Design your dream Estate Agency.

Estate_Agent

Thanks RLM.

Being in my (very) early 30's and married to a doctor, your scenario rings painfully true when I was a FTB.

I don't judge people by the way they dress or the age they are. Unless it is my old, unkempt father-in-law!

tootsmyboots

I would like it if all rooms, bar maybe the downstairs cloakroom had pictures on the details. I am always suspicious if there are hardly any photos. It would save a lot of wasted time viewing the wrong houses if this were the case in my experience. I know some would say then there is no surprise when you go and look, but I would rather get a full look at the whole house before viewing to see it in person.

MissMotivation

tootsmyboots wrote: »

I would like it if all rooms, bar maybe the downstairs cloakroom had pictures on the details. I am always suspicious if there are hardly any photos. It would save a lot of wasted time viewing the wrong houses if this were the case in my experience. I know some would say then there is no surprise when you go and look, but I would rather get a full look at the whole house before viewing to see it in person.

I will never understand why some agents only take photos of the main living areas!?! There is one agent who is well known for only ever having a front photo and maybe one of the kitchen or bathroom, god knows how he still gets instructions!

scooter_chick

tootsmyboots wrote: »

I would like it if all rooms, bar maybe the downstairs cloakroom had pictures on the details. I am always suspicious if there are hardly any photos. It would save a lot of wasted time viewing the wrong houses if this were the case in my experience. I know some would say then there is no surprise when you go and look, but I would rather get a full look at the whole house before viewing to see it in person.

And floorplans. To me that's sooo important in deciding what to view. And in picking an agent to sell with - I would never sell through one that didn't do a floorplan.

Estate_Agent

Lots of photo's. We have 8-9 per property. This something I can definitley improve.

Errata

If a property hasn't got a garage/drive/parking/garden, say so, don't just not happen to mention it.

Estate_Agent

I'm told floorplans are expensive and slow down the process of getting the house onto RM. Not sure if this is wholly true, but I like the idea and will try and incorporate it.

adg1

Estate_Agent wrote: »

Wow. Thanks so far. Some of you really don't like estate agents do you?

I think people have a perception of estate agents that leads them to react in a certain way. Unfortunately there are a lot of useless/unscrupulous agents out there that tarnish the rest with a bad reputation.

Estate_Agent wrote: »

At 1.2% we can't provide professional photography.

To me, that is part of the service. Why not offer the same level of service for ALL the properties you sell? Each one gets professional photography, maps, floorplans, local info etc.

I don't get this tiered service - people who can't afford to pay the extra % have to suffer a lower service level for the company they employ to sell their house. Also, I'm sure professional photography doesn't cost £450+. At that rate, I'll come and take your photos (Maths moment £150K house sold at 1.2% = £1800 fee versus £150K house sold at 1.5% = £2250 fee). Its a great to offer every house the same level of service whether its a million pound mansion or a garage as it will mean you appeal to all areas of the market, not just one end or the other.

Estate_Agent wrote: »

We will be doing a moving box for sellers and buyers stocked with tea-bags to binliners for the first day in the house.

The costs! Think of the costs man! Your a business not a charity.

Estate_Agent wrote: »

I'd like to look at sponsoring a charity for every sale.

Why not sponsor the local schools fetes/summer/christmas fairs etc. Get the info on your For Sale boards all over the local area.

Estate_Agent wrote: »

I'm told floorplans are expensive and slow down the process of getting the house onto RM. Not sure if this is wholly true, but I like the idea and will try and incorporate it.

Floorplans are a MUST in my opinion. Teach someone to use a tape measure and CAD. This could be the same person you employ to take your professional photographs. RM can put basic details on their site and link to your own site that hosts the floorplans for the rest of the details.

Leaflets, newspaper advertising, special introductory offers on new instructions. That stuff will get you noticed. And boards. Get some instructions and some sold boards around the area. People will start to come to you if you have a presence in their street.

tootsmyboots

do you know what, i have just pondered longer on photos and my advice is this: take honest photos. I have seen some pics that take it at an angle to hide/obscure something. Now googlestreet view is on RM, it seems pointless to try to hide shared driveways, double yellows, tatty car next door, bus stop outside.

And another thing: floor plans and room dimensions are great, but wouldnt it be nice to have a garden size. It only ever gets mentioned if it is a paddock/meadow/football pitch sized garden. I was looking for a family home and a decent sized garden was important to me.

Estate_Agent

Garden size I'd forgotten about but agree with.

Professional photography is £150+vat.

The tiering is to give choice to the consumer. If we advertise at 1.2%, I expect most people will 'trade up' to the other package. It very much is a foot in the door advertising campaign, but it does give a choice that other agents give. We will also be paying for enhanced listings and more paper press advertising at 1.5%

We won't be paying for the box. All the products are shelf-size branded products that the original manufacturer pays for. They pay for it, we get the kudos.