David Rebe, an estate agency owner, has expanded his portfolio with the acquisition of the Basingstoke operation of Martin & Co. The deal follows the retirement of the previous franchise owner and adds a third location to Rebe’s portfolio, which already includes the Oxford and Thame businesses.
Growth Through Acquisition
Rebe joined the Martin & Co network in March 2024 after acquiring the two branches. He now plans further growth through acquisitions and organic expansion.
The Basingstoke business has an established client base and experienced team, with most employees having been with the agency for several years.
Support from The Property Franchise Group
Rebe said: “I have been very impressed with the Martin & Co business that we acquired two and a half years ago. We receive a lot of support from The Property Franchise Group and, in the current environment of legislative change, the importance of having this type of support cannot be underestimated.”
He added: “From the initial acquisition, my goal has been to grow a network of branches, as I believe the economies of scale allow us to offer our clients exceptional service through the pooled resources we have access to.”
Existing Team Retained
Rebe said the established team was an important factor behind the acquisition. “I much prefer acquiring an established, well-performing branch with an established team, and then only introducing changes if they will add value to all stakeholders in the business,” he said.
Rebe will spend the next few months assessing the operation before considering opportunities for further development. “For the next few months, it will be a soft approach to understand the business thoroughly. Thereafter, we will evaluate what opportunities are available to us,” he added.
Rebe said his experience in Oxford and Thame had reinforced the importance of customer service. “There is no substitute for exceptional service. Real estate is a competitive industry and, if you are not providing your clients with quality service, there are plenty of other operators looking to win your clients. We make sure to give them no reason to look elsewhere.”
Further Acquisitions Planned
Rebe intends to continue expanding through acquisitions and organic growth. “We believe that we have established a very strong management team that has the ability to oversee a larger team and make sure that they are delivering exceptional service across all functions of the business,” he said. “This acquisition is another step towards establishing a material-sized business in the UK. We are not done yet.”
Toby Phillips, group managing director of Martin & Co, said: “Basingstoke is an established business with strong local relationships and an experienced team, making it an excellent fit for David and his existing portfolio. It is particularly encouraging to see Franchise Owners using the strength and support of the network to pursue further growth through acquisition.”
