Sales and letting agents looking to be there own boss and run a franchised local estate agency can set up for just £99 with no operating costs for the first year, hybrid agency Nu:move has revealed.

The new offer is designed to help agents who have lost their jobs or acquired a taste for working from home to set up as hybrid estate agents once the Coronavirus pandemic has passed.

“This is an unprecedented time in our history. The pandemic is having an impact on the health of our loved ones, the businesses we rely upon, the health of the global economy, and the way we live our daily lives,” says Nu:move group chairman TJ Singh.

“We fully understand that we cannot complete viewings and to put properties on the market is not top of the agenda.

“It is time for estate agents to get ready in the background; we need experienced estate and lettings agents to join our journey to redefine the property sector.”

80 agents

Nu:move already has 20 regional directors many of whom are experienced industry players, but is now looking for approximately 80 local agents to help grow the company.

The hybrid agency, which lists its properties on all the three portals, says it is waiving its set up and initial running costs to help agents hoping to become self-employed during this difficult time.

This includes waiving its usual £3,995-£10,000 set-up fees depending on territory size and its monthly £215 service charge for its tech and head office support function, which will only kick in after the second year.

The company enables agents to keep 80% of their commission from sales and lettings transactions. Find out more here.