Archive

The Countrywide name is set to disappear from the stock market in a week’s time - and may soon be gone...

This time out, I’m in conversation with one of the big three established portals. Since it was founded in 2007, Zoopla...

There’s been a flurry of recent activity involving agencies quoted on the London Stock Exchange: Hunters, The Property Franchise Group and...

Here’s hoping you managed to have as good a Christmas and New Year as Covid rules allowed. Journalism in early January is...

Purplebricks has named a new non-executive director - and currently she has 36 other company directorships or partnerships to her name. Elona...

Share prices for many quoted estate agencies and property portals fell in trading as fears grew about Coronavirus. London-focussed agency Foxtons was one...

For a number of years now, predictions have been made that one of the major tech giants will eventually enter the...

In the week the Nationwide recorded the UK’s highest ever average house price, high-end agency Savills has forecast that prime markets...

Is Countrywide finally on the road to recovery? Its share price has risen 125 per cent in the past three months; much of...

“Let’s Zoom later”, “are we Zooming in the morning or afternoon?” “Yeah, I zoomed the client earlier” – variations on these...

The brothers who founded Purplebricks - Michael and Kenny Bruce - have returned to the agency industry for the first time...

The founder of OnTheMarket has revealed why the portal floated on the stock market and why Ian Springett was the right...

The Say No To Rightmove campaign, which expects to have some 3,000 offices signed up by the end of the month,...

The extraordinary past week of anger over portals’ fees plus early-warning statements like that from Foxtons indicate the anxiety in the...

Countrywide shares fell by just over 30 per cent yesterday as the stock market blood-letting continued for property stocks. The value fell 30.86...

It's been revealed this evening that Bruce Marsh, who was to become Countrywide's chief operating officer, is now not going to...

Countrywide’s share price has dived over 50 per cent during the course of the day, following news of LSL pulling out...

Purplebricks faces an imminent takeover bid following the collapse of its share price, predicts a leading industry analyst. Andrew Stanton has already...

Almost all quoted agencies and portals have suffered as a result of stock market investors being spooked by Coronavirus, with some...

Both Countrywide and LSL Property Services have submitted early online paperwork to The Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, an independent body...

It’s been revealed that under takeover rules, LSL Property Services and Countrywide have until March 23 to make merger or takeover...

Countrywide and LSL Property Services have this morning confirmed that talks are underway about a possible mega-merger. This confirms the speculation yesterday that...

An outspoken industry commentator says some of the country’s leading agencies are failing because they’re not actually run by experienced agents. Russell...

Zoopla has revealed large growth in agency membership and visitor figures for 2019. Since being bought by US equity firm Silver Lake,...

In six years of editing Estate Agent Today, some of my most dramatic moments have been covering the troubles - some...

Rightmove has announced the start of a two-month share repurchase programme - a way of buying its own stock back from...

For the stock market generally, 2019 has been a positive year - but a few high profile agencies and associated companies...

The financial consultancy advising OnTheMarket says the portal company will be in profit by Easter next year. “We now expect OnTheMarket to...

A high-profile investment advice service says as OnTheMarket nears two years listed on the stock market it “has yet to deliver...

The Great Debate over the charges levied on agents by portals and the huge profits that Rightmove and Zoopla make has...

OnTheMarket has this morning posted its latest results to the stock market. The portal reports that 2,346 branches had converted to full-paying...

The share price of the UK's largest estate agency remained steady yesterday following its appointment of a new chief operating officer. Countrywide...

Welcome back to Property Jobs Today - your Monday roundup of all the latest employment news from the industry. If you have...

Purplebricks' senior management avoided a shareholder revolt yesterday during the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM). Last weekend, it emerged via the Sunday...

The Purplebricks share price dropped by 1% to 108p yesterday as investors prepare for today's Annual General Meeting. The hybrid agency's market...

It never rains but it pours. And that’s certainly been the case for the online estate agency sector in the last...

Purplebricks’ recent strong share price rise is not a good sign for the agency but an indication that it may be...

The former Countrywide chief executive Grenville Turner says it is an option for online estate agency Yopa to go to an...

A free-to-list property portal says that contrary to opinion within parts of the agency industry, the more portals there are the...

Now could be the time to buy shares in Purplebricks and Foxtons if one stock market pundit turns out to be...

The new chief executive of Purplebricks believes hybrid agents could win '20-30% market share' in the UK. Vic Darvey, who replaced Michael...

An interesting analysis of Rightmove’s performance on the stock market has led to questions about the long-term profitability and viability of...

We like a good video here at Estate Agent Today, and we know our industry can take a joke even if...

It appears that at least three Countrywide brands are undergoing branch closures as the company’s cuts continue to bite. Estate Agent Today...

