Is there such a thing as an online estate agency any more? A decade ago, about the time I started editing Estate...
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![The 'personal agent' - threat or opportunity?](/upload/images/3%20Proofed%20--%20The%20%E2%80%98personal%20agent%E2%80%99%20%E2%80%93%20threat%20or%20opportunity%20by%20Richard%20Rawlings%2C%20Estate%20Agency%20Trainer.jpg)
Any estate agency will have noticed the rise of the “personal agent” in the industry, with interesting propositions from eXp, The...
16 March 2024
From: Features
![Government's leasehold reform proposals come under the spotlight](/upload/images/5%20proofed%20-%20Government's%20leasehold%20reform%20weekend%20feature%20by%20EAT%20team.jpg)
The complexities of the government’s leasehold reform proposals affecting millions of homeowners came under the spotlight at a seminar organised by...
02 March 2024
From: Features
![The Housing Market and the Election - Does It Matter Who Wins?](/upload/images/EAT%20-%20IndustryViews%20Will%20the%20election%20result%20affect%20the%20housing%20market.jpg)
The factor most likely to influence the housing market next year is entirely outside the industry’s control: the General Election. Knight Frank...
16 December 2023
From: Features
![Upmarket agency network launches masterclass on boosting fees](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/2_MortgageCalculated.png)
Fine & Country has launched a new Masterclass Series focused on the art of maximising fees and boosting additional revenue. Set to...
07 September 2023
From: Breaking News
30 August 2023
From: 60 Second Interview
![Regional agent unveils franchise offering](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/Franchise-400x310.png)
The team behind regional agency brands Simpson & Partners and Simpson and Weekley is developing a hybrid franchise model. Andrew Simpson and...
06 July 2023
From: Breaking News
![Don't fall foul of these laws of nature](/upload/images/__thumbs/3%20shutterstock_582283708.jpg/3%20shutterstock_582283708__399x147.jpg)
Whether at home or abroad, here are some top tips to prevent homeowners from breaking common garden laws and rules this...
01 July 2023
From: Features
Taking a proactive approach with viewing generation can increase foot flow through properties and generate more offers, and ultimately close more...
28 March 2023
From: Sponsored Content
![How much does it cost to move abroad](/upload/images/Site%20logos/How%20much%20does%20it%20cost%20to%20move%20abroad%20EAT%20or%20PIT%20Pinned_UKMap.png)
When Winter stabs its icy fingers at us Brits our thoughts tend to turn to sun-kissed beaches, the lapping Mediterranean and...
28 January 2023
From: Features
![Rebrand unveiled for self-employed agency offering](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Property%20Market/ShakingHands-400x310.png)
High-profile agency self-employed agency owner Sean Newman has unveiled a rebrand of his offering. He has changed the name of his self-employed...
12 January 2023
From: Breaking News
![Autumn Statement - what did our panel of property experts make of it?](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/_JeremyHunt%20_400x310.png)
The property sector braced itself for the chill wind of Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement this week. His pre-Budget comment that he...
19 November 2022
From: Features
![Housebuilder launches webinar to help first-time buyers](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/PropTech/Webinar-400x310.png)
Representatives from homebuilder Barratt and Rightmove are to share tips on how first-time buyers can get on the property ladder in...
14 November 2022
From: Breaking News
![Stamp duty cut - much needed boost or short term fix? Either way, estate agents need to prepare for the rush](/upload/images/adv-2021/sponsored-content/Smartsearch/EAT%20-%20October%2022.jpg)
The Government’s mini budget on September 23 was anything but ‘mini’ with several major announcements one of the most significant of...
17 October 2022
From: Sponsored Content
![Home Sweet Home: Experts Advise on What to Look for When Buying a House](/upload/images/Shutterstock-only%20images/Misc/MuirHomes-1-400x310.png)
You've finally found the perfect house. It's within your budget, has the desired number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and even comes...
13 October 2022
From: PropTech & Innovation
![SDLT cut ‘a shot in the arm’ for sales, but government could have done more](/upload/images/Politics%20(MPs%2C%20party%20logos%2C%20etc)/_Kwasi%20Kwarteng_400x310.png)
Now that the industry has had the weekend to digest Kwasi Kwarteng’s short and dramatic mini-Budget, more reaction has been filtering...
27 September 2022
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter - a day in the life of a mortgage broker](/upload/images/Site%20logos/PropertyNatter-2019-400x310.png)
In this latest Day in the Life of...Natter, I get an insight into one of the most vital cogs of the...
