Hundreds of agents sign up to be easyProperty licensees, says Jon Cooke

Fighting talk from new CEO of merged Guild and online agent after criticism from leading industry figures.

easyProperty imageEasyProperty has come out fighting following criticism of its merger with The Guild of Property Professionals last week, revealing that there has been “strong” take-up among the industry for its new territorial licensing system.

Jon Cooke (pictured, below), the CEO of both easyProperty and the merged company’s parent group e-Prop Services, also says that he is receiving enquiries from non-members of the Guild but, while it currently only available to Guild menbers, it not a “compulsory” add-on and instead an “option” for members.

Following criticism by leading proptech expert James Dearsley and industry veteran Ed Mead last week in which they questioned the merger’s likely success and highlighted its weaknesses, Jon says easyProperty has received 500 territory requests from Guild members including many from a sales roadshow that has been under way since June 14th.

He says letters of intent were sent to all the agents who attended the three-hour roadshows and that a third of them signed and returned them.

The roadshows have been conducted across the including in Coventry, London, Tunbridge Wells, Southampton, Exeter, Bristol, Manchester, Yorkshire, Newcastle and East Anglia.

“There has been a lot of industry speculation from naysayers who seem to have a louder voice than those in support of our licence proposition. However, a large number of members are receptive to the online proposition,” he says.

Consumer behaviour

“One message we continuously repeat at easyProperty is that consumer behaviour is changing and we are offering members the opportunity to cater to the do-it-yourself, technology-enhance preferences for home-sellers and landlords without undermining their own brand.

“GPEA has always been an advocate and champion of independent agents. The easyProperty licences offer more ammunition, another string to the bow for independent agents to use to defend and increase their market share.

“This is about enabling members. There is no compulsory requirement from members – it’s an option available.”

A final roadshow is to take place this Friday 30th June in an as-yet unspecified location.

 


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