Dorian Gonsalves
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Agencies & People
Belvoir says ‘little agents’ video attracted two million people via social media
Belvoir, the UK’s largest high street property franchise, says its recent #littleagents video campaign attracted an extra two million visits to its social media accounts. The four-minute video, which was watched 1,900 times on YouTube, featured three young children conducting viewings of properties, and included one hilarious scene where the two bespectacled boys (pictured, right) insist ‘kitchen/diner’ is spelt ‘kitchen/dinner’ on their hand-drawn floorplans. The campaign kicked off in March. Belvoir has launched a follow-up YouTube video following the success of #littleagents, but this time featuring grown-ups, called #MovingMemories. New video Rather than go for comedy, Belvoir this time attempts to pull the heart strings of viewers with a two-minute video of short interviews with home people about how they felt about moving up, down and along the property ladder. This includes a two loved-up and recently-engaged young couples buying their first homes (pictured, left), a mum and dad with two children moving out of a flat into a house and an elderly down-sizing couple. All of them talk about what they most like about their new homes, and – particularly the two first time buying couples – how jealous their friends are. The video is in support of a…
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Latest property news
Belvoir dismisses “sensationalist” media reports of “out of control” rent rises
Belvoir’s new CEO Dorian Gonsalves (pictured below) says recent media reports that rent rises are out of control across the UK are at odds with the experience within his 300+ branch network. Recent commentary by mainstream media on research from the GMB union and the recent Homelet rental index suggested that rents were rising fast and that many renters – particularly in London – are paying more than half of their salary in rent. Gonsalves say prices are instead rising by an average of 2.75%, increases which he says are mirrored by other indexes and the government’s Office of National Statistics (ONS). “Sensationalist media reports that rents are spiralling out of control across the country are at odds with what our offices are reporting, and that other letting agents across the country are currently experiencing,” he says. “However, feedback from our franchisees confirmed that less properties were seeing static rents than in the previous quarter, and more offices experienced rent rises of £25 and £50 per month.” Gonsalves says the Belvoir Rental Index for the second quarter of the year shows that families and professionals are the most likely to experience rent rises, although he says demand from tenants is…
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Latest property news
Belvoir buys mortgage broker as founder steps down
Belvoir has bought mortgage broker Brook Financial Services for £2 million in a deal which will see the franchise agency pay £1.5 million in cash plus £500,000 in ordinary shares. Brook, which trades as Mortgage Advice Bureau and is the appointed UK representative of the PLC with the same name, is one of the UK’s leading referral networks for mortgage intermediaries. Its client list includes many independent estate agents across the UK. Brook, which is based in Barnsley has 32 staff, says it will “leverage its expertise to introduce new mortgage products and services to the Belvoir Group”. The company was set up in 2010 by Michelle Brook (pictured left). She is the sole shareholder and has worked in the financial services industry for over 30 years. “The acquisition today of Brook by Belvoir represents a significant milestone for the business and provides the opportunity to grow sales of financial service products within the Belvoir group. Brook has a fantastic team of experienced advisers and a solid support structure operating within the Mortgage Advice Bureau network from which the Belvoir Group will benefit.” Brook turned over £1.6 million during its last audited year of trading and made a profit of…
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Latest property news
We need a long-term vision and a housing tsar, says Belvoir
Estate agent franchise group Belvoir has published an open letter to the Prime Minister Theresa May calling for both the appointment of a housing tsar and an ombudsman for tenants. Released today, its Chief Operating Officer Dorian Gonsalves (pictured, right) says the UK needs a cross-party housing tsar to work with industry experts, social housing providers and all housing stake holders to help “create a stable property market with a long-term vision”. Dorian describes new Housing Minister Alok Sharma (pictured, left), MP for Reading West, as “Britain’s sixth since the Tories came into power in 2010” and that on average they only stay in post for 12 months. “I believe that the appointment of a housing tsar, who could work with industry experts and politicians from all parties, and then make recommendations to the new Housing Minister, would be an effective way of increasing market stability, and would be extremely beneficial for the housing industry,” he says. Leave landlords alone Gonsalves says Belvoir has been calling for the current government to encourage rather the alienate landlords, who he says are best placed to provide the extra rented homes “the UK so badly needs”. “It is no longer acceptable to use…
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Housing Market
Govt lettings squeeze drives up rents as landlords exit
