The 'R' word and the (un)happy land of Estate Agency

Rrrrrr. Rrrrrr. I can't say it! Maybe if I say it quickly, then maybe it won't sound so bad....recession. For us anyway things aren't so bad, there's no denying its tough going and there are agents all across London in a bit of a panic and some have already folded.

Now depending on your view of estate agents you might think that this a good thing! And perhaps it is. Almost anyone can open up and trade, and many of the less well to do agents have gone South, which is actually a good thing for any prospective tenant and landlord as they can pretty much expect a better degree of professionalism.

However, agents that have traditionally done sales are desperately trying to join the lettings party even though they have about zero experience in it. My case in point, is that I was driving through a London High Street, and as I do, I have a look at every agent along the way to see what they are doing. One large corporate was now doing lettings and they had a big branded poster taking up a whole window and it had a words "come in and find out why our landlords are so happy with us". I almost wet myself. They had been doing lettings for approximately 5 minutes.

Anyone who knows me knows I am anti corporate. Mainly because there's a marketing machine somewhere in the business peddling a load of rubbish at the unsuspecting public, who, to them, are nothing more than a figure on a sales sheet. Better in my opinion, to choose a smart independent that actually wants your business...I mean really appreciates it. An independent is hungry and motivated rather than a corporate that's targeted by a board of directors whom live in a candyfloss castle and rule by fear.

Although I've come off the point a little, recession and credit crunch are just words, and yes, it is difficult out there, but you have to push those words aside and remain focused on your objective.

It's too easy to give up on the things that are hard to accomplish. The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. Hard work comes first. Success later...