27 August 2022
From: Features
![Homeday - Purplebricks quietly writes off German expansion](/upload/images/Logos/PurplebricksLogo2020-400x310.jpg)
Hidden amongst the annual results released by Purplebricks on Tuesday – which saw revenue and profits down, as well as a...
04 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Howay the houses! Newcastle’s property market remains resilient, says expert](/upload/images/Locations/Newcastle-400x310.jpg)
One of the North East’s leading property experts has claimed that Newcastle’s diverse property market is still seeing record levels of...
03 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![Should the BoE hike up interest rates this week? Experts give their view](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/BankofEngland-400x310.png)
Recent months have seen interest rates rise from historic lows back closer to pre-financial crisis levels as the Bank of England...
02 August 2022
From: Breaking News
![National agency merger creates multi-disciplinary property firm](/upload/images/Today%20Site%20Images/FisherGermanMerger-400x310.png)
National estate agency and advisory company Fisher German has merged with commercial property consultancy Matthews & Goodman. The merger creates one of...
22 June 2022
From: Breaking News
![Tech Talk: Property experts explain Material Information shake-up](/upload/images/PropTech%20%26%20Online/PropTech-4-400x310.jpg)
Next month will see new rules around upfront Material Information for property sales and lettings come into force in the UK...
18 May 2022
From: Features
![New Purplebricks CEO – what challenges will she face?](/upload/images/Logos/Purplebricks-TeamGB-Board-400x310.jpg)
Yesterday afternoon, Helena Marston was finally confirmed as Purplebricks new CEO after all the due diligence checks that are required for...
21 April 2022
From: Breaking News
!['Hundreds' of former Purplebricks agents back workers' rights legal claim](/upload/images/library/Sad-Tenants-Evicted-400x310.jpg)
Hundreds of former Purplebricks agents have now signed up to a potential legal claim against the firm. Contractors For Justice, known as...
12 April 2022
From: Breaking News
![Lawyers ready to issue Purplebricks working rights claim 'within weeks'](/upload/images/library/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
Lawyers working on a class action against online agents including Purplebricks have said they will be ready to send a letter...
11 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
![Over And Out - An Editor Departs…](/upload/images/Site%20logos/eat-logo-400x310.png)
For the record, this isn’t my last Industry Views for Estate Agent Today, although by the time you read this I'll be...
02 April 2022
From: Features
![Purplebricks completes move away from self-employed agents](/upload/images/Logos/PurplebricksLogo2020-400x310.jpg)
Purplebricks say it’s going to complete its transformation from an agency using self-employed local operatives in the field, to having fully...
31 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![From Poacher to Gamekeeper - Levelling Up from Agent to Developer](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/PlanningImage-400x310.jpg)
The path from agent to developer is not easy, but it is a relatively straightforward one, if you are willing to...
12 March 2022
From: Features
![Purplebricks chief executive quits because of “personal circumstances”](/upload/images/library/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
Purplebricks chief executive Vic Darvey has quit, citing “personal circumstances”. He leaves at the end of this month with chief operating officer Helena...
10 March 2022
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter – meet the blockchain network quietly taking agency by storm](/upload/images/Site%20logos/PropertyNatter-2019-400x310.png)
Until a few years ago, you would have been forgiven for not knowing who or what Coadjute was. But the company, founded...
26 February 2022
From: Features
![Purplebricks denies sell-off rumour](/upload/images/Logos/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
Purplebricks has this morning said that a newspaper report over the weekend, claiming part of the business is to be sold...
04 January 2022
From: Breaking News
![Speed It Up! Experts join forces to call for quicker transaction process](/upload/images/PropTech%20%26%20Online/OnlineAgents-1-400x310.jpg)
Property experts have joined forces to call for faster and more secure transactions. The PropTech and conveyancing voices have united in warning...
09 November 2021
From: Breaking News
![Legal Action against Purplebricks - “phenomenal” response by claimants](/upload/images/Logos/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
The leader of the organisation proposing a class action against Purplebricks says there’s been a “phenomenal” response to his request for...
05 November 2021
From: Breaking News
![Will more online agencies face class actions over self-employed pay?](/upload/images/PropTech%20%26%20Online/PropTech-4-400x310.jpg)
The class action taken by former self-employed workers against two online agencies should be a warning to other firms breaking the...
