Rightmove's agent fees are better than the alternative

Russell Quirk, known for his insight on the real estate industry as well as being a known online agency CEO, has come out to defend Rightmove's agent fees. Quirk says that compared to alternatives, Rightmove represents a better offer to agents.

He is critical of the scale of Rightmove’s annual increases of 25 percent or even more, but he insists it remains an invaluable tool for agents, represents good value and is understandably keen to keep its charges high because it is a listed company “and so is thinking much more of shareholder value than estate agency value.”

In the latest of a series of video interviews with industry consultant Chris Watkin, Quirk says: “When you compare [Rightmove] with the cost of local papers … compared with the volume of inquiries that Rightmove will provide and the analytics that go with it … Rightmove is relatively good value compared to the alternatives.”

However, his concerns over Rightmove’s price rises is that they are often justified by the portal itself on the basis of the growing number of leads that it provides; but, says Quirk, if it produces fewer leads one year than previously, it will not reduce charges.

The former Emoov boss is also critical of agents who have used the trade press to criticize Rightmove, urging boycotts or similar stunts. 

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