The Negotiator - The essential site for residential agents

Your weekend roundup of news, interviews 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.

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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.

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.

BLOG: Open Banking WILL help 'generation rent' onto housing ladder

Jon Hart of Moneyhub Enterprise, says Open Banking can help renters get on the housing ladder by allowing them to share data with lenders to give real-time details of their spending.

Click here to read BLOG: Open Banking WILL help 'generation rent' onto housing ladder.

BLOG: 'It's time Propertymark and RICS overhauled sole agency agreements'

Marketing guru and industry veteran John Durrant challenges to Propertymark and RICS to come up with a Code of Practice for Sole Agency Agreements.

Click here to read BLOG: 'It's time Propertymark and RICS overhauled sole agency agreements'.

Rightmove spends £8m swallowing up competitor site

The portal giant has acquired build-to-rent reviews platform HomeViews just five years after it launched.

Click here to read Rightmove spends £8m swallowing up competitor site.

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PayProp UK boss Neil Cobbold says that the government’s flagship legislation for the private rented sector remains in limbo.

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Research from Legal & General reveals the number of applicants reliant on gifted deposits was up by 10% in November.

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REACTION: Bank holds base rate at 5.25% in split vote

The Bank of England and Governor Andrew Bailey have held the base interest rate at 5.25% for the fourth time running. What does the industry say?

Click here to read REACTION: Bank holds base rate at 5.25% in split vote.

Estate agents old and new to have at least one A level under Labour

Shadow minister says his party would require minimum standards for all agents and business owners to 'drive out cowboys'. 

Click here to read Estate agents old and new to have at least one A level under Labour.

No regrets for LSL as it powers ahead with franchise model

The Group has 61 estate agency franchisees operating in 306 territories making it one of the biggest providers of agency services.

Click here to read No regrets for LSL as it powers ahead with franchise model.

Property industry experts welcome January rise in house prices

Nationwide reveals UK house prices rose by 0.7% in January but what happens to mortgage rates will be crucial for 2024.

Click here to read Property industry experts welcome January rise in house prices.

Foxtons investors renew calls for estate agency to be sold

3G Capital and Hosking Partners say sale to a private equity group is only way forward is firm want to grow.

Click here to read Foxtons investors renew calls for estate agency to be sold.

70% of housebuilders want Labour to win General Election, says Knight Frank

The Knight Frank Land Index & Housebuilder Survey of English housebuilders shows 70% favour Labour government plans for reform.

Click here to read 70% of housebuilders want Labour to win General Election, says Knight Frank.

INTERVIEW: Hannah Chappatte, Hybr.co.uk 

Nigel Lewis meets a young tech entrepreneur who is making an impression on the student rental market.

 

Click here to read INTERVIEW: Hannah Chappatte, Hybr.co.uk .

MARKETING MASTERCLASS: Put yourself on the map

The Neg's digital marketing expert, Nelly Berova, looks at the Google Business Profile – why it matters for estate agents.

Click here to read MARKETING MASTERCLASS: Put yourself on the map.