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How's About A Fresh Start? Let’s Pave the Way for Growth in the Property Sector

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Wednesday, 08 January 2025

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As we step into 2025, the property sector faces significant challenges that demand immediate action—not just from the government, but from all of us.

🏗️ What’s holding us back?

Labour shortages: Despite increased immigration, we lack skilled workers in critical areas, halting construction projects.

Skyrocketing material costs: Supply chain disruptions have made projects less feasible, while developers hesitate to take on new risks.

Stamp duty impacts: Tax changes have cooled demand, slowing the pace of new builds.

Solicitor shortages: Overwhelmed conveyancing systems frustrate buyers, sellers, and the sector as a whole.

Housing pressure: Reduced building rates can’t meet the growing demand, leaving communities stretched thin.

The government’s slow response hasn’t helped, but here’s the truth: waiting for them to act could leave the sector in even greater turmoil.

🌟 What can we do?

Pick up the baton: The private sector has tackled massive challenges before—and succeeded.

Innovate and adapt: Let’s embrace smarter solutions to workforce gaps, streamline processes, and reduce delays.

Collaborate: It’s time to bring our collective expertise to the table to drive the industry forward.

The road ahead won’t be easy, but it’s time to rise above the bellyaching and get moving. Together, we can make 2025 a year of action, growth, and resilience.

💬 What’s your take? How can we as an industry come together to solve these issues?

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Aitch Mac

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Comments 1

ChrisSoltvedt on Saturday, 11 January 2025 12:01

Agree with all of the above. If we wait for the government to solve these issues it will never get done. Key decision makers change to frequently and they don't have the same passion for change or the knowledge and skills to do what's needed. Quite often too, they are advised by totally the wrong people, often with their own agendas that do not benefit the whole.

There is also a lack of innovation and creativity in government departments - something that's desperately needed to solve problems such as this and to also build the solutions and processes needed.

To answer your question "How can we as an industry come together to solve these issues?" The first thing that needs to happen is for as many of us as possible to come together in one place where we can actively discuss the core issues openly, identify exactly what's needed, identify any existing solutions and new innovations (no special preferences, give everyone an opportunity to showcase to us what their, product, service, process etc. does) help them (with an open mind) to test and refine them if needed, and maybe help them identify complimentary partnerships where combined they create more powerful solutions.

In terms of labour shortages, identify the core issues and barriers that are causing this. Look for more creative/innovative ways to get those off benefits, new school leavers and others and get them trained up. Look too, at the older demographics including those who are retired who still want/need to work (as there are numerous supporting roles that don't rely on physical strength). Bring all these labourers, trades etc. together in one place along with developers, builders etc. who are seeking their skills, where they can quickly build and co-ordinate project teams, including at very short notice and even manage communications with their teams throughout projects.

In terms of materials, again brainstorm ways to overcome this, identify the bottlenecks and potential alternative solutions. Find out exactly what these core issues are by again, bringing suppliers and others together in one place to discuss it. Maybe also look at ways for developers/builders/trades to buy or sell surplus materials and so on, particularly at short notice.

For property transactions, it absolutely needs collaboration. Agents, solicitors, brokers, search providers (including independent search providers), solution providers and other professionals need to also come together for the reasons above (focussing solely on the transaction to discuss problem, solutions and so on). Lets not forget the home movers here too, they are key.

Conveyancers and estate agents especially need to sort out their fee structures to ensure their businesses are viable, so universally agree to raise their fees to a more sensible level (where they are currently too low) so they can produce the level of service required and be rewarded properly for their work. The ultimate goal here being to totally eradicate the low fee, "pile them high" culture that is totally destroying the industry and causing most of the problems and delays in transactions. Also to universally agree to stop the referral fee culture and work towards a better, win-win way of generating extra revenue.

These are my initial thoughts, which others may or may not agree with, but lets get those conversations and brainstorms started. Don't be afraid to share ideas ever (however silly or out there they seem) - this is what sparks innovation, a well known Disney technique called spring boarding, where one persons suggestion(s) trigger another's 'lightbulb moment/idea. Also never put down ideas for the same reason. The latter happens way to much!

For anyone interested, the WiggyWam platform can provide this collaborative, interactive space to bring us all together to discuss this, also for any solution providers, entrepreneurs, startups etc. to showcase their solutions in a fairer, transparent, none judgemental environment. We believe everybody deserves that chance.

If you'd like to be part of what would essentially be a movement for change and rapid solution development then let us know with a view to joining us (Hamish, ourselves etc.) then get in touch. You could be any one of the following:

Estate Agent, Solicitor, Mortgage Broker, Financial Services, Insurance Broker, Independent Search Provider, Proptech, LawTech, FinTech, Other solution or service provider, Developer, Builder, Tradesperson and so on.

1 Reply

There is also a lack of innovation and creativity in government departments - something that's desperately needed to solve problems such as this and to also build the solutions and processes needed.

To answer your question "How can we as an industry come together to solve these issues?" The first thing that needs to happen is for as many of us as possible to come together in one place where we can actively discuss the core issues openly, identify exactly what's needed, identify any existing solutions and new innovations (no special preferences, give everyone an opportunity to showcase to us what their, product, service, process etc. does) help them (with an open mind) to test and refine them if needed, and maybe help them identify complimentary partnerships where combined they create more powerful solutions.

