Agent users of Bamboo and Alto will now benefit from a new integration which helps them to identify which properties are right for auction and list them directly for online auction.

This solution removes the need for double entry of data and without leaving the Alto software, saving agents time and ensuring a seamless auction experience.

“Bamboo’s integration with Alto is a game-changer. Coupled with the launch of our new auction dashboard, our integration will identify appropriate auction stock and give our agent partners the power to list properties without double entry of data,” said Robin Rathore, CEO of Bamboo Auctions.

“Everything we do at Bamboo has one purpose – to help our agents sell more properties. This new integration, coupled with our market-leading support and service, achieves just that.”

Riccardo Dawson, Chief Operating Officer at Alto, added: “We’re delighted that our integration with Bamboo Auctions will enable us to launch a new ‘Auctions’ category in Alto Marketplace. “Not only will this provide a new way for our agent customers to tailor their CRM – but it’s a win-win for sellers too as Bamboo helps them to secure a quicker sale and highlights highest offer scenarios.”

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cHometrack has launched a new product which can be used to help agents make more accurate valuations.

The new Hometrack Comparables product is thought to be the most comprehensive set of homes and rental comparables data available in the market and also covers property subtype, tenure, floor area and valuations data, including last sale date, amount and current value.

Three API endpoints are available – meaning comparables can be delivered either through UPRN lookup, map vector tiles or geo searches.

The datasets are updated every 30 days and benefit from tiered pricing meaning the product can be tailored to the needs of every individual business, regardless of their size. Ross Allan, Head of Property Data Solutions at Hometrack, said: “Although traditionally known for being the leading provider of automated mortgage valuations, Hometrack’s offering is now much more than that and has various use cases for businesses outside of the mortgage industry. Comparables is a fantastic example of this and can be used by estate agents to get ahead of the competition by understanding the latest pricing information on properties in their area and using it to expand their knowledge of their local market.”

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LOFT, the furniture solutions brand for property professionals, has partnered with creative studio, DCTR, to revolutionise digital staging and interior design by leveraging the power of 3D technology.

Before digital staging

The partnership aims to make interior design better, faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally friendly by digitising LOFT’s extensive furniture catalogue with exact photorealistic replicas created by DCTR and making them available in a suite of marketing products for property professionals.

One of the creative products resulting from this collaboration is virtual staging with LOFT furniture.

This approach allows property professionals to select LOFT room sets on DCTR’s bespoke property marketing platform, Doctor Photo.

Tom Durrant, MD at DCTR (right), said: “This is a real game-changer for the staging industry. By including LOFT branded furniture in the visuals we create, we’re enhancing the authenticity and realism of our virtual staging, whilst saving our clients heaps of time and money in the meantime compared to physical staging.”

LOFT also offers virtual property refurbishment services, providing clients with digital representations of work before and after. This allows buyers to visualise how a property would look post-refresh and understand the cost implications before purchasing or undertaking any work.

Benjamin Hall, Founder at LOFT (left) added: “Customers can harness DCTR’s exceptional platform in tandem with LOFT’s design-focused furniture.”

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Global property data group, CoStar, has confirmed the purchase of OnTheMarket (OTM) for £33million.

In a statement, OTM said: “OnTheMarket seeks to become the number one portal in the UK following an offer from CoStar Group.

“The deal was unanimously recommended by the OnTheMarket Board while CoStar has also received irrevocable undertakings and letters of intent with respect to approximately 29.5% of OnTheMarket shares including OnTheMarket’s six largest shareholders including Spicerhaart.”

The new owners plans to spend £46.5 million on sales and marketing in the first full year following the takeover. This is six times what OTM currently spends and more than three times the current annual media spend of Rightmove, the statement reads.

The offer of 110p per share is ‘substantially’ above its current 70p share price.

Jason Tebb, CEO at OTM, commented, “From a position of strength, partnering with CoStar Group will significantly accelerate our strategy with the clear target of becoming the market leader, whilst staying committed to fair and sustainable pricing.

“CoStar Group will bring industry-leading global expertise and significant financial firepower to invest in OnTheMarket, allowing us to accelerate our transformation of the sector.”

Andy Florance, founder and CEO at CoStar Group, added, “We believe the acquisition of OnTheMarket represents an attractive and efficient entry point for CoStar Group into the estimated £8 trillion UK residential property market.

“We are excited to combine CoStar Group’s resources and leading marketplace experience with OnTheMarket’s agent-focused culture to create a leading player in the UK marketplace and provide increased choice and higher quality offerings for consumers.”

