Century 21 UK

“We wanted to open a number of branches in Merseyside over the coming years and felt this would be too difficult to do as an independent agent. After researching the CENTURY 21 UK proposition and looking into the brand’s worldwide reach, it was apparent that this global competitor was what we needed to hit the ground running. There is also the added advantage of the relationship with the SDL Group, which aside from marketing and training resource, will also allow us to access a large number of rental properties in the Liverpool area. This will provide a big impact over a short period of time and will really give us some great exposure as we grow in our early years. The Franchise Development Team have been so supportive and helpful; their knowledge of the industry has been great for us; we’re able to get quick answers and help on a variety of issues. The team is very easy to work with and have shown great belief in us. This has given us the confidence to push things forward. We are really excited about the CENTURY 21 journey!”

“Having successfully placed CENTURY 21 on the real estate map of prime central London over the course of the last seven years, I am delighted to announce that we have recently renewed our CENTURY 21 Franchise Agreement for another term. At CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena, we are in a unique position to bring international buyers to the capital of the United Kingdom and deliver an unsurpassed level of personalised and dedicated service to our local and overseas clients. Our brand and global network are second to none. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and taking CENTURY 21 Sophia Elena to the next level.”

"The Century 21 brand is a name known around the world and as an estate agent that means everything, specifically because I have access to a variety of properties both nationally and internationally. My experience of working as a franchisee has been excellent and even though I have over 12 years’ industry experience, the training they have given me has made me an expert in Estate Agency. I can’t wait to see what my future holds with Century 21."

I was first introduced to the Century 21 brand when living in France, where I was also lucky enough to invest in property. Century 21 is a household name in France, so it was an obvious choice for me – not just because of the brand itself but for the opportunity to grow the brand in the UK. Coming from an Online Marketing and Finance background, I most recently worked at Lloyds Banking Group. My Real Estate experience mainly came from my own personal investments and rental properties. The main reasoning behind me choosing to become a franchisee was that I could instil confidence in potential clients, thanks to the Century 21 name. The UK market is very fractured, so I felt there was a real opportunity in the market for a strong international brand, where currently there is none. Very few Europeans or Americans walking down any UK high street would recognise the agencies available, unless Century 21 is present. Of course, there have been a few bumps along the road that have been out of my hands, but I’ve enjoyed every moment so far as a franchisee. I relish having the chance to run my own business, and the training provided was very useful. To any prospective franchisees, I’d recommend planning ahead, and prepare a good marketing scheme that will be ready to go on day one!

After being in the Estate Agency business for over 20 years, I felt as though I had the experience to take my career to the next level. Starting my own business felt a little too risky, but with the support and brand awareness that Century 21 provides, I knew I was in good hands. As the Century 21 network grows in the UK, so will the brand recognition. After working in estate agency in the USA for four years, I recognised the value that Century 21 has as an international brand. I then met with Rachel, the business development manager for Century 21, whose expertise and enthusiasm really inspired me, and everything grew from there. Of course, economic downturns have meant a few inconsistencies since we started our journey, but it has been exciting and if you work hard, it will certainly benefit you. We opened our Golders Green branch in July 2014 and took on Century 21 Islington in August 2015, which has become a very lucrative proposition for us. To me, the most enjoyable part of running my own Century 21 franchise, is the teamwork. I really enjoy collaborating with and motivating the team within the office – in my eyes, it’s important to build up a reliable team who you can count on to perform. Another aspect of the role that I love, is getting results! When an instruction comes in and goes through to completion, it really is a great feeling and is very satisfying. As I already had plenty of relevant experience, including in a franchise office, I did wonder what the training could teach me, but I was happily surprised. Nothing in my career, until this point, has provided the level of support that there is with Century 21. It’s been really handy being able to call on Lesley or Chris for advice, as and when it’s been needed. The managers meeting we recently held was also brilliant – there are many good things coming on the horizon, such as a new website and additional investment in technology, which is really exciting! If I could give any advice to any prospective Century 21 franchisee, it would be to find yourself a job in an estate agency business for around 6 months, so that you can really build up some understanding of what is involved and required in the industry. It is important to realise that it is an office – you have to be on hand and running the office for it to work successfully – it’s not going to just run itself! Having passion for the industry and the people is most important however, as you are the business owner, plus there is the personal incentive to drive the business forward.

Before I joined Century 21, I had no prior industry experience, meaning it was a complete step into the unknown for myself. So far though, it’s been an amazing journey with a few ups and downs along the way. I’m still learning and enjoying the experience, and Chris Summers has been a fantastic help throughout. I chose to open a Century 21 Franchise as it is one of the world’s largest estate agencies, and is currently undergoing an amazing level of growth in the UK. I also knew that through opening and operating a franchise, I’d have access to training and support that would be hugely beneficial to me, as I didn’t have any industry experience. The most enjoyable part of the role is delivering a service that not only satisfies customers, but retains them as well. That, to me, is the key to good customer service – making them want to come back through the door, again and again.