The Negotiator - The essential site for residential agents

Major agency bought | Hunters MP founder promoted | WFH tailing off?

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!
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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.

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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%
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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
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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
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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
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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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BLOG: Is Facebook a more compelling platform than the big portals?

Starberry’s Ben Sellers says harnessing Facebook's user base for estate agency marketing could transform digital innovation in the sector.

Click here to read BLOG: Is Facebook a more compelling platform than the big portals?.

Vendors still making big profits from property sales, says Zoopla

Homeowners who sold their property in 2023 made an average gain of £74,000, with Londoners seeing the largest capital gains at £137,000, according to the portal's senior researcher.

Click here to read Vendors still making big profits from property sales, says Zoopla
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WARNING: Landowners will exploit Labour's green belt building plans

Roger Mortlock of the CPRE says some owners will allow their land to become run-down so it can be used for new homes.

Click here to read WARNING: Landowners will exploit Labour's green belt building plans
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Hamptons senior quits after 18 years to join hybrid estate agency

Surrey senior and long-time Hamptons mover and shaker Philip Knight has joined the self-employed broker business, Moveli. 

Click here to read Hamptons senior quits after 18 years to join hybrid estate agency
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Pattinson Estate Agency is celebrating raising £50,000 for charities via its partnership with a local community foundation fund.

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66% uptake of agent KPI tracker

Street.co.uk has confirmed that over two-thirds of their agent user base has already implemented the new KPI Dashboard.

Click here to read 66% uptake of agent KPI tracker.

Entries open for property industry fundraising awards

Agents Giving are now taking entries and nominations for their property industry Fundraising Champions of the Year Awards. 

Click here to read Entries open for property industry fundraising awards.

Former EXP top performer poached by rival platform Moveli

Jason Scott is the latest agent to become a self-employed broker with Moveli, which was established by a Fulham estate agent six years ago.

Click here to read Former EXP top performer poached by rival platform Moveli
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Hunters founder Hollinrake takes key role in Rishi's Shadow Cabinet

Kevin Hollinrake, who founded Hunters, has been appointed by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as Shadow Business Secretary.

Click here to read Hunters founder Hollinrake takes key role in Rishi's Shadow Cabinet.

New estate agency 'rips up the rulebook' on sales commission

Trevor Kearney is focussing on prime clients and says his 'lucrative' fee structure is designed to attract the industry's best.

Click here to read New estate agency 'rips up the rulebook' on sales commission.

Labour drops 'levelling up' from housing department title

Angela Rayner says department's levelling up name change in 2021 by Michael Gove was a gimmick and promises to 'go back to basics'.

Click here to read Labour drops 'levelling up' from housing department title
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Working from home phenomenon tailing off, claims lettings chief

Alex McConnell says more clients are asking for pied-a-terre homes on her patch to live in during the week - a sure sign #WFH is on the wane.

Click here to read Working from home phenomenon tailing off, claims lettings chief.

Ten-branch South Coast independent bought in shock move by Lomond

The deals keep on coming as well-funded group makes its 59th purchase, this time of a major estate agency, Charters.

Click here to read Ten-branch South Coast independent bought in shock move by Lomond.

Petition persuades south coast council to consider rent controls

Councillors in Brighton & Hove are to discuss rent control measures after a Living Rent Campaign presented a petition with 1,800 names.

Click here to read Petition persuades south coast council to consider rent controls.

Letting agent secures 21% vote share for Reform UK in General Election

Despite failing to secure the seat for Reform UK in Old Bexley and Sidcup, Maxine Fothergill received a not insignificant 10,384 votes. 

Click here to read Letting agent secures 21% vote share for Reform UK in General Election.