Your weekend roundup of top news, features and comment

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.

xxxx

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

Click here to read xxxx.

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 />.

Foxtons finally feels the 'Gittins gold' as profits surge 10%<br />

Estate agency puts the bad old days behind it as recently-installed CEO says his strategies are working.

Click here to read Foxtons finally feels the 'Gittins gold' as profits surge 10%<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 />.

FINAL DEADLINE TODAY! The Negotiator Awards closes for entry today. You have until midnight tonight to submit your entries.

The UK's leading awards programme for estate and letting agents and suppliers is free to enter. Success in the awards gives your business unrivalled marketing power, a high profile versus your competition, staff motivation and adds real value to your business. 

You've got the rest of the day to prepare and submit your entry – good luck and we'll see you at property's biggest night of the year – 24th November 2023, Grosvenor House, London.

Click here to read FINAL DEADLINE TODAY! The Negotiator Awards closes for entry today. You have until midnight tonight to submit your entries..

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.
Text

Click here to read Purplebricks launches national £999 selling fee under new ownership<br />.

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.

xxxxx

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

Click here to read xxxxx.

New CEO takes over reins at big international property portal

Kyero Co-founders Martin and Louise Dell have handed the leadership role to Gemma Coles.

Click here to read New CEO takes over reins at big international property portal.

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.

Naive first time buyers put plans on hold after discovering 'hidden costs'

New research reveals one in seven first time buyers suspend intention to buy due to raft of 'unexpected' fees and Stamp Duty.

Click here to read Naive first time buyers put plans on hold after discovering 'hidden costs'.

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'.

xxxx<br />

xxx

Click here to read xxxx<br />.

Naive first time buyers put plans on hold after discovering 'hidden costs'

 

Agents still wary of jumping ship but belief in self-employed model soars to new high

Despite the buoyant outlook for the self-employed sector IAD UK’s Lee O’Brien says agents remain concerned about leaving the high street

Click here to read Agents still wary of jumping ship but belief in self-employed model soars to new high.

Bank of England chief casts doubt on future interest rates

Andrew Bailey hinted to MPs this week that the Bank is through with lifting interest rates and stressed inflation was on course for a ‘marked’ decline.

Click here to read Bank of England chief casts doubt on future interest rates.

Agents braced for more change as Autumn Budget date revealed<br />

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt says that the OBR has been commissioned to prepare an economic and fiscal forecast after last year’s Mini-Budget.

Click here to read Agents braced for more change as Autumn Budget date revealed<br />.

Interest rates of 6% and 7% will be the new normal

Mortgage Advice Bureau boss Peter Brodnicki says that stubborn inflation continues to see the Bank of England pushing rates up.

Click here to read Interest rates of 6% and 7% will be the new normal.

In this month's issue:

 

• COVER STORY: How a branch makeover can win instructions.

 

• FEATURE: Rent guarantee insurance and how it can save your landlords.

 

• LEGAL: Direct marketing and how it can earn you a £500,000 fine.

 

• COMMENT: How to manage the credit squeeze and defaulting tenants.

 

• MARKETING: Don't be afraid of Artificial Intelligence – it could boost your business – starting tomorrow!

 

• REDRESS: Too much pressure. The Property Ombudsman adjudicates on a complaint against an over-zealous agent.

 

•INTERVIEW: The agent who got into bed with billionaire, Warren Buffett.

Click here to read .

The Negotiator Magazine September edition is live and waiting for you – 54 pages of news, features, interviews, opinion and advice. <br />Just click and flip!

• House prices nationwide and regional – analysis.

 

• The Negotiator Awards – still time to enter, but you'd better hurry!

 

• FEATURE: How the QR code has reinvented traditional marketing.

 

• FEATURE: Telephone tech – it's like having an extra employee.

 

• FEATURE: Lettings apps – taking the schlep out of lettings.

 

• COMMENT: Why politicians should get practical, not political.

 

• COMMENT: How ULEZ will clobber the landlords.

 

• INTERVIEW: Age and gender are no barriers for this woman.

 

• PLUS: Agent reports, movers and shakes, marketing tips and much more...

 

 

Click here to read The Negotiator Magazine September edition is live and waiting for you – 54 pages of news, features, interviews, opinion and advice. <br />Just click and flip!.

FEATURE: Traditional marketing goes digital

Richard Reed explores the new techniques for maximising the effectiveness of printed marketing materials – linking signboards and leaflets directly to your website.

Click here to read FEATURE: Traditional marketing goes digital.

Winkworth reveals profits slump as sales market struggles

Franchise-based estate agency says sales and therefore revenues are being delayed by choppy housing market, although lettings performed well.

Click here to read Winkworth reveals profits slump as sales market struggles.

Dinner invite to estate agency seniors issued by leading industry duo

Baldock brothers are organising their latest central London dinner gathering for all comers who are owners or directors of agencies.

Click here to read Dinner invite to estate agency seniors issued by leading industry duo.

Gazundering is back and agents need to act – call

With house prices falling and buyers holding all the cards, gazundering has once again become rampant in some parts of the country.

Click here to read Gazundering is back and agents need to act – call.

Scottish leader confirms move to make rent controls permanent in new Bill

First Minister Humza Yousaf says he plans to introduce a New Deal for Tenants as part of his new housing policies to tackle homelessness and the PRS supply shortage.

Click here to read Scottish leader confirms move to make rent controls permanent in new Bill.

Labour's Angela Rayner takes on Gove with housing brief

Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner replaces Lisa Nandy as Shadow Levelling Up Secretary, covering housing and communities.

Click here to read Labour's Angela Rayner takes on Gove with housing brief.

COMMENT: "It's time to talk up the market"

Kate Faulkner says negative commentary in the national news is dragging the whole market down –  and agents need to act to counter the doomsayers.

Click here to read COMMENT: "It's time to talk up the market".