The self-proclaimed ‘Great And The Good Of The Property Industry’ gathered recently and put their thoughts on video including a claim that Rightmove has reduced estate agents to ‘call takers’.

Co-organised by Russell Quirk, the debate covered a number of issues and discussed challenges facing the estate agency industry and potential home sellers and buyers.

The video coverage will be released daily and our story today is from Episode One where it was posed, in light of then recent economic and political uncertainty: “Should I sell my home now, or wait?’”

The ensuing discussion is both informative and interesting and gets to the true heart of the property market in 2023.

DISAGREEMENT

But while informative it does at times cause significant disagreement and argument amongst the panel.

And what a panel it is (main picture).

We have Peter Rollings, former CEO and current board member at Foxtons; Sarah Edmundson, Chief Executive of charity Agents Together; Matt Giggs and Gemma Noonan, Founder and Operations Director respectively at The Giggs Group; Russell Quirk, Co-Founder of ProperPR; Iain McKenzie, Chief Executive of The Guild of Property Professionals; Adam Day, UK Country Leader at eXp; and Mark Burgess, Chief Executive at Iceberg Digital and software CRM, Lifesycle.

Admission

What perhaps stood out the most watching from The Neg towers was millionaire Peter Rollings’ admission that he still has a mortgage at 1.25% and his belief that Rightmove has created an industry of ‘phone answerers’.

Meanwhile just don’t mention hostage situations to Iain McKenzie and as to Mr Quirk – ever the token optimist – don’t listen to the PR agenda (yes really – and from a PR man!).

Plus this observation: “In 2023 those that have been just treading water will be found out pretty damned quickly and they must be gotten rid of straight away”.

PSYCHOPATH

And the question raised by one participant of another (guess who?): “Do you think you might actually be a psychopath?”

Yes – it’s all here. At least some of it. Their two-hour long video can be watched in full by the end of the week but in the meantime it has been split into 10 separate subject videos which will be released consecutively day-by-day, starting this morning.

Matt Giggs, co-organiser of the panel debate, says: “It’s not easy gathering busy property people together to tap them for their wisdom.

I hope that agents at all levels will take some benefit from the panel session.”

“Many say that there’s too little in the way of advice and guidance from those that have been there and done it and I hope that agents at all levels will take some benefit from the panel session that we’ve put together here. And if it’s valuable to people, we’ll make it a regular thing”.

Russell Quirk, also co-organiser of the panel debate, adds: “The intention of this gathering was to get to some home truths in a sector that is potentially about to see a change from one of the easiest markets we’ve ever known to one that many are saying will be Armageddon.

“I don’t share that view and prefer to think about 2023 as probably a return to a normal market.

“What’s important, and this hopefully comes through in the discussion, is to be aware of our strengths and weaknesses and to act on the gaps accordingly whether it be leadership skills, pricing strategy, marketing or enthusing about licensing for estate agents, something I strongly support.

“We hope that this collective of experiences and opinions will better help people in our sector navigate the year ahead”.

TOPICS

Given economic uncertainty, should you now wait before selling my home? 

Negotiating estate agency fees.

Door knocking. Yes, door knocking.

How do we actually sell a property? 

Paying individual agent’s commissions. Yes or no?

Licensing. Should we or shouldn’t we?

Leadership. Does it actually exist in the estate agency sector?

Brand and Marketing. Explained. 

2023 opportunities. How to set your stall out this year.

Critical skills needed in 2023.

Watch Episode One HERE.