Soon-to-launch UK property portal Boomin has announced another 15 agent sign-ups ahead of its highly anticipated debut. The company set up last year by the brothers behind legendary agency disruptor Purplebricks has been generating many positive headlines and has won over some fierce Purplebricks critics within the British agency industry with sign-up announcements having become semi-regular throughout the latter half of 2020.
The launch of the user-facing property portal however was delayed last month until early 2021. While concerns around pressure on staff over the holiday period were cited by management, it was speculated in certain corners of the UK property press that the delay might have had more to do with a lack of real momentum and agent sign-ups.
One estimate put the number of agencies now signed up to take advantage of the no obligations, free-listing period of 12 months being offered by the portal at between 2,000 and 3,000. Although a figure in the thousands puts the nascent portal above many challenger portals, the chasing pack is still a long way behind the 'duopoly' of Rightmove (19,809 according to its end of year 2019 report) and Zoopla (over 18,000 according to a statement released in December).