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Castle Estates
Castle Estates were the first property management franchise to be awarded full membership of the BFA without even having to serve as an associate member. With over 10,000 properties under our banner including high street banks such as HSBC, Barclays and companies such as Boots and WH Smiths our corporate team and Franchisees work in unison to cater for the high service levels companies like these expect. No other property franchise can offer this portfolio for their franchisees to help them gain prestige in the private sector.
Bonded members of ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) we conform to industry standards and expect our franchisees to do the same, after all 25 years of reputation is something we would like to preserve. Above all we recognise that starting up in business is a serious decision and one that isn’t like playing a game of monopoly. You will of course need a strategy to succeed and your own personal game plan and at Castle Estates we want to help you achieve your goals and aspirations.
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What Castle Estates Are Looking For
We are in a very strong position as a franchisor in that we do not rely on franchise sales to survive, our network of established offices and the corporate work allows us to only accept quality franchisees, therefore we are looking for:- Determined individuals looking for an exciting challenge in a growing market
- Individuals who will work well on their own but who are team players
- People that accept nothing less than the best in customer service and have the will to deliver excellence
- Above all you will have character and the tenacity to succeed
In Return Castle Estates Will Give You- The best Academy training package available in the industry
- Support from a team of specialists from our head office
- Everything you will need to start your business
- The likelihood of shared corporate business as crème business to your own development
- Ongoing training and advice to keep you at the forefront of our industry
All You Will Need Is- Capital to start – our relationship with the major banks and their franchise departments will generally mean that the will lend 70% of the cost of buying your franchise. In most cases this will mean that you will need about £5000
- Working capital to pay for your household bills as the new venture builds to deliver profit and return. Business working capital to cover overheads
During our initial meeting we will be happy to discuss your financial status and offer advice and cashflow examples that you can use when approaching financial institutions and advisors.
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The Castle Estates Training Academy - Your Route to Business Success
The Academy offers training with qualified tutors in key property management areas. This training takes place in the bespoke suite in our Bletchley Branch and at other locations across the country. - Marketing – of properties and to attract landlords
- Legal documentation – preparation and requirements
- Preparation of inventories – best practice
- Negotiating – skills required
- Tenant References – correct procedures
- Administration – operating business and client accounts
- UK and overseas tax issues – to offer greater understanding
- Maintenance of client properties – responsibilities
- Business planning – time management and analysis
- IT training – residential letting software
- Practical training – at branches and with mentor
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Academy Support - After Graduating
You never stop learning with Castle Estates and as a responsible franchisor we strongly believe in sharing information with our network. This ongoing support is available via a number of mediums to suit you business and the available time you make to receive this information. - Help Lines
Have been set up to offer support during normal office hours and an emergency help line is available outside these hours. This help could be advice for a question raised by a landlord or a general enquiry on a clause requested for a tenancy agreement. This service has become and invaluable tool for our franchisees and one that we fee in an imperative part of developing a strong well informed relationship with a client.
- Web Access
With information, changes and advice that are uploaded to a secure area only accessible to our franchisees so that you can absorb information at your own pace. This section includes our unique file library with example documents, templates and standard letters for use every day. The web site also generates interest from not only landlords but nationwide enquiries from prospective tenants all filtered into a central point for distribution to franchisees.
- Regional Meetings
These take place on a regular basis bringing franchisees together to discuss changes in legislation, share positive experiences and so that the franchise team can launch new initiatives. Feedback from these meetings helps the franchise team develop improved systems and help us recognise the needs of the network on a collective basis.
- Newsletters
Regular in house issues announce company news and are circulated throughout the whole organisation. A new series of corporate newsletters are planned to let our valued clients understand a little more about the Castle Estates business.
- Holiday Cover
This can be arranged with other offices so that you can take a break from running your business with the comfort that your clients will be looked after by professional staff. Neighbouring franchisees can and often help at times of need such as illness and this is testament to the close bond our franchisees develop.
- Corporate Client Handover
On the occasion that corporate business is referred to you, we will provide you will full information to ensure compliance. High profile accounts are very important to Castle Estates and it essential to the ongoing growth that every part of the process has well informed participants.
- Staff Training
As you develop new opportunities in your area for employment this will involve training issues and Castle Estates are happy by agreement to assist in basic and specialist training. After all more staff normally means an increase in clients and turnover which will benefit both parties.
- Business Development
We arrange regular review meetings to ensure that your business is maximising the potential and if required arrange additional training.
Our investment in franchisees in time and also in financial terms through national brand advertising is one that we too wish to maximise therefore these review meetings are positive discussions and ones that are welcomed by all franchisees.
We strongly believe that quality in-depth training is the key issue for anyone setting up in a franchise for the first time and we pride ourselves on the comprehensive nature of our training programme probably makes it the most detailed available within the industry.
