Advice and guidance on becoming a letting agent

[cherry_tree]

Dear Friends,

I would like to start a letting agency on a part-time basis. There are several doubts I have though in my mind. I came across a course offered by South Court. I am wondering if anyone has found this useful. It seems a good package considering the price, but then I am not sure. Also I have heard of courses by ARLA and NAEA, and I am not sure which is better.

I would be grateful to hear from people who have recently started a similar venture and also from people who are experienced in this business.

[P.Pilcher]

I answered a similar query a week or so ago and this was followed by several other excellent replies. I'm sure the search engine wil throw it up.

P.P.

[Energise]

Here are a few threads that mention the Southcourt package.

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/search.php?searchid=44587

[Jonboy]

having been a letting agent who didn't buy southcourt, i can't really comment on ita content other than to say i can't believe that it contains any more knowledge about letting than is allready freely/cheaply avaiable, through a few books at about £7-25 each, talking to other agents, the trade press, online forums/websites and 'arla/nals type associations. actually as much as i didn't like dealing with homlet the first rep that came to see me was a mine of information!

i have a few 'golden secrets' but these were learnt through being in the business.

good luck with your new venture

[Deborah Wright]

Hi,

I am in the process of setting up as a letting agent. I have, after some deliberation purchased the Southcourt Pack. I have found it invaluable and am pleased that I took the plunge and purchased. Setting up and agency, I must admit is a lot harder than expected. Such a lot of things to sort out, bank accounts, letterheads, marketing, website..... all these things take time and commitment. I am glad that I have the helping hand of the Southcourt pack and Landlord Zone. Thanks all......

I am also on a part-time basis at the moment. With the hope that I will be able to be full time in the future. Holding down a full time job and the agency will be quite demanding, but I am determined to make it work.

Good Luck

[busla]

Hi

I am interested in buying this package and would like to know from someone that has purchased it about :-

- how many propertys can be put on your website, if it is limited can this be upgraded? if so how much does it cost

- and also the software for rentals, is this limited in the amount of propertys you can use with it? do you need to upgrade this too? how much does that cost?

- is there any information on selling property and can this be done with the southcourt package.or can you recommend anything else

thanks

[missjules]

I set up an agency ealier this year.Its a full time job for me and If i am to grow anymore will have to get staff and premises.

I didnt buy southcourt but decided to buy a domain name(related to lettings obviously) and this points to rightmove.Therefore I didnt have to pay huge internet website set up & maintenance costs.I pay them £115pcm to rent a page about us and advertise as many properties as I want on the biggest property website.

I luckily got a call from a Property Investment Club and since then they have passed my number onto numerous other landlords.The properties are all new build flats which you would think would be easy to manage but there are so many snagging problems its hard keeping on top of them. I have found it difficult to break into the local housing market without having a shop so thats my next step. Once i have enough cash flow from the new builds(currently collecting rents of £9000pm will most likely look for a commercial property to buy.