No one has a crystal ball for 2027and you don't need one if you have your costs and priorities in order. Profit must be protected; is your only protection from business failure. Fact.
Many commentators are talking about a more challenging year ahead in 2027, with higher costs and tighter margins. Shielding your business from uncertainty is your number one priority.
We’re not in the business of predicting the market; we are focused on the practical: how businesses can stay profitable, hold or grow market share, and still perform when conditions get tough.
Because while some headlines focus on pressure, we see opportunity. The principals who use the next few months to pivot will be in a stronger position when the market turns.
Start with the expense ledger
In any market, every dollar on the expense side matters. The simplest move a principal can make heading into 2027 is to eliminate superfluous costs and ask a basic question: what value is this expense delivering?
That means looking beyond the total on an invoice. Is a subscription still being used by the team? Has a supplier agreement been reviewed recently? Is a lead source generating enquiries that turn into appointments and listings? Network fees belong in the same review. Whether the arrangement is a fixed fee, a percentage of revenue, or a mix of charges, it’s worth understanding the total annual cost and what the business receives in return.
Must-haves are the expenses that genuinely help you list, sell, manage, and keep good people. Nice-to-haves are the ones that no longer earn their place or could work harder. The aim is not to cut for the sake of cutting, but to understand which costs support growth and which could be redirected so more money stays in the business.
Profitability and market share can coexist
It’s easy to assume that protecting margins means pulling back. In our experience, the principals who do well in tougher conditions are usually the ones who stay visible and look to the opportunities, with eyes focused on costs.
A low fixed subscription business enjoys predictable operating methods. After the monthly fee, all of the income stays in the business. Compared to a franchise fee, or what we call a success tax, penalising you on growth. It also elevates the conversation when recruiting agents. When not giving a percentage of every deal to a head office, retention and recruitment become easier. That matters when good people are harder to find and more expensive to replace.
You don’t need to guess the market
No one knows exactly how 2027 will play out. Some months will be better than others. Some areas will hold up better than others. The principals who perform consistently are rarely the ones with the most accurate forecast. They’re usually the ones who have already reviewed what they’re paying for, kept their cost base tight, and stayed focused on the parts of the business they can control.
That doesn’t require a big structural change overnight. It does require an honest look at current expenses and whether they still make sense for the year ahead.
A straightforward conversation
A confidential chat is all it takes to find out how we support your business goals with our proven tools and low monthly subscription. A profitable formula.
Book a time here to speak with me, Mark Stewart, CEO One Agency. I'm here to help you. The year ahead doesn’t need to be guessed. It just needs to be planned for.