HomeXperts, a property franchising business which has picked up a number of awards over the years, is to cease trading.
Sources say that administrators have been called in.
Some 32 outlets look to be currently listed, including in the home counties, the New Forest, Somerset, Cambridge, Warwick, Nottingham, Peterborough, Prestwich and Worksop and Worcester. The HomeXperts website itself says it has over 40 branches across the country.
It is also still advertising for new franchisees on the site, offering the opportunity to work from home with “extensive central office support” with the potential to “earn over £25,000 in invoiced commissions in a calendar month”.
Founder Sussanne Chambers confirmed to EYE at the weekend: “We recently tried to sell the HomeXperts franchise and despite initial interest from market leading property franchise brands, due to difficult market conditions, they were unable to incorporate the HomeXperts brand into their portfolios.
“Consequently the sad decision was made for the business to cease trading.”
Chambers founded the business in 2010. It went on to win best franchise in the Sunday Times awards two years in a row, while Chambers herself won woman franchisor of the year at the NatWest EWIF awards in 2016.
However, behind the scenes some franchisees were reportedly less than happy, setting up a ‘HomeXperts Scam’ blog which is still available online at https://homexpertsscam.wordpress.com/
According to court paperwork that EYE has seen, one former franchisee was awarded costs at Coventry County Court on January 23 this year. The claimant, HomeXperts, was ordered to pay him £18,525 and did not attend court. The particulars of HomeXperts claim were struck out.
On Rightmove yesterday, HomeXperts had 43 available sales properties including two added on Saturday.
Below, how it was advertising for franchisees last year:
Comments (14)
Nothing is ever what it seems.
Where are the NAEA and RICS in all this with franchise operations when inexperienced individuals are suckered into a professional business with little or no skin in the game . The business of estate agency is now becoming increasingly regulated and never has the requirement for qualifications and experience been so strong .What about the poor seller who has entrusted his main asset?
The failure rate is far too high and reflects badly on the whole of the profession .
We heard Ian Wilson of The Property Franchise group only last week singing the praises of Ewemove .What price,success? The success of the few does not mitigate the damage of the failures .Companies House bears testament to that.
Their franchisee in Birmingham has just gone with the individual franchisee piling up a company debt. Now no presence in the second city
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/10679830
Properties in Birmingham according to their chatline are being handled by their franchisee in Southgate, N.London !
AmyThanks for waiting. Yes, the branch that covers the Birmingham area is Southgate & Oakwood
Would you mind if I ask the nature of your enquiry please, perhaps I can be of help here on chat?
Are we still connected?
https://www.ewemove.com/property-show/?summer-hill-road-one-bhm–birmingham-b1-3rh-19842
Cardiff just folded .Where does it all end?
What made these people think she was the goose that laid the golden egg? The franchise had miraculously found a way to earn £25,000 plus per month, when no-one else has. Just another “on paper looks good” but in reality never ever was going to happen and fed the goose.
What the article leaves out is the fact that some of these branches will still be trading just not under a franchise, and some of them are brilliant estate agents who deserve the right to carry on. Unfortunatly some of these poor people have lost alot of money buying into a franchise and wont be able to carry on
They should of done their due diligence. If they that good, they will just need to trade under a different name when this goes to pot!!
I believe many did and all get legal advise before entering into a contract, unfortunately there is always more to a story than what is printed. A number of these branches had been with HomeXperts for years and will have joined in a much better time but will be carrying on
Hello, We are HomeXperts Worcester Ltd and we are the Worcester franchise. However, we are not a franchisee anymore as we bought the HomeXperts trade mark after franchisor went into administration last week. We are now owner of HomeXperts in UK and there are 15 other offices across the country. We continue the business as it is and we grow our business more and more and stronger. We are in the progress of building a new office and recruit more staff. We work hard to impress our clients and give a best personal and friendly service. We just thought of sharing this information after seeing your message.
HomeXperts Worcester Ltd
I have always thought ‘awards’ are a meaningless fig-leaf (anyone ever met a client that knew what and ESTA was?!). The only award a decent agent should be seeking is a Google score over 4.5.
not that sure about google either, some really dodging looking positive reviews on a number of agents, from customers with only one review …….you need to see lots of review from a person on other businesses otherwise IMHO, it looks made up
10 Google reviews for £29.95
byereviews.com/
$5 per Google review
dripfeedreviews.com/buy-google-reviews/
And the list goes on…
…and on…
Goes to show what a joke ‘industry’ awards are.
Couldn’t agree more re: awards. Never ever met a ‘civilian’ who recognised any of them once the Sunday Times pulled out.
I always thought this was a **** model and would not work. Not surprised no one wants the left overs.
Hello, We are HomeXperts Worcester Ltd and we are the Worcester franchise. However, we are not a franchisee anymore as we bought the HomeXperts trade mark after franchisor went into administration last week. We are now owner of HomeXperts in UK and there are 15 other offices across the country. We continue the business as it is and we grow our business more and more and stronger. We are in the progress of building a new office and recruit more staff. We work hard to impress our clients and give a best personal and friendly service. We just thought of sharing this information after seeing your message above.
HomeXperts Worcester Ltd
Hi HomeXperts,
have you taken over the website too or developing a new one? I just tried searching for property but doesn’t return anything. Do the existing franchisees work with you?
Anyway, good luck with the new venture and hope you make it a success as we need more success stories on here instead of all the doom and gloom