Independent estate agents in Wales have declared they are not going to wait for “Westminster to fix property transactions”.

A new group made up of agents, conveyancers and mortgage brokers has been formed, it says, to improve the system.

‘Move Wales’ is “working together to give every home mover in Wales a calmer, clearer, more connected experience”.

It is backed by FinTech Wales, PEXA, the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) and Legal News Wales, and supported by the Openmoove platform.

Shake-up

The UK Government announced a major shake-up of the homebuying system last week, designed to speed transactions up and prevent fall-throughs. It said the changes would cut buying times by four weeks.

Among the first firms to formally join Move Wales as founding members are Cardiff-based Wrights Estate Agency, Harding Evans Solicitors and Carbon Law Partners, with further announcements expected before a founding member deadline of 26 June.

Fall-throughs

Jack Wright, Director at Wrights, says: “Fall-throughs are painful for everyone involved, but it’s home movers who bear the real cost.

“This initiative is doing something about it, and we wanted Wrights to be part of that from day one.”

Wales has the same broken system as everywhere else.”

Ross McKenzie, Co-Founder of Openmoove, says: “Wales has the same broken system as everywhere else.

“The difference is that a group of Welsh professionals have decided not to accept it. Move Wales is what happens when the people closest to the problem stop waiting for someone else to fix it.”

Wyn Williams, Partner at Harding Evans Solicitors, says: “We are proud to be part of an initiative that brings all parties in the property sector together.

“We believe this represents a unique opportunity to improve the experience for everyone involved in a Welsh property transaction.”