Posts Tagged ‘Branding’
Walker Fox, Property Sourcing & Buying Agents from Wakefield interview Mark Alexander of Property118.com
March 31, 2011 | 
Author
In this interview Rob Hubbard, Managing Director of Walker Fox, Property Sourcing & Buying Agents from Wakefield, West Yorkshire finds out more from the founder of Property118.com Mark Alexander. Just two months since its launch Property118.com claims to be the fastest growing online community for property investors and buy to let landlords.
Rob: Why do you think the new web site has taken off so quickly Mark?
Mark: We were very lucky to have a huge database of landlords to introduce to the new web-site but we’ve also been impressed by how many former clients of The Money Centre have told their friends about the site.
Rob: The name 118 implies that the site is a directory but when I had a look a few weeks ago it seemed to be more of a News site, can you explain?
Mark: The site is indeed going to be a directory but with a twist. Our research has suggested that more than 75% of property investors prefer to rely on peer-to-peer recommendations when they need a new trade or professional contact. Therefore, our Directory will be built by members for members. The News element of the site was established to attract the interest of search engines as well as the landlord community prior to launching the full functionality, which takes a lot more programming and investment.
Rob: Have you had any problems from the men with moustaches for using the name 118?
Mark: Not at all, 118 is the prefix number for all telephone directories in the UK following the de-monopolisation of the directory enquiry service. The men with moustaches don’t own the 118 prefix and numbers alone cannot be trademarked.
Rob: You mentioned “full functionality”, can you explain further?
Mark: Yes, we want Property118.com to become an online community for property investors where they can share best practice, trusted/reliable/competitive professional and trade connections and also utilise Number Cruncher tools in a secure environment to analyse their portfolio’s and future investment decisions.
Rob: You mentioned security, which is obviously very important if people are imputing sensitive information, and using the web site to analyse their investment, how does this work.
Mark: The secure areas of our web-site use the same security technology as online banking. For those who are into tech, it’s known as SSL certified encryption over an https:// URL
Rob: How much does the service cost?
Mark: That’s the best bit Rob. Membership of Property118.com is completely free. The entire operation is funded through sponsorships and advertising.
Rob: Could that compromise the integrity of the site?
Mark: Absolutely no way. We only offer premium listing to companies who are recommended by members. This enables Members to see how many recommendations each trade or professional person has and which Members recommended them. It’s a true peer-to-peer recommendation. We don’t sell leads we do not email our members on behalf of other companies. If we feature a companies services in our web site we do so based on merit, not the size of their advertising budgets.
Rob: It all sounds like a very well though through business model Mark, where can people find out more?
Mark: Just take a look around the web-site www.Property118.com and remember to register to unlock access to all the goodies available to our members.
Related articles
- Me, the social web, property and how much Google loves us all (walkerfox.co.uk)
- Five Questions About: Becoming a landlord (independent.co.uk)
Posted in Guest Blog, Interviews, Property Developing, Property Investment, Rob Hubbard, Wakefield, Walker Fox | 
Tags: Branding, community, discussion, education, investing, media, networking, Professional, wakefield, walker fox | 
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Walker Fox, the social web, property and how much Google loves us all
In response to yesterdays exercise entitled ‘Me, the social web, property and how much Google loves us all’ another good friend of mine, Nick Parkin of Pimlico Flats left a comment asking about the success of the Google term ‘Wakefield Property Consultant’ as essentially this is what we do and should have at least as much exposure as the founder, Rob Hubbard (me!)
The results however are a little disappointing to say the least.
By clicking on the logo below, you can view them for yourselves.
The first seven listings on Page One are sponsored, Walker Fox does not feature until position seven and then doesn’t feature again until Page Two, listing four….most disappointing to say the least.
This means that the relevant content that Walker Fox are putting out on the web is not effectively transmitting the message of what we do ie Consult on Property matters. By reviewing the content on the static pages in the first instance and then adding new content on a regular basis which is relevant to the term ‘Property Consultant’ and associated terms, the rankings should improve significantly.
Incidentally, Googling the term ‘Property Sourcing Wakefield’ provides Page One listings One to Three, all of which are articles on this blog and at listing seven.
Please feel free to leave a comment if you have enjoyed this article. Alternatively, why not try your own google search and link back to this as the inspirational source.
Again, a special thanks to Nick Parkin & thanks for reading.
