AIPP changes tack on award entries

The association of international property professionals (AIPP) today announced that in contrast to last year, their 2010 awards programme will be free to enter for all AIPP members. Non members wanting to enter an award will be asked to join the association with fees starting at approximately £250 per quarter.

The programme which concludes on Friday 26th March 2010 constitutes 11 categories including 3 awards for best agent (small, medium and large) and four for best developer (Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, The Americas and Africa, Asia & Australasia)

Judging criteria

For the judging criteria, the Association aims to put itself in the position of the international property buyer, posing the question: “What do I want to see in an agent or a developer to reassure me that they will deliver?” Questions facing entrants cover the due diligence processes in advance of selling, the transparency of the marketing and the successful delivery of promised service to clients.

Christopher Hamer, the Ombudsman for Estate Agents, is again Chair of the independent judging panel. “In my view awards like this contribute to higher standards of business operation and most importantly, customer service,” says Hamer. “They give firms a target to aim for as being second, third or placed elsewhere one year will encourage a focus on being higher the next year.”

Credibility

The AIPP has developed a high consumer profile with partnerships with key industry partnerships with media companies such as Rightmove and A Place in the Sun and their badge provides buyers aware of the organisation with confidence they are dealing with reputable organisations.

Industry sources tell me that the AIPP does a fair job disciplining members behind closed doors that contravene their guidelines but personally I think more could be done to publicise this as the perception by some in the industry is that the organisation lacks “teeth”.

I would be interested to hear your views on this.

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