Everyday a new story ratchets up the pain of being an estate agent; and today it's about the threat from the internet. According to first4sale, by 2010, up to 50% of house sales will take place over the internet:

"In the Noughties Sell it Yourself is giving people the freedom and skills to sell their own property, saving themselves thousands of pounds."

Now, saying that "up to 50%" of transactions will take place online isn't so courageous, it's simply saying that 2010 will see any figure up to and including 50%. Like, er, now, in fact (6%). And, clearly, first4sale has something of a stake in this story. But we've already seen how no- or low-fee internet sales sites have started to rattle a beleaguered estate agency sector. Interestingly, it's London that leads the new trend, with 81% of respondents apparently saying they'd consider cutting out the agent and selling online. More on the story, here. Meanwhile, the Guardian have just come up with a guide to e-selling your home. Find it here.

Countrywide reports trouble, estate agents bite nails [August 12]
These are estate agents [August 10]