Boomin confirms it is entering liquidation](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Boomin users have been emailed this afternoon to confirm that the challenger portal has “reluctantly” been placed into liquidation. An email from...
31 October 2022
From: Breaking News
![In fashion! Boomin snaps up interior design service](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Boomin has acquired interior design platform My Bespoke Room. The challenger portal's founder Michael Bruce said it was part of a wider...
09 June 2022
From: Breaking News
![Revealed! How much agents earn from sales compared with lettings](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/Calculator-PoundCoins-2019-400x310.jpg)
Sales remain the predominant source of income for most estate agency brands, research claims. The analysis warns that agents shouldn’t ignore lettings...
27 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin reveals first SmartVal conversion data](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Agents using Boomin have managed to convert more than 20% of SmartVal valuation requests into instructions. The challenger portal and lead generation...
24 May 2022
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter – the who’s who of the industry](/upload/images/Site%20logos/PropertyNatter-2019-400x310.png)
The property industry is fortunate in including many great people, doing great work across a range of businesses – from traditional agency...
30 April 2022
From: Features
![Agency franchisees given chance to earn shares by joining Boomin](/upload/images/library/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Agency franchisees with brands such as Hunters, Martin & Co, Belvoir and EasyProperty are being given the chance to sign up...
28 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin reveals latest wave of paid-up agents](/upload/images/library/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Boomin has unveiled its latest round of paying agents. The challenger portal, launched by former Purplebricks founder Michael Bruce, has revealed 10...
13 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Revealed! The first paid-up agents joining Boomin](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Foxtons, Chancellors and Douglas & Gordon have been named among the first paid-up agency brands on Boomin. The challenger portal, launched by...
08 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks' 'Mr Motivator' joins Boomin in senior role](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
A former UK national sales director at Purplebricks has been reunited with the online agent’s founder Michael Bruce at Boomin. Paul Vickerstaff,...
05 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Michael Bruce secures massive new funding for Boomin portal](/upload/images/library/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Sky News is reporting that Boomin, the portal founded by Purplebricks creator Michael Bruce, is close to finalising a new round...
31 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin pledge to reveal ‘agents who pay’ next week](/upload/images/library/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
New portal Boomin suggests it has “thousands” of agents who have signed up on a paid basis. The portal - which launched almost...
30 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin gives first figures on usage of portal features](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Boomin chief executive Michael Bruce has for the first time given some figures on the usage of some of the key...
28 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter: interview with Michael Bruce - 'why Boomin is not just another portal'](/upload/images/Site%20logos/PropertyNatter-2019-400x310.png)
With Boomin nearly turning one, I decided to catch up with Michael Bruce, the co-founder of the property website and more...
26 March 2022
From: Features
![Sigh of relief that Sunak avoids hurting housing market](/upload/images/library/RishiSunak-400x310.jpg)
The industry has reacted to the Spring Statement by breathing a sigh of relief that nothing was likely to cause damage...
24 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![The mistakes we made at Purplebricks - by the Bruce brothers](/upload/images/Logos/Purplebricks-TeamGB-Board-400x310.jpg)
Michael and Kenny Bruce have for the first time given their views on what went wrong for Purplebricks during their time...
21 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Video exclusive - the Bruce brothers reveal all on Purplebricks and Boomin](/upload/images/Miscellaneous/Interview-Speaker-400x310.jpg)
In this exclusive for Estate Agent Today readers, video supremo and property expert Chris Watkin conducts an interview with the Bruce...
19 March 2022
From: Features
![Agents reached out to me, says Boomin boss Michael Bruce](/upload/images/library/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
The chief executive of Boomin says agents have asked him to do something about rival portals “pocketing income from mortgage referral...
11 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin boss and buoyant agents say no sign yet of housing market slowdown](/upload/images/library/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
The founder of fledgling portal Boomin says the latest Nationwide house price index findings demonstrate that there’s no sign yet of...
03 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks reviews dispute takes new twist four years on](/upload/images/library/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
A long running dispute between reviews website allAgents and Purplebricks has come back to life - with a new twist. In 2017...
08 February 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin boss Bruce wants government help to save housing market](/upload/images/library/HousingHelp-400x310.jpg)
Boomin chief executive Michael Bruce wants government action to help save the housing market as the cost of living crisis grows. Following...
04 February 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin compares room values with Bitcoin and Porsches](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Boomin has issued research done on its behalf into the value of spare rooms - and it’s made some eccentric comparisons...
20 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin claims large uptick in usage since Christmas](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-TV-400x310.jpg)
The Bruce brothers’ new portal Boomin has given its first statistics regarding usage following the launch of a new marketing campaign...