The number of properties available to rent has fallen and prices are rising as the government’s recent Stamp Duty and tax allowance changes take their toll on the the lettings market, says franchise giant Belvoir. “Belvoir’s Q1 rental index, which is prepared for us by property expert Kate Faulkner, has identified some interesting trends, which we believe are a direct result of recent changes to BTL legislation,” says Belvoir’s Chief Operating Officer, Dorian Gonsalves. This includes that the number of landlords bringing between six and ten properties to the market has declined while the number of landlords bringing up to three properties to market remained static. Dorian says the reasons for this include additional Stamp Duty for buy-to-let property buyers and the radical changes to the way mortgage interest tax relief is calculated, which has reduced or cancelled out profits for many landlords. Lettings To counter these measures, Belvoir says, landlords are seeking the highest rental prices for their properties and driving up rents across the UK which have risen year-on-year by 5.75%. “Since 2008 [when Belvoir began its index] rents have moved broadly in line with wages and large movements over and above +/-5% rarely happen,” says Belvoir’s Chief…
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Latest property news
Franchisees win a £15k car before even opening their Belvoir branch
A couple from South West London who are about to start-up a franchised branch of Belvoir on their local high street have received an unexpected boost to their fledgling business. Chantelle Harris, who has a background in sales but not property, along with her ex-London cabbie partner Darren O’Reilly, won a £15,000 branded Belvoir Mini at the franchise giant’s recent awards bash at a stately home in Oxfordshire (see above). The celebrity compere for the night, comedian Giles Brandreth, tweeted the moment when an incredulous Chantelle came on to the stage to pick up the prize (see below). First venture The couple’s first venture in property, a franchised branch in Bromley, is due to open next weekend in time for Easter and follows almost a year of training for the couple. “Previous experience in property management is not necessary, as Belvoir provides first class training for new franchise owners, and our franchise support team works extremely hard to ensure that they succeed,” says Dorian Gonsalves, Belvoir’s Managing Director. “Belvoir franchise owners now have the option to launch a sales service, as well as lettings, and this is proving to be very popular with vendors, including existing landlords who wish to…
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Latest property news
Expanding Belvoir group gathers for conference and awards at stately home.
Business is clearly doing well at franchise operation Belvoir. The company has just held a very posh conference and awards bash at a stately home in Oxfordshire, with 32 gongs up for grabs and a new Mini for the raffle winner. All companies need a little team building activity and arguably, franchised businesses need it more than others as they know they are part of something big – 300 offices across the UK – but running their own business within the group. This event obviously made everyone feel very much part of a team, with a full day conference with a range of key note speakers, Dorian Gonsalves, COO, said, “this year our keynote speakers were simply outstanding. “The theme was ‘What If’ and we chose this because we wanted to give our franchisees innovative and inspirational advice that will help them to provide their clients with world-class levels of customer service, which will really take their businesses forward to the next level.” The 2017 Belvoir Conference was held at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire (pictured, below), followed by a black tie champagne dinner. Comedian and author Gyles Brandreth (pictured, left), provided after dinner entertainment and also hosted the awards. “The evening…
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Latest property news
Belvoir urges franchisees to buy up rivals
Belvoir Lettings is to embark on an aggressive push to persuade existing franchisees to buy up local competing agencies as an “uncertain economy, increased regulation and erosion of profits mean many independent agents are selling up,” the company says. Managing Director Dorian Gonsalves (pictured) says his acquisition team are already being offered businesses for sale at a rate of one every working day and that the company is to launch a roadshow that will travel around its network of franchisees to encourage owners to consider expanding, helped partially through funding arranged by the Belvoir head office in Grantham. The company says this helps franchisees increase turnover and profits, enhance market presence of and capital value to their business. “Belvoir prides itself on working closely with our franchise owners to help them assess whether an acquisition opportunity is likely to add significant value to their business,” says Dorian. If this proves to be the case, and our stringent due diligence checks are approved, Belvoir can, in the right circumstances, loan up to 30% of the purchase price. The process takes approximately three to six months and I look forward to reporting many more mutually beneficial acquisitions throughout the year.” A recent…
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Agencies & People
Big wheels keep on turning
Andrea Kirkby investigates corporate strategy in a difficult market.
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