Estate Agent Talk
Why invest in property?
Steadily, but assuredly, the economy has moved into a new cycle. Gone are the years of decline and stagnation and, in their place is a period of consistent economic growth, falling unemployment and, at last, wages increasing in real terms. A good time to invest then, but what should you invest in to best secure…
Will online agents take over the world of estate / lettings agents?
Be honest, nobody really knows the right answer, nobody knows exactly what will happen, nobody, not even EasyProp, eMoov or House Simple with their millions can produce the future they want, on demand. Now I know some people are better at speculating than others … but not by much. The people who are supposed to…
Christopher Watkin
Property Managers: How much more are you expected to do?
The goalposts have shifted. An influx on new lettings laws introduced this October mean the role and remit of a property manager has changed yet again. While the Government want to make life for tenants and landlords more transparent, it becomes murkier and more complex for property managers. Even more rules to abide by and…
ARPM
There is No ‘Perfect Deal’ for the Investor Who Waits.
If you keep waiting for a great deal to come your way then you are in the wrong job. Most Estate Agents commercial property gets picked up by proactive investors who have the guts to act upon their market knowledge and are willing to take risks. And while you are waiting for that great money…
Congratulations! Your office just lost you an instruction!
If you’re like most HS agents, you probably have an expensive fascia and window display. And maybe some very expensive shop fitting? After all, the office is a major window to the world and your prime ‘fixed asset’- it’s advertising and marketing that promotes your brand and company image 24/ 7. As the nights draw…
10 ways to beat the bigger agents in your town
Here is a straightforward and easy marketing strategy for the smaller letting and estate agents, trying to compete in a town, full of big corporate or well established (but lazy) independents Treat your client like they were the only client in the world Care … and mean it Be flexible … rules are meant to…
Christopher Watkin
Rightmove Adverts to be banned?
Under the Deregulation Bill 2015, the Government slipped in a little piece of legislation that will affect many estate and letting agents up and down the UK. The ramifications will drive a wooden steak through the heart of many agents, leading some commentators to say it was introduced as a vote winner in time for…
Christopher Watkin
Let’s discuss Estate Agent fees…
Why is it that estate agency fees vary? Why is it that some estate agents charge more than others? Why, when you call to ask what they charge, do you feel like they avoid your answer, making it feel like you are literally going around the houses to get your answer? It really shouldn’t be…
Most letting & estate agents would love to ditch the whole social media thing
I suspect that deep down inside, if given the choice most letting and estate agents would love to ditch the whole social media thing and just go for the kill because the social media and engaging with potential clients is hard and takes too much time. We live in a society with a mindset of…
Christopher Watkin
Social Media should be as cheap as chips.
The topic of Social Media is becoming less and less of a mystery as it becomes more and more accessible to the majority of people and as the platforms evolve themselves, it becomes easier and easier to use. When the likes of Twitter or Periscope etc first released, news and information about them may have…
Christopher Walkey
What’s the value of your agency’s reputation?
It’s been said that your reputation is what people say about you when you are NOT there. Nowhere is this more true than on the internet. Having worked in crisis management PR and also being on the other side of the fence as a prying, mischief making journalist I know how things can turn out…
7 TIPS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND COMPANY PROFIT.
Converting viewings to valuations – This is the most classic and essential trick in the book as far as increasing productivity and profits goes, you have to ensure that your staff are seeing every opportunity to create a market appraisal BEFORE they take the client out for viewings. This can be done with basic pre…
A property guide for first time buyers.
Are you finally taking the steps to buy your first home? I know it seems scary now but if you follow our guide, securing your first home will be a breeze. Keep the faith There is no escaping the fact that the chill of austerity has discouraged first time buyers from stepping onto the property…
When there’s nothing else to give – what do you give?
Here’s a scenario that’s repeated every week, if not every day, in every office across the land. It will certainly sound familiar…. You’ve been round to value a potential client’s home. Your agency and others. It went well and you established a great rapport. You feel confident. The next day, My & Mrs Vendor have…
Why aren’t people using your lettings or estate agency?
Time or Money … which is the most valuable? Some say time is lot more valuable than money because once it’s gone, it’s gone ..you can’t get it back. Some say money because if you lose money, you can always get it back, which you can’t with time .. wasted time can never be recovered….
Christopher Watkin