Case Studies and Testimonials
We have recently interviewed some of our existing clients to enable you to get a feel for what type of investor uses us, why, and how we work together to enhance their business:
Case Study 1
Adrian Cunliffe - North West Property Investor with full time job
1. What made you look for help in your property business?
I currently work full time as an I.T Security consultant, so as you can imagine my availability to take and make calls to potential clients is limited. Until the PA service became available, I used to do all the calls myself, but I did find it interfered with my day job, as I would need to sneak into meeting rooms, or go in to my car to make client calls, or as happened often the client calls would have to wait until after 6pm in the evening when I was at home. This method I guess cost me a few deals, as in some cases I had called the client and found that they had agreed a deal with another company earlier in the day. Also, the amount of time I spent making calls, doing DD at home was interfering with my family life, which as everyone knows is a big NO NO. So when the property PA service became available, I had no hesitation to join it. And I have never looked back since, who says only women can multi task, I am now doing an I.T job and my property work, thus proving us men really do rule the roost :-)
2. What concerns did you have about trusting the PA team with your leads?
I admit at first I did have a trust issue, I mean why would anyone send another BMV investor a lead, and expect them to call the client, do the DD find out its a GREAT deal, and then expect the PA team to reply to you saying "its a great deal, your very lucky and I am envious of such a deal". But I spoke with Stuart Ritchie who gave the service a glowing report, and said he used it for all his leads at that time of his career, he showed me emails of what he send them, and they send him and from this I thought I would give it a shot. Its human nature to believe that a stranger isn't there for your welfare, and that surely they are doing this to benefit themselves. But it seems there are actually people out there who want to make money buy releasing the burden of work from NON full time property folk, or property folk who just do not have the time or man power to handle all their leads. I am 100% behind property PA and would endorse it, and HAVE done, and WILL do endorse it for as long as the service is going.
3. What exactly do they do for you?
The only thing they don't do is make my coffee. I get a lead through my website, or from my answering service ( 0800 number ) and in its raw format I just send it to the propertypa email address, asking them to "do their thing" on the lead. They make the call, gather the information, and then do some basic DD, by this I mean they will research the postcode for current sales, and current rentals, land registry checks on prices sold, put all this into a PDF and then email me along with a client information sheet that has all the details of the client. It has everything, including if the property is of standard or non standard build, if the client wants to rent back or a straight sale and also they give the client a scoring, of whether they are motivate, not motivated or very motivated. From the information I receive, I then do my DD and my calculations and if I feel the deal is right for me I reply back to the PA team with my offer and conditions, or to say there is no offer to be made. The PA team then make the offer on my behalf, and again update me accordingly to say whether or not it has been accepted. From here on in, I run the case. If there is any chance of a service that includes coffee making then I am happy to pay a premium for this service, 1 sugar in mine please folks.
4. How well does it work and what have been the benefits to your business?
It works incredibly well, ad the benefits have been immense. My family talk to me now, as I no longer ignore them, I have even learnt how to play "guitar hero" on the PS2, my 8 year old always wanted me to play the game with him, but my laptop was all that interested me. Also, my full time I.T work is no longer impacted and I no longer sweat when I receive an email or and SMS to inform me of a new client wanting to speak. Also, the benefits to my business are great, as I feel the conversion rates are superb, I did think I was good with the gift of the gab, and I thought clients loved me but it seems they love the folks at the PA team more as the conversion rate seems higher, which means I don't have to shop at Lidl anymore, I can now shop at Aldi.
5. Is it expensive?
NO. Its invaluable, and worth every penny it costs me. Even the success fee's are never a chore to pay ( ?150 currently ). I am a northerner don't forget, so if I think something isn't worth its money, then you would know about it.
