What is your view of properties listed as “coming soon”?
The screengrabs show what we mean.
A property listed on Rightmove on March 24 has no picture, so it has been “coming soon” for quite some time.
Yesterday it was still listed on Rightmove, along with others of apparently similar status.
The listings lack photography or much detail, but typically invite people to register their interest or contact the agent.
There is no suggestion that the properties in question will not come to the market.
However, a midlands agent expressed concerns, telling EYE: “The practice seems to be more common among agents in certain areas than in others.
“It also seems to be catching on with younger agents.
“It makes them look busier than they really are, and acts as a way of getting buyers to contact them. When they do, they are asked if they have a property to sell, which the agent then arranges to value.
“It also makes agents look as though they have stock in a particular area where they would like to be active – which attracts vendors.
“It is very unfair on those of us who play by the rules.”
We asked Rightmove if the portal had a policy about “coming soon” properties.
A spokesperson told us: “Rightmove allows customers to add properties they have been instructed to sell or rent that will soon be coming on the market. We encourage them to include a date when the property will be available or when viewings will start.
“If no further details are added we can investigate why the property is not yet on the market, and we can remove the listing until the details are ready.”
Comments (11)
Here’s another one that was launched onto the market in June by Hamptons/Coutrywide. Wake up portals
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60295373.html
Would RM ever make it much more difficult to upload ‘New and Exclusive’ properties as this may well be perceived as contravening their own ‘free’ real time data initiative?
I’ve seen haart do “coming soon” in the local rag. Doesn’t mean much to anyone.
The OFT used to consider “coming soon” as a property that “had been instructed” and was awaiting the photography and not may come on the market as this was considered misleading. RM are breaking their own rules in any event.
FYI The company that believes this is an acceptable business practice is ‘Country & Equestrian from Moores’
Assuming these screenshots were taken yesterday. One agent has Coming soon advertised back in March – Almost 4 months ago!!!!
If I bought a copy of Country Life and the property pages were interspersed with blanks saying Coming soon, as a home hunter I would be pretty hacked off.
But clearly portals don’t even play to their own rules, or T&Cs.
No doubt this will be settled ‘informally’ in the coming weeks.
Rightmove takes such matters “seriously”
Rightmove…? Ignoring advertising laws and its own rules/ Terms and Conditions…?! Whatever next?!
Sections 4.6 and 4.7if you’re interested http://bit.ly/2a4C1KS
I guess I know RM terms and conditions better then them. You are not allowed to display a property as coming soon. Same as the main picture can not be your logo.