We were intrigued to see a press release yesterday issued on behalf of NAEA Propertymark, giving CEO Mark Hayward’s advice about how to choose an estate agent.
As it is the kind of thing aimed at consumers rather than the likes of EYE readers, we speed-read the ten tips which predictably include the advice to choose an NAEA agent.
However, we were slightly surprised to come across this one:
“Once you have narrowed down a shortlist of possible agents, arrange a visit to their office to meet them face-to-face as this is a good time to determine if they are friendly, professional and knowledgeable.”
We asked the PR if this meant that Hayward was recommending that sellers should only consider a high street agent – since online/hybrid ones don’t have offices.
We have no idea how many online/hybrid ones belong to the NAEA, but Purplebricks is certainly a member.
So did the advice to visit an agent in their office open up the prospect of an interesting spat which could liven up our news pages during the customary silly season?
Apparently not.
The PR told us: “Mark is not recommending high street agents only. The piece is highlighting the need to actually meet an agent whether they be online or traditional.”
Comments (8)
SO…
Mr Hayward has what can only be described as yet another ‘Ratner Moment’ – and then the PR issue a statement that does no better than an attempt to sew a button on what can only be described as a f@rt that needs some urgent attention.
I’ll bet his private number was getting some proper hokey from The Quirkster… Brucey… et al the second this splattering of MDT leaked out all over his hush puppies.
Just as well that no-one knows who the chuff NFloPP stroke NAEA stroke PlopertyMark are – the embarrassment to the industry would be terminal.
So, you’ve decided to go with an online agent, paid your fee which has saved you at least £4million on that of a traditional agent and you follow this advice to go visit your local property expert. You drive the 52 miles to his house, he greets you at the door wearing his vest and pants (well it is hot you know) and he takes you upstairs to his ‘Office’ . Do you:
a). Comment on his choice of Transformers wallpaper and congratulate him on being able to squeeze the kid’s bunkbeds and his desk into such a tight space.
b). Congratulate yourself on the wisest business decision you’ve ever made. Or,
c). At your next pottery class, smash up everyone else’s pots, weep inconsolably and confess to the normal people around you that you’ve just P*ssed your £995 inclusive of vat but exclusive of any service whatsoever, completely down the drain?
Answers on a unstamped post card to Dompritch and Cyberducky c/o PB Towers, 34 Letsbe Avenue, Canvey Island, Essex.
NAEA – do something for us please. How about starting with Rightmove –
A PropertyMark account with registered agents benefitting from a group fee – same as PB. So we lose our logo but replaced with PropertyMark – shows everywhere – a win for NAEA.
Surely that’s the type of fairness Mark may like on his fence.
Sorry NAEA or is it NFOPP, or is it Property Mark? The industry doesn’t know so what chance do the public have?
NAEA does nothing for its members and is simply there to feather the nests of the executive. Most pointless trade organisation ever.
Oh dear. That’;s so unlike Mark to drop a clanger! At least the hopeless statement made some publicity for him.
So basically they are saying meet the agent before deciding who to go with….bet he is worth every penny of his 6 figure salary.
Tomorrow will be the day to find out how well the chief executives are paid as NFoPP have their “Special” meeting, with nobody attending, to agree the accounts – which for some very odd reason – were not available for the AGM.