Twenty-First Century Estate Agency

This book is a must have for those estate agents who want to work more effectively in order to grow their business and profits. With 12,000 separately owned estate agencies in the UK this book illustrates how new technology and working practices can revolutionise the industry. Technology can help to improve the competitiveness and sometimes-tarnished image of estate agents in the eyes of the general public The book contains case studies from international markets. A comparison with the US shows that estate agency is the fifth most revered profession in the country - a very big difference to the UK! US agents are also able to demand higher fees than their UK counterparts due to the complete service they offer. The case studies show other differences, including the fact that in some countries estate agents have to be qualified. Will this ever be a feature in the UK? It inspires by showing how competitive the industry is and how each competitor needs to adopt new approaches to outwit rivals - and to reassure an increasingly sceptical public that agents are worth using, add value and earn their commission *Describes and explains uses of new technology including virtual tours and multi-listing systems *Filling a gap in talking about estate agents and how their practices can be brought into the 21st century *Written by someone with an informed knowledge of the industry but who has the independence and authority gained by not being "an insider"; *No other title covers this aspect of UK estate agency