How can I become a Belvoir Franchise owner?

Les Marratt, from our Belvoir Sutton Coldfield office, talks about why he joined Belvoir as a franchisee (3 mins 30 secs)

There are seven simple steps to becoming a Belvoir Franchise Owner…

 Step One: DO YOUR HOMEWORK

At Belvoir, we really want you to do you homework about us. This can be done a number of ways. Firstly, may we suggest you have a look around this website? (the grey box above this text has six pages of information). There is also the news, testimonials and useful links sections at the top of the page). We also have our own Belvoir Franchise TV channel, which can be acccessed from the Home Page.

To start the process, We can send to you in the post our INFO PACK containing our full and extensive brochure on franchising with Belvoir, case study information and our recent Awards Brochure. The INFO PACK is totally free and without obligation. To receive an INFO PACK, either Click on the ‘Send me an Info pack’ in the top right hand corner of this screen, or ring Sarah or Christopher on 01476 570000. Again, we would stress, there is no cost or commitment to receiving the Info Pack.

Whilst you wait for the INFO PACK to come in the post, here is our mini brochure which you can download by clicking on this Mini Brochure link

After receiving the INFO PACK in the post, Sarah and Christopher will able to furnish you with some maps of your town or county of the UK and ascertain if there is a potential territory. However, for ease, we have carried out our own research and these are the towns and suburbs that we believe have potential for a Belvoir franchise .. CLICK ON THE MAPS BELOW FOR YOUR PART OF THE UK

 Click on any of the maps for the available territories in your chosen area

So now you have the info pack, you are interested and want to find out more about becoming a letting agent, what next? You have a number of options....

Firstly, we would also suggest you to speak to any of our franchisees (we are happy for you to speak to any of them – we have nothing to hide).

If you arent ready for Stage Two (a visit to Grantham for a Discovery Day), then every month we have our free Open Evenings that we hold across the Country. These are normally held in a nice hotel in the evening, whereby in the company of other potential franchisees, we will give you a small presentation about the pros and cons of franchising, the funding of franchising with the Banks and Belvoir itself. Click on the Events tab at the top of the screen for details of up and coming Seminars.

However, if you are ready for Stage Two you dont want to wait for the Open Evening, then the next step would be for us to organise for you to come and see us at Central Office in Grantham on one of our Discovery Days.

Step Two: VISIT TO GRANTHAM CENTRAL OFFICE - FREE DISCOVERY DAY

The Discovery Day in Grantham is an informal chat about the pros and cons of franchising, cash flows, what makes a good territory, Belvoir itself and a chance to have all your questions answered and introduce you to the Belvoir team.

Again, there is no cost or commitment to coming to see us in Grantham. After the Discovery Day, we would encourage you to go away and think about it. Again, we would also suggest you to speak to any of our franchisees.

If after reflection you decide you want to look into franchising with Belvoir, we go onto the next step of Guided Research.

Step Three: GUIDED RESEARCH

Together, we have to ensure there is a suitable market place for a Belvoir Lettings in your proposed area. Therefore, between us, we must carry out some Guided Research of your chosen area. This means ensuring there are enough rental properties to go at , the average rents and what the other competiting agents are charging. We then put those numbers in to a proposed profit and loss / cash flow to see if the numbers  stack up (don’t worry – we will guide you through every stage if Accounts are your thing!).

The Guided Research will take you about 10 to 15 hours in front of a Computer to research and type and depending on your territory, and an additional 2 full days practical research, visiting agents to ascertain rents and fees.

It would also be a good idea to start to talk to the franchise departments of the big banks (Sarah can give you some telephone numbers) for you to get an idea on what the funding costs might be, if you need to borrow some money.

It would also be wise to seek independent legal advice from a franchise solicitor (dont worry - the bfa have a list of specialist franchise solicitors around the UK that Sarah can give you) to examine your franchise agreement (a draft of which would be sent at the appropriate time).

Again, there is no cost or commitment to completing the Research apart from your time.

Step Four: RESEARCH VISIT DAY

Once you have completed your Guided Research, we would arrange a time to visit you in your chosen area and complete a research visit day with a Ian Maclean, our Head of Franchise Support. He will review the Research to ensure it all stacks up.

Again, there is no cost or commitment to the Research Visit Day

Step Five: FORMAL OFFER

If Ian Maclean is happy with the research, you will receive a formal offer of a Belvoir Franchise.

Only if you accept at this point, does a deposit of £3,000 + VAT need to paid and legal commitment made.

Step Six: THREE WEEK TRAINING COURSE

Two weeks before the course, the remainder of the franchise fee is paid (£22,500 less £3000 = £19,500 + VAT) Commence your three-week residential training course. They take place on a Monday to Friday, so you can go home at the weekends!

These are the dates for our up and coming courses –

Spring Induction course - w/c 14^th May 2012

Summer Induction course – w/c 6^th August 2012

Autumn Induction course – w/c 5^th November 2012

Step Seven: READY TO LAUNCH

Be amazed at the transformation of your premises as they receive the Belvoir branding treatment that will help to set you apart from your competitors.

You are now ready to launch!