Agency chief claims self-employed model led to record month

A regional wing of Fine & Country has reported a record month - and puts it down to the self-employed ‘associate’ business model which the agency operates.

Fine & Country Midlands celebrated a record month in October with 59 exchanges at an average price of £914,105. 

Spread over 16 locations, Fine & Country Midlands is run by high profile agent Sean Newman.

He attributes much of his operation’s success to the absence of bureaucracy inherent in the model. 

Newman says agents can focus on listing and selling homes and do not get “side-tracked with the usual reports, meetings, administration” and are not “stuck in an office answering calls.” 

He says: “They also focus on quality not quantity and limit the number of properties they deal with so they can spend more time with each homeowner and potential buyer. They also understand the importance of property presentation, video and social media marketing to attract as many buyers as possible.”

Newman reports that the top five associates exchanged £462,612 in the month with the individual top agent - Joanna Osborne from the Sutton Coldfield office - exchanging £158,350 of that herself. 

Speaking about the attributes of makes an excellent associate, Newman says: “Our top associates have a number of attributes in common. They don’t wait for buyers; they have proactive marketing techniques and strategies to generate interest in a property. They are also committed to delivering the highest standards of customer service and have a real passion for property presentation and marketing. Associates are forward thinking, using the latest tools, technology and embrace the changing markets. They are driven, positive and full of enthusiasm.”

Nicky Stevenson, managing director of Fine & Country UK, says the Midlands offices were among the first to adopt the associate model.

“Professional, entrepreneurially-minded agents have uncapped earning potential and the flexible of working for themselves, while customers benefit from dealing with an incentivised and motivated associate, who will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome” she says.