As I mentioned in my recent post about Amazons’ entrance into real estate, it really is a lot more than just taking a few pictures and putting a home online.

Just as one wouldn’t try to be their own doctor or lawyer, one should always at least get some advice from a professional.

Purplebricks, a British-based online real estate service that marketed itself as a disrupter of the traditional home-sale process, is ending its United States business after less than two years.

The company, which was founded in the United Kingdom in 2014, announced earlier this month that it was leaving the American market. When it started its American operations in September 2017, it said that Southern California would be its prime target.

Purplebricks informed the California Employment Development Department in a July 12 letter that the company would close its offices on Spectrum Center Drive in Irvine by Sept, 13. Fifth-five employees there and 68 additional people, referred to as “independent sales agents,” will be let go by the closure date.A company official, who co-signed the notification letter to the state, declined to comment on the situation.

The shutdown of all American operations is expected to be completed by the end of the year.  Earlier this year, Purplebricks also announced it was leaving Australia’s real estate market and would focus on only the UK and Canada.

“The problem is, you attract Realtors that are not of the highest caliber,”  Drake said. “A lot of people think it’s easy to sell real estate, that you just put up a sign, take photos and put them online. A good agent has relationships in the industry and knows the process.

Source: Online real estate firm Purplebricks leaving the United States