 |
| Smaller can be beautiful |
I find that I am now in good company, as a local paper has now published an advertorial article (some writing, which is in fact a paid advertisement) written along the same lines by a reputable big chain.
In estate agency, to use an old phrase, size isn't everything. There really isn't a great gap between what a smaller estate agency and what a regional or national chain can offer. All three pretty much advertise in the same way, through online property portals, and in one or more local newspaper and sometimes in magazines, and use flyers and a few other approaches.
We know that we cannot rely on gaining customers simply because we have branches everywhere, so we are driven by our values to stand out for our passion, our professionalism, our friendliness, and our determination to be innovative. We have outstanding local knowledge and contacts, and get on our bikes and get out there and talk to people locally to continually learn local "market conditions" and information of value to our clients. We take our time to work for our clients, even starting before they are actually clients. Some agents, strangely, claim to be able to value a home in just a few minutes. We know that clients deserve proper attention and respect and we take whatever time the home needs, at the very least thirty minutes at the property to learn about it and the seller. In fact, we only do that after we've done some research before we come out.
All this does make us stand out from many other estate agents, of all sizes. We have enjoyed a very successful period over the last fifteen months. Our diary pages are full and the phone is continuously buzzing.
So, if you are thinking about moving home - selling, buying, or renting -, talk to us first, because, big dog or not, we're worth talking to.
Sam Samuel, MNAEA CRLM, April 2013
