| Independent Estate Agents will lose out |
|
|
| Thursday, 16 March 2006 | |
Local independent estate agents are running the risk of losing their independence when HIPs are introduced,says Hailstone, as new major corporate players enter the market in the wake of HIPs. The announcement by supermarket chain ASDA that they are to enter the home sales market and will give HIPs away free is a perfect example of what is likely to happen. In my view, local estate agents need to act now to protect their independence not wait until next year. Hailstone and fellow Hipag director Hugh Dunsmore-Hardy, a previous NAEA president, were at the NAEA Congress where Hipag Services unveiled its Home Information Pack and told visitors how they can prepare in advance for June 2007. Not all HIPs are the same, says Hailstone. Our approach as a membership organisation means that the local independent estate agent and the high street solicitor working with Hipag will be able to produce a HIP for the seller and the estate agent in the quickest possible time. The big corporate approach means HIP preparation will often be taken out of local hands and done remotely in call-centre style HIP factories. As well as being produced with the help of Hipag members, our HIP will also be different in that it will contain a short summary of the legal contents written in layman's language. Our HIP will be branded with the estate agent's own logo. One positive and pain-free step that estate agents can take now to protect their independence is to join Hipag Services,says Hailstone. Estate agents can become associate members free of charge and will receive regular email updates and other benefits. In fact, we will be unveiling a new package of member benefits later this month. Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts) |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
