High street shop or online estate agent?

Many clients are reassured by the implied stability and permanence of a high street shop whilst just as many are drawn by the much cheaper online alternative. But why is it a choice of one thing or the other?
I worked in conventional estate agents shops for 20 years; I now work from ‘serviced offices’ in central Bath, advertising heavily both online and in the local press.

Was I apprehensive not having a shop? Certainly I was, but 18 months of client testimonials suggest that my apprehension was misplaced.

Unsurprisingly the key is pro-activity (it usually is) like all self employed business people I make and receive the majority of my calls ‘on the road’. My business is wherever I am. I arrange meetings and reviews with clients at their own homes or venues convenient to their workplace. A smart phone plus a laptop with dongle ensure all messages and emails are forwarded to me directly, to be managed accordingly. This approach certainly requires a ‘more out of hours’ mentality driven as it is by client availability. Overall it is a small price to pay, especially for the ‘added value’ most clients feel it brings to the service.

And so ...

Do I still want a high street shop with my name emblazoned above the door?
Perhaps I still do....
But honestly, is this for my own self satisfaction or is it to give better service to my clients?

At the moment, I prefer a flexible diary, more time and money to promote clients’ properties and to keep my service, direct, undiluted and utterly personal.
In our customers’ eyes, the value of our service is about pro-activity, results and personal representation and accountability, it is not about our retail style and its location, whether virtual or otherwise.

To read our customer testimonials go to: www.timbennettandassociates.co.uk/testimonials