Estate Agent Today understands that Countrywide has started a programme involving branch closures and redeployment of staff. Unlike other branch closure programmes by...

Following yesterday's surprise news that founder Michael Bruce is leaving the business and its Australian operation is closing down, Purplebricks encountered...

Another bank has slashed its forecast for Purplebricks, citing concerns over its the long-term viability of its international activities in particular. As...

A PropTech analyst insists that the tumbling share price of Purplebricks on the London Stock Exchange does not indicate that the...

The Daily Telegraph has gone public with City speculation that Chicago-based real estate consultancy JLL may be interested in buying Savills. Both...

Alongside hundreds of agents and suppliers, I recently attended the Guild of Property Professionals’ annual conference. As ever, it was a great...

Former Emoov chief executive Russell Quirk has made his first on-the-record comments about the factors behind the dramatic collapse of his...

As 2018 ticks away and 2019 beckons, it’s time for everyone at Estate Agent Today to wish you, your family and...

Countrywide’s share price fell to its lowest-ever level yesterday - evidence that it’s not just online estate agencies that are having...

As scary Halloweens go, yesterday was quite a shocker for Britain’s online estate agency sector - and not in a good...

Purplebricks’ share price dropped yesterday to barely over 200p - its lowest level for some 18 months and reflecting a near...

OnTheMarket plc, the company which operates the OTM portal, gives its first formal stock market figures tomorrow morning, for the six...

Zoopla Property Group's founder and chief executive, Alex Chesterman, is to step back from day to day operations at the end...

Franchise giant Hunters has reported its latest results to the city, showing impressive growth despite a slow-moving property market. In the six...

One of Countrywide's major investors has significantly reduced its holding in the troubled estate agency group. Oaktree Capital yesterday lowered its stake...

Following the first day of trading its new shares yesterday, Countrywide's share price finished at 12.52, down almost 4%. The new shares were...

At first sight, to suggest this is a good time for an agency business to go for an IPO - that...

It was interesting to see the recent story on Estate Agent Today about OnTheMarket (OTM) raising its fees after signing up...

The agonisingly painful decline of Countrywide continues, with no one sure whether it is the darkest hour before the dawn or...

As you probably know, I have been no fan of OnTheMarket (OTM) over the years. You may see this admission as...

Foxtons share price hit a new low yesterday, dropping to only 46p early in the afternoon: it eventually closed narrowly up...

Peter Long, executive chairman of Countrywide, has resigned from another boardroom to focus on saving the troubled estate agency. Long has chosen...

The German publishing company Axel Springer has increased its stake in Purplebricks to 12.5 per cent - and says it may...

The stock market and at least one City analyst have shrugged their shoulders at the claim by Purplebricks that it is...

So here’s the thing. It’s summer - not much going on, school holidays about to start, industry publications filling out space...

OnTheMarket now has listing agreements with over 9,000 estate agency branches - that's another 500 or so since its previous release...

OnTheMarket has announced to the City and its shareholders that it’s to reveal its annual results tomorrow - the first such...

Property portal OnTheMarket has announced that it now has listing agreements with over 8,500 estate and letting agency branches.  It says that...

Zoopla Property Group (ZPG) has confirmed that it expects its sale to Silver Lake to complete in Q3 2018. As part of...

A study of estate agencies and portals floated on the London Stock Exchange suggests that digital companies have shown much better...

Sky News says online estate agents Emoov and Tepilo are in talks about a ‎merger - and if it happens the...

An online question-and-answer article with OnTheMarket chief executive Ian Springett has suggested that its focus of criticism may be shifting from...

Ever wondered what it’s like to be on the frontline of property journalism? Well, wonder no more, as our very own...

OnTheMarket says it has now struck listing agreements with 7,500 agency branches, adding over 2,000 branches since floating on the London stock...

Foxtons says its long-term branch expansion programme is now “largely complete” and it is shifting its attention to using technology to...

OnTheMarket has this morning issued a statement claiming that its portal traffic reached circa 12m visits during March - more than...

As always seems to be the case with Purplebricks, the hybrid agency has had a good week...and a bad one. Undeniably impressive...

The share price of OnTheMarket slipped again on Friday - down around five per cent on the day and ending at...

Purplebricks’ share price dipped below the psychologically-important 300p mark yesterday - its lowest performance since spring last year. It’s the latest development...

In an exclusive and candid interview with Estate Agent Today, Countrywide chairman Peter Long has admitted that the company had been...

Why I won’t buy Purplebricks shares and why if I had any, I’d sell fast… In its latest adverts, Purplebricks attempts to...

OnTheMarket has finally completed its stock market float, with less capital raised, at a lower than planned valuation and, as I write,...

