ONE of the most well-known estate agencies in the area is celebrating 50 years of business.

Eadie, McFarland & Co. Estate Agents – synonymous for selling property in Co. Fermanagh and South Tyrone – opened its doors in May, 1971 and is the longest established estate agency in Fermanagh.

Back in the Seventies, with today’s modern technology just a pipe dream, Roland Eadie and Robert McFarland relied on hand-painted For Sale signs on aluminium or wooden boards.

Houses were measured by tape, and while today you can watch a 360-degree video of prospective properties, back then it was all black and white photography.

“Robert was at the time a sales agent for Ulster Farmers Mart in Enniskillen, having managed their property department for the previous seven years, and Roland had recently qualified as a Chartered Surveyor, working for Osborne, King & Megran, Belfast.

“Roland was keen to return to work in Fermanagh and they struck up a perfect partnership,” explains William.

Opening up offices at No. 27, East Bridge Street initially, they moved across the road to No. 34 in 1972, which was at the time a general merchant occupying the first floor of the building before moving to the present ground floor offices.

Advancements

Colour photography did eventually make an appearance along with other technological advancements including the internet, with Eadie McFarland becoming the first agency in Fermanagh to get a website.

Walter McFarland joined the firm in 1978, having worked with Lisney & Son, Belfast and William McFarland joined in 2006, having worked with Lambert Smith Hampton, Belfast.

“For over 50 years we have been the trusted choice for property transactions in the county and enjoy having repeat business with two or sometimes three generations of the same family.”

However, William says that whilst it is nice to enjoy the history of the three-generational firm, it adds a sense of responsibility, and comments that you are only as good as your last sale.

“We have to remain cutting-edge in our approach and client service. We have always strived to be the first to innovate particularly with new technologies.

“We were the first agency in the county to develop a website, and the first to join Property Pal; we also utilise social media platforms and use cutting-edge technologies for floor plans and virtual viewings.”

There were tough times as well with the banking crisis leading to a crash in the property market.

However, the team at Eadie McFarland are enjoying strong results at the minute, with William adding: “Estate Agency in Northern Ireland has had many ups and downs over the past 50 years, not least the major banking crisis and property crash of 2008 which led to falling house prices for around four years, and a lot of agencies leaving the market.

“Happily, the market is in a very strong position now, and we couldn’t be happier celebrating our 50th anniversary.”

With an experienced team including Robert Sherrard, who has more than 15 year’s track record as a renowned estate agent, and Catherine Robinson who also has many years of experience selling homes, Eadie McFarland can look forward to the next 50 years with confidence.