Rightmove announces clutch of record results to City

Rightmove more than found its happy this morning, announcing record results to the City with revenue up 16% to £93.1m in the first six months of this year. Its share prices zoomed up to a new record high on the news, although subsiding subsequently.

Underlying operating profits were £70.3m, up 18% on the first half of 2014.

Operating profit margin increased to 75.5%.

Rightmove also said market share among property portals is up and that agents are spending more with it.

The portal said that average revenue per agent advertiser is up 10% on the same period last year, to an average of £740 per month.

By marked contrast Foxtons reported revenues and profits down, amid “challenging conditions”. But the high-profile London agent said that things had turned around since the election.

In its clutch of record results, Rightmove reported that customer numbers have also grown, to an all-time high of 19,590. Agency numbers are up 2%.

It reported record traffic with visits up 17% to a record 110m per month, and page views up 13% to a record 1.5bn per month.

Rightmove said that on the back of the record traffic, agents and developers received a record 25m inquiries “with data showing that Rightmove is by far the largest source of buyer, seller, tenant and landlord opportunities for them”.

More than half – 60% – of time now spent on Rightmove is from mobile devices.

Rightmove said it remained the “only place to search and research virtually the whole property market in the UK” and that it generated “over 80% of sales for agents compared to our nearest competitor and therefore home sellers are four times more likely to find a buyer on Rightmove”.

Nick McKittrick, CEO, said: “Rightmove is becoming even more popular with the British home moving public. Our share of traffic amongst the top four property websites has increased significantly as people search and research the only place with over one million properties for sale and to rent in the UK.

“We continue to innovate and invest to make Rightmove more compelling to home movers and advertisers with tools such as our Valuation range app and recently launched School Checker.

“Our aim has always been to help our agents and developers succeed by delivering great value marketing and building strong relationships to support their ambitions. This approach continues to serve us well as we have grown our customer base to reach an all-time high showing that Rightmove is the overwhelming site of choice, not only for Britain’s home movers, but also its property professionals.”

Foxtons issued a very different picture to the City, saying group revenue of £71.m for the first half of this year was down 2.3% compared with the same period a year ago.

Revenue from sales was down 10.9%, although lettings revenue was up 5.4% and mortgage broking revenues were up 21.7%.

Profits before tax were £18.1m, down from £23.1m for the same period last year.

However, Foxtons expressed optimism for the rest of this year, saying that there has been an “encouraging” performance since the general election, with a positive outlook for the rest of this year: sales stock levels are up 12.1%, and there is a sales pipeline of almost £1bn, which is 12.5% ahead of this time last year.

Nic Budden, CEO, said: “Despite challenging market conditions, Foxtons has delivered a solid result against very tough comparables, demonstrating the strength of our business model and our balanced approach to sales and lettings.

“As we predicted earlier in the year, the sales market remained constrained during the months before the General Election. With the election uncertainty now passed we have seen an increase in activity across our branch network.

“This is encouraging and we enter the second half of the year with stock levels up 12% compared to last year, a £1bn sales pipeline and our recently opened branches continuing to mature in line with expectations.

“In addition we have seen a noticeable increase in buyer applicants. Our lettings business has maintained the positive momentum seen in the first quarter of 2015.

“Our expansion has continued as planned with five new branches opened since the beginning of the year with our future sites secured out to the end of 2016. The majority of these are focused in the fastest growing areas of Outer London.

“Based on current activity levels continuing, we expect to meet full year market expectations with a stronger property sales performance in the second half of the year from higher transaction volumes.”

In early trading this morning, Rightmove shares zoomed up £2 (6%) and touched a record high of £36 before retracing to just under £35. The City also liked Foxtons’ upbeat view of the second half of this year, with its shares rising 7%, up 15p to 238p.

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79 Comments

  1. Robert May

    Do keep up Ros, even with the figures not yet published they have already become a “OTM is rubbish because….” story.  Don’t let fact get in the way of agenda.

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    1. Robert May

      Good job I  captured a screenshot of the Google cached version of the story  on EAT which as been changed  from  Headline “Rightmove figures show boost from On the Market”

      I really do wonder what game Graham Norwood is playing at and how he thinks he will benefit from an active campaign against  On the market. The problem is both Eileen and I  along with 20 others had read the original story before commenting on here, and before the  EAT story was changed. (Eileens comment was posted 7:15 before Ros updated her story and Graham his)

      Hit the dislike button as much as you like, the truth often hurts!  Knowing there is still a place in the world for honest un-corrupt people gives me great satisfaction.