In terms of labour shortages, identify the core issues and barriers that are causing this. Look for more creative/innovative ways to get those off benefits, new school leavers and others and get them trained up. Look too, at the older demographics including those who are retired who still want/need to work (as there are numerous supporting roles that don't rely on physical strength). Bring all these labourers, trades etc. together in one place along with developers, builders etc. who are seeking their skills, where they can quickly build and co-ordinate project teams, including at very short notice and even manage communications with their teams throughout projects.

In terms of materials, again brainstorm ways to overcome this, identify the bottlenecks and potential alternative solutions. Find out exactly what these core issues are by again, bringing suppliers and others together in one place to discuss it. Maybe also look at ways for developers/builders/trades to buy or sell surplus materials and so on, particularly at short notice.

For property transactions, it absolutely needs collaboration. Agents, solicitors, brokers, search providers (including independent search providers), solution providers and other professionals need to also come together for the reasons above (focussing solely on the transaction to discuss problem, solutions and so on). Lets not forget the home movers here too, they are key.

Conveyancers and estate agents especially need to sort out their fee structures to ensure their businesses are viable, so universally agree to raise their fees to a more sensible level (where they are currently too low) so they can produce the level of service required and be rewarded properly for their work. The ultimate goal here being to totally eradicate the low fee, "pile them high" culture that is totally destroying the industry and causing most of the problems and delays in transactions. Also to universally agree to stop the referral fee culture and work towards a better, win-win way of generating extra revenue.

These are my initial thoughts, which others may or may not agree with, but lets get those conversations and brainstorms started. Don't be afraid to share ideas ever (however silly or out there they seem) - this is what sparks innovation, a well known Disney technique called spring boarding, where one persons suggestion(s) trigger another's 'lightbulb moment/idea. Also never put down ideas for the same reason. The latter happens way to much!

For anyone interested, the WiggyWam platform can provide this collaborative, interactive space to bring us all together to discuss this, also for any solution providers, entrepreneurs, startups etc. to showcase their solutions in a fairer, transparent, none judgemental environment. We believe everybody deserves that chance.

If you'd like to be part of what would essentially be a movement for change and rapid solution development then let us know with a view to joining us (Hamish, ourselves etc.) then get in touch. You could be any one of the following:

Estate Agent, Solicitor, Mortgage Broker, Financial Services, Insurance Broker, Independent Search Provider, Proptech, LawTech, FinTech, Other solution or service provider, Developer, Builder, Tradesperson and so on.

Agree with all of the above. If we wait for the government to solve these issues it will never get done. Key decision makers change to frequently and they don't have the same passion for change or the knowledge and skills to do what's needed. Quite often too, they are advised by totally the wrong people, often with their own agendas that do not benefit the whole. There is also a lack of innovation and creativity in government departments - something that's desperately needed to solve problems such as this and to also build the solutions and processes needed. To answer your question "How can we as an industry come together to solve these issues?" The first thing that needs to happen is for as many of us as possible to come together in one place where we can actively discuss the core issues openly, identify exactly what's needed, identify any existing solutions and new innovations (no special preferences, give everyone an opportunity to showcase to us what their, product, service, process etc. does) help them (with an open mind) to test and refine them if needed, and maybe help them identify complimentary partnerships where combined they create more powerful solutions. In terms of labour shortages, identify the core issues and barriers that are causing this. Look for more creative/innovative ways to get those off benefits, new school leavers and others and get them trained up. Look too, at the older demographics including those who are retired who still want/need to work (as there are numerous supporting roles that don't rely on physical strength). Bring all these labourers, trades etc. together in one place along with developers, builders etc. who are seeking their skills, where they can quickly build and co-ordinate project teams, including at very short notice and even manage communications with their teams throughout projects. In terms of materials, again brainstorm ways to overcome this, identify the bottlenecks and potential alternative solutions. Find out exactly what these core issues are by again, bringing suppliers and others together in one place to discuss it. Maybe also look at ways for developers/builders/trades to buy or sell surplus materials and so on, particularly at short notice. For property transactions, it absolutely needs collaboration. Agents, solicitors, brokers, search providers (including independent search providers), solution providers and other professionals need to also come together for the reasons above (focussing solely on the transaction to discuss problem, solutions and so on). Lets not forget the home movers here too, they are key. Conveyancers and estate agents especially need to sort out their fee structures to ensure their businesses are viable, so universally agree to raise their fees to a more sensible level (where they are currently too low) so they can produce the level of service required and be rewarded properly for their work. The ultimate goal here being to totally eradicate the low fee, "pile them high" culture that is totally destroying the industry and causing most of the problems and delays in transactions. Also to universally agree to stop the referral fee culture and work towards a better, win-win way of generating extra revenue. These are my initial thoughts, which others may or may not agree with, but lets get those conversations and brainstorms started. Don't be afraid to share ideas ever (however silly or out there they seem) - this is what sparks innovation, a well known Disney technique called spring boarding, where one persons suggestion(s) trigger another's 'lightbulb moment/idea. Also never put down ideas for the same reason. The latter happens way to much! For anyone interested, the WiggyWam platform can provide this collaborative, interactive space to bring us all together to discuss this, also for any solution providers, entrepreneurs, startups etc. to showcase their solutions in a fairer, transparent, none judgemental environment. We believe everybody deserves that chance. If you'd like to be part of what would essentially be a movement for change and rapid solution development then let us know with a view to joining us (Hamish, ourselves etc.) then get in touch. You could be any one of the following: Estate Agent, Solicitor, Mortgage Broker, Financial Services, Insurance Broker, Independent Search Provider, Proptech, LawTech, FinTech, Other solution or service provider, Developer, Builder, Tradesperson and so on.

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