Market Focus Safe as A
lthough the news headlines maintain a downbeat outlook when it comes to economic recovery, there are still relatively safe areas
in which to invest – including property. Halifax recently announced that, despite the weakness of the economy, there is “broad stability” across the housing market. After all, people will always need a roof over their heads.
Martin Ellis, housing economist at Halifax, reported that: “The modest improvement in consumer confidence in the outlook for house prices reflects the resilience of the UK housing market over recent months in the face of a weak economic recovery and the deterioration in the outlook for both the UK and global economies. “Looking forward, we currently expect
broad stability in house prices in 2012.” The lettings market is booming, with the number of renting tenants doubling in the past decade, from 11 per cent of residential properties to 17 per cent. These figures are expected to increase to 20 per cent by 2015. With this in mind, and with many people either being made redundant or finding themselves in increasingly insecure positions, taking out a franchise in such a booming market is seen as a fail-safe way to ensure a regular income and a fruitful retirement.
Plus, as a property franchise is considered by banks to be the ideal low- risk way of starting your own business, you can hit the ground running whilst supported by experienced people. Tania Judge, marketing manager for Franchise Link, a franchise marketing specialist, says: “With the increase in people being made redundant, starting a property management franchise is a great opportunity to start your own business, particularly as it requires a relatively low initial investment.” We look at three property franchisees at various stages in their careers – and why they believe they are in the right business.
Belvoir Lettings
With the property market still seen as a safe bet in a recession, estate- agency franchises are rising in popularity. Rhian Morgan reports
houses
than a decade. He explains how good business skills and decent values have ensured his success in this competitive market.
How did you get involved with Belvoir? I was a self-employed consultant in a family food-commodities business but, after a management buyout, I decided I didn’t want to join the new team. I wanted to work in a growing industry and franchising came to mind because you receive lots of support. Plus I liked the estate agency and lettings business and saw a future in it. Out of all the property franchise groups I saw, Belvoir seemed the most ethical and professional. I set up an interview with owner Mike Goddard and found he shared some of my commercial experience and he valued mine, was open and honest, and was committed to a company that was growing.
bfa Franchisee of the Year Terry Lucking, 53, has run two award- winning property franchises in Peterborough and Cambridge for more
Was it easy to set up your franchise? I worked from home for about a year and, as I’m a naturally driven person, I built volume as quickly as I could, and was creative in building networks. I never took no for an answer. After all, I didn’t want to buy a job, I wanted a business. Yet all this was quite normal to me. The only occasional inconvenience I experienced was the unreliability of prospective tenants who didn’t turn up for appointments. But it was mainly straightforward common sense.
April 2012 |
Businessfranchise.com | 57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158