The French Test Theory

Why there’s always something to endure, and howCentury 21 could help

By Nick Faulkner

There are two ways to look at life. You can either assume that, at some point, everything will fall into place, work will get easier, and the challenges will disappear. Or you can accept the simple reality that there will always be something standing between you and that perfect version of life you’ve been picturing.

I learned this the hard way, back in school, during my weekly French test. Every Thursday morning, without fail, I had to sit through a subject I didn’t enjoy, taught by a man whose French sounded suspiciously Northern-Irish. I hated it. But I had a strategy: I told myself that if I could get through two years of this nonsense, everything in life would be rosy.

It wasn’t.

At A-levels, it was Biology. At university, it was Town and Country Planning. At every stage of my life and career, I discovered that there was always a French test—some unavoidable pain-in-the-arse job that you simply had to endure to get to the next step.

And here’s the truth: it never stops. Even when you’ve built businesses, sold businesses, and moved into a so-called semi-retirement (ha!), there’s always something.

The difference between those who succeed and those who struggle isn’t avoiding the French tests—it’s finding a way to deal with them.

And if you’re an estate agent or a property professional right now, you’ve got your own French tests.

- A softening property market

- Changing buyer and seller expectations

- More landlords selling up

- Increased competition from agencies desperate for stock

The question isn’t how to avoid these challenges—it’s how to make them work for you. And that’s exactly where Century 21’s global footprint gives franchisees an advantage that no other estate agency network in the UK can match.

Thinking beyond borders: The Century 21 way

One of the biggest mistakes I see estate agents making in the UK is thinking too small – focusing only on domestic market conditions while ignoring the enormous opportunities available through international buyers, investors, and relocation clients.

If you want proof, just look at Century 21’s global network.

I was in Dubai recently connecting with global partners who understand the scale and reach that a network like C21 can offer. It’s something that no other UK agency franchise with any kind of scale can match.

And at a time when migration is at unprecedented levels – both into and out of the UK – that connectivity is more valuable than ever.

1. Helping UK Nationals to move abroad

Incentives like Portugal’s Golden Visa or Canada’s ongoing drive to attract migrants are incredibly attractive options for Brits looking to relocate. In Portugal, Century 21 is the market leader, while in Canada there are over 400 C21 offices. No other real estate brand can offer this kind of scale.

Through C21, UK estate agents can offer a seamless service for high-net-worth individuals wanting to invest in international real estate, utilising the right global connections.

2. Supporting international buyers coming to the UK

The UK is seeing a huge influx of skilled migrants, particularly doctors, nurses, and other professionals, with over 70,000 legal migrants coming from Albania alone in 2024, and over 150,000 Hong Kong nationals have moved to the UK since the introduction of the British National (Overseas) visa was introduced in 2021.

For these people, Rightmove is something they’ve never heard of, but they are coming from countries where Century 21 is the number one real estate brand.

3. C21’s global partnerships: more opportunities, more referrals

As shown in our recent partnership with AQUA Developments, C21 is plugged into major international investment projects. That means direct access to buyers, sellers, and investors who might never have otherwise engaged with UK agents.

For UK property professionals looking to navigate the French tests of 2024, being part of a global brand like Century 21 is a serious advantage.

How Century 21 Can Help Property Professionals Overcome Their 2024 French Tests

Here’s the thing about French tests: they always feel like an obstacle - until you realise they’re actually an opportunity.

That’s where Century 21 comes in.

Century 21 is the only estate agency franchise with a strong UK presence and a genuinely global network – one that franchisees can use to generate international leads, expand their client base, and build a business that isn’t at the mercy of UK market fluctuations.

The question isn’t whether the market will be tough. The trick is making sure that you’re positioned to win regardless.

That’s exactly what our dynamic network of C21 franchisees in the UK is doing in 2024. Instead of fighting the market, they’re expanding their reach – leveraging Century 21’s global network to tap into international buyers, investors, and relocation clients. I’m incredibly proud of them all.

So the real question isn’t “How do I avoid the French test?”

It’s “How do I make it work for me?”

Nick