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The Property Industry Is Going Remote — But Is It For The Better?

The Property Industry Is Going Remote — But Is It For The Better?

11 February 2026

Toby Patrick

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Let’s face it, the world is going remote. Remote jobs, remote companies and even remote industries are quickly becoming the norm in business. There are both challenges and opportunities that come with this, which will differ from one case to the next. Today, we’re going to take a look at the property industry, an industry that is going nowhere but one that is certainly evolving. A large part of this evolution is seeing the property market become increasingly remote; it’s even possible to go through the whole process of buying a property without any human contact. In this article, we’re going to explore this shift and discuss whether this change is for better or for worse.


Red brick apartment building with black railings and small balconies. Potted plants line the front. A clear sky and lampposts in view.

A Quiet Shift

Some industries’ move to operating remotely has happened quite drastically, brought about by the need to work from home during the pandemic. But in the case of property, it’s been heading this way long before lockdown. Online-only estate agents emerged over ten years ago, and virtual viewings grew in popularity prior to them becoming the norm during COVID. While some industries are shifting towards virtual because it’s “on-trend”, the property industry’s move is one that offers genuine benefits in the form of speed, cost and convenience.


The Dangers Of A Remote Property Industry

Where there’s opportunity, there is often danger too. The convenience of using a remote agent or conveyancer is balanced out by the rise of remote providers who hide behind faceless personas to offer substandard services. If we travel back to the start of the 21st century, buyers had to meet with their solicitor, estate agent and so on. Nowadays, deals can be done over the phone or via email, and while this offers convenience, it also creates ambiguity around the work being completed and who is to be held accountable when mistakes occur. It must be said that in most cases, remote service providers do offer efficiency and convenience, but the small selection of bad actors in the industry is preventing remote workers from gaining 100% trust over those who still deal face-to-face with clients.


The Case for Hybrid Approaches

If physical environments provide trust and remote ones offer convenience, then the ideal solution possibly lies in a combination of the two, which is probably where we’re currently at. A hybrid offering in the property industry combines technology with human judgment, providing both speed and accuracy. Take a property valuation for example, AVMs have allowed us to get near instant valuations for properties, but often fall short in terms of accuracy when compared with a RICS valuation, which is carried out by a chartered surveyor. A RICS desktop valuation however offers the best of both worlds, using vast quantities of data but also the expertise of a qualified human.  


Remote Isn’t The Problem

Ultimately, just because something is remote doesn’t mean it should be avoided. That includes services within the property sector, and we’re not saying you should avoid remote agents or advisors. However, when there is a lot to lose, like there is when buying or selling a property, it’s imperative that you do your due diligence. And remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!


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Success Starts with Choosing the Right Business for You

  • Writer: Lance Cody-Valdez
    Lance Cody-Valdez
  • Nov 5, 2025
  • 4 min read

Updated: Nov 10, 2025

Starting your own business isn’t just about finding an idea. It’s about finding the right idea for you. A business that fits your strengths, matches your lifestyle, and has genuine demand. Here’s how to make that decision with confidence.


Hand with red nails holds a sign saying "We are open" against a dark background. The mood is welcoming and professional.

TL;DR

●      Assess your skills, goals, and risk tolerance before picking a path.

●      Do light, fast market research to confirm there’s real interest.

●      Match your business model to your time, capital, and personality.

●      Use early tests to validate ideas before investing big.


Step 1: Start With Self-Assessment

Before you think about markets or models, turn inward. The best businesses begin with honest self-awareness.


Ask yourself:

●      What do I naturally enjoy doing — even when unpaid?

●      Which skills do people already pay me for?

●      How much time and money can I realistically invest in the first 90 days?

●      Do I prefer structure and systems, or creativity and freedom?


You can even use a quick tool like 16Personalities.com or the CareerExplorer.com assessment to identify what types of business fit your temperament and working style.


Step 2: Research the Market Before You Jump

A brilliant idea in your head isn’t enough — you need proof of interest. Market research doesn’t have to be complex; it just has to be deliberate.

