Buyer’s Buddy To Grow

Melbourne Herald Sun:

Morrell and Koren, thorns in the side of the real estate industry, are franchising their business.

The South Yarra-based buyers’ advocate service has engaged former real estate agent Greg Hocking to run franchising operations which could spread to Hong Kong, Dubai, London and Sydney.

Mr Hocking has plenty of experience with the franchising model. He expanded the Hocking Stuart www.hockingstuart.com.au/ network 40 offices by franchising over a 23-year period from 1984.

He sold out of the business last year and set up the Alliance Property Finance mortgage broking business.

“I’ll be doing both jobs,” Mr Hocking told Business Daily.

This week, Morrell and Koren signed its first franchise agreement with Damian Taylor, a former director of bayside agency, Hodges.

“I am excited to be moving across to what real estate agents consider to be the dark side of the industry,” Mr Taylor said.

“Buyers’ advocates are the barristers of the real estate industry.

“It’s the cut and thrust of bidding and negotiating that marks the best from the rest.” Read more.