      PS I’ve  tweeted the screen grab!

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      1. Property Ear

        Are you suggesting Rightmove are corrupt?

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        1. Robert May

          No I am not! RIghtmove is a straight business that I respect. I am not sure  why you picked Rightmove out of that post, they were only included as a quote of the changed headline on EAT.

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  2. EHenderson

    I hope these results give those who have supported on the market some pause for thought

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    1. Property Pundit

      Why would that be then?

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      1. EHenderson

        If you need me to spell it out pundit, I am happy to do so.

        If the thousands of independent agents who signed up to on the market had been told a consequence of them doing so was that they would get a stronger right move as a result, what percentage of them do you think would have signed up?

        at the point of the greatest competitive threat that Rightmove have faced since they launched, they have grown their revenue by 16%. That is the extent of the threat.

        At at the same time Zoopla has been slowed down, but OTM is so far behind both it can only be described as a pathetic attempt to challenge. That isn’t a reflection of the thousands of agents who have got behind the brand, it is just confirmation that the promises of the OTM team could NEVER be kept. They are spending millions of pounds of their member’s money and getting less than 5% of their main conpetitor’s traffic.

        Where do Rightmove go next? Well, one thing is for sure. Zoopla was pegging them back for a while. It is in all agent’s interests for there to be a serious competitor to Rightmove. That scenario has been worsened since the launch of OTM and will not reverse until agents realise the mistake they have made.

        there must be hundreds, if not thousands of smart, savvy indie agents out there who are looking at this situation and wondering how the hell they get out of it.

         

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        1. Property Pundit

          Perhaps all agents should be a pacifist like you and allow portal fees to rise without check. What is YOUR big idea for stopping rightmove’s profit margin reaching 80% and possibly beyond. Don’t knock OTM unless you have a better solution.

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          1. EHenderson

            Wow pundit. You’re an angry little boy this morning aren’t you??

            Doing something stupid and counter-productive to try to harm something (or someone) you don’t like is worse than no action at all.

            The problem here is that you and your cronies are looking increasingly isolated as peddling a bad idea. Shouting and stamping your feet really doesn’t help…

             

             

             

             

             

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            1. Property Pundit

              So you’re all out of ideas then?

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            2. Paul

              Doesn’t seem to have stopped you shouting and stamping your feet does it?………..

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        2. george

          Rigtmove can milk it while they can. When OTM reaches number 2 slot ,it would make sense for all independents to withdraw from Rightmove.

          Our applicants are already used to searching 3 portals .

          I would be a very wary investor when OTM gets to number 2 slot.

          Rightmove could lose half its revenue at a months notice.

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          1. Property Ear

            Dream on George!

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        3. Mark Walker

          “agents are spending more with it” = agents told their charges are going up, like it or not.  Hence record results.  Rightmove biting the hand that feeds it continues the challenge to make On The Market succeed it more important than ever.  

          Did R or Z get their market share overnight?  No.  It takes time to sink into the public consciousness.  I knew and predicted the slap to Z and a boost for R, before we signed up.  It was manifestly obvious.  But Rome was not built in a night and our push of On The Market will continue.  One day we will drop R.  🙂

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          1. Robert May

            Actually Zoopla did, when they got their hands on Think property then Primelocation and Findaproperty they bought position rather that built it up.  Rightmove built a business, Zoopla picked up a few bargains at car boot sales!

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    2. Robert May

      If you crunch the numbers for this 26% of the industry  (4% increase in 6 months) AM Agents collectively give more money to OTM than they individually give to Rightmove and Zoopla. It almost doesn’t matter about the stats they have stopped paying away over £2 million to their competitors each month, they are happy with their portal and have control over their portal.

       

       

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    3. Ric

      @EHenderson No idea what to say, with the fact you actually believe OTM have played a part in RM’s continued growth.

      What an earth happened between say 2005 and 2012……. did Z get blamed?

      What a load of tosh! RM will continue to improve year on year as they have a strong hold on agents….. the only thing to stop this will be an alternative website which is considered as the place with the most property to see (by the public)…..

      OTM has caused this…… my 10 year old would figure that not to be case….. was it just a troll type comment?