18 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Goodbye Purplebricks - name disappears in rebrand of Canada firm](/upload/images/library/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
The name of Purplebricks - which once claimed its business model was a global success - has now been removed in...
17 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin’s Michael Bruce renews attack on big three portals](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Boomin co-founder and chief executive Michael Bruce has returned to the attack on Rightmove, Zoopla and OnTheMarket with an open letter,...
13 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Boomin takes on Rightmove with ad campaign from Boxing Day](/upload/images/library/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Boomin is launching a new ad campaign from Boxing Day, December 26 - the date previously associated with record visits to...
21 December 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin launches new tech claiming to reduce fall-throughs](/upload/images/library/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Boomin has launched a new tool - Chainmaker - which it claims cuts fall throughs and introduces agents to ‘hot buyers’. The software...
15 November 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin’s SmartVal service has over 10,000 requests since launch](/upload/images/Logos/Boomin-Logo-400x310.jpg)
Fledgling portal Boomin says its new SmartVal tool has received over 10,000 requests since launching in early September. SmartVal is powered in part by...
07 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![TV campaign begins today for Boomin’s SmartVal service](/upload/images/Logos/SmartValAdImage-400x310.jpg)
A TV advertising campaign begins today to promote SmartVal, its real-time valuation tool available on the Boomin portal. The advertisements will start...
06 September 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin’s valuation tool is the most accurate anywhere - claim](/img/default/eat.png)
Michael Bruce says the new SmartVal automated valuation system he is this month introducing on Boomin will be the most accurate...
11 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Leads For Agents - Boomin and Zoopla at odds over ‘what is a lead’](/img/default/eat.png)
Zoopla has issued a data-heavy statement on its services for agents - just days after Boomin criticised it for being over...
05 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![EXCLUSIVE - Boomin reveals latest agent sign-up numbers](/img/default/eat.png)
Boomin has revealed to Estate Agent Today the latest figures on agency branches signed up to its fledgling portal. It says it...
03 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin chief slams Rightmove over high fees, low investment](/img/default/eat.png)
The head of Boomin has attacked Rightmove for the fees it currently charges agents, the likelihood of higher fees to come,...
02 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin marketing campaign to emphasise new valuation tool for agents](/img/default/eat.png)
Fledgling portal Boomin is launching what it claims to be the most interactive and accurate online valuation tool on the market. It...
20 July 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin reveals yet another senior management figure](/img/default/eat.png)
A former commercial director of Zoopla, who worked at the portal for 12 years, has been named as managing director of...
14 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Agents Do Charity - well done Agents Together and industry fund-raisers](/img/default/eat.png)
Hello and we’re at the end of another week celebrating all those in our industry who do great work. And this...
11 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin adds 600 branches and signs up major independent](/img/default/eat.png)
Boomin says it’s added over 600 new agency branches during May, with the latest signing being the large Pattinson independent with...
10 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin to “reinvent YouTube” and wants agents involved](/img/default/eat.png)
Boomin says it’s going to “reinvent the YouTube channel for property.” The portal’s new YouTube channel has gone live with five unique...
03 June 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin enjoying strongest start of any portal says Michael Bruce](/img/default/eat.png)
Boomin founder Michael Bruce says his new site has enjoyed a stronger start than any other portal in terms of visits, viewings,...
10 May 2021
From: Breaking News
![Adrian Gill – talking agency consolidation, PropTech, retail and Boomin](/img/default/eat.png)
This time out, I speak to one of the industry’s biggest-hitters. Adrian Gill may have retired from frontline agency, having had...
15 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Michael Bruce promoted in Boomin management changes](/img/default/eat.png)
Michael Bruce has been promoted from the role of executive chairman of Boomin to group chief executive officer. This is within two...
14 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin Bites Back: We’ll NEVER do direct sales, insists founder](/img/default/eat.png)
Agents have contacted Estate Agent Today to say they fear the new MatchMaker service on the Boomin portal could be used...
06 April 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin - What’s the verdict?](/img/default/eat.png)
The launch of Boomin has been and gone with, perhaps, something less than its expected fanfare of publicity. Of course there are...
03 April 2021
From: Features
![Boomin’s TV ads - see them here, two days ahead of launch](/img/default/eat.png)
Here are the first three TV adverts for Boomin, the new property portal which launches on Friday.The new website launches early...
31 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin advertising extravaganza as portal launches](/img/default/eat.png)
Boomin has revealed its launch date after months of high-profile publicity. It’s to be three and a half weeks from now on...
