Exclusive: ‘Realtor franchise’ scheme launched by long-standing agency

An estate agency is celebrating its 21st anniversary by launching a new ‘realtor’ franchise model based on enhanced technology and personalised service.

The north west England agency MovingWorks says its new offering to agents delivers a more tailored service for home movers, as well as greater flexibility and agility for the modern property professional.

MovingWorks’ new Property Partner franchise programme, based on the US and Australian realtor models, claims to enable self-employed professionals to benefit from the infrastructure, systems and digital solutions of an established property brand, whilst also earning from day one.

Each MovingWorks Property Partner is assigned a clearly defined sales territory with no other franchisee competing in the same area, while compliance and some other back office activities are handled by the company’s HQ. 

MovingWorks chief executive Georgina Cox says: “The traditional estate agency model just doesn’t work for home movers or property professionals any more. The future is about a more flexible and fast approach, which isn’t tied to a high street office but is instead about buyers and sellers being provided with a more personal service that provides genuine peace of mind.

“Our franchising programme is different in that we are looking for entrepreneurial, ambitious and committed individuals who know how to sell and how to provide exceptional customer service but need the back-office support, CRM and technological solutions that our head office can provide. With our suite of marketing tools, choice of selling options – which includes auction, bespoke and fixed-fee selling platform – MovingWorks can deliver the right service for the right type of clients.” 

Cox - who is opened the first MovingWorks office in the village of Longton in 2000, and is also a founder of the Love2Move online platform - continues: “We provide extensive training and ensure that all franchisees become Propertymark qualified in order to secure their affiliation with MovingWorks. 

“Once qualified, each Property Partner continues to be supported with weekly training and continuous professional development, delivered by our core team at our Longton-based headquarters.”

She says this is an opportunity to drive up agency standards as well as meet changing consumer demand - but she insists that the programme is not restricted to experienced agents.

“This means taking on talented professionals, industry and non industry, with the right mindset and transferrable skills as franchisees. Since launching our franchise programme, one of our most successful Property Partner has been an individual who has come from outside the industry – a former member of British Airways cabin crew. 

“The emphasis for MovingWorks is not on career background but on the talent and qualities of an individual. Ultimately, we want home movers to look at their MovingWorks Property Partner as a trusted advisor who is there to support them every step of the way to make their sale smooth and stress-free.”