Zoopla Buys Property Market Analyst Calcasa

UK-based Zoopla Property Group (ZPG) has acquired Netherlands-based residential property market analyst Calcasa for an initial EUR 30.0m (£26.5m).

Established in 2005, Calcasa provides an automated valuation model (AVM) and residential property statistical market analysis. Through its property database of more than ten million unique price points, the firm offers valuation and risk analysis to over 100 stakeholders in the Dutch housing market, including research companies and real estate funds, mortgage lenders, surveyors, estate agents and developers. For the year to 31st December 2016, the business generated EUR 5.0m (£4.4m) profit before tax.

Following the deal, Calcasa will continue to operate as a standalone brand and platform, led by its founders Evert Van de Wauwer and Bas Meeuwissen. Its services will be merged with ZPG's portfolio, which includes UK and Australia property market analysis site Hometrack, bringing together the firms' modelling teams and property data solutions, while enhancing ZPG's data expertise, product capabilities, and partner relationships. In addition, ZPG says the acquisition creates the largest residential property valuation database in Europe.

Commenting on the acquisition, Van de Wauwer said: 'We know the Hometrack team well and our combined data and enhanced products and services will deliver even more value to our partners. We are looking forward to helping to build on ZPG's data capabilities and further develop its international presence as the market leader for residential property data analytics'.

The deal includes a potential performance-based earn-out taking the price to EUR 50m (£44.2m).

ZPG, whose portfolio of sites includes property listing platforms Zoopla, PrimeLocation and SmartNewHomes; along with utilities comparison site uSwitch and financial services comparison web site Money, is online at: www.zpg.co.uk , while Calcasa can be found at: www.calcasa.co.uk .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.