The age of opportunity: Who will win & lose in estate agency's new era?
Technology has transformed the industry in many ways, but good old-fashioned agency has been thrown out with the bath water, writes buying agent Sophia Wade.

Sophie Wade is Managing Director of property search agency Inspired Spaces. In 1998 Sophia started work at Sullivan Thomas, Fulham, (now Carter Jonas), before moving to Hamptons International, at their prestigious High Street Kensington office. She remained with Hamptons until she decided to set up her search agency in 2003 (formerly Sophia Wade Property Services). In 2019, Sophia turned her hand to commercial lettings, building another successful business. However, her real passion still laid with residential property. In 2021, she sold out to her former business partner to focus solely on her real passion buying incredible property on behalf of clients.
LRG acquires trio of estate agency businesses including Stirling Ackroyd
Estate agency group kicks off 2024 with more more acquisitions, including of a well-known prime London property firm.
By PrimeResi
From strategic hires to the rise of self-employed agents: Andrew Deverell-Smith on the real estate recruitment trends to watch
Is it time to hunker down or level up? Recruitment guru explains how top property firms are taking different approaches to challenging market conditions.
International Women’s Day 2023: Wisdom & career advice from inspirational real estate leaders
'I feel that being a woman in property is a super-power'
Most read
Strutt & Parker recruits high-flyer Reynolds to lead UK resi sales
Key player joins leadership team as 140-year-old agency ramps up prime & super-prime ambitions.
Trophy Holland Park villa fetches over £40mn
Boost for embattled PCL market as 19th century Italianate mansion sets 2025 benchmark.
Rumourmill Roundup: 7 big tax changes that could hit the property market this Autumn
A flurry of Treasury leaks & speculation surfaced over the summer holidays, including proposals to end Stamp Duty, extend CGT & IHT, and to introduce a new annual property tax.
By PrimeResi
DDRE expands into the North West to tap growing UHNW market
Brokerage moves to meet 'new wave' of demand for high-value homes across Cheshire, Merseyside, the Wirral & Greater Manchester.
London Square bags planning for prime Battersea project
Waterfront site opposite the Chelsea Embankment - derelict for a decade - is to deliver 118 new homes.
Knight Frank expands in East Anglia
Georgie Veale has moved from the London-based Country Department to head up the agency's new operation in Suffolk.
Brokerage hires ex-Chestertons director to head new business development arm
Harding Green’s new tech-driven division aims to provide self-employed agents with ‘corporate-level’ lead flow.
Draker & KFH combine to create ‘one powerful agency’
The two London estate agencies have been co-branded following their recent acquisitions by Lomond.
By PrimeResi
Former Knight Frank Finance Partner launches high-value mortgage brokerage
Alastair Keeling's new venture is called Arkmor Capital.
By PrimeResi
Super-prime St John’s Wood townhouse pitched as ‘possibly the best value home in the area’
Multi-million-pound price cut makes 'ambassadorial' Hamilton Terrace residence one of PCL’s best deals, says agency.
LATEST ARTICLES
Survey reveals shifting UHNWI strategies in PCL
Savills poll of leading advisers shows London’s ultra-wealthy reassessing residency amid mounting tax pressures.
Echlin signs industry big-hitter Collins as £200mn luxury pipeline takes shape
Mark Collins, the former Chairman of Residential at CBRE, has joined the expanding design & development firm as non-exec director.
Housing Secretary resigns over Stamp Duty miscalculation
'I deeply regret my decision to not seek additional specialist tax advice,' says Angela Rayner.
By PrimeResi
Weekly Showcase: Ten featured prime resi listings
PrimeResi's regular stock check, powered by LonRes.
In Pictures: Cliffside trophy home in Mallorca debuts at €33mn
24,000 sq ft Port Andratx project was completed in 2024.