| The Negotiator Magazine

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Wilf Lewis' true love may be surfing, but he's determined to persuade a greater proportion of the agency market that there's much to be loved about IT providing you maximise its potential, as he explains to Clare Bettelley.

Much HIP ado about nothing

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US screenwriter William Goldman could easily have been talking about the Home Information Pack market when he decried Hollywood as an industry in which no-one knows anything.

Agency hope springs eternal

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Mergers and acquisitions and expansion plan launches are inevitable after a recession, and agency is no exception.

In no uncertain terms - what the Foxtons ruling really means

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Letting agents should ensure their terms and conditions are fair and reasonable to minimise the risk of legal action, as Eddie Goldsmith, senior partner at Goldsmith Williams, explains.

Responsible referencing

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Letting agents’ failure to meet their obligations under the Property Ombudsman’s Code of Practice has resulted in a surge in complaints relating to tenant references. Appropriate referencing procedures are crucial for any professional lettings firm, regardless of their experience, warns Christopher Hamer.

Office of Fair Trading enforcement clarification

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I was disturbed to read about the closure of Lancashire-based Saxtons Ltd in the last edition of The Negotiator [June 12].

Tenancy Deposit Scheme attack unjustified

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Ian Wilson [managing director of Martin & Co] has been disingenuous in his attack on the system of Tenancy Deposit Protection that we have in place [June 12].

Consumers are real victims of letting agency fraud

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It is disappointing that as the Franchisor of the Year at The Negotiator Awards 2008, Martin and Co considers itself to be a victim of the reported cases of fraud among its franchisees.

TPOS expulsions overturned following award payment

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You give the impression in your article [June 12], regarding two expulsions from The Property Ombudsman Service, that the agents have been readmitted following the intervention of The Negotiator.

Culture club

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Behind every successful firm is a positive culture, but it is no easy feat to achieve. Here, Charlie Wright outlines the starting point for creating and managing cultural change within estate agency.

A1 family fortune for mother and daughter franchising team

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Zöe Gristfirst spared no effort in establishing her business with her mother Linda Payne in Hatfield in 2006, and now they are now reaping the rewards of their research. Here, she shares her journey.

Questionnaire quagmire

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Property Information Questionnaires are mandatory documents from April 6, so how should agents tackle their completion without being held liable for misinformation? Peter Ambrose explains.

First day marketing furore

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As part of our series from industry leaders, Christopher Lacy shares his frustrations about first day marketing, and explains why he thinks it will compromise standards across the agency market.

Cannes condensed

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Attendance at the world’s largest property summit suffered a 50% year-on-year decline last week, and though this had a detrimental effect on the flow of champers and boat hire, it didn’t stop the parties or dampen enthusiasm about forthcoming property investment opportunities, as Louise Nicholson reveals.

Property portals: are estate agents really being served?

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As part of our series of articles from industry leaders, Karl Tatler shares his disappointment with property portals’ service standards and highlights the areas he feels need improving.

No sale no fee conveyancing will remain an option for agents

by Eddie Goldsmith

The recession may be sounding the death knell for a number of law firms and estate agencies, but competitively-priced conveyancing, including bulk services, is here to stay, insists Eddie Goldsmith.

Cut out the cowboys and boost professionalism with registration

by Bill McClintock

As part of our series of articles from industry leaders, Bill McClintock explains how the economic downturn provides the best conditions for the introduction of an official estate agency register.

Remuneration revolution

by Clare Bettelley

Rightmove estimates that around 20% of negotiators have left the industry since the start of the downturn. This has left a large number of agency bosses no choice but to scrutinise their staff costs and question staff productivity.

Portal power

by Anh Nguyen

Properties are listed on portals in their millions while estate agents are listed in their thousands. Anh Nguyen explores the marketing strategies agents can use to make their particular box, photographs and descriptions stand out and entice browsers to take that first step towards becoming home buyers.

Climate change and UK obligations under the Kyoto Protocol

by Sarah Shemmings

Energy Performance Certificates aim to help homeowners measure and improve the efficiency of their homes. Sarah Shemmings, partner at Silver Shemmings, explains their driving force – the Kyoto Protocol.

Aspire to submit Olympian-standard entry forms in order to maximise your chances of award success in 2009

by Clare Bettelley

This year’s The Negotiator Awards ceremony aims to build upon the phenomenal success of 2008, so put on your thinking caps and prepare to share with us the most impressive secrets to your annual successes.

Back to the future

by Jon Cooke

As part of our new series of articles from industry leaders, Jon Cooke explains the importance of traditional estate agency, above portals, as a means by which to weather the market downturn.

Common sense shortfall supersedes confidence concerns

by Clare Bettelley

On a recent Radio 4 phone-in on mortgages, a caller expressed his dismay and perplexity in attempting to make his first step on the property ladder.

Mystery shopped agents reveal perils of neglected partnerships

by Brian Deacon

Income streams are sacrosanct in a recession, so why take the risk of jeopardising new business relationships? Brian Deacon, independent property development consultant, explores the failure of one relationship in the new-build sector.

HSBC gives buyers reasons to be cheerful in the mortgage market

by Andrew Montlake

Credit remains in short supply and lenders are unlikely to pass on any further Base Rate cuts, but buyer activity is rising, so it’s not all bad news, as Andrew Montlake, partner at Cobalt Capital, explains.

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