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      1. Robert May

        Only 22 people got to see the original EAT version of this story where Graham Norwood told Eileen what to think.  I only caught a screeenshot of the   strory before it got over written and the Google cache updated but Eileen’s view is what EAT are pumping out in what they tag as ‘Portal wars’

         

        EAT is now a mouthpiece for Zoopla against OTM and  as such has ceased to have any credibility.  If Eileen want to be influenced by it, let her.

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        1. smile please

          Maybe the case Robert but is PIE not the mouthpiece for OTM against Zoopla? and as such ceased to have any credibility?

          It works both ways.

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          1. Robert May

            Ros is balanced in her journalism, right now EAT is not. it doesn’t work both ways. Eye is a news channel, EAT has been reduced to a personal campaign tool.

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            1. smile please

              Hmmmm think we will have to disagree on that Robert.

              Yes Eye is a news channel (and a very good one), but hardly impartial. It has a very heavy lean towards OTM

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              1. Robert May

                I am the last one to say Eye impartial, but Ros  isn’t  actively emailing the industry  touting for dirty laundry and whistle blowers.

                Twice in the past month has Graham Norwood written, published and withdrwan overtly anti  OTM stories and so strong is the bias I really am beginning to wonder how  the not Zoopla advertisers on the site feel about the battle lines being so clearly laid down.

                 

                 

                 

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                1. smile please

                  I cant comment on EAT as very rarely visit the site.

                  However such a portal was always going to separate people and their opinions.

                  Given some of the posters on here i see it just as bad at times.

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                  1. Robert May

                    Again I don’t disagree but the comment section of the story isn’t the bit that gets  picked up by other site.
                    The anti OTM story was  relayed/distributed to the readership of 8  unique sites  other than the Angels sites- that is a powerful propaganda weapon which OTM  will find difficult to control.

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                    1. smile please

                      Just business.

                      Anybody that profits from anything will have a biased / propaganda, view / agenda.

                      Its down to business owners to sift through and do what they feel is right for their business and not get bullied by either side.

                      As you know i am not an OTM member, but i wont let either side into bullying me. I like the idea, i just dont believe it can work at the moment. I dont run it down or try and put others off and i dont sing its praises and try and grow membership. It think most people are like clever enough to make up their own minds and not be bullied despite pro or negative stories.

                      This site with content and comments is very pro but i have not yet seen one member swayed to advertise that has not from day one. Likewise i have not seen an anti commentator persuade a pro supporter to resign.

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            2. harry hood

              looking back through EAT stories I can’t help but think we have been being conditioned for a long time – even before the announcement of the AM creation.

              this is why we should be told upfront of any advertising deals etc

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              1. smile please

                This publication and the other have the adverts on display they are not hiding anything.

                Am i missing something?

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  3. Consumer Perspective

    Upset the Duopoly? Much…………..

    Good luck denting RM, let alone taking them down. It feels like 20 odd % of our industry has been hypnotised. In any other situation bar this route of incredulous cult following we all know OTM would have been lambasted and removed from existence. Does its backing by agents make it a challenger? I think not.

     

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    1. Property Pundit

      The website is just six months old. Put it in perspective.

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      1. harry hood

        yes but they’ve been working on this for years. When was AM founded?

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    2. Robert May

      Collectively AM now has 26% of all branches,  that is  30% of decison makers. Given the profile and prestige of their businesses Agents Mutual  is a powerful affinity group which is well funded and selling property and so has a  comparativel weighting up at about 40%  The  Sales directors of every service supplier will be very aware of that powerful influence.

      Does backing from agents make it a challenger? yes it does, as I said it already earns more from its agents than its competitors , if the overheated market in London is adversly affected by interest rate rises, OTM will retain support while spend on RM & Z is put under the microscope.

       

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      1. harry hood

        Your numbers are bogus.

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        1. Robert May

          No they aren’t, you might have problem with maths I don’t! You also have to remember I have been selling to agents since 1994 and have a fairly good knowledge of what is going on, who is who, who the decision makers are  who is a mover and who is a hanger on.

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  4. Quickbrit

    I hate to sound like a broken record about OTM, but the WHOLE idea was to take down RM and its exorbitant fees.

    However, our industry showed what a bunch of prized ducks we are and being too scared to drop RM in favour of the cheaper (at the time) Zoopla, everyone handed themselves on a plate to RM.

