Starting up as an Estate Agent (Franchise)

[steve23]

Hi all,

I'm seriously considering starting up as an estate agent via a Ewemove franchise (what they call the hybrid model - no high street office but big online yet face to face service etc).

I have no estate agency background I should have but am strong when it comes to 'selling things'

I know that the industry has its up and downs but just wanted to post here about it incase anyone had any input that I may have missed !

All the best

Steve

 

[tiddler]

Hi Steve

I was a recruiter for the estate agency sector and will tell you the sort of feedback I got form candidates with the hybrids. Generally things star off ok but I have found that the average person lasts about 6 months before getting sick of 14-16 hour days and deciding to move back into high street branch agency (not had dealings with a candidate who didn't have experience but know that some have come in and done well, others have returned to their original industry.

Common issues I was told about was - initial outlay from the agent to cover all their costs. The fact that they HAD to value a property even if the person wanting a price told them it was only an enquiry out of curiosity and that they were not in a position to sell (negative equity etc) so the agency had to traipse round at their own expense for something that will not come of anything. Very long hours with sometimes very little reward.

I can imagine their are many upsides but in my job, I tend to get the more negative side. One common thing I have noticed though is self employed agents with franchise hybrids tend to bounce from one hybrid to another as each has promised them the better option but most amounted to the same.

Dont let this put you off though as I am a firm believer that its the person who makes the role Best of luck if you decide to go ahead.