Life as a self employed estate agent.

On the 18th September 2019 I took the plunge into the world of the self employed agent. Somewhere I had never stepped before and somewhere I was fearful of. The waters were murky but I could see something sparkling deep down and there was just enough intrigue for me to dive in and find out what it was even though i’m not a confident swimmer !

The initial highs were emotional beyond belief. First board up brought tears and the first viewing a fist pump. Cue the first offer, deal, exchange and completion within 31 days !
This was dreamland stuff I thought.

It got tougher after my initial instructions were sold as I had to now generate fresh business.
Social media was the focus and I hit it 3/4 times a day every day in order to build up a community following.
Networking was next along with some direct mail and things started to happen.
Another completion or two and although not breaking the bank things were steady.

We hit Christmas and some anxiety kicked in. Will this really work ?
Will I keep getting new business ?
Will I sell this one and that one ?
Why did they choose that awful chap to sell their house ?

After some group hugs from my fellow eXpers and some home support I snapped out of my lull and it was back on with the Journey.

Then came the doubters and negative bystanders . It will never work ! How are you going to do this and that ? Well thanks to those people mainly in our beloved industry I’m now stronger and they helped wipe away that self doubt and spur me on.

So now there’s momentum and bang ! Covid !

The tears are back as I’m now up the creak with an iffy paddle and the worlds gone mad !

Well again I cried for a few days and then finally realised this was actually going to be an opportunity for me .

I then spent months on the phone drumming up business and keeping my existing business and again hitting social media to the max. I even sang around 30 songs on Facebook to entertain the community and shaved my hair off to raise £500 for the NHS.

Lockdown was precious and focussed me on my grand plan.

Cherish my family more
Work smarter
Chill out
Just be me
And make more money !!!

Since emerging from our property lockdown in May life has been umbelievable.

All my previous hard work started to pay off and people started approaching me daily. No advertising and no hunting just good old agent of attraction scenarios.

Recommendations and referrals have been flooding in and I have built a pipeline that is beyond what my expectations were.

August saw 7 sales agreed and for a one man band that means a nice xmas believe me.

Now I’m settled in to this model and can only see it moving from strength to strength. I have other side hustles that also help contribute to the bread on the table and above all I am so so happy without any anxiety or stress.

I am no longer chained to a desk or phone and working my arse off for someone else’s gain. Don’t get me wrong I worked for good bosses and companies but when your doing it for yourself it’s exhilarating and life changing and ultimatley so many new doors open in your life.

I choose what to do with my time and where to focus my energies and the clients I work with fully embrace my model and the way I work as they realise it gives them a service well beyond the norms in our industry and an accountable, genuine and single point of contact who just wants to do right by them.

Thankyou eXp for the support and opportunity.

What a year 2020 has been and although there’s clearly been a major negative occurence it may just well have been one of the best years of my life.
Here’s to the next and the next and being a part of a new world that I can only see expanding.

Thanks for reading and I hope 2020 finishes well for you all.

All the best

Joe