Hi,First post,so please be gentle with me!
After several years as a property developer,I want a change.I was considering opening an EA in East Sussex/Kent.Is now the time? If not when will be? Depending on the newspaper of your choice,things are getting better or things are getting worse.Who do you believe?
Any good books I should read?
Any good course providers out there?(to learn the basics)
Oh so many questions!

HI there
As you know yourself many Estate Agents have gone down in history and quite a few are not doing very well. However, I think a lot depends on the area and your own abilities. I know one estate agent for a while now and she is in a very expensive area. She always had very good income, but due to crisis she is not completing many sales. There are many reasons to it. First, she is employed. Her basic salary is quite low, but her commission was really a significant part of her earnings, so no sales, no commission. However, it is not up to her to improve company’s marketing strategy and commission levels as she is not making that decision. So, while other Estate agents located in the area have adjusted their commission and strategy, her company didn’t. Another issue is their attitude to their customers, I know they can be snobby and if previously they could miss a customer or two as properties were selling as hot cakes, now they are feeling the bite. On the other side, another agent I know quite well in London is extremely busy as many people think that it is a good time to buy. So, two different agents, two totally different situations. In any case I don’t think it will be very easy to start totally new business in this market. Have you thought about franchise? There are quite a few on offer, probably even offer cheaper deals at the minute.

My initial reaction was to write: 'you are about 10 years late, mate.' But having thought about, why not if you have what it takes. You seem to have experience in property development and probably dealt with quite a few EAs to know what works and what doesnt. Are there many EAs closing down in East Sussex/Kent?