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Estate Agents 'running scared'?

Estate Agents are fighting for their lives at the moment, claims one analyst...

With 150 estate agent offices currently reported to be closing every week, Jonathan Haward, Managing Director of The County Homesearch Company says the face of the high street estate agency will change forever, and in today's market only the very best will survive:

He explained: “With 85% of people already commencing their search for a new home online, the need for an estate agent presence on the high street office has been diminishing for some time. Coupled with the current slow down in the market, we have now reached a tipping point with those with offices forced to close their doors over the coming weeks are unlikely to ever reopen them again. In fact I predict the number of estate agent offices in five years time will be half of what we have today.

“However, regardless of online trends and market conditions, there will always be those clients who prefer to call into a branch. Estate agents who place an emphasis on excellent customer service, are really in touch with the local market and those who adhere strictly to industry regulations will be the only survivors. As the market changes, rogue estate agents will become a thing of the past as only the best will survive, which can only be a good thing for our future buyers and sellers”.