This Macclesfield estate agent has taken the novel idea to waive some of their agency fee to help local charities.

Belvoir Macclesfield, located on 120-122 Mill St, is run by franchise owners Barry and Winnie Crooks.

While the franchise has had a presence in Macclesfield since 2008, the married couple, who originally come from an automotive and HR related background, were one of the first in the Belvoir network to introduce this noble charity helping idea.

The pair had sold properties independently for over 20 years, as well as having been landlords, but decided to quit their comfortable jobs in October 2019 and become estate and letting agents at Belvoir Macclesfield.

Since taking over the franchise, they have led the local sales and letting agency to three awards, and become one of the best-rated Belvoir franchises for customer service in the country.

This was partly due to donating some of their agency fees to Macclesfield causes - and it is completely up to the vendor which charity is supported.

Macclesfield Nub News spoke to Managing Partner Barry (49).

"A couple months ago we introduced an initiative we put in called 'Giving Something Back'," said the Macclesfield property expert.

"So for every new sales instruction that we take on, when the sale is complete, we will take 10% of our agency fee and give it to a local charity of the vendor's choice.

"It doesn't have to be a charity, we've also seen people choose for the money to go to Macclesfield schools.

"I think from our point of view if the vendor can see we are trying to give back to the local community, then the vendor knows they are also helping the local community and with us donating our fees, the vendor has got an input.

"Which I think is important because the vendor feels like they have a vested interest in terms of helping the local community as well.

"It strengthens the partnership between the agency, and the vendor in terms of supporting the local community."

Invigorated by the idea Barry and Winnie have decided to partner with Macclesfield Nub News, to further increase supporting the local community.

"We are delighted to work with Macclesfield Nub News," added Barry.

"It has been difficult in the pandemic, normally agents would be involved with networking groups. But those just haven't been available and we haven't been able to network in any shape or form to help grow our business.

We put our heads together and we felt that this ten percent was a good way of trying to give something back.

"And that next step is working with Macclesfield Nub News, to continue to increase our presence within the local community."

This year, Belvoir Macclesfield have also taken on Macclesfield local Natasha, utilising the kickstart scheme to try to help get the younger Macclesfield generation back into employment.

Barry and Winnie believe they offer a different approach to other estate agents, as having come from different backgrounds they bring a multitude of skills that they are transposing into the property environment.

This offers a more personable and family-ran approach to selling or letting a property, to which their Macclesfield competitors may not be able to offer.

Despite the pandemic, Barry is optimistic about the future of the property market.

"The current property market - not just in Macclesfield but across the country - is certainly a market that has seen a surge in prices," he said.

"It will start to stablise in the coming months as the stamp duty holiday comes to an end. We don't believe in a market crash as some people have been speculating.

"The reason for that is down to several factors - at the moment demand continues to way outstrip supply, then you have the economy starting to recover, low interest rates, as well as 95% mortgages for first-time buyers.

"Interest rates are low and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future, so I think the property market will continue to do quite well."

Nub News CEO Karl Hancock, had this to say on working with Belvoir Macclesfield.

"We welcome Belvoir becoming a Macclesfield Nub News sponsor," said Karl.

"It's great to see their commitment to the community. We couldn't ask for a better partner."

You can visit Macclesfield Nub News' new partners by appointment, where you can also acquire print materials on selling your home.

Their phone number is 01625 410950, and you can email Belvoir Macclesfield via [email protected].

Their website is here.

Macclesfield Nub News Property section.