Mal McCallion (ModelProp) leads the ‘Rightmove Resistance’ Revolution

Here then is what is on Mal’s mind today, 

‘OnTheMarket had a big advertising push in September last year, one of the busiest months in the property calendar and – on OTM’s dashboard at least – overtook Zoopla in terms of traffic. OTM then blanket-advertised that it was the number two portal, now.

Zoopla took exception to this and, in a rare public intervention, its CEO Charlie Bryant released a PR statement complaining about OTM’s tactics. Clearly he remained furious for long enough to send a strong letter to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) too. It’s taken a while but now the ASA has ruled that OTM should +not+ have been so slapdash in its claiming of the second spot and it must not do it again. Cue Zoopla’s victory lap in the news today.

But what’s this? Right alongside Zoopla’s crowing story is an advert for OTM stating that agents think that site is better value for money!

And below that? One from Zoopla itself saying that +consumers+ prefer it to OTM!!

A reminder how advertising works – you pay thousands of pounds of your hard-earned revenue, from clients, to create and distribute a message that you hope will win more.

So these two sites are throwing huge amounts of money (and time, from CEOs to Marketing Teams) at each other to try and win a battle for – checks notes – second place in a race.

They aren’t even bothering to go after the market leader, Rightmove – in fact, to really show how much they’ve lost sight of what’s important here, they actually advertise Rightmove’s name in their ads as well! (And Zoopla openly admits that sellers prefer RM to itself, in an advert that it’s paying for!!!)

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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Agora launches major expansion in Australia

Agora, a comprehensive platform of software and services that utilizes technology, automation, and real estate expertise to streamline investment management, is expanding its presence in the Australian market. Agora is forming a sales and support team across Sydney and Melbourne as a part of a wide-scale plan to broaden its presence in the country after an initial expansion last year, when the firm announced it was growing its team, following its Series B funding round.

“Our expansion into Australia underscores Agora’s mission to lead innovation in the real estate investment industry. As the only platform built exclusively for real estate professionals, we are uniquely positioned to address the specific challenges of this dynamic market.” said Bar Mor, Agora’s Co-Founder and CEO. “Australia’s vibrant real estate market offers incredible potential, and we’re excited to partner with industry leaders to elevate their operations and achieve their goals.”

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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Habito partners with Mastercard’s Business Bonus Scheme

Habito has partnered with Mastercard’s Business Bonus Scheme to make mortgage support faster, simpler, and completely free for SME owners across the UK.

Business owners will now be able to access Habito’s team of expert mortgage advisers at no cost, whether they’re buying a home, refinancing, or investing in a rental property. The goal? To give entrepreneurs the clarity and support they need to make confident decisions, without jargon or unnecessary paperwork.

This partnership means Mastercard Business Bonus Scheme members can explore a huge range of mortgage options through Habito’s platform, get personalised help from qualified advisers, and secure deals that match their unique circumstances, all in one streamlined, digital journey.

Ying Tan, CEO of Habito, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Mastercard to support the UK’s business community. Running a business is hard enough. Your mortgage shouldn’t be. SME owners deserve smart, reliable advice that just works, without the stress or the sales pitch. That’s exactly what we’re delivering with this partnership.”

Whether they’re buying for the first time, refinancing their home, or growing a portfolio, Mastercard SME customers can now feel more in control of their mortgage choices with Habito on hand to guide them through every step.

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Andrew Stanton CEO Proptech-PR

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