Rob
Commercial Management & Property Consultant,
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Please visit my website, read the property blog & leave a comment; www.walkerfox.co.uk
E: rob@walkerfox.co.uk M: 07960 753550 T: @walkerfox S: Walkerfox
Posted in Marketing, Property Developing, Property Investment, Rob Hubbard, Social Media, Wakefield | Tags: Branding, building, community, developing, development, discussion, media, networking, Property, regional, Sourcing, walker fox, web | 2 Comments »
Assessing financial risk to a project using a risk matrix
I have been asked by private message and on the Property Tribes forum to share some information on the assessment of financial risk to your property portfolio in order to more accurately forecast a net yield.
Here is the spreadsheet that needs to be populated >>>>Risk Matrix
Guidance notes on how to populate are below.
Risk Explanation
Firstly, you should sit down and list out all of the factors that could cause you to incur additional expense say, over the next accounting year where you are unable to provide a fixed cost to go into your cost forecast.
The following example is provided to illustrate how the risk matrix works.
One of the items relates to the potential risk and cost of having to replace the central heating boiler, one that we all know happens at some time or another.
Using the spreadsheet….
1) Identify the risks and assess the value
- You identify that the boiler may breakdown beyond economical repair
- You estimate that is this event occurs, the maximum cost for replacement will be £1,500.00
- You then make an assessment of the severity of this risk if it occurs (On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most severe)
- You then assess the probability of the risk occurring (On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most probable)
- The spreadsheet calculates that the Risk Factor is a 12 (RED, High risk)
- The spreadsheet automatically calculates the assessed risk, in this instance £720.00 (In the assessed risk column)
2) Identify Possible Mitigation
- You examine ways to mitigate the risk and decide that you could take out British Gas Homecare cover or similar.
- You calculate the cost of carrying out this mitigation (On the mitigation worksheet) and add this to actual cost on your forecast.
3) Reassess the Risk Following Mitigation
- You reassess the severity of the risk following the proposed mitigation measures
- You then reassess the probability of the risk occurring following the mitigation measures
- The spreadsheet calculates that the Risk Factor has been reduced to a 3 (GREEN, little chance of the risk occurring, as you are now protected against all cost relating to breakdown)
- The spreadsheet calculates the residual risk to be £60.00, in the residual risk column, this should be added to your cost forecast as an forecast cost.
4) Actual Cost
- The spreadsheet calculates the total actualcost to be carried to your cost forecast summary for use in future years forecasting.
5) If No Mitigation Proposed
- If no mitigation measures are proposed and the Mitigation Cost column is nil, then the spreadsheet should carry the assessed risk forward to the Summary.
Please feel free to share this information and the risk matrix as you see fit, all I ask in return is that you credit Walker Fox as the source.
Rob
Commercial Management & Property Consultant,
Wakefield, West Yorkshire
www.walkerfox.co.uk
E: rob@walkerfox.co.uk M: 07960 753550 T: @walkerfox S: Walkerfox
Posted in Mentoring, Property Developing, Property Investment, Property Mentor | Tags: Below Market Value, Branding, community, developing, development, discussion, education, instruction, investing, landlord, media, networking, planning, Property, property investor show, risk, Social Web, walker fox | No Comments »
Beware the wolf in sheeps clothing
Ever since the majority of the Buy To Let ‘BTL’ lenders who in the main belong to the Council of Mortgage Lenders reduced lending, dropped typcial loan to value ‘LTV’ down to 75% and tightened up dramatically on the overall criteria for lending, there have been various self acclaimed property ‘experts’ or ‘gurus’ advising on how you the investor can ‘beat the system’
I like to refer to them as ‘The Dream Weavers’
Many of the Dream Weavers wil stand at the front of a packed room working the crowd up into a frenzy which in simple terms workson two basic human emotions FEAR and GREED!
They will say that THEIR system has been checked by various lawyers and its foolproof, that THEIR system is watertight and that you shouldn’t listen to the scaremongers (Recently Phil Martin of the Rapid Property Group filmed a series of videos on this very subject. Rapid are no insolvent and Phil Martin has been declared bankrupt) These Dream Weavers usually require you to pay many £,000′s for the ‘privilage’ of investing in their scheme.
