WITH competition for estate agents hotting up on the high street, agents are more willing than ever to consider introducing a range of tailored services for home movers, according to a new survey just published by independent estate agent network Move With Us.

The survey found that 68 per cent of estate agents are prepared to diversify their services with 88 per cent of these revealing that they would offer a bundle of services, allowing homeowners to pick their preferred option and to have greater control over the services they receive.

Some 70 per cent of estate agents have seen competition increase in their local area with a rise in the number of new offices opening in the last three months.

Estate agents offering an added level of flexibility may be more likely to remain competitive in the face of increased high street competition.

And agents differentiating themselves from others in their area will be better placed to thrive in the current market conditions by retaining and winning new clients. Property seekers in the Cotswolds area are blessed with a full range of agents to choose from, with large national and international chains operating side by side with home-grown independent agents.

Many of these agents are embracing new technologies and alternative opening hours in a bid to stay one step ahead and offer a complete service to clients.

But for all the new gimmicks, many believe that there is little to compete with good old-fashioned customer service as a means of attracting the client.

Mark Halliwell, residential partner with Moore Allen & Innocent estate agents in Cirencester said: “We have branched out in those areas where we feel it will enhance our business and be of benefit to our customer.”

He explained that while some agents have only recently started offering additional services, Moore Allen & Innocent has been providing a range of services for many years.

“We are always looking at things that will enhance the experience for the customer,” he added.