Your weekend roundup of top news and views

Brutal industry reaction as Purplebricks looks for 'new ownership structure'

When Purplebricks announced on Friday it was looking for a buyer it didn’t take long for the knives – and jokes – to come out. Industry reaction has been both funny and brutal.

Click here to read Brutal industry reaction as Purplebricks looks for 'new ownership structure'.

Sunak appoints replacement for housing minister - sixth in a year!<br />

Rachel Maclean has been appointed as a DLUHC minister to take over from Lucy Frazer, who was promoted to the Cabinet.

Click here to read Sunak appoints replacement for housing minister - sixth in a year!<br />.

Belvoir Group reports record revenue after £4 million jump

Revenue at the Group increased to a record £33.5 million from £29.6 million in 2021 buoyed by an increase on rents on new tenancies increasing by 10.8% during 2022.

Click here to read Belvoir Group reports record revenue after £4 million jump.

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The Neg's Head of Content, Nigel Lewis takes a long, cold look at the new bill to reform the PRS.

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MORTGAGE PAIN: Two-year deals more expensive after rate rise<br />

Rightmove's home loans tracker shows that two-year fixed rate deals are 0.26% higher than a week ago.

Click here to read MORTGAGE PAIN: Two-year deals more expensive after rate rise<br />.

Revealed: How best to convert landlords to 'fully managed'

Lettings guru Sally Lawson explains how you can overcome the reasons why landlords would never want to have their portfolio managed by an agent. 

Click here to read Revealed: How best to convert landlords to 'fully managed'.

The July 2023 issue is published – online for you to read now. Just click and flip!<br />

In this month's issue:

 

• The Negotiator Awards open for entry – you have one month left to enter!

 

• Artificial Intelligence – it's here now, but where is it going? We talk to the property software experts.

 

• Purplebricks – the deal's been struck and it's rising from the ashes.

 

• Agent interview – this letting agent's business could be the model for all letting agencies.

 

• Lettings – how to ease the stress of an increasingly difficult business.

 

• Plus: latest national house price analysis; hybrid agents, best ways to blog, charity efforts, The Ombudsman Files, agency and supplier news and much more. 

Click here to read The July 2023 issue is published – online for you to read now. Just click and flip!<br />.

Has peak rental demand peaked passed? New data says yes<br />

Figures from Barrows and Forrester reveal a quarterly and annual drop in tenant demand despite a crisis in the mortgage market pricing many people out.

Click here to read Has peak rental demand peaked passed? New data says yes<br />.

The Negotiator Awards are open for entry!

The UK's leading awards programme for estate and letting agents and suppliers is now open for entries. Register now to start your entry process.

Click here to read The Negotiator Awards are open for entry!.

Michael Gove: Private landlords are ‘vital’ for the rented sector

Housing Secretary says landlords provide tenants “with flexibility and choice, and the value for money options that go with them”.

Click here to read Michael Gove: Private landlords are ‘vital’ for the rented sector.

Purplebricks launches national £999 selling fee under new ownership<br />

Strike, which bought the firm for £1 just a few days ago, says bold new strategy will help grow the firm.
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Click here to read Purplebricks launches national £999 selling fee under new ownership<br />.

Shock tumble in completions during first six months of 2023

Across the nation both transactions and total market values of homes sold fell by more than 50% across every area of England and Wales. 

Click here to read Shock tumble in completions during first six months of 2023.

BLOG: Want to go it alone? Here’s 10 tips to launch your estate agency

Property Webmasters boss Jamie Arthur highlights key actions that will help ensure success when setting up your own estate agency business. 

Click here to read BLOG: Want to go it alone? Here’s 10 tips to launch your estate agency.

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Find Properties will encourage agents to differentiate themselves by improving their own web presence which will also improve standards and competition.

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EXCLUSIVE: Surveying firm makes nearly all staff redundant after RICS action

Prinsegate Surveyors has been placed under 'interim measures' for a year by RICS' disciplinary panel, and its new business "halved overnight".

Click here to read EXCLUSIVE: Surveying firm makes nearly all staff redundant after RICS action.

Acquisition helps Midlands agency giant hit 40 branch milestone<br />

Acquisition by Lincolnshire agent duo helps their agency's tally hit new milestone after local rival agents retire and sell their business.

Click here to read Acquisition helps Midlands agency giant hit 40 branch milestone<br />.

Rightmove launches month of legislation webinars for agents

Staying compliant continues to rank high on the list of concerns from agents and remains one of the most popular topics covered in the portal's webinars.

Click here to read Rightmove launches month of legislation webinars for agents.

Letting agents have eight weeks to comply with new Northern scheme

The Merseyside scheme requires agents and landlords to submit their applications for a licence by August 31st and so far 600 have been received.

Click here to read Letting agents have eight weeks to comply with new Northern scheme.

COMMENT: Is the buy-to-let sector doomed?

Business consultant Adam Walker thinks the doomsayers may be overstating the case that landlords are leaving in droves. 

Click here to read COMMENT: Is the buy-to-let sector doomed?.

BLOG: Business support, software and services – how to get 'bang for your buck'

When times are hard, it’s critical to analyse your investments – from software tools to additional services or business support, says Brian Farrell.

Click here to read BLOG: Business support, software and services – how to get 'bang for your buck'.

OnTheMarket first portal to use AI to help agents list properties

The portal says its agent offering will be live in a few weeks, while house hunters can already use its AI enhanced property search.

Click here to read OnTheMarket first portal to use AI to help agents list properties.

EweMove agrees to change its ways after rival agent complaint

Map Estate Agents in Cornwall said direct mail letters from EweMove were misleading, and complained to the Advertising Standards Authority.

Click here to read EweMove agrees to change its ways after rival agent complaint.