The industry’s own anti-juggling system has now been seen by EYE.
We were given a preview as to how it will work.
The system, which claims to detect any unusual changes in portal listings and goes on to score listings that keep re-appearing, is being offered free to industry regulator NTSEAT, and also to TPO and the other redress schemes.
All will be offered demonstrations in the New Year.
It is likely that the product will also be offered to the NAEA and RICS.
The system, developed by Robert May using his Rummage system, utilises research from agents including Chris Wood and ‘PeeBee’.
The system currently has no name, and is for the moment simply known as the anti-juggling device.
The EYE demonstration appeared to show beyond doubt which agents are ‘juggling’ the most.
While the demonstration did show some usual suspects, we also saw some unexpected high street names.
The system allows users to see various types of juggling – for example, re-listings without any change of information, and re-listings enabled by minor changes such as repeated small price reductions.
It is understood that if any of the regulators who take up the system see re-listings, they will be encouraged to ask for further information from the agents concerned.
Whether these ‘regulators’ would or even could take action is open to question.
Fo example NTSEAT only oversees sales agents but not lettings businesses, while the remit of redress schemes is to deal with complaints from consumers. However, both NTSEAT and TPO have put out their concerns on portal juggling.
Robert May told EYE: “Despite the work by James Munro [of NTSEAT] and all he has done and said about portal juggling, some agents are openly defying him.
“Portal juggling has not stopped. It is a scam.”
He went on: “I have built a system that works like Google.
“Effectively we have a look at the portals and count. We count everything and then we count everything again, we then count everything again until we get a different answer.
“When we get a different answer we ask the system why. The answer is either a legitimate reason for a change or it is a breach of the rules.
“We detect about 26,000 changes in a typical 24 hours.We identify the big numbers first. One property in Oswestry was sold and fell through 22 times in one da: that isn’t normal activity. The status on one property was changed 22 times by someone or something for some reason.
“As a result of that I have devised a scoring system that scores a branch by its illegal manipulation of data.”
“The system works by scoring an agent who juggles one property a point.
“If the agent does it again they score eight points
“If the agent juggles the same property three times they get a score of 27 points
“At 500 points the redress schemes are to be urged to investigate what is going on.”
May suggested: “Redress withdrawal would happen at 1,000 points – and if there were redress withdrawal, no agent could legally trade.
“At 2,000 points the agent has redress permanently removed.
“An agent that juggles 13 properties on 13 occasions is deliberately defying the law, they score 2,197 point and the suggestion is they are permanently banned from the industry.
“The system is simple, it is fair and provides a warning that the activity is being monitored by the redress schemes
“A property juggled 22 times would be investigated. If it is a problem with the agents software, that apparent juggling wouldn’t count.
“If an agent changes their software that might be a one-off activity that triggers an investigation by the redress schemes.
“We had where the agents scored 1,600 points in one night but that was them changing software.
“This isn’t a product I will be selling. I am not here as a regulator. It is just a bit of tech that helps decent agents compete against their competition who are breaking the law.”
Comments (25)
Are you allowed to name and shame using the evidence gathered so far ? It would be interesting to see a list of the top ten offenders.
Or do we have to wait for someone to tell us that didn’t invest their precious time, money and effort ?
I would dearly love to but it isn’t my place to potentially compromise the findings in case it is required as evidence in litigation.
There are some aggressive bullies already forcing redaction of posts on here so out of respect for Ros and Nic we’ll keep it away from PIE.
What is being missed here is the stark fact that, from a standing start and considerable initial – and ongoing – disrespect, Mr May has achieved what I would suggest be the most important technological development within the industry this decade.
It is now up to the industry to use it wisely.
He has built it. Now they must surely come.
After 18 months of battling, late nights, personal cost, loss and ‘priority’ juggling for all of us involved, it is great to see progress and lovely to receive so many kind and supportive comments.
Now the industry needs to come together to clear out those who seek to mislead consumers, defraud the public and put honest agents out of business by using illegal tactics.
I couldn’t agree more.
