Your weekend roundup of news and features

30% of Countrywide branches remain closed as revenues tumble<br />

Estate agency giant says it is taking time to process the openings, including risk assessing and Covid certifying branches.

Click here to read 30% of Countrywide branches remain closed as revenues tumble<br />.

Quarter of estate agents won’t come back off furlough until September

Research by the PRS reveals that most agents will still be on furlough during July and that the return to work will take many more months than expected.

Click here to read Quarter of estate agents won’t come back off furlough until September.

Watch out Savills! Fine & Country launches bid to be No.1 in upmarket sales<br />

New MD Nicky Stevenson says new territory licensing structure is already enabling holders to exploit new areas.

Click here to read Watch out Savills! Fine & Country launches bid to be No.1 in upmarket sales<br />.

Will agents need virtual viewings after Covid is over?<br />

We spoke to three property firms to find out whether they think the huge demand for virtual viewings during the lockdown will continue once normality returns.

Click here to read Will agents need virtual viewings after Covid is over?<br />.

No, it’s not April 1st! London agent launches £1 lettings service<br />

Portico says participating landlords will have to do everything themselves and still pay for referencing, protect deposits and organise contracts.

Click here to read No, it’s not April 1st! London agent launches £1 lettings service<br />.

Coronavirus Protection & Planning webinar series – available to view now<br />

Industry software providers, BriefYourMarket and Yomdel have teamed up to run a series of Protection & Planning Webinars to support agents.

Click here to read Coronavirus Protection & Planning webinar series – available to view now<br />.

Software review – plug in to the app revolution<br />

If you’ve developed a new fondness for agile operations, you can make a more permanent switch with these apps and plugins – all specifically designed to liberate, shorten and streamline processes. Lisa Isaacs reviews the latest and greatest. 

Click here to read Software review – plug in to the app revolution<br />.

A third of furloughed staff including some online agents asked to work

Survey of employees across several industrial sectors including online estate agents finds widespread abuse of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Click here to read A third of furloughed staff including some online agents asked to work.

BREAKING: Rightmove extends discounted fees until end of September as agent numbers dip

After June Rightmove agents will pay a reduced fee rather than get a 75% discount, levels of which will depend on whether they trade in Scotland, Wales or England.

Click here to read BREAKING: Rightmove extends discounted fees until end of September as agent numbers dip.

Brutal battle of the ‘challenger portals’ hots up as Rightmove weakens

The five portals all claiming to offer estate agents an alternative to the Big Three are jostling for position as they sense Rightmove's weakness following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Click here to read Brutal battle of the ‘challenger portals’ hots up as Rightmove weakens.