Your round-up of the week's hot news from The Neg




Countrywide confirms merger talks 

Following reports on Sky over the weekend and confirmation this morning, industry experts wonder if it would make sense for the two companies to merge.

Click here to read Countrywide confirms merger talks .



Estate agents warned over WhatsApp rules change ‘ticking timebomb’

Sales and letting agents who use their personal WhatsApp to communicate with customers risk being sued by the platform and are in breach of GDPR and privacy laws, it is claimed.

Click here to read Estate agents warned over WhatsApp rules change ‘ticking timebomb’.



Industry reaction: ‘Have ministers kicked RoPA into the long grass?’

Read one senior industry figure's reaction to our story that MHCLG was yesterday unable to confirm or deny that the proposals could take more than five years to become law.

Click here to read Industry reaction: ‘Have ministers kicked RoPA into the long grass?’.



One of UK’s leading proptech platforms faces going into administration

Hostmaker raised £30 million and hoped to become a global platform for landlords and homeowners wanting to rent out properties on Airbnb at arms length, for a fee.

Click here to read One of UK’s leading proptech platforms faces going into administration.



Purplebricks finance chief reveals all during candid interview

James Davies explains just how much the hybrid agency cherishes big data in comparison to its traditional agency rivals and his views on the US and Australia failures.

Click here to read Purplebricks finance chief reveals all during candid interview.



Six months after Grenville Turner’s arrival, Yopa turns the corner

The former Countrywide chief's experience begins to pay dividends at the hybrid estate agency, which lost its CEO in December.

Click here to read Six months after Grenville Turner’s arrival, Yopa turns the corner.



Estate agency claims 50% of its Instagram posts drive sales and instruction enquiries

Case of estate agency Mr and Mrs Clarke highlights the growing power of Instagram as a free marketing tool for the property industry.

Click here to read Estate agency claims 50% of its Instagram posts drive sales and instruction enquiries.



Regional report


Each month we visit three agents across the country to discover what is happening in their local market. This month we meet members of the Guild of Property Professionals in Wakefield, Walsall and Fareham.

Click here to read Regional report.



Fund-raising auctioneer couple ‘make a bid’ for marathon sponsorship


Andrew and Rachel Parker have already helped raise £100,000 for good causes in the past but now ask the industry to dig deep for their latest charitable effort.

Click here to read Fund-raising auctioneer couple ‘make a bid’ for marathon sponsorship.