Apartments Abroad gets into online overseas property sales

An exclusive UK online distribution deal with Europe’s largest real estate company MacAnthony Realty International has been signed by Apartments Abroad.

The deal will see the UK company promote overseas holiday homes for sale via the retail travel trade.

Marbella-based MacAnthony’s portfolio of new and re-sale properties in Spain, France, Portugal, Florida, the Bahamas, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Dominican Republic and Turkey will be promoted via the apartmentsabroad.com website.

Agents introducing successful referrals will be able to earn “a healthy and consistent profit” by promoting overseas property and the benefits on offer through apartmentsabroad.com, the company claimed.  

New owners will be able to market to market their property for rent via apartmentsabroad.com free for two years and have MRI’s after sales services which include property management, 24-hour assistance and legal advice.

“The earning potential is uncapped, dependent only on the effort agents are willing to put in to marketing the property portfolio and the quality of clients they are able to provide,” said Apartments Abroad.

Managing director Ian Thirlwall said: “The beauty of this arrangement is that gives travel agents an easy way into a new and potentially lucrative market at a time when their traditional revenue is being squeezed by falling commission and direct selling.

“They need make no financial commitment, take any risk or acquire specialist technical knowledge of the international property market.”

Thirlwall added: “We have only launched this service because of feedback from agents of increasing interest in buying property abroad, especially with traditional revenue routes being squeezed by recent commission cuts.

“As one door shuts another opens for the enterprising agent who can secure revenue from flights, car hire and other ancilliaries when the client, their friends and family visit their new holiday property.”

Agents must identify interested parties and Apartments Abroad will answer any initial queries, outline the sales process and arrange a three or four day inspection visit which will include free hotel accommodation with meals, transfers and the services of a MacAnthony property adviser.

“MacAnthony, as European market leader, have all the experience and expertise available to advise on the legal intricacies, financials and all aspects of life overseas,” added Thirlwall.

MacAnthony Realty chairman Darragh MacAnthony said: “There is a natural synergy between our two companies that will broaden the way that overseas property is marketed and will bring lasting benefits to our customers.

“A high proportion of MRI clients have previously stayed in rented accommodation in the same areas several times and we always encourage people to holiday in an area where they are thinking of buying to get a real feel for it before committing. New additions to the MRI portfolio will be on apartmentsabroad.com within minutes giving agents and their customers the fastest access to the latest overseas properties.”

MacAnthony was established in 1997 and claims to transact a property sale or purchase every 90 minutes.

*Agents should email [email protected] if they are interested in receiving further details.

Report by Phil Davies