Your weekend roundup of top news

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 />.

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 />.

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 />.

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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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'.

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

 

Big agency launches ‘super branch’ in historic Midlands city

The Grade II listed Coventry building dates back to the early 19th Century and was once the home of the organist at the city's Cathedral. 

Click here to read Big agency launches ‘super branch’ in historic Midlands city.

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 .

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.

Propertymark to probe leading lettings firm after BBC investigation

Student Haus has suspended a member of staff after being accused of letting a sub-standard property to students and faking a signature.

Click here to read Propertymark to probe leading lettings firm after BBC investigation.

Landlords slam Shelter's latest attack on private rented sector<br />

Shelter boss Pollly Neate has accused the 'landlord lobby' including MPs of attempting to water down the Renters (Reform) Bill.

Click here to read Landlords slam Shelter's latest attack on private rented sector<br />.

Two of UK's biggest and most profitable proptechs reveal merger<br />

PayProp and Reapit will continue as separate brands at first and then be integrated over time, The Neg is told.

Click here to read Two of UK's biggest and most profitable proptechs reveal merger<br />.

'Agents must appoint conveyancer before or when listing'<br />

The Open Property Data Association’s Maria Harris says sorting legals sooner will mean fewer nasty surprises, fewer fall throughs and fewer delays.

Click here to read 'Agents must appoint conveyancer before or when listing'<br />.

Big national estate agency reveals F2 racing driver sponsorship

Agency is backing rising star Zak O’Sullivan and the package includes its logo on the young driver's racing car.

Click here to read Big national estate agency reveals F2 racing driver sponsorship.

Games giant opens estate agency to publicise SIMS launch<br />

The publicity stunt will see EA Games operate fake branch on a street in Soho, central London for several days.

Click here to read Games giant opens estate agency to publicise SIMS launch<br />.

OnTheMarket shareholders vote through CoStar sale

Over 90% of shareholders including many agents vote to accept the US firm's £1.10p per share offer.

Click here to read OnTheMarket shareholders vote through CoStar sale.

'Agents will rue the day they cashed in their OTM chips'

Leading agent and OTM founder Trevor Abrahmsohn says the hope that the portal would help crack the Rightmove/Zoopla duopoly have faded with its sale to CoStar.

Click here to read 'Agents will rue the day they cashed in their OTM chips'.

'Thousands' of sales still in limbo after cyber attack at CTS conveyancing platform

The claim has been made by the BBC after Nationwide revealed that it alone had seen 600 clients affected by the conveyancing delays at the firm.

Click here to read 'Thousands' of sales still in limbo after cyber attack at CTS conveyancing platform.

It's Saturday morning, so ... Pass The Syrup!

This week's agent podcast hears the views of Adam Mackay of Mackay Property, Jamie Minors of Minors & Brady Estate Agents and Tania Cannon of Cannon & Co Sales and Lettings – hosted by Ben Madden.

Click here to read It's Saturday morning, so ... Pass The Syrup!.