Matt & Neil Baldock, Directors of Charles David Casson
Welcome to The Residential Mortgage Hub‘s ‘Spotlight Series’.
Each instalment focuses on one of our fantastic estate agent introducers, we ask them some of your burning questions about the property market, their practices and advice.
This Spotlight article we’re featuring Matt Baldock, Director of Charles David Casson based in Chelmsford, Essex. Charles David Casson are members of The Federation of Independent Estate Agents.
What set’s Charles David Casson apart from other estate agents?
Aside from being ran by two handsome brothers? Aside from the cliché answers of ‘we provide the best service’ etc I think it’s that we genuinely care about the client as a person rather than just a target to hit. We recognise that Estate Agency is about people as much as property and we look to help our clients with whatever we can to get them to the next stage in their life journey as opposed to being simply transactional. Myself and my brother have also lived in Chelmsford all our lives so have that hyper local knowledge to truly promote our area to the many buyers coming out of London
What do you think the future holds for the property market?
I’m fairly optimistic. We like owning houses in this country and I can’t see that changing. Prices will go up and down but I’ve worked and survived the 2008 banking crisis and a 2020 global pandemic so I think we are well placed to advise our clients in any scenario.
What advice would you give to a new landlord?
Remember the property you are buying is an investment and not your home so take the emotion out of the buying process. Also that property management is about so much more than fixing leaky taps, the legislation is constantly changing and there can be quite big consequences to getting it wrong. I think a good managing agent is much more of an investment than a cost.
What advice would you give to an Estate Agent that’s thinking of offering a lettings and property management service?
Lettings – do it! Property management let us do it for you haha. In all seriousness the amount of agents not getting the benefit from lettings does worry me. It’s the part that adds most value to your company and brings guaranteed monthly income which can be your safety net if the sales market has issues. The actual property management is the main reason most agents don’t do it which is why we offer to partner with firms to do it for them. Property management has to be done properly as it can cause big problems but we are very good at it and we like doing it.
The number of people that have gone self-employed has risen, what advice would you give to an estate agent who is looking to go to at it alone?
Firstly there is a massive difference between being a good agent and being a business owner and it’s a big shock for a lot of us that start our own firms. If looking to work under an ‘umbrella company’ then work out what it really is you need and want from that company. The great news for agents at the moment is that there is so much choice out there from cheap and cheerful simply offering portal access, to companies offering full training and support. My main piece of advice for anyone, regardless of how it’s branded up is to chase your good reputation rather than the quick pound note. If you lose a deal you can win another. If you lose your good reputation then it’s very hard to get back.
What advantages are there to becoming a property partner and joining Charles David Casson?
Number one is we want to see our Partners do well for the good of them and the industry not just to make us some money. My partners can have complete confidence that we will do all we can to help them succeed for their benefit before ours.
I also think a huge bonus has to be that we are still a fully functioning agency ourselves as opposed to simply being an umbrella company. If I earn from it in my business then I show them how to earn from it in theirs, plus I can genuinely understand their emotions through the good and bad times as we are living it ourselves.
Lastly I’m really proud of our lettings offering. Our partners can earn a monthly income and build a lettings business they can one day sell without doing any of the management as we take care of all of that for them.
Why do we recommend Charles David Casson?
We recommend our customers that live local to their office regularly as they’re committed to delivering the highest of standards throughout the sales and lettings process. The training and support that they offer their staff is exceptional and they operate with the latest technology, which helps their estate agency partners compete with the very best in the industry. We would highly recommend that you contact Matt, Neil or their team if you are an estate agent that’s considering going solo or are simply looking to sell or let your property.
Get in contact with Charles David Casson today:
Tel: 01245 835 859
Email: matt@charlesdavidcasson.co.uk
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