There is another varient of The Dream Weaver emerging however, the ‘expert’ who casts himself above all others, he who has a slick marketing machine which portrays an air if exclusivity and aloofness towards the average investor. This Dream Weaver is often quick to offer damning opinion on those who have fallen before them and then quickly tell you how their ‘membership’ is different, despite you having to hand over many £,000′s to have a ‘genuine equity’ portfolio built for you.
In essence the latter, emerging Dream Weaver could be considered the more sinister of the beasts, lurking around the property world offering their services and advice whilst merely circling the prey waiting for a vulberable moment and then pouncing on the carefully selected High Net Worth individuals to entice into their schemes which are often associated with precious metals or gems.
My advice is this …………
If you want to work with a property sourcer, a buying agent or a portfolio builder, call them what you will. In my opinion, there is no substantiated reason why you should pay any significant upfront fees however they may be dressed up.
The choice of who you work with and how you work with them should be entirely yours. If the deal(s) provided are not to your liking or do not stack up financially then you are under no obligation to complete and more so, under no obligation to pay finders fees or commissions. This aspect should be incentive alone for the deal sourcer or packager to ensure that the deal is good…otherwise he won’t get paid.
BEWARE THE WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING!
Posted in Property Investment | Tags: blog, Branding, community, discussion, Dream Weaver, education, investing, networking, Professional, Property, walker fox | 1 Comment »
Do you think that calling someone a tea party activist is a condescending insult?
Recently in the world of property forums there has been somewhat of a shake up.
Following the sad demise of Singing Pig it ultimately came to an abrupt end when Rapid Property Group and its owner Phil Martin effectively ceased trading. As expected and indeed, foreseen by many there followed a huge increase in both membership and traffic another popular forum, Property Tribes. Property Tribes is now ranked as the most popular property based forum in the UK and has impressive stats to back these claims up (Authors note, I will embed these at a later date as an edit).
The general theme on Singing Pig was often quite boisterous and occasionaly quite offensive, this provided a broad feeding ground for Trolls of with a broad agenda. However, in contrast, Property Tribes has always had a feeling of being ‘nice place to be’
Since early December there has been much and varied activity on Property Tribes which can only be a good thing for the community at large. On a few occasions, the forum has been described as a ‘tea party’
I came across this discussion on Yahoo Answers which I find interesting.
Do you think that calling someone a tea party activist is a condescending insult? For example,
“He is like a Tea Party activist yelling all the right words.”
“Tea Party is a cursory expression of what happened in Boston that day. The actual underlying activity was the Apple Cider Party that happened afterwards which then became the actual catalyst to the American Revolution. The American rebels threw all the tea overboard but brought home all the apple cider over which they discussed revolutionary plans.”
Tea was important to the British but apple cider was important to the Americans. On the surface, the Boston tea party seemed to be provoked by the British Parliament’s 1773 Tea Act. But the actual provocative issue was that the British restricted the Americans from brewing our favorite beverage at that time and Americans had to drink apple cider imported from England in pubs or else moonshine them at home.
Tea partying addresses the irrelevant issues (the 1773 Tea Act and Americans at that time did not like tea at all), whereas apple cider partying addresses the underlying core issues – the real issues.
Do you think Tea Partyers today just yell the right words but not address the relevant issues?
In my opinion, it doesn’t matter what the community is called, what matters is that people take notice and listen to the varying opinions that are shared, criticism for the sake of criticising is futile and meaningless. Provided that opinion is not radicalised, defamatory and masking an ulterior motive (ie transparent) then the holders of the opinion(s) cannot be discredited
Posted in Ethics, Social Media | Tags: #propertytribe, Branding, building, developing, development, discussion, education, investing, media, networking, Property, property tribe, reactive, Social Web, society, tea party, troll, trolls, walker fox, yahoo answers | No Comments »
2011 dates announced for Northern Property Tribes, The meeting for Property Investors
We have pleasure in announcing the 2011 dates for the gathering of the Northern Property Tribe.
19 January 2011
16 March 2011
18 May 2011
20 July 2011
21 September 2011
16 November 2011
The Northern Property Tribe is a regional group born out of the online community ‘Property Tribes’. We stand for 100% Property; networking, discussion and education. Come and find out what is happening in the tribe and uncover the insider knowledge and connections that will help you succeed!