    Congrats to all. You got what you wanted?!?

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    1. Property Pundit

      Can we have your big idea then about how to control portal fees?

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      1. Digital Expert

        I would suggest negotiation, Property Pundit.

        Many of the posters on here highlight how much more there is to estate agency than portal membership – negotiation skills on behalf of their vendors/buyers is surely a big part of this? Putting into practice for ones own business has to be a priority…

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        1. BrandNew

          I tried that with our Rep. She told me in no uncertain terms that she was not allowed to and I could therefore take it or leave it.

          Nice lady !!!!

          Unsurprisingly most of my competitors in the area feel the same way about her as I do.

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          1. Digital Expert

            Knowing reps, and I do, It’s all about strength of position. Say your price, say no to them, they’ll say no to you then near the end of their month, they’ll suddenly come back with a better price. Every time!

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            1. Property Pundit

              Is this how rightmove & zoopla work then? Or are you confusing portal reps with local newspaper ad reps?

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              1. Digital Expert

                No, that’s how sales works PP.

                Everyone has a target, everyone wants to make a deal.

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                1. BrandNew

                  The strength of your position can of course be dictated by your local market. When you have 16 other Agents within a one mile radius all of whom are on RM, you will find the Rep is in a much stronger position.

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        2. Property Pundit

          OK guys, forget OTM, we’ll all just march on Rightmove Towers and negotiate. Surely they will talk to us, won’t they?

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          1. harry hood

            just buy shares in rightmove. then your dividend will cover your payment to rmv and then you are protected.

            i bought zoopla shares in early jan. best investment ever

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            1. PeeBee

              “i bought zoopla shares in early jan…”

              BOUGHT them?  Jeez pal – the amount of 5h!t you’re shovelling around for them you should expect a skipful of the bu99ers dumped on your doorstep for nowt!

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      2. Quickbrit

        PP – You missed the opportunity. OTM had it all but the lack of unity saw RM chosen instead of the more reasonably priced Zoop.

        Zoop took a dip and RM raise their prices…

        Our industry try is full of Baldricks (with that cunning plan mentioned above)

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  5. Digital Expert

    “I’m going to take Coca Cola down, the swines! Who’s with me?”

    *small applause*

    “But first, let’s stop drinking Pepsi, then pay more for Coca Cola.”

    Another cunning plan, Baldrick?

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    1. Property Pundit

      What a ludicrous analogy.

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      1. Digital Expert

        It’s exactly what has happened, PP. Isn’t it?

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        1. Property Pundit

          Err, no. Do you see Coca-cola & Pepsi putting up their prices 10%+ EVERY year for no discernible reason? Different market economics at play here.

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          1. Digital Expert

            Er, yes I do, Property Pundit. Try buying a can of coke for 50p.

            That was a ludicrous statement.

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            1. GPL

              Ah Yes…. Digital Expert…. another bonkers statement from you. If you can’t buy a can of coke (not Ld Sewell’s!) for 50p then you are indeed living on Planet Blightmove where all things cost more so the ShaftmoveShareholders can bask in their profits at the expense of those actually working….. the Estate Agents.

              One has to commend Bightmove on brazenly displaying their level of shaftwork!

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              1. Digital Expert

                What on earth are you on about? Forgotten your tablets?

                 

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      2. Rivero

        Actually it’s a perfect analogy…and OTM is the Virgin Cola

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        1. Property Ear

          But without the sparkle!

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  6. BrandNew

    With profits of over 75% surely there is a case for the CMA to revisit the portal market?

    Why don’t the NAEA make a formal complaint on behalf of their members?

     

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    1. Mark Walker

      The NAEA.  Hahahahahahaha.

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      1. BrandNew

        OK so maybe the NAEA was a stupid idea, but surely it doesn’t remove the case that the portal market is currently a monopoly/duopoly, which because of the enormous profits made, can only be to the detriment of the consumer to whom the costs will eventually be passed.

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  7. smile please

    Instead of the same old for and against arguments why not try and move this on a bit.

    I think we all agree OTM is a good idea, more control to traditional agents while keeping an eye on costs, whats not to like?

    However for one reason and another the numbers are not there (and before anyone says it, yes its only 6 months!).

    This means there are about 15,000 agents not fully sold on the idea or believe in it enough.

    Take away corporate, on-liners etc leaves (i guess) 12,500 agents / offices to convert.

