How important is a shop presence these days?

[JamesM]

Brief history, my father is an Estate Agent and has been for a long time, 30+ years. Back before the internet was a big hit most of the service was done through advertising in the local paper and getting customers in from the street.

It was all about meeting people face to face, getting to know them 1 to 1.

These days however, although we are just as busy thanks to the letting side of things, it's obvious that the number of people coming in from off the street has dropped considerably and that most of our business is now through the internet, emails and phone calls.

Back in the day you'd meet the person before doing a viewing, now you meet the person for the first time at the viewing.

Considering the rates for renting the premises, water rates, electric rates and advertising in the local paper all come to lets say £3500 a month, is having a physical presence worth the extra costs?

My point was that in the future, 50 years time or whatever, having a physical presence will be more of a burden and most companies will be either solely online or online with a 'home' base to take phone calls.

With property portals online how many people even look through the local paper? When looking for somewhere to buy/rent did you even bother with a paper or did you just head straight to the internet?

Would you deal with an agent through email and phone only?

 

[tom_e]

Would you deal with an agent through email and phone only?

Yes, especially as most of them only have their offices open during normal working hours which isn't much use to me as I found out when we were looking for our current place.

 

[starfighter]

The last flat I rented was from a woman who just had an office in a random office building. I went there to sign a piece of paper and that is all.

 

[JamesM]

The last flat I rented was from a woman who just had an office in a random office building. I went there to sign a piece of paper and that is all.

We sign all of our contracts at the property when the tenant moves in so don't even need to do that.

 

[unwashed potato!]

as long as everything else is professional, not having a high street presence isn't a big deal for me. having a vehicle with graphics on it, well dressed, a very good looking website etc is what imo is far more important.

you prob will get a few customers who look down on you for not having one, but for the most part i'd expect you'll be fine.

 

[Basher]

Not really important for me. The ways in which people can engage with prospects and customers across lots of markets has changed pretty dramatically over the last 5 years.

 

[Morba]

Not important. Years ago you would go to an estate agent and ask them to help you find a home. These days people find their own home and then contact the estate agent that is marketing it.

 

[Adam]

I used an internet estate agent to sell my house. They were generally a pleasure to deal with and they weren't your typical commission hungry high street agent.

I would without doubt use them again and avoid a high street agent at all costs.

 

[Spit]

Don't need it at all. Me and my partner had an online estate agent and we grew it to 150+ properties on the books turning over £150k+/year. We had all aspects of a traditional agent but did all paperwork at the customers house. We had 2 staff and worked out of our converted garage. We were on Rightmove, PrimeLocation, Zoopla etc. We had floor plans and great photography etc.

Unfortunately my partner got diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of years ago and needed the full monty treatments. We decided to sell the business at that time and concentrate on her. All good now though and she is back working in the industry.

 

[rubberduck]

I would expect most-people just go on right-move and then get the details of the corresponding agent from that and give them a call to arrange a viewing. TBH I am suprised most estate agents even bother with a high-street presence as most searches are done online.. I'm honestly dont know how they justify the cost but they must still find it valuable.

As someone said above, having smart, well informed agents along with a marked car and slick website are what is required these days.

 

[JamesM]

Cheers for the responses guys

This is pretty much what I thought was the case in that times are indeed changing.

We've never used Right Move purely because the costs are outrageous and we generally feel if your looking for a property you'll check all the portals and not limit yourself to just one.

 

[joemc]

Pretty much all the houses my friends and family have purchased in recent years have been on the internet. I can't think of anytime any of them went to the high street to look at houses. You get all of the information online, can go take a look from the outside as well.

Personally, I would take that £3500 and put it in to a friendly portal and marketing for customers!

 

[MowyTone]

I've found properties to rent online and then called the agent to arrange a viewing. I have also visited the shops as a lot of them are on the same road so it makes sence to look in all the windows