November 2010
ESTATE AGENCY SURVEY 2010
General subject: How has the downturn in the property market since 2008 affected your business in terms of workforce, tools and advertising/marketing?
Name of business: Spicerhaart Ltd
Your name and role: Paul Smith - CEO
Head Office location: Colchester
Number of offices as at Sept 30, 2010: 175
Number of offices at Sept 30, 2009: 205
How does the way the company works now compare with 12 months ago?
Size of workforce? Approx 2000
Use of associates (as opposed to employees)? Surveyors and Consultants, approx 125
Use of software (e.g. Vebra)? In-house – IDBS / Veco
Have you imposed any major changes, such as additional services, in light of the downturn in the property market? New Online Business, iSold.com
What has been the reaction (from your company and clients) to HIPs being gone? Positive from Clients since withdrawal of HIPs
Use of advertising media: portal sites, newspapers, etc., specifically:
• Where do you prefer to list and why? Do you list on more than one site? Why? 60/40% split in favour of Newspapers
• Rightmove pushed through a listing price increase. What is your reaction? Not Affected by Price increase
• Are you developing the use of branding options offered on sites? Yes
• Are you using newspapers? Yes How frequently? Weekly More or less frequently than in 2008? More Are publishers raising prices? No Any concerns regarding the use of print media? Poorer Reproduction quality and reduced circulation
• How do you intend to change your use of advertising media over the coming year? More use of online Media
Any other comments on the current economic situation and how it affects your business? No
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