Sir – House prices for new entrants in Oxford have become unaffordable to all but the highest paid first-time buyer, or those with a silver spoon somewhere in the family.
How ironic that this should be a complaint made by an employee of a large well-known agent (Workforce are being priced out, First Person, December 4). Estate agents have been in part responsible for the huge rise in UK house prices in recent years due to the commission system — it has been in their interests to always achieve the highest price possible. How about an effort-based or flat-rate system?
Property could also be made much more affordable by vendors bypassing conventional estate agents altogether and opting for free or low-cost online services. Surely very little marketing is necessary in such a low supply/high demand market?
Matthew Dale, Oxford
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