21 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks faces legal action from agents over holiday and pension pay](/upload/images/Logos/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
A claims firm wants to commence proceedings against online estate agency companies such as Purplebricks and Yopa. It's on behalf of thousands...
20 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks shock as finance chief quits at short notice](/upload/images/library/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
Purplebricks has this morning announced that chief financial officer Andy Botha is quitting at the end of the month. In a terse...
14 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![PropTech Today - the importance of additional revenue streams for agents](/upload/images/Site%20logos/ProptechToday-1-400x310.png)
I recently took part in a webinar hosted by ICG (The Innovation Collaboration Group) – titled ‘New estate agency revenue streams...
07 October 2021
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks reveals result of switch from self-employed](/upload/images/Logos/Purplebricks-TeamGB-Board-400x310.jpg)
Purplebricks says its aim to move 650 staff from self-employed status to employed has had a 95 per cent success rate. It...
07 September 2021
From: Breaking News
![Executive Pay - Purplebricks shareholders get date for key vote](/upload/images/Logos/PurplebricksLogo2020-400x310.jpg)
A date has been set for Purplebricks’ shareholders to give their verdict on a controversial remuneration package given to the agency’s...
25 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Ex-Purplebricks Local Property Experts set up new hybrid agency](/upload/images/Housing%20Market%20%26%20Property%20Images/OpeningHours400x310.jpg)
Two former Local Property Experts at Purplebricks have set up their own hybrid agency, offering an upfront fee or a no-sale-no-fee...
25 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Five Top Tips to be a great agent - and you won’t be expecting this…](/upload/images/library/Millennials-Handshake-400x310.jpg)
One of the most effervescent figures in the industry has given his five top tips to becoming a great estate agent...
19 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter – has Purplebricks dealt a fatal blow to the self-employed model?](/upload/images/Site%20logos/PropertyNatter-2019-400x310.png)
One of the biggest trends since Covid, in the property world and elsewhere, has been a shift towards more hybrid, flexible...
14 August 2021
From: Features
![Escape route for Purplebricks refugees who want to stay self-employed](/upload/images/library/MillennialAgent-Graphs-400x310.jpg)
Self-employed agents working for Purplebricks who want to resist the instruction to become fully employed are being wooed by a Midlands...
11 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks’ autumn marketing blitz goes ahead despite shock jobs move](/upload/images/library/Purplebricks-TeamGB-Board-400x310.jpg)
Purplebricks’ chief executive says a £4m marketing blitz scheduled for the autumn will go ahead despite the upheaval caused by the...
11 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks admits short term disruption but CEO makes pay pledge](/upload/images/library/Purplebricks-TeamGB-Board-400x310.jpg)
The chief executive of Purplebricks says he wants to move his agency’s 600 Local Property Experts from self-employed to employed status...
10 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks ends self-employed agent service and goes “fully employed”](/upload/images/library/Purplebricks-2019Logo-400x310.jpg)
Purplebricks has this morning confirmed that it’s ending its self-employed Local Property Experts operation and is moving to “a fully employed model...
10 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Industry leader’s podcast lifts the lid on self-employed agents](/upload/images/PropTech%20%26%20Online/Smartphone-Technology-400x310.jpg)
One of the best known faces in estate agency has launched his own podcast - and is giving Estate Agent Today...
02 August 2021
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks to launch local marketing blitz after Olympics](/upload/images/PurplebricksBoards-2021-LauraKenny-400x310.jpg)
Purplebricks is to launch an extensive marketing campaign after this summer’s Olympics to emphasise the local knowledge of its 600 agents...
12 July 2021
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks goes local - more emphasis on Local Property Experts in future](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks is to tilt its marketing increasingly towards local advertising on traditional and online platforms, and promoting the ‘on the street’...
17 March 2021
From: Breaking News
![Call My Agent! Celebrities find it’s not so easy to sell and buy homes…](/img/default/eat.png)
One of the biggest TV hits of lockdown has been the Netflix show Call My Agent! It’s a surprise success, perhaps, because...
06 March 2021
From: Features
![Unsellable: Thousands of flats remain impossible to mortgage or sell](/img/default/eat.png)
Agents and a wide range of property experts have demanded yet more government funds to end the cladding crisis that is...
11 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![D-Day - will MPs back industry call for stamp duty holiday extension?](/img/default/eat.png)
Today’s the day when Parliament debates a possible extension to the stamp duty holiday beyond its March 31 cliff edge deadline...