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Franchise Investment
Castle Estates offer a number of “start up strategies” to potential franchisees. We refer to a “standard benefits package” that some franchise companies refer to as the franchise or training package. The Castle Estates standard includes the following items:1. First year PI premium
2. “Data Protection” registration
3. Web and email set up
4. CARL property management software
5. Smart panorama software
6. NALS membership (National Association of Letting Services)
7. 17 Customised “To Let” boards
8. 10 Acetate internal “To Let” signs
9. Headed paper (1000)
10. Compliment slips (1000)
11. Business cards (1000)
12. Continuation sheets (1000)
13. Corporate presentation wallets (150)
14. Corporate brochures (50)
15. Landlord guides (100)
16. Tri fold leaflets (500)
17. Administration disc – including all documents and templates required
18. Secure file library – access to the web file library 20 days training is Included in the Franchise Fee with the Academy, mentor and practical training you will need. We recognise that not everyone has the funds or opportunity to launch their business via a retail strategy immediately therefore we have tailored the following options to give you more choice to suit your budget.- Home Base/Office Strategy
Starting at £18995 + VAT. Allowing a low cost start up whilst the client base is established. This strategy although providing growth is normally a slower option. It includes the standard benefits of the franchise package given to all entry levels at the Castle Estates Academy.
- Retail Shop Strategy
Starting at £24995 + VAT. By far the most successful approach to gain business growth. You will receive the standard full training programme in addition to assistance with premises and the retail premises handbook. Additional training days are included to assist with the launch and membership fees to ARLA – the Association of Residential Letting Agents to give peace of mind to tenants and landlords.
- Resale Strategy
Starting at £18995 + VAT. The acquisition of an existing territory or part territory will involve the standard full training benefits and the property portfolio of the incumbent franchisee. When valuing the additional price tag for the business itself we follow a regulated process. As franchisor we have allegiance to the buyers and seller therefore we must feel comfortable with the value that is placed on the goodwill. This is agreed in advance and a handover is arranged to ensure continuity of service for clients.
- Re-brand Strategy
Starting from £9995 + VAT. This is a start up package directed at independent letting agents looking for a national brand to help grow their existing business. Bearing in mind the experience that will be evident; a condensed training programme is offered as a refresher course to the legal requirements with an introduction to the castle system that will be used.
Packages are tailor made for this strategy and we consider this to be an increasingly popular option as the Castle Estates brand name develops.
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Availability
We have many prime locations requiring business minded individuals available. One of the first questions people ask when enquiring about a franchise is whether there is a vacant area available to save time if it is taken, however the Castle Estates philosophy is simple, we do not judge the potential based on a phone call for both parties. We will give you an indication however some of our franchisees are so busy that they will happily consider selling part of their area back for the right candidate. It is very important that we are right for you and you are right for us, therefore if the right franchisee approaches us we will endeavour to create a suitable territory and during our first informal meeting gauge specific areas.
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Case Studies
Moving from Home-based to Shop Front
 After 3 years of trading from their barn conversion home in the picturesque area on Barton St David, Castle Estate proprietors – Tony and Trish Phelps have made the move to a shop front. When asked what prompted the move, Tony replied “We had really got to a stage where by we were so busy that we wanted to be able to separate our home and work life. By moving to a shop front, not only have we achieved this, but we have also created a far more professional environment for our customers and clients to visit us”.
Castle Estates head office team, based in Milton Keynes are overjoyed with the Mendip and Yeovill branch expansion. “It’s always exciting to see our branches grow and develop” commented Managing Director Neil Hollingworth. “In this highly competetive market place, we believe shop fronts help to portray the high level of Customer Services and Industry Knowledge that all of our 50 plus branches are so proud of”. Tony and Trish moved into their office earlier this month and held an open evening to celebrate their opening.
Going the Extra Mile
 Castle Estates franchisee Stephen Phillips has gone from strength to strength during his first year gaining recognition from customers and the franchisor as well. “It is always good to receive a thank you letter from a corporate client” commented Franchise Director Chris Gibson “however the one received about Stephen was a real joy to read”. Ace Group Services were so delighted with the service level received that they felt compelled to write commenting on the professional approach. Melanie Price wrote “Castle Estates have been extremely helpful and proactive and will always go the extra mile to make our involvement as painless as possible.”
Stephen puts the reason for the happy client down to the extensive training package offered by Castle Estates “The initial training programme is exceptional and far exceeded my expectations, not only do they teach you the important legal side of lettings and property management, but they also drum into you that this is a service industry and you need to solve clients problems quickly and efficiently. The net result is that happy clients tell other landlords and your business grows”. This rapid growth prompted a move into a retail branch fro Stephen and his business continues to grow at a rapid rate. Castle Estates has been franchising for over 15 years and were the first property management company to be awarded Full membership of the BFA. With corporate clients including Barclays, HSBC, Boots and WH Smith they offer excellent service through their own branch and franchise network across the UK.
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Key Info
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