●      Use Google Trends to see if interest in your niche is rising or fading.

●      Explore what customers are already saying on review platforms like Trustpilot.co.uk or Reed.co.uk for service-based businesses.

●      Browse niche forums and social groups to observe what problems people are still trying to solve.

●      Search product and pricing benchmarks to understand what healthy profit margins look like in your category.


Pro Tip: Don’t just research what’s trending — research what’s enduring. Markets shift fast, but consistent pain points (saving time, improving health, reducing stress, saving money) never disappear.


Step 3: Align Passion With Practicality

You’ll hear a lot of people say “follow your passion,” but smart entrepreneurs tweak that to: follow your validated passion.

To test viability:

  1. Write down three business ideas.



  2. For each, list your top three skills that support it.



  3. Identify who benefits and how you’d reach them.



  4. Pick one and run a two-week micro-test, such as selling a pre-order through Gumroad.com or a small pilot project.



If people pay you (even a little), that’s validation. If they only say, “great idea,” that’s a signal to pivot.


Step 4: Build a Decision Table

Use a structured comparison to narrow your options:

Factor

Low-Risk Service

E-Commerce

Consulting or Coaching

Startup Cost

Minimal (tools, time)

Medium (inventory)

Low to medium (marketing)

Time to Revenue

Fast

Moderate

Depends on clients

Skill Dependency

High

Moderate

Very high

Scalability

Limited

High

Moderate

Lifestyle Fit

Flexible

Operational

Relationship-based

There’s no single right answer — just the one that fits your season, skills, and goals.


Step 5: Test Your Decision

Before filing paperwork, validate with small, measurable actions:

●      Offer your service on a services or freelancer platform.

●      Launch a single-page test site.

●      Gather feedback with a simple form.

●      Track early customer responses with a spreadsheet.


Real feedback beats any spreadsheet forecast.


When Education Gives You an Edge

After entering the workforce, the option to further one’s education can seem impractical. However, if you want a deeper, more strategic foundation in business, one that strengthens your ability to plan, lead, and grow sustainably, check this out. It’s an online business degree built specifically for working adults who want to turn ambition into applied expertise while preparing to launch or scale a company.


This path gives you:

●      Structured business fundamentals that connect theory to real-world entrepreneurship, from finance and marketing to management and operations.

●      Access to experienced faculty and a diverse network of peers who share your goals, challenges, and entrepreneurial mindset.

●      Hands-on projects and simulations that mirror the decisions you’ll face as a founder, helping you practice before the stakes are high.

●      The confidence to make strategic, evidence-based business decisions rooted in solid principles, not guesswork.


Whether you’re starting your first venture or refining an existing one, this kind of education gives you both the credibility and clarity to navigate your next stage of growth.


Step 6: Seek Mentorship and Perspective

Even with solid research, no entrepreneur succeeds alone. Find people who have already walked the path you’re about to take.

●      Join your local Chamber of Commerce for credibility, connections, and community support for growth.

●      Attend small business meetups through platforms like Eventbrite.co.uk or Meetup.com.

●      Reach out to small business mentors through LinkedIn.com or accelerator programs in your area.


The best mentors won’t give you answers; they’ll help you ask better questions.


Quick Checklist: Are You Ready to Choose?

●      You’ve identified your top skills and resources.

●      You’ve researched at least 3 competitors and price ranges.

●      You’ve run a small validation test (paid or free).

●      You’ve confirmed your time and financial capacity.

●      You’ve connected with at least one mentor or local business network.


If you can tick all five, you’re not just dreaming,  you’re deciding.


Glossary

Validation: Proof that people will pay for what you offer.Business Model: The structure for how you create and capture value.Market Research: Data and feedback that confirm or deny demand.Scalability: How easily your business can grow without increasing costs equally.Mentorship: Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs who’ve navigated similar challenges.


Choosing the right business isn’t a one-time decision; it’s an evolving alignment between who you are, what people need, and where opportunities exist. Start small, stay honest, and keep learning. The right business doesn’t just fit your market; it fits your life.

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