Two thirds of UK estate agents say they have fallen out of love with the major property portals, according to new research commissioned by Property DriveBuy.
The survey, conducted ahead of Valentine’s Day, found that sentiment towards the leading listing platforms was once overwhelmingly positive.
When agents first signed up, 59% said they were “head over heels” with what the portals offered, while a further 26% were optimistic about the relationship. Just 11% said they were sceptical from the outset.
Early experiences were largely favourable, with 63% describing them as good or excellent. Agents cited wider advertising reach, higher enquiry volumes, improved appeal to sellers and strong brand visibility as key advantages during the early years.
MOOD CHANGE
However, the mood has shifted. Rising fees, perceived poor value for money and concerns over unequal pricing between independents and corporate operators were among the main drivers of dissatisfaction. Agents also pointed to pay-to-play features, declining lead quality and what they see as inflexible commercial models.
As a result, 66% now say they have fallen out of love with the major portals.
Despite the frustration, many agents feel unable to leave. The dominance of the main platforms among buyers, vendor expectations and their near-monopoly position in online search were cited as key barriers to walking away.
Property DriveBuy, which is currently offering agents free access ahead of a planned national marketing campaign, positions itself as an alternative built around geo-location and mobile-first property discovery.
TRAPPED AGENTS
Steve Foreman (main picture, inset), Founder and CEO of Property DriveBuy, says: “Our research shows that a large proportion of agents now feel trapped in a loveless relationship with the major portals and are understandably frustrated by rising costs and poor value for money.
“However, many continue to use them because they feel there are simply no other viable alternatives and that walking away would put them at a competitive disadvantage.”
GENUINE CHOICE
He adds: “From day one, our mission has been to change that. We want to give agents a genuine choice, while also improving the service, product, and overall proposition available to both professionals and homebuyers.
“Property DriveBuy brings property search into the modern era, allowing buyers to discover homes in real time, in the locations that matter most to them, while helping agents connect with motivated, location-driven demand without being locked into inflexible, expensive contracts.
“Our free access period to Property DriveBuy is now entering its final phase and this is very much a last opportunity for agents to secure risk-free access ahead of our major above-the-line national marketing campaign in March. What have you got to lose?”