    To me it seems people have made their mind up if they are going to join they would have already. Nothing new is coming out from OTM to change this.

    My suggestion is why not offer a ‘Free’ membership to Agents Mutual (or strat a new membership group) which means you can attend local meetings.

    The underline idea of this group will be to get agents talking, primarily about OTM but can also be to share best practice talk about regulation etc.

    If agents are talking they may well see the benefit. you can also build working relationships (like networking).

    As and when the local groups get large enough and agents have converted to OTM from AM and the trust between the agents are there they can then all start talking about moving away from RM on mass, maybe even stage a day or two of just making properties invisible.

    The truth is the reps are doing a poor job i have been contacted once in last six months and it was a woeful pitch. You need a respected local agent that can host a meeting once a month and drive this forward. Something like a local president.

    To me its already stagnating and need more impetus.

    Heck given enough promotion it could be a membership to challenge NAEA, a set of standards to go by, local meeting to raise issues (like the old associations) and if the member does not comply they cannot advertise on OTM, which if it gets to number one would be detrimental to the agent so they have to keep to the rules.

    I think OTM / AM are going about this wrong, just standing still waiting for members to join.

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    1. PeeBee

      NOW THEN, smile please – I see ‘buying signals’ here!

      I sincerely hope that someone in AM Towers is reading what you have posted.  Of course you will never know because they do not deem it appropriate to enter into any form of dialogue either here in the relative ‘safety’ of EYE or certainly not ‘down the other pub’ where they would be immediately bottled – or worse!

      I sincerely hope that some of us that have previously given you a hard time (been there – Teeshirt never fitted but looks good hanging in the wardrobe) will now actually treat you as a potential future Member rather than one of the anti-AM brigade disaster-wishers who drop their banana skins all over the shop waiting for unfortunate souls to slip on.

      I’m not even close to being 100% convinced that you are ready to hit the ground running and your post confirms this – but I’d love to see it happen – being an ‘on-the-fence OTM Member’ is a pretty lonely job and I need a few thousand more to give me that lovely warm fuzzy feeling that only safety in numbers can offer!

      You need someone to talk to – that’s a cert.  At the risk of losing my veil of anonymity – I’m here if you want to – and have just as much at stake if it makes you feel more comfortable.  More, really – I’ve chuffed off an awful lot more people than you have! ;o)

      Ros can put you in touch and I’d love to help.

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      1. smile please

        Buying signals have always been there PeeBee. I just don’t think the current set up works. Until that is amended i will not commit.

        If AM / OTM look at the above or come up with any further proactive method of moving things forward i would be more than happy to listen, even sign up if i believe they have a good chance.

        They need a different recruitment drive to get agents on board. They really cannot expect agents to decide to come to them.

        I need to see a plan or at least a realistic idea of how to move it forward. In my patches if the OTM crowd got together and put together a monthly meeting of all the independents (agents on OTM and not) and started to build relationships and discuss the possibility of moving away from RM i would attend (i am sure others would too) it might not be for a year but at least agents can work together towards this goal.

        And before anyone pipes up “Just sign up others will follow” No they wont some may but will not be the majority which is needed.

        Thanks for the opportunity to speak PeeBee, i know you value your ‘Privacy’ but i am fine, i know what i am looking for and when the box is ticked i will move further 🙂

         

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        1. PeeBee

          Okay.. so when are you going to set this up in your patches, smile please?

          Like you say – SOMEONE needs to take it forward  and YOU are the one that is interested in buying…! ;o)

          Oh – I don’t give a fuppeny about ‘privacy’, matey – truth is the ‘shocking reality’ of who ‘PeeBee’ is blasted out on a megaphone wouldn’t cause a ripple in a teacup sitting on top of it.

          I don’t need anonymity – I just am anonymous by default – so I let it stay that way.

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          1. smile please

            Unfortuantley in my patch i am not the one to do this.

            1. I dont want to be the one chasing people every month and arranging a venue, setting an agenda  …. blah blah – I had enough of that in my corporate days (on of many reason doing my own thing).

            2. I am not particularly liked by the other agents in my area. (i take it as a compliment). Taking staff, and fighting for deals does not go down well here!

            But if i was invited to sit and discuss options i would attend in a heartbeat!

            The truth is OTM have a list of agents signed up, they will know the more personable individuals they should work with them to put something together. (reps do not seem to be doing much else).

