Even in the growing age of technology, it is still possible to run a thriving business in the property sector, with many entrepreneurs opting to set up an online estate agents.
For the property moguls keen to break onto the real estate industry, consider what type of agency will suit your lifestyle and budget.
Facts & figures
- Traditional bricks and mortar estate agents are under heavy competition from online operators
- Industry revenue is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 1%
- The UK’s industry revenue is £11.1 billion
- There are more than 20,820 estate agents within the UK
- The supply of new housing is expected to rise over the next five years
- Revenue generated from non-residential property transactions has increased
Overview
High street estate agents are under threat from their online competitors, and agencies are also struggling to keep afloat amidst falling property prices and fee cuts.
Brexit has affected the London property market with falling house prices negatively impacting estate agents based in the country’s capital.
The government plans to ban letting fees charged to tenants, which currently contribute significantly to an estate agent’s bottom line.
The extra stamp duty surcharge introduced in April 2016 has also been problematic, with some buy-to-let investors deciding not to add to their portfolios due to the extra fee.
High street vs. online estate agents
For entrepreneurs thinking of buying your own estate agents, firstly research the pros and cons of operating on the high street as opposed to online.
The initial investment cost and running overheads of a web-based real estate business will be significantly less than operating from
There is still value place on our high streets for estate agents: out of 2,000 people surveyed, 90% said it would like high street firms to continue.
The one main benefit is that physical estate businesses and their staff have extensive local knowledge of an area and many high street branches are on average less than two miles away from the homes they sell.
Many online agencies operate in
Some pros of operating an online estate agent include the opportunity to offer a 24/7 service; with the internet always being accessible, sellers can manage their sale as and when it suits them.
Many web-based businesses also offer a face-to-face service, so sellers can meet with an assigned agent and liaise with them with regards to offers and viewings.