Two former colleagues at Romans have reunited in business as an online estate agent.
Iain White, formerly managing director of Romans South, has become a non-executive director of Capital & Coastal, described as a hybrid agency dealing in waterside homes along the south coast set up by the former head of operations at Romans, Michael Riley.
The pair worked together at Romans from 1993-2007 and both have solid records in high street estate agency.
After leaving Romans, Riley joined Savills as head of residential sales before launching his own business in 2009.
In 2011, after 21 years with Romans, White moved to Countrywide as managing director of its Thames subsidiary.
Riley said of White’s appointment: “Finding a mentor/adviser that you admire and trust is difficult, but knowing you can work with that person too is virtually priceless. Iain has witnessed the expansion of Romans from a three-office operation to a multi-million pound empire.
“His branch was always the most successful year on year. That’s because regardless of his position, he remained close to ground operations, rather than succumbing to a more corporate way of thinking which can be somewhat removed from the day to day competitive nature of estate agency.”
White said: “I am extremely impressed with what Michael has achieved, especially starting during a very difficult market in 2009.
“If you had said someone could launch a high-end online estate agency in 2009 most people would have thought you were mad.
“However, Michael has always achieved what he set his mind to and has an ability to think ahead and focus on the nitty-gritty.
“His online experience combined with his time at Romans and Savills creates a rare combination of experience not seen in other agents and this made the opportunity to work with him even more exciting to me.”
Iain White and Michael Riley
I love how the working from 3rd bedroom type of agency is now termed “Hybrid”. It seems this guy is more successful than some though as he appears to have expanded into his garden shed.
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What a pointless comment. The term Hybrid I belieive is acceptable, as although I appreciate the benefits of a more visual presence, clients who see no value in this probably don’t mind their agent being based in a bedroom, shed, or out of town office.
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You are right of course IndAgent the term Hybrid does seem to be appropriate in this case as I assume the definition of such is a combination of two skills.
Here that seems to be estate agency and carpentry.
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RA – in this instance I thin you have to concede that there are exceptions to every ‘rule’ – and this Agency appears to be one of them. Of course, their nicely-done website could be a mahoosive pile of billshuttery and they are simply talking the online talk – but maybe one of the EYE members based in their patch would be good enough to give us an honest opinion. Let’s face it, according to Robert May, one of the most successful Agents he knows in his home territory is one we mockingly refer to as a ‘Bedroom Billy’ (or Betty, in her case…).
And judging by what he suggested recently about her turnover, I wish I was a quid behind her…
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I know PeeBee I just saw it as an opportunity for a cheap laugh given the background of the photo!
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Ahhh… the sarcasm clearly went over my head (which is unusual seeing as it’s my favourite humour) – and that of a few others judging by the ‘Dislikes’… ;o)
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Sorry you have caught AM itis Peebee; a bedroom Billy is a territory director/ area manager/ whatever ( negotiator) who does much cheapness instuctions based on a rock bottom fee and a vendor schmoozval (asking price confirming what the vendor found out using a RNG system on the internet)
A bedroom billy is a very different animal to a TAWO traditional agent without offices. One is an Estate Agent the other is an internet lising rep who doesn’t want to explain what a passive intermediary is. ( “A bit like a cheap Estate Agent who takes money up front and doesn’t have to follow any of the rules or client safeguards’ isn’t the sort of chat up line that goes down too well)
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Robert – I agree that they are entirely different animals – however they all get crammed into the same pigeon-hole by many.
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That is daft and business dangerous thing to do. Guys like these with experience, drive and a niche target will do well I reckon.
Jane did £17,000,000 of sales last year at normal commission rates. That equates to an average agent selling two properties every week. A competitor like that has to be taken. I am to too sure about Gordon down below here; my level of spelling and grammar plus text covered by navigation buttons is not a great image if it is your only presence.
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seriously/ out – your choice.
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A bigger on-line presence will benefit any EA in the future, the wheels are in motion and the future is on-line, unfortunately the future of high streets are in full decline only charity shops and coffee shops will survive.
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So… tell me, Mr Gecko estate agents Ltd – how do you define “a bigger on-line presence”?
How’s about – just for example – a company displaying the Rightmove logo when it is not actually marketing any properties on that portal?
Would THAT qualify, in your opinion, as having created “a bigger on-line presence”?
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Gecko – No offence but you have 1 property for sale…..
I dont think you are best to dish out advice
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I think this Gecko lad has popped up here before with his ‘it’s all goin on line init!’ and having a go at lobbing a handful of pearls at us but as you point out he’s not what you would really consider a player in any way whatsoever.
While we are at it this Iain White……..is he the same one that came to Countrywide, done a load of cash rebranding Mann & Co and never turned a bean of profit? I think he might be – Jonnie
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Gecko, online plays a massive part already. The future is using the web in a better way, not just for agents to publish what they have – where they advertise, but to use the web also to access more local available listings.
You can’t sell what you don’t have. Co-brokerage is the future.
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Don’t know Michael, But the website looks good and I do know Iain, who has a lot of years and experience behind him. To me, with lots of listings, I’d say the guys aren’t doing toooooo bad. ……….
As for where they are based, in this case it seems to make little odds. But for sure their listings won’t be found on the OTM cartel site.
Good luck Iain and Michael. …………
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