Cricketers put faith in property market by investing in hybrid estate agency concept

Luke Procter and Craig Meschede are easyProperty’s latest franchisee recruits

Professional sport has been badly hit financially by COVID-19, with cricketers suffering more than most.

But a crisis can be an opportunity - as two cricketers have clearly decided.

That’s why Northamptonshire all-rounder Luke Procter and ex-Glamorgan and Somerset man Craig Meschede (pictured) have put their faith in the property market.

The pair have invested in easyProperty franchises, an online/hybrid estate agency concept that is being backed by Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the billionaire entrepreneur who founded the easyJet airline.

Oldham-born Luke, 32, will combine playing with selling. He says: “I can’t wait to get started. I’ve always been interested in property, buying and selling, and doing places up.

“I’m good with people - you have to be when you’re with your team-mates for such long periods every year - and I’ve also captained a few teams in my time. So that’s all going to help when I’m dealing with potential customers.

“I’ve done all my training with easyProperty and found it really interesting. There were so many things I didn’t know about property - but I do now.

“Chorley is an ideal place. It has a variety homes, from £80,000 terrace houses to £1 million properties.

“I think the market is coming back to life and the reduction in stamp duty is also going to help.”

Luke got involved with easyProperty when the company did a webinar organised through the Professional Cricketers’ Association.

“It all looked good and I thought it was perfect for me,” he says.

“Then I spoke with Liam Watts, who plays rugby league for Castleford Tigers and joined easyProperty several months ago. He gave me really positive feedback and told me he is running the business alongside his career. That was great to hear.

“I’ve also had great advice from Kelvin Brook, regional director at easyProperty, who has become my mentor.”

Craig thinks his cricketing experience will help in his new job.

He says: “Cricket is a team game, but it’s also very individualistic and goal oriented and that’s going to help me tremendously starting out.

“Cricket is also very people oriented and face-to-face communications are so important in the estate agency business.”

Craig believes Cardiff is the perfect area for property: “Where I live, there are two-bed terrace houses, £500,000 Charles Church homes and bigger properties costing up to £1.5 million. It’s also very close to the M4 and only 10 minutes from the centre of Cardiff.”

Lynsey Williams, co-lead personal development manager at the Professional Cricketers’ Association, says: “We’re always planting seeds for players to develop other avenues for themselves, including full-time degrees.

“Property has always piqued the interest of PCA members and easyProperty were one of a number of companies to give presentations. David Brierley’s webinar was excellent and now Luke and Craig have signed up.”

David Brierley, chief executive officer of easyProperty, says: “The interest in our model has escalated over the last few months and each month sees a greater number join our ranks as the realisation that the traditional model needs to change.

“The pandemic has seen a huge shift in consumer behaviour and our online presence is the new and only way forward.”