How Mike Barnes Built Home Wirral Estate Agency to 20 Staff in 3 Years

Описание: Mike Barnes owns Home Wirral estate agents with his business partner. Started in summer 2022 and now they're a team of 20 people across West Kirby and Oxton offices. Three and a half years to build that. This is how he did it.

We talked about the reality of starting a business when you're doing absolutely everything. The first 12-18 months where you're the cleaner, the negotiator, the viewing booker, the valuer - everything. How that first year is basically a write-off in your life but it's what shapes your future.

Mike moved house, started the business, and dealt with Covid all in a two-year period. That's getting married, having kids, running a business, getting divorced, and moving house levels of stress. Somehow he still has hair.

The big thing they focused on - people are the asset, not just the brand. They wanted to strike the balance where they're still involved in valuations and viewings, not just sitting upstairs in Ibiza. The plan is to grow but not to a size where the brand becomes the asset and people are optional.

We got into building a team culture where everyone buys into it. How content isn't optional even though nobody loves doing it - they just understand the importance. When they hire people, it's not on the CV that you have to do content, but it helps if you get why it matters.

Mike breaks down the Wirral property market. Post-Liz Truss mini budget, prices haven't gone backwards despite what people were saying about crashes. If you price accurately, properties sell. The growth trajectory slowed because of interest rates but the market held strong.

For first-time buyers on the Wirral - speak to a mortgage broker first, not a bank. Banks only offer their own products. Brokers show you everything and map out your affordability. Get an agreement in principle certificate first so you know what you can afford before viewing properties.

We also talked about how underrated the Wirral is for business. 11,000 businesses on the Wirral, with accountancy firms being the fifth most common business type. The Craft in Oxton area alone has 252 businesses within a month. That's mental when you think about it.

The Wirral is two hours from Manchester, one hour from North Wales, a tunnel away from Liverpool - dead center and accessible to the whole Northwest. Great for filming content too with the coastal line and rural areas. New Brighton gets full production crews down there regularly.

If you're on the Wirral, thinking about moving house, want to know the local property market, or just want to hear someone talk straight about building a business from scratch - this one's for you.

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CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro: Origin Stories of Wirral Businesses
2:20 - Who is Mike Barnes and Home Wirral
4:30 - The First Year: Doing Everything Yourself
7:45 - Starting During Covid and Moving House
10:50 - Building a Team of 20 in 3 Years
15:20 - People Are the Asset, Not Just the Brand
19:40 - Team Culture and Content Buy-In
24:15 - Wirral Property Market Post-Liz Truss
28:30 - Why the Wirral is Underrated for Business
32:45 - 11,000 Businesses on the Wirral
35:20 - First Time Buyer Advice: Mortgage Brokers First
38:00 - How to Contact Home Wirral

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CONNECT WITH MIKE:
Home Wirral Estate Agents
West Kirby Office: 0151 650 1350
Oxton Office: 0151 653 1770
Instagram / YouTube- ‪@HomeWirral‬
Website: homewirral.co.uk

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