How to win at property
Number of franchises: eight
Investment needed: $45,000 + GST
Australian Private Realty (APR) provides an alternative to real estate agents by helping owners to sell their properties privately. They provide all of the marketing tools used by agents including photo-board signs, brochures, newspaper advertising, letterbox drops, internet listings and an information folder as well as professional support.
"By doing it themselves, clients can save thousands of dollars in commission, so it's a business which comes into its own at, times when financial pressure starts biting into disposable income," says founder and manager Rod McShane. "The profit you make on selling your principal residence is one of the few sources of income that's tax-free, so the saving could cover stamp duty on their next home or leave them with $5000 to 10,000 less to borrow."
When McShane launched APR real estate and property franchise he had been working in real estate for five years. With five children and a wife who was also working full time, he wanted a change of lifestyle – a benefit which also appeals to franchisees.
"The business can be run from home and is flexible enough to fit in with family commitments – you can visit properties in the evening or at the weekend as well as during the day," he says.
In total, the turnaround for each listing is around four hours.
"There's an hour for the initial presentation, an hour to get all of the details and take photographs and an hour to set everything up on the internet and organise brochures, signs and advertising," says McShane. "From there everything is automated. If a customer wants another ad, say, we just email it through."
The nuts and bolts of the real estate franchise business are in the presentation itself – sitting down with potential customers and showing them exactly how the service can work for them. It doesn't include open house or inspections – the owners show people through themselves.
"We believe they're the best people to do it," says McShane. "No-one knows the features and benefits better than they do."
The basic package sells for around $1000 and the franchisee gets to keep $660 – less advertising costs, this is profit for the private property sales franchise.
"Someone working from home doesn't have to sell many packages before they start making reasonable income," says McShane. "And being paid at the start of the transaction is good for cash flow. It's very simple – that's the way I designed it to be." 13.10.2008
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Contact Australian Private Realty
Tel: 1300 882 500
Fax: 03 6231 3624
