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Sheila Manchester Editor


Although the market is slow the business isn’t standing still!


P


eople in the property business are always relentlessly positive. Hard times are ‘just a blip’ and the market will ‘always bounce


back’. Well, with the exception of a few lucky pockets that seem recession proof, this has been a bit of a long blip. House price indices contradict and


confuse; one says prices are falling, another says they are starting to rise – these ones are, of course, seized on by the ever upbeat agents, but the reality is that there aren’t enough homes changing hands to make a healthy market. With lending


still so tight, rising prices and fears of unemployment, all the elements combine to delay any notable improvement. But although the market is slow, the business isn’t standing still. Estate agents are still opening new branches, rebranding, refurbishing, developing. Some are recruiting, others are finding it hard to locate the right staff, a problem that can only stem from the significant number of staff that left the industry during the recession. Other changes are taking place too.


are now doing so. Software is changing too, with constant improvements to help agents connect with clients through new technologies and social media channels. There is a growing movement towards cloud-based software, which could revolutionise the way agents work, with growing numbers of home-based agents operating in any number of ways. And then there is the online estate


agent. The subject of much debate; strong views and resistance from the ‘old school’ traditional agent, equally strong views


Then there is the online estate agent. The subject of great debate. You can join it!


from those who believe that selling homes is much the same as selling anything else – and that means that online will work. In this issue, Andrea Kirkby looks into


Some sales agents, who would never have dreamt of offering a lettings service


www.the-negotiator.co.uk


the very centre of the web, locating online agents large and small and seeing just how much this sector is developing. We also have a new and rather lively debate starting on the subject, between agency trainer Richard Rawlings and Steve Clemo, owner of Red Homes, a growing online agent. You can join the debate, just email your views to sheila@thenegotiator.co.uk


The Negotiator Magazine PO Box 624, Epsom, Surrey KT17 9JX tel: 0844 745 3001 email: mail@thenegotiator.co.uk


Editorial Director Sheila Manchester email: sheila@thenegotiator.co.uk tel: 0844 745 3101


Art Director Karen Bates


Editorial Assistant Becky Griggs


Publisher Grant Leonard email: grant@thenegotiator.co.uk tel: 0844 745 3100


Advertising Manager Rich Storrs email: rich@thenegotiator.co.uk tel: 0844 745 3102


Information The Negotiator is printed by Printwize, 9, Stepfield, Witham, Essex CM8 3BN


Subscription rates UK – £55; Europe – £75; Rest of world – £95


Independent of any association or trade body.


© Propertydrum Ltd 2012 Circulation


12,000 copies per issue has been published


continuously for over 27 years, read by property professionals in sales, lettings, commercial and auctions. It is distributed to 12,000 office addresses each month.


For verification of this, please log on to: www.propertydrum/categories/ circulation A digital edition is also emailed to 26,000 property professionals, each month.


TheNegotiator l April 2012 l 3


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