01 February 2021
From: Breaking News
![Agents offered trip to Dubai - as Health Secretary warns against it...](/img/default/eat.png)
High profile agency owner Sean Newman is offering his entire self-employed team of 100 agents and mortgage advisors a chance for...
25 January 2021
From: Breaking News
![Madness! Government refusal to extend SDLT holiday provokes anger](/img/default/eat.png)
Agents and property experts have reacted angrily to the government's refusal to extend the stamp duty holiday. The government has told campaigners that...
17 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Agents Do Charity - a supplier, a climb, a competition, and awards](/img/default/eat.png)
Hello and welcome to our latest doffing of the cap in honour of those in our industry fund-raising for great causes....
11 December 2020
From: Breaking News
![Bring on agency regulation and training, say new industry chiefs](/img/default/eat.png)
The agency industry’s new leaders for the coming year have expressed strong support for reform recommendations promoted by the Regulation of...
24 November 2020
From: Breaking News
![Boomin’s Backers: national and regional agencies are new founder members](/img/default/eat.png)
Yet-to-launch portal Boomin has secured the support of 10 more estate agencies, one of them the national chain Humberts. In its third...
27 October 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
![Purplebricks delays changes to fees structure until the autumn](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks says changes to its fees structure - possibly becoming less reliant on controversial upfront charges - has been delayed until...
03 August 2020
From: Breaking News
![Horses for courses - the rise of the personal agent](/img/default/eat.png)
The phrase ‘game-changer’ has been hugely overused. But when applied to how Covid-19 is changing the way estate agents will work...
20 June 2020
From: Features
![Ex-Purplebricks chief becomes MD of new ‘national agency brand’](/img/default/eat.png)
A former Purplebricks chief has become managing director of an agency aiming to be a national brand. Jim Harris - a former training...
01 June 2020
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks asking sellers to draw their own floorplans](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks Local Property Experts are asking sellers who are not allowing agents into their homes during the virus crisis to draw...
03 April 2020
From: Breaking News
![Property Jobs Today - new moves on the March...](/img/default/eat.png)
Hello and another Monday means PJT Day, your regular update on movers in the industry - and it’s March already. If there...
02 March 2020
From: Breaking News
![‘Agents will be a big part of Zoopla’s growth’ - Q&A with Charlie Bryant](/img/default/eat.png)
More than 18 months on from the acquisition of ZPG for £2.2 billion by Silver Lake Partners, a US private equity...
29 February 2020
From: Features
![Purplebricks boss slams agents as “miles behind” on digital personalisation](/img/default/eat.png)
The chief executive of Purplebricks says agents are “miles behind” in using digital information to provide a personalised service. Vic Darvey has given...
13 February 2020
From: Breaking News
01 February 2020
From: Features
![Purplebricks goes for Gold with massive marketing campaign](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks today launches its media campaign as ‘The Official Estate Agent of Team GB’ for this summer’s Olympic Games. Today’s PR onslaught...
22 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Property Natter - meet the teenager who is shaking up agency marketing](/img/default/eat.png)
Following on from the second half of the last decade, the first few weeks of 2020 have been a bit mad...
18 January 2020
From: Features
![Purplebricks keeps 2020 pricing strategies secret - for now](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks is not revealing details of the different pricing strategies it is testing “in the field” early this year. Last month the...
06 January 2020
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks: so what do Local Property Experts REALLY earn?](/img/default/eat.png)
A statement made by Purplebricks in its trading statement yesterday appears to fly in the face of statements it has made...
13 December 2019
From: Breaking News
![Zoopla announces massive growth plans for 2020](/img/default/eat.png)
Zoopla has this afternoon announced a massive growth programme for 2020 with 120 new staff and expansion in most of its...
13 December 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks testing four different pricing strategies in 2020](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks says it’s put four different pricing strategies into the market with a view to testing them in 2020. In a trading...
12 December 2019
From: Breaking News
![easyProperty's new owner reveals ambitious 'local expert' plans](/img/default/eat.png)
The relaunched easyProperty hybrid agency is to rely exclusively on local marketing to drive awareness and customers, and not follow the...
09 December 2019
From: Breaking News
![Is Facebook Marketplace the new Rightmove? asks top agent](/img/default/eat.png)
A prominent regional agent says the industry owes it to vendors to try competing marketing outlets for property, and not to...