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Two proptech leaders, Acaboom and Dataloft by PriceHubble, have announced a new integration which focuses on improving the content of Market Update Reports, which are sent to homeowners as part of their nurture journey.

Stay-subscribed rates from homeowners are already at 94% for the Market Update Report, credited to the content’s informative and personalised nature, steering clear of being overly “salesy” or self-promotional. The addition of Dataloft’s locally-focused data and market analysis will further enhance an agent’s profile, keeping them front of mind with prospects.

Tangible value

Brian Farrell, Managing Director of Acaboom (pictured), said: “We are very proud of the tangible value Acaboom allows agents to deliver to their database – and our new partnership with Dataloft is a huge complement to the Acaboom Market Update Reports.

“Now, even more personalised and eye-catching data can be delivered by the Acaboom system. It’s a huge win for mutual clients.”

Local content

Rory Black, Director at Dataloft added: “An integration with Acaboom was long overdue and we love the way agents can get more from their Dataloft by PriceHubble subscription with their Acaboom Market Update Reports.

“We are committed to providing the best local content and making it as easy as possible for agents to make the most of it. This integration will give our subscribers yet another competitive edge.”

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Agency Express, the UK’s only nationwide estate agency board service provider, has won Gold Franchisor of the Year at the 2023 BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards.

Founded in 1998 by experienced estate agent, Stephen Watson, the company has a network of 113 franchisees spanning from Inverness to Penzance. They erect, maintain and store residential and commercial advertising boards for more than 7,500 estate agency branches, which is claimed to be 60% of the market.

The award ceremony, often referred to as the ‘Oscars of the franchising world’, was held at The Vox Conference Centre in Birmingham on 9^th November 2023.

Commenting on their win, Managing Director, Ben Brookes (pictured left) said: “To win this award means absolutely everything to us. The culmination of the tireless hard work from the Agency Express network and HQ team, we are truly overwhelmed to be recognised by the BFA as the best in the business.”

Best in UK franchising

Pip Wilkins, Chief Executive of the BFA, added: “Our huge congratulations to Agency Express, on this tremendous win. We had some fantastic entries this year but theirs really stood out from the crowd. We would like to thank them for being such great ambassadors for the BFA and for representing the very best in UK franchising.”

UK Head of Franchise, Commercial Banking at HSBC Bank, Gillian Morris, said on the night: “The diversity of franchising on display at tonight’s awards ceremony – across so many brands and sectors – demonstrates the strength and reach of the industry.  Choosing a winner is never easy and I’d like to join Pip in thanking everyone who entered and send our warm congratulations to Agency Express on this very well-deserved award.”

Founded in 1977 and with a strapline of ‘Discover Your Tomorrow’ the BFA (British Franchise Association), is the hub of franchising in the UK. The association strives to showcase the opportunities for businesses and individuals to transform their lives through franchising, whilst also providing an educational space and accreditations, governed by their high standards and a code of ethics.

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The tool offers a range of features including identifying the highest value opportunities, qualifying leads through customisable questionnaires and detailed reporting to help agents understand where leads come from and how the business is performing.

With Lead Manager, estate agents can also set up branded auto-replies 24/7, extending their opening hours and allowing customers to respond on their own schedule.

Nik Chotai, Managing Director of Homeflow, said: “We are thrilled to announce the rebranding of Area to Homeflow Lead Manager. This is a significant step forward in our mission to help estate agents win more business and unlock growth potential. By integrating Area’s technology into Homeflow, we are now able to offer estate agents revolutionary lead management and automation software that is easy to use and constantly improving.”

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Thirteen E.surv 2022 academy graduates have become AssocRICS qualified with a 100% pass rate.

The AssocRICS programme aims to open up the survey and valuation industry to a broader base of talent, with many joining straight from university. The demanding programme takes place over 13 months that includes weekly classroom training, fieldtrips and shadowing experienced surveyors.

The trainees were supported through their training sessions and the submission process by Technical Partners Kevan Dean, Kevin Keane, Karen Kent and Khushboo Rathor, as well as Senior Technical Partner, Andrew McIvor.

Since its inception in 2013, E. surv’s programme has delivered over 350 AssocRICS surveyors.

Steve Goodall, Managing Director, said: “Our training programme is a hugely important investment both for our graduates and the company. The number of graduates we have enrolled in the qualification over the last decade demonstrates our commitment.”

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