            I have to run my business, i have no ambition to run OTM, But happy to chip in with constructive ideas as this thread shows.

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            1. Robert May

              Smile please I really hope someone at the very top of AM is reading your posts as I have done and recognised what it is you are saying.
              You are the voice of 11900 branches, you have been consistent and rational for a full 12 months or more;  the buying signals along with the same objections  have been there unchanged.
              By focusing on the portal and creating an artificial life support system for what should be a commercial product that lives and dies by it’s own performance, the competitive portal domain strategy of AM is robbing Agent Mutual itself the opportunity of  membership growth and is actually robbing On the market of the full credibility it deserves. That has to change.

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              1. smile please

                Lets hope so Robert, but i doubt very much they will listen.

                They have their strategy in place (letter of intention) which they feel will work.

                The problem is it requires hard work, as long as reps are being paid, as long as a trickle of new members join up and they do not lose members i doubt very much they will change, which is a shame,

                The fear i have for OTM / AM is it will go the way of property live – Good idea but the take up is not large enough so eventually disappears (yes i know property live had other issues).

                I know i am starting to go off on a tangent but its nice to have a reasoned discussion as opposed to mud slinging!

                The problem is reps will not get a take up just going out and visiting agents trying to get them to advertise. Agents know what OTM is, they know the benefits. They just do not believe in it enough.

                If they got the local agents together regluary and spoke about a set date of when they wanted to remove all stock from RM it would excite a lot of not only new members but members that already have signed up. The thought of 12 months time saving £1000 per branch excites me no end!

                I know i am pretty much a lone voice on this site with my feelings but i can assure you there are many like me, wanting to sign up but when we believe enough in it.

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                1. Robert May

                  You know I am desperate to tak to you Smile please and you will also know how much of the mud has been thrown at me for not not agreeeing with the party line.

                  It isn’t a case of me thinking I know how to move  forward from 5200 branches, I do know. Those people who have  seen what I am up to will testify that I am having  a positive impact on  challenges to our industry. They will also  be able to say how the main portals and regional newsapers are being influenced by what I am up to.

                  It is several months since I first reached out to you and almost 12 month s since I  used you as an example of someone who would join AM if your concerns and objections were overcome.

                   

                  Membership to Agents Mutual should be seperated from a requirement to  upload to OTM, agents must be allowed to control their own marketing  and unrestrained to compete locally with their local competition. Having  a blanket rule for everyone does not work. A s an example in North Devon there are no corporate agent and only a splattering of  COAR agents however we do have a stormingly good traditional agent who doesn’t have an office.

                  With AM now established and credible it now needs to mature and grow.

                   

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  8. Gump

    Stop moaning and set a date, if nothing else it might just put enough wind up RM to re ***** their profit margins.

    Portals are an option, our option. We rule the stock so we should rule them, not the other way around

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  9. Paul House

    Zoopla also announced record revenues and profit in May. Is it also OTM’s fault that Zoopla have made more profit?

    Rightmove was always going to be the winner (certainly in the short term) but the buoyant property market has also made a huge contribution as well as more and more agents and branches opening up. Hence why both Z and RM have made record profits.

    But for OTM I think a huge chunk of the hard work has been done, they’ve got through the first six months but I do think that a slight change of tact is now required and i’m fairly sure that they will have something up their sleeve that will probably make any fence sitters re assess their position.

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  10. GPL

    Well done Blightmove…. a business built with no actual product of your own…. just the Estate Agents supplying your portal with free property…. which you charge them for…. then you advertise other related/unrelated products and services?

    And your profits are up! Fantastic! A truly wonderful example of how to build a business out of thin portal air.

    You’ve got to acknowledge that Blightmove are indeed the Paul Daniels of the Portal World…. annually they empty your wallet and you don’t even notice! Top of the Class Blightmove!

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    1. Gump

      Spot on, we are all the fools here

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    2. harry hood

      but aren’t you using your clients property to make your estate agency look good as well? you are using their data to come to your shop window, your website, your app, etc.

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      1. PeeBee

        And the undisputed winner of the prize for ‘Absolutely Ridiculous Comment of the Century’ is…

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  11. GPL

    The extraordinary Large Elephant is the Shaftmove Portal Room remains….

    Monthly Fees!

    Incredibly… UK Estate Agents are being charged varying monthly fees by Shaftmove for a fundamentally Baked Beans Product!… even with optional extras the basic fee varies wildly!

