Marketing of Real Estate on a franchise basis has been established in the United States of America to such an extent that three of the top franchise networks conduct 50 to 60% of the business in that country. In the Republic of South Africa, Real Estate franchising has been increasing at a rapid rate. Due to the Real Estate upsurge and increased franchising activity of the past few months, we will experience a mushrooming of the Real Estate franchise industry in South Africa.

Gilbert Estates, managed by Mr Clive Gilbert, who has a property background of over 30 years, are marketing franchises of the agency Gilbert Estates at a nominal fee of R25 000 + VAT.

The aim is to grow through expansion and turnover and not from the franchise fees. Other franchises being offered vary in price from approximately R100 000 – R 500 000 for restricted and limited areas.

In addition, Gilbert Estates provides a money-back guarantee, which has never been offered by any other franchisor to their franchisees in Real Estate in South Africa. Should the franchisee’s commission income be less than R50 000 after the first 12 months of trading, the franchisee has the option to cancel the franchise agreement and obtain repayment 90 % of the franchise fee. This option is available to all franchisees who have paid their franchise fees in full, fulfilled all their obligations in terms of the franchise agreement and invested at least R2 500 per month in advertising over this 12 month period. (Such option is to be exercised in writing by the franchisee within 30 days of expiration of the first 12 months of trading.)

From statistics available, there is a tremendous advantage in being part of a franchise group and ratios of successes of franchise businesses against privately-run businesses is 10 – 1 in favour of franchisees. The reason for this is mainly due to the selection, training and continuous monitoring of progress of franchisees, which gives a tremendous advantage over small, privately-run businesses.

Surveys in the USA have shown that franchisees in Real Estate are the most satisfied group in the franchising industry. The benefits of national advertising, referrals and sophisticated training and marketing methods have resulted in financial benefits of an unprecedented scale for franchisees.

Gilbert Estates are creating a network of small, well-organised franchisees throughout the Republic of South Africa.

A franchisee will be able to operate from a small office or his/her residence and thus cut operating costs radically, whilst having the benefits of the image of a large group. Gilbert Estates will attend to all administration and the franchisee will be able to concentrate on sales in the area of their preference, where their personal knowledge of that area will result in the public obtaining excellent service from a highly-motivated and well-trained professional Estate Agent running his/her own business.

A full training programme is offered and inexperienced persons with a general business background, plus motivation, should have no difficulty in creating a successful career for themselves.

Training encompasses aspects such as:

• Property sales
• Rent collection and property administration
• Valuations
• Employment of sales persons and office management systems
• Bookkeeping systems and requirements
• Sales of businesses
• Auctions
• Compliance with the Estate Agency Affairs Act

We sincerely hope this brief brochure will give you some insight into what our franchise offers. Should you require more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

• The right to use the name Gilbert Estates and their logo.
• The name/logo is a registered trademark
• There is greater credibility and impact through national recognition of the Group 's name/logo
• Use of vast variety of standard documentation
• Advantage of bulk advertising contracts with all advertising media (e.g. contracts with daily and weekly publications), which give discounts for quantity of space taken
• Advantage of discounts on all orders of stationery, advertising boards, printing, etc.
• Standard policy manuals and training documentation
• Training courses in Management and Sales
• Finance - Assistance in the raising of finance with banks and other financial institutions. Gilbert Estates is an accredited agent to most of major financial institutions
• Access to central registers of buyers and sellers  introduction commission to be given by Franchisees to other Franchisees
• Management liaison between Franchisees and Franchisor
• Access to all market research data of Franchisor
• Accounting systems introductions for effective control
• Goodwill created by yourself is your asset
• Franchisor assists in negotiation of sales, conclusion of sales
• Franchisor attends to all administration of sale, if required
• Access to Gilbert Estates website for listing of stock and buyer referrals

This Franchise is available to those persons who wish to specialise only in Commercial and Industrial properties as well as the sales of businesses. It is an ideal business opportunity for individuals who wish to specialise in this specific field of the Real Estate industry. By not involving oneself in the Residential property sales industry the Franchisee would not require expensive establishment costs such as ground floor office/shops and facilities for a large sales team. A potential Franchisee could establish oneself either from a home office base or alternatively offices at reasonable rentals and gradually expand oneself as the Franchise business becomes established.

Working hours are far more regular. Normally there is very little work that is to be followed up during weekends, (e.g. no "show-house" pressures). Persons with good financial/management background would appreciate this exceptional opportunity. Franchisees would be able to market Commercial and Industrial properties as well as businesses which might be situated anywhere within the Republic of South Africa. They would become part of a network of similar Franchisees throughout the Republic and would be able to share their listings and leads to the benefit of all participating Franchisees. Properties as well as businesses could be listed on our existing website. A Franchisee would also be able to arrange loans secured by mortgage bonds. They would obtain the mortgage bond origination commission, which is between 1.25% and 1.5% on the amount of the loan granted. If a Franchisee obtains any leads relating to the Residential Property Market, these leads would be handed over to the Residential Property Franchisees established throughwout the country. The Franchisee would receive a share in the commission resulting from any sales that are finalised from such leads. This is an exceptional opportunity for individuals to take advantage of the current upsurge in demand for commercial and industrial property as well as the demand for individuals to become independent by establishing their own business. Gilbert Estates also offers a money back guarantee, full details of such money back guarantee as well as the conditions attached thereto, can be obtained from our head office once you communicate with Gilbert Estates. Interested parties are requested to communicate with us either telephonically, per fax or per email.