Agency leaders prepare for 2012 growth.

A number of the UK’s leading agencies are in the throes of preparing expansion plans for 2012, despite forecasting a flat market.


Speaking at The Negotiator’s 2012 Predictions Roundtable, agency leaders from across the country forecast little movement in prices or volumes over the next 12 months, except in London where prices are expected to rise due to the continued strong demand, particularly
from overseas investors.

North East-based Sarah Mains, managing director of Sarah Mains, plans to expand her Fine & Country division across Northumberland, coastal towns such as Whitley Bay in North Tyneside and the Tyne Valley. Down in South Wales, Peter Alan has plans to grow its upmarket agency sub-brand, PA Black, while growing its lettings business through acquisitions.

Meanwhile, Spicerhaart Land & New Homes plans to ramp up its nationwide expansion strategy, which has this year seen the opening of a business to consumer unit in Manchester. The Spicerhaart group division plans to launch a funding vehicle, which through a joint venture with a number of developers is designed to help buyers get on the property ladder.

London-headquartered Winkworth is to focus on expansion outside of the capital, which its chief executive officer, Dominic Agace, believes is saturated. The network expects to open in Buckinghamshire and North Oxford by the end of this year.

York-headquartered Hunters Property Group is to focus on consolidation following its acquisition of Bairstow Eves in September.

Michael Stoop, managing director of Xperience, who expects to open 10 new offices in 2012, forecasts sales volumes of between 600,000 and 650,000 next year and expects prices to be flat. This was echoed by the majority of roundtable attendees except Agace, who expects price growth across the capital.

Similarly, Brian Murphy, head of lending for Mortgage Advice Bureau, expects mortgage lending
to remain flat.

Article from The Negoitator on 9th December 2011.

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