I’m thinking of starting an Estate Agency
I’m thinking of starting an Estate Agency
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Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,803 posts

190 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
I was actually going to post in photography but the forum isn’t as active.

I’m negotiating on some property abroad at present and am struck at the general level of incompetence, it’s got me thinking I could do better.

First off it’s Africa so I accept the market isn’t as well developed as here. The big international agents such as Savills, Knight Frank are there but they focus on marketing governors mansions to wealthy foreigners.

I’m trying to get some sense of the local agents who essentially are tiny enterprises that take pictures and post on generic websites communicating (if at all) via WhatsApp.

The pictures are dreadful, you never get a floorplan and it all seems very back of an envelope and I understand that.

My thoughts are that I could do a lot better though the market may be happy with the current status quo.

If I had a stab at it what would people recommend? Is there a software package available? What kind of camera would I use?

I’m a management consultant so part of me wants to coach others in how to improve but to do that with integrity I’d need to show some results.

Has anyone any experience of similar or starting a business abroad where they think they can add value?

Thanks

anonymous-user

71 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
Surely you would try to start the local Rightmove and charge the local agents to use it, along with coaching & other advert production services (at a fee)?

Simpo Two

89,526 posts

282 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
Why would you put this on the Photo forum?

Thankyou4calling

Original Poster:

10,803 posts

190 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
Good question. I was originally just going to ask for a recommendation of a decent camera to get quality shots, maybe a wide angle lens etc then thought I’d go for the full topic.

With ref to Rightmove equivalents my research leads me to 2 such sites where agents post so I’m not looking to launch a competitive website but either help existing agents or start up as one.

Simpo Two

89,526 posts

282 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
Aha. I think the photos are the least of your challenges!

I know nothing of estate agency but I think you have to decide what you're going to do now - either grasp the nettle and do it yourself, or stay in your comfort zone and give existing ones advice (assuming they want any!).

InitialDave

13,606 posts

136 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
Simpo asked a question at 19:26, and you responded at 19:43, only 17 minutes.

You have absolutely no place being an estate agent until you can get your minimum response time for a simple query increased to a week, and needing at least two chase up messages.

Simpo Two

89,526 posts

282 months

Thursday 31st December 2020
quotequote all
rofl

This is his USP - good service!

Think how rich he'll be if he can sell a house every 17 minutes...