6. Would you recommend them to others?
YES YES YES... Pity I don't get commission for doing so :-)
7. Who should be thinking about using them?
People who are not full time and find that they are having to duck and dive in their REAL job, to try and fit in the odd call to a client. People who are full time but find they have so many leads, that they are spending hours and hours a day stuck on a computer, gathering information, doing DD and making calls. ANYONE and EVERYONE could benefit form this service, of course if your big enough to have your own team then great, but if your a sole trader, or maybe a partnership but both in full time employment, then really do consider the PA team, it works for me, and I am a tight northerner.
8. Any other comments?
Can I use this bit to say thank you to the team, I am not sure how many are on the team as I receive emails from many different people, but thanks to Anna, Caroline, Michael, Alex some bloke called John Rattigan also... oh and Rita, Sue and Bob to. Many thanks to everyone at the PA team, honestly without you my life would be a lot more hectic. SO thank you.
Case Study 2 - Ron Harris - UK Investor Living Overseas
1. What made you look for help in your property business?
Due to limited time, lack of practical experience and being out of the country frequently I decided to seek help in building a property portfolio.
2. What concerns did you have about trusting the PA team with your leads?
No concerns since they came recommended but as in all sales leads speed is critical and quick response and feedback are essential in securing a purchase.
3. What exactly do they do for you?
Generate and qualify leads and put forward offers on my behalf. They also meet the valuer, which is what I require to be done.
4. How well does it work and what have been the benefits to your business?
I have purchased 2 properties using their help one of which came as a lead generated by them. I will continue to use their service.
5. Is it expensive?
In my opinion the service is cost effective particularly as the basic service charges are keep at a minimum with more charges arising on a property purchase hence if I win they win.
6. Would you recommend them to others?
I already have!
7. Who should be thinking about using them?
Anyone wanting to build a property portfolio experienced or otherwise.
8. Any other comments?
I think I said it all above. However I would like to say Thanks.
Case Study 3 - Fast House Sale - Professional Property Investors
1. What made you look for help in your property business?
We weren't looking for it at the time, but came across PIPA on Deep's forum. Upon further investigation, we felt that it offered exactly what we didn't realised we needed - help doing all the timely legwork and research!
2. What concerns did you have about trusting The PA team with your leads?
There is always the fear that leads will not be dealt with in a professional manner not to mention the worry of the lead information being used for other purposes.
3. What exactly do they do for you?
They make the first call, qualify the lead and then present all this information to us along with rental and sold comparables.
4. How well does it work and what have been the benefits to your business?
Fantastic! The main benefit to our business is that we can spend more time on our business rather than in it.
5. Is it expensive?
Not at all considering the service and benefits it provides.
6. Would you recommend them to others?
Absolutely!
7. Who should be thinking about using them?
People who don't have the time to dedicate make the 1st call and spending the time chasing vendors to speak to them for the 1st time. It would also suit people who want to dedicate their time to the front end of the business i.e. generating lots of leads!
8. Any other comments?
Thank you and Keep up the great work!
Case Study 4 - Paul Roberts
1. What made you look for help in your property business?
Due to my work commitments I was finding it very difficult to also find the time to give my leads the time and dedication that was needed. Property PA was the ideal solution as all the due diligence and time consuming work was done enabling me to focus on making an offer.
2. What concerns did you have about trusting The PA team with your leads?
No concerns, due to the PA Team dealing with many leads on a daily basis I knew they were in safe hands.
3. What exactly do they do for you?
They manage all my leads as well as providing their own lead service to me.
4. How well does it work and what have been the benefits to your business?
It works very well, I can go about my full time job during the day, and any key decisions can be made at home in the evening or whenever I can get chance. I think if I had not known about the PA service, I wouldn't have expanded my property portfolio in 2007.
5. Is it expensive?
The costs are very reasonable and the more leads you generate, the better the costs.
6. Would you recommend them to others?
Definitely, I already have!
7. Who should be thinking about using them?
Anybody who works full time, anybody who has other commitments, and anybody who is inexperienced to BMV and the property market.
8. Any other comments?
Great, Friendly and efficient people to deal with.