08 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![‘Be Kind We Care’ initiative launched across property industry](/img/default/eat.png)
A conveyancing organisation has launched an initiative called Be Kind We Care to promote kindness and wellbeing within the property industry. The...
08 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin blasts Rightmove as bleak, broken and bloated](/img/default/eat.png)
An open letter from Boomin chief executive Michael Bruce shows how fierce the competition is going to be in the portal field...
26 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin’s Michael Bruce says: “We’re ready to launch”](/img/default/eat.png)
The Bruce brothers’ latest project, Boomin, is “ready to launch” some two months after it was expected to see the light...
23 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin dismisses speculation of ‘direct sales’ cutting out agents](/img/default/eat.png)
Boomin has denied that it will ever allow direct property sales, cutting out estate agents. Founder Michael Bruce says the new service...
29 January 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin signs up another 15 independents ahead of delayed launch](/img/default/eat.png)
Boomin has announced another 15 independents as members of the site, which is expected to launch in the near future. “The latest...
11 January 2021
From: Breaking News
07 January 2021
From: Breaking News
![Boomin signs up OnTheMarket founder agency](/img/default/eat.png)
Douglas & Gordon, one of the highest profile London agency networks, is the latest signing for the yet-to-launch Boomin portal. The agency...
16 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Yes Purplebricks - but how many homes do you actually SELL?](/img/default/eat.png)
Mystery still surrounds the number of homes actually sold by Purplebricks, despite upbeat statements regarding the number of instructions it wins. The...
16 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Boomin delays launch of portal until early next year](/img/default/eat.png)
The launch of much-hyped new portal Boomin, originally scheduled for this month, has now been pushed back until early next year. A lengthy letter sent...
11 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![PropTech: Boomin reveals first CRM integration](/img/default/eat.png)
Software provider Dezrez has entered into an integration partnership with Boomin - the fledgling portal’s first PropTech deal. The agreement ensures that...
07 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Another 300+ branches list on Boomin as it signs major agency](/img/default/eat.png)
Belvoir has become the latest major agency group to sign up to Boomin as a founder agent. The properties of all four...
03 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Michael Bruce bats away accusation of “bullying tactics”](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks founder Michael Bruce has batted away a stinging attack on him made by allAgents, a review website. allAgents has set up...
02 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Boomin now claims 40% of the top 100 UK agencies](/img/default/eat.png)
The soon-to-launch Boomin portal has signed up a national firm and now claims to have recruited 40 per cent of the...
25 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Will Boomin’s “fair fees” tempt agents to quit Rightmove?](/img/default/eat.png)
The new property portal Boomin has revealed its fees structure for agents. Tapping into the industry debate over portal fees, Boomin describes...
18 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Boomin still booming: another 10 agency sign-ups](/img/default/eat.png)
The soon-to-launch portal Boomin - set up by the people who founded Purplebricks- has signed another 10 independent agents. They are all...
17 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Boomin signs online agency amongst 10 new founding members](/img/default/eat.png)
Fledgling portal Boomin - launching later this month - has announced another 10 independent regional agencies as founder members. This includes its...
05 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Boomin names another 10 founding member independent agencies](/img/default/eat.png)
Boomin, the still-to-launch portal created by the founders of Purplebricks, has named another 10 founding member agencies. Like the initial 10 they...
21 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Top Ten! Boomin portal reveals high profile founding agencies](/img/default/eat.png)
The new Boomin portal being launched shortly has named 10 high profile agency chains as founding members. The 10 give the new portal...
16 October 2020
From: Breaking News
![Boomin - new portal snaps up Rightmove and Zoopla staff ahead of launch](/img/default/eat.png)
The portal set up by Purplebricks founders Michael and Kenny Bruce has revealed it's recruited Rightmove and Zoopla personnel and intends...
09 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks' founders 'not seeking external funding' for new portal](/img/default/eat.png)
Property portal Boomin has been "courted by a range of potential backers" according to Sky News. The news service - which has...
04 September 2020
From: Breaking News
![Secret portal from Purplebricks founders wins praise from Rightmove critics](/img/default/eat.png)
The Say No To Rightmove campaign has given a thumbs up to the new Boomin listings service created by the brothers...
27 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter – what does agency look like Down Under?](/img/default/eat.png)
In my last Natter, I explored the differences between estate agency in the UK and the US with the help of...
15 August 2020
From: Features
![Cheap and nasty Purplebricks - why it didn't work down under](/img/default/eat.png)
A leading expert on estate agency and the housing market in Australia has lifted the lid on how Purplebricks failed down...
