Real Estate Franchises – A Unique Approach

Who else loves looking at houses for sale? I do. I’ve bought a few… and in different countries, too. I enjoy observing the working styles of each agent. Mostly they are quite interesting people themselves and, in between chatting about the houses that are on your itinerary, I like to find out where they have chosen to live and if they have any investment properties and if so, where they are located. I am always curious to find out what made them choose the places they have bought.

Some like to whisk you around in their BMWs, or whatever luxury car they have, and cram three viewings into about 40 minutes. The time in their car is usually spent trying to establish your needs and gauging your opinions about the houses you have already visited. Other agents will “waft” rather than “whisk” and take the time to show you the parks, schools, supermarkets and other attractions of the neighborhood.

Whatever approach they take, I always go back to the houses I am interested in and spend some time driving around the area imagining what living there would be like now, and what it might be like in ten years time.

One particular incident about neigbourhoods sticks in my mind. My friend and I were riding our motorbikes home from university. Actually we were racing. We were always racing. It was important to win the challenge of who could grind their bike’s footpegs down first.

We habitually made a slight detour so we could experience a ride through a particularly picturesque suburb. The main charms of this neighbourhood were provided by the beautiful big trees lining the streets and their canopies which joined overhead, throwing dappled shadows everywhere, making the place cool, quiet and classy.

We didn’t race through that suburb. It seemed improper.

The moment I often recall is at the intersection at the end of the street, We once pulled along side each other and my friend turned to me, lifted his visor and said “why can’t all suburbs be like this?”.

Why indeed. When you think of all the dreary ‘burbs there are in the world, you have to cast a cynical eye at the town planners responsible. At the very least they could have planted more trees, just a few more small parks and preferably some bicycle tracks to join everything up nicely.

Fortunately more and more suburbs are being planned which attempt to give equal priority to the pedestrian, the cyclist and the motorist (they probably should ban students on powerful motorbikes, though).

And this brings me back to real estate agents. Is commuting between properties for sale in an air conditioned saloon really the best way to experience the neighbourhood? Well there is a real estate franchise called Pedal to Properties and they have an alternative. If you opt for it, you can join a group and cycle around the area you are interested in and visit the houses for sale. You can ride along the cycle tracks, explore the parks and reserves. This way you’ll be more immersed, you’ll see more, learn more and soak in all the nuances of what may become your new “village”.

Pedal to Properties, contrary to the real estate industry in general, had a successful 2009 and is expanding through franchising the business model into other suitable areas.

If, like me, you are fascinated by the real estate industry, or if you already are a Realtor and are looking for a friendlier more gentle approach to selling homes, you should give Pedal to Properties a good solid look. It may be just what you have been waiting for.

“I thought of that while riding my bike”
- Albert Einstein, on the theory of relativity

What buyers are saying about Pedal to Properties

Related posts:

1. Pedal to Properties Opens for Business in Northhampton MA
2. Franchisors are Quick to Pick Up on New Technologies