    I can only hope that all those talented estate agents and companies apply equal effort on negotiating their monthly fees as they do with sale prices for clients properties.

    Seems pretty clear that Shaftmove are feeshafting when the opportunity presents itself!

    Do yourself a favour UK Shaftmove Supporters…. get your Shaftmove Rep in and renegotiate your fees…. or continue to be the dripping roast that they love turning!

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  12. PeeBee

    OKAY… So lets look at these winning figures and the claims from those chucking the banana skins around that it’s all OTM’s fault that RM are steaming ahead of the game, shall we?

    ADVERTISER NUMBERS:

    2010: +7%;  2011: +2%;  2012: +0.1%; 2013: +3.5%;  2014: +3%;  2015 +1%

    LOWEST % GROWTH FOR 3 YEARS 

    REVENUE PER ADVERTISER:

    2010: +20%;  2011: +18%;  2012:  +20%;  2013: +14%;  2014: +13%;  2015: +10%

    LOWEST % GROWTH FOR 6 YEARS

    REVENUE:

    2010: +26%;  2011: +20%;  2012:  +23%;  2013: +16%;  2014: +20%;  2015: +16%

    LOWEST (JOINT) % GROWTH FOR 6 YEARS

    UNDERLYING OPERATING PROFIT:

    2010: +40%;  2011: +25%;  2012: +28%;  2013: +15%;  2014: +22%;  2015: +18%

    LOWEST % GROWTH FOR 2 YEARS

    UNDERLYING OPERATING MARGIN:

    2010: 66%;  2011: 71%;  2012: 73.5%;  2013: 73%;  2014: 74.1%;  2015: 75.5%

    % STILL INCREASED DESPITE OTHER KRA DECREASES

    Anybody else, like me, wonder what these figures WOULD HAVE READ if OTM hadn’t stepped in and p!$$ed on the RM firework?

    And anyone care to forecast what they will be in 12 months time?

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    1. PeeBee

      I’m sorry – whoever you are you need to explain yourself here to me and the rest of the world – what’s to ‘Dislike’ about THE TRUTH?

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  13. Robert May

    Please sir, me sir!  Over here, right at the back!  I know this one!

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  14. GPL

    So, as I list another house which started life with an OnlinePropertyLister…. I chat with the client about reason she initially chose to market her £300k home with cheapncheerful.notanestateagent.com

    She saw company on Blightmove and thought it was just another estate agent!….. and now she knows they are not!….. and there is the rub! Hoopla and Blightmive gradually undermining our industry by accepting TomDicknHarryPropertyListers…. and by their acceptance the public think, like with like?…. I’ll go with PayNowDon’tSellLater!

    I wonder how much electric shock treatment do many agents need to understand they are playing willing accomplice to the slow death of our industry by the portals that portray themselves to be our business friends & facilitators!…. or is it just I’mallrightJack Syndrome.

    OnTheMarket.com seems to me to represent estate agents who have actually considered the future of our industry…. not wishing to protect it for protection sake…. simply to take steps to allow real estate agency to flourish away from the supermarketportals who simply have their own interests at heart! If real estate agency died tomorrow the portals would die or move on to  the next dripping roast!

    It’s sad to watch Blightmove effectively take over the promotion of UK Online Property Marketing and portray themselves as the UK PropertySales Industry…. willingly supported by estate agents who are oblivious or choose to ignore the future of our industry?

    At least those that have supported/joined OnTheMarket know they did not stand idly by gawping at the live car crash footage of our industry!

    Rightmove 75%? Profit Margin?!…… it’s a Monumental 2 Fingers to our Industry! It’s shameful that we have let them insert their portal finger so far up our industry!

     

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    1. Robert May

      But the good new is Rightmove is the now most vulnerable to a change in the market.

      What agents are not capitalising on is the current market condition, I popped into see an agent this AM, a chat as I was passing. It was obvious that there is no strategic thinking going on.

      I won’t explain that on here; the wall has ears!

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    2. 1stTimeBuyer

      “gradually undermining our industry”… I think you will find you do much of this yourself.  RM, Zoopla agent on-line agents are very much part of the industry.  Perhaps try dusting off your 1980’s cobwebs and you may discover this.

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      1. Robert May

        Do you have any idea what would happen to Zoopla if Agents did do that?

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