The Negotiator - The essential site for residential agents

Your weekend roundup of news and features

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!

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!.

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.

Click here to read xxxx.

MORTGAGE PAIN: Two-year deals more expensive after rate rise

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.

Foxtons finally feels the 'Gittins gold' as profits surge 10%

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%.

Has peak rental demand peaked passed? New data says yes

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.

Purplebricks launches national £999 selling fee under new ownership

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.

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.

Prime Minister confirms U-turns on boiler replacement and EPC rules

Citing a more pragmatic approach to reducing carbon emissions, Sunak says boilers plans are to be watered down and EPC rules scrapped.

Click here to read Prime Minister confirms U-turns on boiler replacement and EPC rules.

Will smartphones soon be the only way agents photograph homes?

New smart phone photography course launched to help agents take advantage of the latest developments in mobile technology.

Click here to read Will smartphones soon be the only way agents photograph homes?.

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. 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. Just click and flip!.

Misery of court backlogs 'getting much worse', evictions expert warns

Eviction firm LegalforLandlords says possession cases are being held up for months as courts struggle to cope.

Click here to read Misery of court backlogs 'getting much worse', evictions expert warns.

Property industry urged to get pedalling for nationwide charity challenge

Agents Giving says The Great British Property Cycle will raise funds for MIND and The Trussell Trust and require agents to have a Strava account.

Click here to read Property industry urged to get pedalling for nationwide charity challenge.

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.

BTL properties under EPC band C 'becoming harder to sell'

BVA BDRC research reveals the more properties landlords have within their portfolio the less likely they are to buy below C.

Click here to read BTL properties under EPC band C 'becoming harder to sell'.

REACTION: Bank of England maintains interest rate at 5.25%

The Bank of England has decided to keep the base interest rate at 5.25% in a close vote of the Monetary Policy Committee.

Click here to read REACTION: Bank of England maintains interest rate at 5.25%.

Big landlord warns rising rents threaten ‘heart and soul' of property market

Latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows annual private rental prices increased by 5.4% in England, 6.5% in Wales and 6.0% in Scotland.

Click here to read Big landlord warns rising rents threaten ‘heart and soul' of property market.

COMMENT: How the spread of ULEZ threatens landlords

Industry consultant Adam Walker highlights some costly practical realities around running a lettings portfolio in a ULEZ zone.

Click here to read COMMENT: How the spread of ULEZ threatens landlords.

BUSINESS TIPS: Email marketing and how to get it right

Nelly Berova explains how your email database can be your most powerful tool for generating leads.

Click here to read BUSINESS TIPS: Email marketing and how to get it right.

FEATURE: Print marketing with a digital edge

Richard Reed looks at how traditional printed materials have taken on a new life with the addition of online links and QR codes.

Click here to read FEATURE: Print marketing with a digital edge.