25 November 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks in Canada - is it the agency’s secret success story?](/img/default/eat.png)
Controversy and Purplebricks have gone hand in hand since the agency was first launched in 2012, through its float on the...
18 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Why has Upad gone down?](/img/default/eat.png)
Upad, the national online letting agent set up by entrepreneur James Davis has announced that it is “closed to new business”...
15 October 2019
From: Sponsored Content
!['Property Guru' agency announces fresh investment and key hire](/img/default/eat.png)
A new estate agency, which claims to only hire property experts, has announced a new investment as well as the recruitment...
02 October 2019
From: Breaking News
![Is Help to Buy a friend or foe to the property market?](/img/default/eat.png)
It’s been six years since the Help to Buy scheme was launched, with the honourable intentions of helping more people onto...
07 September 2019
From: Features
![Stamp Duty chaos as new Chancellor denies he wants sellers to pay](/img/default/eat.png)
If anyone thought a Boris Johnson government would be more decisive than Theresa May's when it came to housing policies, the last...
19 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Online agents face new guidelines as advertising complaints rocket](/img/default/eat.png)
The Advertising Standards Authority has issued a guidance note warning online estate agents, after complaints about them have “grown dramatically”. “Property is big...
01 August 2019
From: Breaking News
![Ex-Purplebricks boss defends 'nightmare' stories of LPEs earning 'peanuts'](/img/default/eat.png)
The former chief executive of Purplebricks has defended claims that some Local Property Experts are underpaid, saying that success comes through...
08 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![104 viewings in one day and 22 offers - is this a record in a 'slow' market?](/img/default/eat.png)
Stories of a slow property market due to an ongoing lack of supply and Brexit woes have been well-documented in recent...
08 July 2019
From: Breaking News
![Theresa May’s legacy - how has housing fared under her government?](/img/default/eat.png)
Theresa May arrived in Downing Street some three years ago - but her premiership has not been a smooth ride. As she...
06 July 2019
From: Features
![Purplebricks ex-CEO defends record on sales progression and LPEs](/img/default/eat.png)
Purplebricks’ former chief executive Lee Wainwright has made a stout defence of the controversial agency’s sales progression process and its local...
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
![In Praise of Purplebricks: a senior estate agent speaks out](/img/default/eat.png)
A former Territory Owner at Purplebricks, who at one time managed 11 Local Property Experts, has spoken out in support of...
24 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks workforce turns on agency with string of damning reviews](/img/default/eat.png)
A series of damning reviews about Purplebricks’ working environment, apparently written by existing and former staff, have appeared online. Indeed is a...
19 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Making the transition from estate agency to property development](/img/default/eat.png)
Property developing is an incredibly diverse and exciting career choice, and something that many people aspire to do in the UK. I...
15 June 2019
From: Features
![Agents shouldn’t just sell - they must be Residential Property Experts](/img/default/eat.png)
High Street estate agents should re-define themselves in today’s competitive market by becoming Residential Property Experts offering a wide range of...
14 June 2019
From: Breaking News
![Agents Do Charity - wining, dining, dressing up and cleaning the mud off...](/img/default/eat.png)
Hello - it’s that time of the week again when we celebrate the agency industry’s fantastic fund-raising. We were delighted that our...
31 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Disruptors with a difference: Rugby players open agency in containers](/img/default/eat.png)
It’s an eye-catching combination - former professional rugby players turn estate agents, set up in converted shipping containers, and promise in time-honoured fashion...
01 May 2019
From: Breaking News
![Major agency launches lifestyle service to bolster sales and lettings income](/img/default/eat.png)
Humberts, the agency which was one of the first to ditch High Street offices in favour of fewer larger hubs, has...
25 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Online agents “too cheap” and look too good to be true - Quirk](/img/default/eat.png)
The failure of online agencies to significantly disrupt the industry is down to their being too cheap and creating a perception...
16 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Purplebricks stock downgraded 80% by investment bank](/img/default/eat.png)
Analysts at Berenberg Bank have sharply reduced their price target for Purplebricks by over 80 per cent from 470p to 80p, accusing...
05 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Online agencies 'will still take 50% market share' claims company chief](/img/default/eat.png)
An online estate agency insists the online/hybrid sector will take a 50 per cent market share in the future - despite...
01 April 2019
From: Breaking News
![Regional agency expands with opening of 10th High Street office](/img/default/eat.png)
Regional agency Prospect, which already has offices in Berkshire and Surrey, has opened its 10th office at Farnborough in Hampshire. Last year Prospect...