All eyes are on Agents’ Mutual’s first day of trading on the London stock exchange - just over five years after...

Most listed agencies and portals suffered share price falls yesterday, creating a challenging landscape for Agents’ Mutual which launches on the London stock exchange...

Alison Platt may have been ousted but Countrywide appears not to be out of the woods yet as its share price...

Whatever else you say about OnTheMarket, you can’t say it’s not consistent, consistent in treating its core membership shabbily.  We already know...

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

The story of this week - the ousting of Countrywide chief executive Alison Platt - prompts two key questions. Firstly, who takes...

There was confirmation this morning, as expected, that Countrywide chief executive Alison Platt has quit - but so far there is no...

London’s prime central market is turning around at last according to the chief executive of Belgravia estate agency Henry & James. James...

Who says things slow down before Christmas? The opposite appears to be the case, at least when it comes to the...

Here it is - the industry’s verdict on the latest set of figures from Purplebricks. The agency doesn’t play by any of...

Both Purplebricks and OnTheMarket are keeping their powder dry on speculation that that hybrid agency is going to list on the...

OnTheMarket has announced some details of its IPO and the launch of its stock market flotation - but it has given nothing...

Financial analysts over the weekend have been giving their view on Purplebricks, which later this week issues its figures for the...

Franchise agency Hunters has signed up to the OnTheMarket portal.  This comes as speculation mounts that an announcement is imminent on stock market...

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...

Chris Bell, a former chief executive of bookies’ organisation Ladbrokes, has been named as the non-executive chairman of Agents’ Mutual as...

Agents’ Mutual is officially making no comment on the timetable for the company flotation but speculation within the industry is mounting...

Investec Asset Management has bought a 5.6 per cent share in Countrywide, having had no previous involvement in the troubled estate...

Sky News says the online estate agent eMoov is drawing up plans to float on the stock market.  Sky has been well-informed...

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

Let’s be honest - few people saw this coming. The 89 to 11 per cent majority amongst Agents’ Mutual members for...

One of the country’s leading property-technology experts says the way in which the Agents’ Mutual stock market flotation proposal has been...

easyProperty has unveiled details of its relaunch, declaring itself to be the UK’s second largest hybrid estate agency - second only...

The industry today awaits the result of Agents’ Mutual’s formal Members’ Court in which agents will vote on the organisation’s proposed demutualisation and...

The growing anger of some OnTheMarket member agents about the portal’s parent company proposal to float on the London Stock Exchange...

Countrywide’s share price hit a record low during trading yesterday afternoon when it dropped to 137.75p, having opened the day at...

Before we go any further, assuming you are an Agents’ Mutual member, let me ask you a question. If you had...

A leading business consultancy which advises clients on investments has refuted a claim by a prominent media analyst that it is...

The investment consultancy chosen by Agents’ Mutual to advise on its float plans - Zeus Capital - is the same one...

The roadshow of presentations of Agents’ Mutual’s plans to float on the stock market have just passed the half-way mark. Remaining sessions...

The stock exchange seems to be on everyone’s lips at the moment. There’s Agents’ Mutual seeking to float on the Alternative Investment...

No one can say Agents’ Mutual has failed to provoke debate within the industry. The project was the centre of fierce argument...

Agents’ Mutual has confirmed that it requires 75 per cent of the votes of member agencies to pass its proposals to...

ZPG has stepped into the escalating dispute between portals by revealing record figures on new leads - two hours before the first...

  The first two meetings in a roadshow which OnTheMarket has organised for local member agents take place today - another 18...

The head of a regional portal in the north of England has welcomed the likely demise of the controversial One Other...

There has been a sceptical reception from City analysts to Agents’ Mutual’s decision to restructure and float on the stock market...

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

Purplebricks’ share price this afternoon dropped to a recent low of 406.50p before recovering to close down about five per cernt...

Humberts has announced new overseas investment as it continues to shift emphasis away from its past rural-only outlook. The investment news came...

Few things provoke argument within the industry more than the online v traditional agency debate - and within that debate, nothing...

The share price of hybrid estate agency Purplebricks dipped yesterday after it announced its US expansion will begin in California. Purplebricks' share...

To give you a nice distraction from the post-election madness, here’s an interview with Charlie Wright, founder of CIELA (or The...

First time buyers who were supposed to be helped by the high-profile Help To Buy ISA have in fact found it...

The Property Franchise Group says it has seen 13 consecutive years of growth for the five High Street brands within its...

By Wednesday April 19th, a UK citizen, on an average income, had earned £7,789 from their day job so far this...

Hunters has told investors that its revenues rose 15 per cent to £13.8m in the year to the end of December,...

The Charter for Independent Estate and Letting Agents has started its ‘pre-launch’ membership drive - and says it ultimately want to...

