Outgoing NAEA Propertymark president reveals ROPA regrets

Outgoing NAEA Propertymark president Liana Loporto has shared her regrets that she didn’t see the Regulation of Property Agents (ROPA) rules come in under her leadership.

However, speaking exclusively to Estate Agent Today, Loporto has expressed pride in what the trade body has achieved in terms of industry standards during her term.

Loporto’s NAEA Propertymark presidency ends today and she will hand the reins to Stephen McCarron.

During her time she has helped launch the popular Women in Estate Agency Facebook group and podcast as well as introducing more qualification and training support for agents.
She revealed that it would have been nice to have seen the ROPA rules come in under her watch.

Loporto said: “Coming from Malta, where agency is quite a well-regarded profession, I moved here and had to adapt to people being embarrassed to saying they were an estate agent.

“I wanted to make a difference.

“ROPA rules could have inspired more people to start their journey, but while it seemed imminent a couple of years ago, it now appears to be further down the line.

“It is a massive piece of the puzzle for people to be qualified and be a trusted adviser and to do the industry proud.”

Despite the lack of timings on ROPA-related legislation, Loporto said she is proud to have helped improve the qualifications journey within Propertymark.

She said: “When I started my studies it was a dry book, now we offer more support, video tutorials courses for level 4 and mock exams with answers.

“It seems basic but it takes the pressure of the unknown out of the equation.”

Loporto said she will continue working with and supporting NAEA Propertymark and will also focus on building her own agency and the Women in Estate Agency group, which will include a national conference.