For more details and to book your place, please visit our website
Posted in Marketing, Mentoring, Networking Events, Property Developing, Property Investment, Property Mentor, Social Media, Wakefield | Tags: #propertytribe, blog, Branding, building, community, developing, events, media, networking, northern, Professional, Property, property tribe, regional, Sourcing, twitter, walker fox | 1 Comment »
My afternoon with John Paul from The Castledene Group
I had a really interesting day on Monday of this week. I spent the afternoon working with John Paul who is Managing Director of the hugely successful and award-winning property based, The Castledene Group.
The Castledene Group has been operating in the North East of England area since 2008 and is the local company with the local presence. They are one of the biggest lettings agents in the North East of England with over 1,000 properties in their managed portfolio and strongly believe in their strap line
“We are big enough to cope but small enough to care.”
Castledene have developed through a mixture of organic growth and careful acquisition of existing Letting Agents. John Paul has clear and decisive expansion plans for 2011 including the opening of further Castledene branded agents across the North of England.
The Castledene Group provide professional lettings, construction and property management service, which embraces the principles of quality and customer care. We do Offering specialist services all under one roof, their aim is to make the property experience more enjoyable for all involved.
John Paul is passionate about development and sustainability in the North East of England and in particular the town of Easington where John lives, works and invests himself.
With this in mind, and the current economic climate with the threat of a potential ‘double dip’ to the UK housing market, John Paul and his team at Castledene are now advocating to investors that they put into each and every property investment a minimum cash deposit of at least 25% of the purchase price.
Due to their detailed knowledge and contacts within the local housing markets, Castledene can minimise the amount that the investors have to put into the purchase at the outset.
John says, “My clients are the most important part of my business and their continued prosperity allows me to develop and grow my own business”
As part of the property investment service, Castledene can offer the use of their team of property professionals including mortgage broker, solicitor and insurance broker. All of these professionals are passed on at cost price, which is negotiated on behalf of their customers by Castledene.
Unlike many package deal companies, the use of any in-house company, including Castledene Construction for the refurbishment works is entirely optional and has no effect on fees payable.
Should you want to find out more about The Castledene Group you can visit their website at www.thecastledenegroup.com or telephone 0191 427 4000 for property management or 0191 427 4007 for property investment.
If you would like to comment on this article our discuss any of the content on this site, please contact me on 07960 753550 or via email rob@walkerfox.co.uk or to visit our website on www.walkerfox.co.uk.
You can also follow us on Twitter.
Posted in Ethics, Interviews, Property Investment, Social Media | Tags: Branding, castledene, community, developing, discussion, easington, education, fox, investing, jo, john, landlord, lettings, lha, networking, northern, paul, regional, social, society, Sourcing, walker, walker fox | No Comments »
The Property Investor Show 2010 – My thoughts
I attended The Property Investor Show held at Excel, London last month
More recently, I was interviewed by Vanessa Warwick of Property Tribes (@4_walls) to find out what I had enjoyed and learnt about the experience.
Posted in Networking Events, Social Media | Tags: Branding, building, community, discussion, investing, landlord, marketing, media, networking, Professional, property investor show, property tribe, twitter, Vanessa Warwick, walker fox | No Comments »
New branding revealed for Northern Property Tribe
Walker Fox, hosts of the Northern Property Tribe have please in revealing the new branding image.
Designed by Nick Tadd of Social Media Graffiti, the brand image echos that of the online community Property Tribes whose values the Northern Property Tribe replicate offline.
Posted in Marketing, Networking Events, Social Media, Wakefield | Tags: blog, Branding, building, community, development, Houses, marketing, media, Nick Tadd, property tribe, regional, Social Media Graffiti, Social Web, walker fox | 1 Comment »
Walker Fox interviewed by Vanessa Warwick of Property Tribes
There is a lot of talk about ethical trading both on the Property Tribes forum where I often hang out and elsewhere, I was invited by Vanessa Warwick of Property Tribes to discuss this topic.
Posted in Interviews, Property Investment | Tags: blog, Branding, building, developing, discussion, education, media, networking, Professional, property tribe, Sourcing, Vanessa Warwick, walker fox, web | 2 Comments »
RT @legaleagleMHM: @walkerfox ok fuss pot -I poured you another one thats not in a china cup<<Bless
- RT @legaleagleMHM: Tonight's cuppa -just for you <<<Not keen on china mugs though
- RT @Bizitalk: @walkerfox Have followed you via #bizitalk Rob<<Thanks, following right back
