People will often go into an estate agent and ask about lettings only to be turned away because they only deal in sales. Arranging a reciprocal agreement with a high street agency that they will send you clients they can't help if you do the same can be very handy for business.
You might also be able to advertise in their publication thus gaining access to a high street clientele without the expense of high street premises.
Recommendations and word of mouth are the best free advertising you can get particularly when trying to get new landlords on your books. Keep them happy and build up a good relationship with them. Happy landlords and tenants will tell their friends and families what a great agent you are and recommend your services.
Keep in touch with both landlords and tenants on a regular basis. This means giving progress reports to landlords and arranging with the tenants to visit the property regularly. One franchisee visits properties once a quarter to check everything is all right with the house and its occupants.
Sending Christmas cards and reasonably regular letters could be a good way of keeping you at the forefront of their minds. You don't want to be constantly on their backs but it is important to make sure that everyone's needs - yours included - are being serviced.
The property market isn't just about having a liking for nosing around houses you will need to build up knowledge of the industry. But your own instincts are your most important attributes.
If you judge each property on whether you would like to live in it yourself, you should steer clear of taking on dud premises and make an effective salesman to potential tenants. Which will hopefully leave you home and dry.