14 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![Nothing wrong with 'Commisery' says unrepentant Michael Bruce](/img/default/eat.png)
A founder of Purplebricks, Michael Bruce, suggests there was nothing wrong with the controversial Commisery TV ads that contributed to making...
27 July 2020
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks founders reveal name of new ‘portal’ project](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks founders Michael and Kenny Bruce have revealed the name of their new property venture. It’s to be called Boomin. There are still few specific...
22 July 2020
From: Breaking News
![What next for Purplebricks after latest international sell-off?](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks’ sale of its Canadian operation for some £35m begs the question - where can it now recoup some of its losses...
16 July 2020
From: Breaking News
![A new portal? Purplebricks founder launches project with ex-Reapit boss](/img/default/eat.png)
The founder of Purplebricks, Michael Bruce, has this morning revealed his new project to be called Launch B - and he...
14 July 2020
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks' founders reveal new project to re-enter the agency industry](/img/default/eat.png)
The brothers who founded Purplebricks - Michael and Kenny Bruce - have returned to the agency industry for the first time...
09 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks predicts hybrid agencies to take 30% market share](/img/default/eat.png)
The chief executive of Purplebricks UK says the struggling hybrid agency is definitely not for sale, despite recent sales of stakes...
21 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks facing shareholder revolt over top brass bonuses](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks is reported to be facing a shareholder revolt this coming week at its annual general meeting because of bonuses paid...
29 September 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks: an insider’s story of what it was REALLY like](/img/default/eat.png)
A former Local Property Expert and manager at Purplebricks has gone on record to reveal what it was really like to work...
16 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Hybrid sector could reach 20-30% market share, says Purplebricks CEO](/img/default/eat.png)
The new chief executive of Purplebricks believes hybrid agents could win '20-30% market share' in the UK. Vic Darvey, who replaced Michael...
04 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks posts £52m loss, 55% revenue rise and confirms US withdrawal](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks has revealed its annual results for the year ending April 30 2019. The hybrid agency has posted an operating loss of...
03 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks founder Kenny Bruce pledges: “I’ll be back - and soon”](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks’ founder Kenny Bruce has promised that his departure from the firm does not mean he won’t be heard of again. Kenny - whose brother...
28 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks ex-CEO hits out at untrue claim that agency sold only 50%](/img/default/eat.png)
The former chief executive of Purplebricks UK says the agency completes on over 80 per cent of the homes it lists...
25 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Top Purplebricks investor would back US closure to bolster agency in UK](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks’ most influential investor says there is “opportunity aplenty” for the company but says it would back the closure of the US...
03 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks share price plunges as speculation mounts over investment](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks’ share price yesterday plunged to 90.5p at one point - well below the 100p level at which the company originally...
22 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks share price drops again as it ponders different scenarios for US](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks, which recently admitted that it had been over-ambitious in its overseas expansion, says it will give “a further update” on...
21 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter: has Purplebricks' bubble now officially burst?](/img/default/eat.png)
Whether you love or hate it, Purplebricks has undoubtedly left its mark since arriving on the scene in 2015 – much...
18 May 2019
From: Features
![“Gaping holes” in Purplebricks business model, says ex-online investor](/img/default/eat.png)
An expert who has invested in an online agency in the past has slammed Purplebricks’ business model. James Max, who presents the...
16 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks share price slides further following Michael Bruce departure](/img/default/eat.png)
Following yesterday's surprise news that founder Michael Bruce is leaving the business and its Australian operation is closing down, Purplebricks encountered...
08 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![PropTech Today: Market transformation – deterring, championing and Purplebricks](/img/default/eat.png)
I hope you had another wonderful Bank Holiday weekend; only three weeks to hold on until the next one. Personally, it...
08 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Michael Bruce leaves Purplebricks and company shuts Australian business](/img/default/eat.png)
In a shock announcement Purplebricks says founder Michael Bruce is to leave the business and its Australian operation will shut. “With hindsight, our rate of...
07 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Online agents hit out at High Street rivals about ‘over-valuations’](/img/default/eat.png)
Online estate agents have seized on the recent national newspaper article accusing estate agents of over-valuing properties to earn higher fees. The...
09 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Agents Do Charity - your chance to give something back...](/img/default/eat.png)
Hello and here we go with yet another Agents Do Charity, the weekly opportunity to herald the unsung efforts of our...
08 March 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks get shirty with Six Nations marketing coup](/img/default/eat.png)
As eagle-eyed readers may have discovered over weekend, Purplebricks is the new back-of-shirt sponsor of the Scotland national team throughout the...