A City consultancy has noted every property advertised on Rightmove in recent months and will track them throughout 2017 in a...

LSL Property Services - which owns high street agency brands Your Move, Reeds Rains and Marsh & Parsons - is the...

Over the past two decades, investing in buy-to-let has been a relatively easy way to make money, which is why so...

The Purplebricks stock market bull run took yet another huge leap forwards yesterday with its share price up 20 per cent...

Zoopla Property Group’s £120m purchase of Hometrack, announced yesterday evening, is part of its aim to create “the UK’s most valuable...

The stock market appears to be continuing its love affair with Purplebricks, as the hybrid agency share price rose once again...

The rental market has had to face a raft of changes over the past year, including the introduction of the 3% stamp...

It’s a tale of two estate agencies - Britain’s biggest, seemingly in trouble, and the second biggest, winning a seal of...

Share prices for both Foxtons and Countrywide took a significant tumble yesterday as news of the ban on letting agents’ fees...

Some sectors of the industry have been giving their initial reactions to the shock Donald Trump victory in the US presidential election.  Camilla...

Although Brexit, portal juggling and portal wars have stolen property industry headlines in recent months, there's been one story almost constantly...

Buy-to-let landlords may have failed in their recent legal battle against planned government tax relief changes for buy-to-let homes set to...

The huge rush to acquire buy-to-let property in the first quarter of the year ahead of the stamp duty change deadline...

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

  The chief marketing officer of Purplebricks, Joby Russell - who in the recent past has described the hybrid as “the UK’s...

It’s over. A win is a win, whichever side you backed. It’s true that everyone seems a lot less happy than...

As post-Brexit referendum vote shockwaves continue to reverberate around stock markets and currency exchanges, many publicly-quoted property companies took a hit...

As we have just passed the 6 month half way point of 2016 we thought it would be a good idea...

An investment consultancy has issued a note to investors, advising them not to buy shares in Purplebricks.  Jefferies – the firm which...

The only way Purplebricks' dominance of the online agency sector can be challenged is via a merger between competitors or another stock...

Several stock market analysts have published reports on Zoopla's half-year trading statement released yesterday. Anthony Codling of Jefferies – the firm which...

The respected investment advice website Motley Fool has poured cold water on the stock market fortunes of Purplebricks, despite a huge...

Countrywide's chief information officer Oliver Skagerlind this morning joins online agency easyProperty as de facto number two to chief executive Rob...

Despite being round the block quite a few times in the property world, it was only in 2008 that the importance...

Hybrid agency Purplebricks has launched a recruitment drive for what it calls ‘local property experts’ in 17 parts of the country...

An estate agent is suing his former employer for £500,000 after he believes he was unfairly dismissed. Abdul Samad is taking legal...

Financial analysts at City consultancy Jefferies - which helped Countrywide float on the stock market - say 2016 is a key...

The amount of column inches taken up by ‘property’ is at an all-time high.  In my mind there are two major contributing...

It’s certainly been a rollercoaster ride but the latest closing share value of Purplebricks, which floated in mid December, is now...

A newspaper article claims that Rightmove and Zoopla are “awash” with what it calls “the unofficial resales of flats in developments...

High profile stock market commentary website Motley Fool has given Zoopla a strong endorsement on the eve of the first anniversary...

Purplebricks, the online agency that floated a month ago at 100p per share, was yesterday down to 75.0 at one point...

Do you remember Martha Lane-Fox? She was the poster girl for lastminute.com and an icon of the dot.com bubble that ended...

There has been more volatile stock market trading for some of the industry’s highest-profile agencies.  Countrywide - whose chief executive Alison Platt...

It’s time to take a pause, to reflect and put into context—and what a year it has been for our industry...

The first online agency to list on the UK stock market - Purplebricks - has enjoyed a volatile first day of trading. The...

Foxtons has started a buy-back of shares from its investors - a way of rewarding shareholders after what has been a...

In the week that Purplebricks floats on the stock market, rival agency easyProperty says it will not list for two years...

Purplebricks has launched in another region of the UK as speculation continues over the date of its expected flotation.  It has now...

Online estate agency Purplebricks is reported to be preparing a stock market listing valuing it at close to £250m. The company is...

Knight Frank is the latest estate agent to admit that the prime London sales market is “subdued” - and it blames...

OnTheMarket has made a defiant response to news that Zoopla is growing both its estate agent membership and its property listings...

Shares in Foxtons start the week at 244 after staging a dramatic stock market recovery following a poor set of figures. The...

Hunters, the franchise chain with over 150 branches and now established as the UK's sixth largest estate agent, could be valued...

The agency industry has been acting with delight over the likelihood that there will be a slim overall majority for the...