Valuation reports are too time consuming, say agents
Heather Staff of agency software Street Group says agents struggle to produce reports easily, with staff time used up.
Estate agents say they are spending too much time trying to produce valuation reports for customers, it has been revealed.
Many agents recognise the importance of the reports in winning new business, but many continue to face operational challenges.
CRM platform Street.co.uk surveyed estate agents and found that 82% believe creating, customising or rebranding valuation reports takes more staff time than it should.
The findings highlight the administrative burden involved in preparing one of the industry’s most important sales tools.
Valuable time
Heather Staff, Co-Founder and Co-Chif Executive of Street Group (pictured), says: “Our research shows that agents understand just how important valuation reports have become, but too many are still spending valuable time trying to adapt documents that weren’t designed to reflect their own brand or way of working.
“Today’s sellers increasingly expect a professional, personalised experience, but agencies also need tools that are efficient and scalable behind the scenes.”
Room for improvement
The research also found there remains significant room for improvement when it comes to branding and consistency, Street says.
Just 31% of agencies said their valuation reports are fully branded to match their business, while 35% said they are only partially branded. A further 21% admitted their reports are not branded at all, and 13% said they do not routinely provide valuation reports to prospective clients.
When asked about the biggest challenges involved in producing valuation reports, agents cited tailoring reports to individual vendors – 28% -, maintaining consistent branding – 23% -, ensuring consistency across branches and valuers – 20% – and producing and sending reports quickly – 18%.
Despite these challenges, agents recognise the commercial opportunity, with 80% believing greater control over the branding, content and layout of valuation reports would help them win more instructions.
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