Another interesting article here about an agent, Thirwells, in Teeside who have realised that with the growth of the internet and in particular, mobile phones and iPads, they no longer need – or can justify the expense of – a network of High Street offices. As the article says:
“Partner Wendy Clarke said: “Years ago, we had a queue in the office and people checking adverts on the walls, but people don’t trawl the estate agents any more.
“We were nervous beforehand but there’s been no drop-off in business.”
She says that listings have actually increased in the areas where the two offices have shut.”
The truth is that the cost of finding buyers is falling with Rightmove leading the way to create a much more cost effective way to sell houses in the internet age. Estate agents have been slow to change their business models to meet the new reality. But they…
