It's hard to say goodbye if you won't leave.
Rightmove advise an increase of agency fees, yet again.
A wailing and gnashing of teeth as rises of up to 13%, in some cases, are implemented next year.
The obvious solution that every agency threatens and no agency wants to implement - ditch the portal.
Dependency isn't a healthy state.
Whether you're dependent on drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or the Rightmove portal, it's time for a detox.
Dependency is truly damaging.
The feeling that one needs this to survive.
That to prosper.
Without it, our world would implode.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Think for yourself. Act for your self. Take responsibility.
"Every project and every business is a leap of faith. We are never sure if our idea will fly or whether it will land.
Our only chance of success relies on us having the courage to accept that we could fail." - Bernadette Jiwa
Before the age of Rightmove?
How did the world of estate agency function?
I get that there's very little for your agency to do when using the portals.
The question now, if high fees are the problem, is this:
What are you going to do about it?
Indulge in a game of musical chairs. Switching from one portal to another to save a few quid?
What then happens when the 'music' stops?
When the very thing that your agency relies on, has other plans that don't include you.
There has long been the threat that portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla might follow the USA example and cut out the estate agent altogether.
They have the data. Your data.
They have the audience. That you so generously provide them.
And if the next email from them is to say thanks for everything, but thanks, no longer.
Where does that leave your agency?
Remind me again the original U.S.P of these portals?
Oh, I remember.
Greater visibility for the home you're selling.
The fallacy is that the more people who see the home online, the better the chances of it selling for a premium price.
Said differently, the example doesn't support the conclusion.
If 100,000 people see the home online, it doesn't follow that any will necessarily buy, or that the home will achieve a premium price.
But Rightmove don't want agencies to question this.
The slippery slope with accepting the premise, leads agencies to become dependent on the portal.
Agencies believe what they've been told. That greater visibility leads to success.
And they convince their vendors of the very same thing.
The portals offer 'proof' in CTR statistics and page views.
But singularly fail to point out that many of the click through's are simply browsing. With very little or no intention to buy.
What's required is not so much more views, but the right views.
Not more people, but the right people.
And for that, your agency has to be specific.
Not generic.
A Specific Estate Agency. What's that look like?
An agency that is so integrated into the local community that every other agency is just another estate agency.
An agency that would be sadly missed if it was gone.
An agency that isn't dependent on the whims of portals or social media because it has a very specific message.
An agency that matches vendors to buyers in the blink of an eye. Rather than at the click of a button.
And when your agency is specific, it's the first port of call for both vendors & buyers.
When your agency is able to 'stand on its own two feet', then it's time to say goodbye to bad habits.
The portals are no devotee of estate agencies. They see them simply as a commodity to attract consumer data.
It's tough going through a detox, but necessary to rid yourself of this dependency.
Take the risk.
You don't need a leap of faith.
Just start building the bridges that will get you to the other side.
If I can help, just get in touch.
mob: (44) 07875 141436
There's a whole world out there. That shouldn't be of interest.
Thanks for reading.
Chris
The post It’s Hard To Say Goodbye If You Won’t Leave. first appeared on And so the story began.