A poll of agents by The Federation of Independent Agents (FIA) has found that nearly a third believe that in five years self-employed agents could comprise as much as 20% of the market.

FIA chief Graham Lock (pictured) says of those polled, 16% felt that the share would reach 1-5%, 23% said 5-10%, 49 31% thought it could reach between 10-20% whilst 30% went for a 20%+ prediction.

Overall, 61% of voters believed their numbers would reach between 10% and 20%+.

Gained traction

Graham Lock chief executive of The Federation of Independent Agents (FIA) says: “The self-employed model has gained traction in the last couple of years with the likes of EXP leading the way, although the current market share of the sector remains low at around 1-2%, there certainly seems to be some upward trajectory.”

But not everyone agrees – 39% of respondents feel numbers would be restricted to between 1% and 10% including independent agency owner Charles Stoten of David Doyle Estate Agents.

Stoten says: “I believe that much like the online estate agency model, the self-employed model will hit its saturation and fall back slightly. Traditional agents will break from the traditions that the self-employed model challenges.

The harsh realities of ‘going it alone’ will hit home for many of these agents that aren’t prepared.”

“For example, looking at how fellow members of The FIA are harnessing modern tech to improve communication, expand their service offering and improve the quality of their advertising shows that forward-thinking estate agents will harness the opportunity to enhance the traditional estate agency offering. There is certainly room for both models.”

And FIA’s Lock adds: ‘It’s going to be interesting to watch this play out, whilst we’re in the honeymoon phase of the self-employed sector, the harsh realities of ‘going it alone’ will hit home for many of these agents that aren’t prepared, don’t have the commitment required or lack support from the master brand and will likely fall by the wayside.

“Whilst some top-performers, many who are already making a good living may have their heads turned by going completely independent and keeping 100% of their commissions in the long run, but for now a movement towards the model is apparent.”