REsidEnTiallettings
Madness, madness
possibility may be – I have to admit to Q And finally? prepare us for when, and not if, market
dismissing ‘long shot’ leads as an employee. Go for it! Its a big step but well worth it if conditions improved.
Winning those ‘long shots’ when you are in you build on a solid foundation.
competition with major corporate agents is Q You’ve certainly made it stick.
immensely fulfilling. And in sAles… What is the secret of your success?
“It is not all beer and skittles though. An Marie: “We believe we offer a first class
employee of an established firm has a Housesetc already has a successful office, service to property buyers and sellers, our
degree of comfort. but very little real operated in conjunction with property superb website carries lots of testimonials
control over their own destiny regardless of management company Link Agency. Now from previously satisfied clients, some of
how hard you work. they are opening a second office in Selby. whom have even become friends.”
“Having a well established professional Having opened their Goole sales office Phil: “We have achieved a solid base and
firm that mirrors your own standards as a in February 2008, in the biggest and most Selby is a very exciting venture for us,
partner is the best of both worlds.” damaging property crash in living made more so because of our partnership
memory, they are clearly doing something with Housesetc. The success of Link
Q Were there frustrations then, in right. We spoke to Houseetc Directors Agency is in the people that we employ.
your former role? David Leake and Marie Leake and Phil “Our teams are trained in the systems
A “Working as a letting agent in a Jones of Link Agency who all, like David and processes required to run an efficient
predominantly sales based firm can have McMaster, were told they must be mad. lettings business, we are also very much up
its frustrations. Obviously this varies from to date on all legal aspects of property
firm to firm but lettings is invariably the Q You’ve opened a new branch in rental and investment as well as collection
poor relation”. slap bang in the middle of a procedures and rights of tenure.
“I have worked for small and medium property crash. Are you mad? “We are delighted with the response that
sized firms and corporates but I have only our Selby business is getting already and
been comfortable working for specialist David: People said we were mad to open we look forward to serving the people of
letting firms. when we did, but we saw it differently. We Selby for many years to come”.
“Making the choice to join forces with a knew that if we could survive in the
lettings specialist of Jordan’s calibre was tougher market conditions we would thrive www.jordansrentals.com
easy and far outshone the three other as our business would be leaner and www.housesetc.co.uk
offers on the table. Working with people meaner than most and it would better www.linkagency.co.uk
who know and understand every aspect of
the industry is a pleasure and very good for
the soul.”
Q What advice would you give to
those considering the leap?
A “Firstly is there enough new business in
your chosen location? You can be the best
letting agent on the planet but unless a
landlord has a very good reason to leave
their agent they stay put. Landlords to
whom you gave such good service don’t
necessarily stampede into your new office!
“Secondly, choose the right partner. If
you have investment from someone make
sure they understand that it will be a while
before that investment starts paying back.
Very few cold start letting offices break
even let alone reach profit in the first 12
months. That can be along time for
someone who does not understand the
nature of lettings and can put a massive
strain on a business relationship.
“Thirdly a good infrastructure is a huge
If we could survive in the tougher market
benefit. Accounts, marketing, IT are all
complex – if you can plug into existing
conditions we would thrive, as our business
departments you save a huge amount of
time, effort and expense.
would be leaner and meaner than most and
“As for daily operational organisation, if
you have the confidence and drive to set up
it would better prepare us for when, not if,
your own firm then you probably have all
the know-how you need.
market conditions improved.’
PROPERTYdrum JULY-AUGUST 2009 55
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