Rightmove is to integrate itself more into the property sales process by helping filter buyers for agents to ensure they are ‘proceedable’.
The new initiative will include a major education push on its website to help buyers up and down the chain to prompt to ‘get ready’.
But the portal will also be experimenting with the greater integration of its existing Affordability Calculator, Rate Tables and Decision in Principle tools into the platform.
This is so that prospective buyers can be better prepared and therefore ‘better qualified for agents’, but also help Rightmove provide better-quality leads to agents’ advisors and mortgage brokers.
Overall, Rightmove says it wants to make move moving easier for agents and buyers by helping potential buyers to understand their financial position much earlier in their home-moving journey.
Wasted time
This is because, Rightmove’s own research has found, not knowing what they can borrow before they request viewings can be a significant source of wasted time and delays for agents.
“We know that many buyers currently consider their financial position quite late in their home move, and as a result, a lot of time and energy can be wasted by both the buyer and the agent,” says Rightmove director Dave Cray (pictured).
“We want to help all involved in the home-moving process by encouraging more buyers to consider their finances sooner, and as a result to gain more confidence about what they can really afford.
“We will inform, educate, and support buyers with relevant and valuable information that we hope will encourage early mortgage consideration, and ultimately lead to more mortgage agreements in principle earlier in the journey.”
Rightmove has made several moves to make it ‘more than a property search’ website including, two years ago, buying referencing firm Van Mildert for £20m.
Please note: This is a site for professional discussion. Comments will carry your full name and company.