The xit2 findings showed over two-thirds of the lenders, estate agents, surveyors, valuers and intermediaries questioned disagreed that estate agents would dominate HIPs – 19 per cent believed the opposite.
Commenting on the figures, Paul Duckworth, chief executive of the xit2 Group, said: “This is an interesting result as there’s been some feeling in recent surveys and the press that estate agents would occupy a very strong position when HIPs are introduced.
“However, there’s now a number of specialist HIP providers and they look likely to form the bastion of the source of the pack.”
But Richard Sexton, national business development manager of e-surv, disagreed. He said: “We’ve spoken to about 25 seller pack providers and they all consistently believe estate agents are in control and will gain significant benefits.”
A second survey asked whether the introduction of HIPs would create new marketing opportunities for brokers. In April, 32 per cent of respondents believed that it would. The July results showed a slight shift of opinion with 39 per cent ticking yes and 28 per cent retaining a more negative view.
Duckworth said: “The crux of success for brokers will lie in their ability to install and manage a sophisticated CRM program and in the creation of effective links and partnerships with estate agents.”
Sexton said there are opportunities for brokers if they take steps to become involved now. “If brokers aligned themselves with an estate agent then this could be the case.
“When people put their home on the market they will go straight to an estate agent who can put together the seller’s pack, finance and anything else related,” he added.
