After analysing the performance of over 1 million listings, 25,000 branches and 15,000 agencies, the top 20% of branches and top 3% of agencies have been identified for inclusion in the Best Estate Agent Guide (BEAG) which is produced by the Property Academy and supported by Rightmove.

Today the winners of a BEAG Award are announced here www.eamasters.co.uk/the-guide/

Just 3% of all agencies have achieved the marks necessary to win an award – as Property Academy founder, Peter Knight, confirmed:

“The Bar is set very high, far higher than any other awards or assessment. The winners can be proud that they have passed the most rigorous test that includes every agency, every branch and all business models.”

Now in its third year, the BEAG sets out to reward those agencies that truly deliver for their customers. The process starts with asking thousands of landlords and sellers what matters to them when renting or selling and then assessing how well each and every listing, branch and agency on Rightmove performed against their criteria. It includes a Herculean mystery shopping exercise with qualifying branches being contacted up to four times to gain an indication of typical service levels.

The winners have the opportunity to collect their award at the EA Masters event on 10th October from high profile BBC presenters, Gabby Logan and Jonathan Davies. The event also includes a conference that this year is themed “Fast Forward” reflecting Property Academy’s view that it’s time to accelerate new initiatives and to innovate faster to succeed in a market they feel has been “stagnant”.

Peter Knight comments:

“The BEAG assessment confirms that the top 3% of agencies are far better than the average in terms of property marketing, results and customer service. These agencies have the opportunity to profitably grow much faster by highlighting just how much better they deliver for landlords and sellers and citing credible research to support these claims.”

In an unusual approach compared with most awards, the BEAG winners have been announced before tickets to the event have been released for sale. Peter Knight made this point:

“The BEAG has no entry fees and the top 20% of branches will be listed for free on the consumer facing website. Those agencies that see the advantage of promoting how much better they are than the average can purchase a licence to do so and also have the opportunity to receive their award in person at the estate agency event of the year. We find that the best agencies come each year to learn new ideas from truly world-class speakers and to see the latest products and services from over 60 leading industry suppliers. The best seek to get better and the improved standards in the BEAG assessment confirm the top 3% of agencies are widening the gap between themselves and the majority.”

Today’s announcement lists the top 3% of agencies – the full list of branches that have made it into the BEAG will be announced next week along with those National/Online agencies that have made the grade.

Full information about the BEAG AND EA Masters Leadership Conference & Awards event, including a list of this year’s winners, can be found here www.eamasters.co.uk/the-guide/.