A massive well done to Robert, Chris and PeeBee. This sounds like a great bit of kit you have produced. I’m fed up of sending e-mails to RM about properties that are constantly juggled with no action being taken. Just written a blog piece for our website about juggling – only took me an hour to find a property sold by one of our competitors 4 times last year at the same price each time. And somehow 20% of their current stock came onto the market as Sold already. Do let us all know what we can do to help to get the word out. http://www.suttonscityliving.co.uk/blog/fudge-christmas-portal-juggling/
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
Well done Robert, Chris and PeeBee.
Its good to know there are still people out there willing to take up the torch and carry it for the rest of us who moan about unfairness but dont do anything about it. (myself included)
I’m not tech savvy enough to feel like I can contribute to your efforts so will just say thank you. your efforts have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.
And Merry Christmas to you!!
agent orange
There is no-one less tech savvy than me – which is probably a good thing because I was the one Robert was having to provide ‘eejits guides’ for all the way through the process.
I needed to be convinced that a computer ‘brain’ could work in the same way as a human brain. I think he and his team have achieved more there than most before them with me in that respect.
What is now needed is for people – and certain organisations who would benefit immensely from this being part of their offering – to remove their blinkers; see what is available here – and do something about it!
Your Christmas wishes are gratefully received and returned – with bells on! All the best, mon ami! ;o)
Bricks
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-57392008.html
Interesting ? Property added 17th December but had an open house on the 26th November ?
Was originally listed on 11 November, and delisted on 16 November to be #relisted on the 17th.
When it was removed it was marked as “Sold STC”.
Rightmove and Zoopla have both been forwarded evidence of properties from this and other Agents where the properties have been apparently #relisted despite both portals stating that they have systems in place to combat this.
Both have stated that the properties are being investigated.
Anyone care to guess what the outcome of those “investigations” will result in?
Apologies – I meant 16 December.
Good for you Robert, good for you. Anything that brings a level playing field in the future is to be applauded.
Thank you all for your appreciation, it means a lot!
All of which begs the question as to why Rightmove couldn’t have done this ages ago with the millions they trouser from us every year.
“…why Rightmove couldn’t have done this ages ago…?”
They could have.
They may have.
And then – they would have realised what potential damage it could do to them.
Best kept locked up with the Ark of the Covenant as far as the portals are concerned…
It appears to me that Robert has done this from his own resources to help the independent sector. Together with the help of Chris Wood And ‘PeeBee’ they should be more than congratulated for all the hard work.
The independent sector faces enough challenges ahead without ruthless companies using misleading information to further their own causes, at the expense of honest agents . Anything that helps bring these practices into the ‘limelight’ and expose the main protagonists is hugely welcome!
Well done Robert, Peebee and of course Dobby.
Having seen this develop over the months and the hard work you have but in and having to contest with cyber attacks. It is admirable you are gifting this to the industry.
Let’s hope it is received with thanks and used.
You Smile have to take some of the credit for what we have achieved too; you have been there in some very dark hours helping and encouraging us. Your appreciation and acknowledgement is very much welcomed.
What amazing work from Robert May, supported by Chris Wood and “PeeBee” – thank you so much for your efforts!
The bigger ( but related) problem in our part of the country is estate agents intentionally tagging properties as “Sold” for weeks or even months AFTER they have completed – consequently providing a misleading picture of how effective an estate agent is at selling homes in a particular area.
The only way that we are able to combat this is to inform the portals (if we are aware of the actual completion date) and ask them to act accordingly. To be fair, on each and every occasion that I have complained about this, the portals have investigated, found in our favour and had the relevant property removed.
Any chance that this software could help with this particular issue?
Thanks again.
We go further than that , one of the reports shows the properties that reappear as Sold STC as #portaltouting.
The system has been built for any honest decent estate agent, if we don’t have a particular report we will write it and add it in. The reports are specific to an agents area and are designed to highlight any breach of regulations whether they are breaches of CPR,BPR the estate agents act, redress scheme code of conduct or the portals own trading rules.
What is the cost of putting together this software?
I only ask as it is mentioned it will not be sold…
The investment in time, computer hardware and knowledge has been substantial. That’s all I can say.
This is a present to all the honest decent people in the industry so we don’t need to discuss the cost. Merry Christmas!
The stuff we are giving away is spin off development from the main product, this actually helps us vet the agents who will be on the main system; we build a better network, make our agents stronger and take away the artificial advantage our network agents’ competitors have given themselves.