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Winkworth’s story stretches back to 1835, so when Michael Foldvari and his co-founder joined the franchise in 2014, they were tapping into nearly two centuries of heritage, while setting out to build something distinctly their own.
The early days were modest: three people, no properties, and plenty of ambition.
Today, they operate from two busy offices – Winkworth Reading and Winkworth Newbury – supported by full teams and led on the lettings side by Emma Jack, Director of Property Management.
Thanks to over a decade of game-changing growth using Reapit and its automated client accounting platform PayProp, today they manage more than 700 properties and offer sales and lettings, as well as broader services for landlords, tenants, buyers, sellers and anyone else with a stake in residential property in their area.
Big ambitions call for the right tech
Before the growth came the groundwork. Michael knew early on that technology would play a defining role in whether his start-up agency could scale smoothly.
With more than two decades in the property industry, he had already worked with multiple CRMs. That experience made his choice of which PropTech to use immediately clear:
“I've used various CRM systems in the past and Reapit hands down has been the best.” Michael Foldvari
Reapit gave Winkworth Reading exactly what it was looking for: a system that could support the business as it evolved. As Michael puts it, “Reapit grows with us."
The team frequently uses Reapit to cross-sell and upsell, turning sales properties into lettings instructions or landlords into vendors. By uniting sales and lettings under one system, those opportunities became far easier to spot and act on.
Turning insight into action with reporting
Reapit’s reporting tools have become another lever for growth.
Michael describes how he can drill down into the data to identify, for example, how many one-bedroom rental properties the agency manages within a five-mile radius of Reading Town Centre. From there, he can run a second report to find applicants who are a strong match for those properties, and his team can pick up the phone.
It’s targeted, data-led activity that helps fuel Winkworth Reading’s wider growth goals.
Finding the right fit for client accounting
Then there’s client accounting, which used to be a major pain point.
Before discovering Reapit’s automated rental payment platform PayProp, Winkworth Reading used to outsource its client accounting function. And according to Michael, it was “horrendous.”
Mistakes were frequent, payments were delayed and relationships suffered. The experience was consistently frustrating and losing the agency business.
Since switching to PayProp, Winkworth Reading has fundamentally changed their process and their client accounting problems have disappeared.
PayProp lets agents run multiple payment cycles each day, so landlords get paid the same day their rent comes in, which has significantly boosted satisfaction and loyalty.
Meanwhile, automated reminders and text messages prompt tenants when rent is due, while the platform quickly flags missed and late payments. Both Michael and Emma describe the arrears-chasing process with PayProp as “straightforward” – a welcome change from more manual, time-heavy approaches.
For Emma, the operational impact PayProp has had is significant.
“On a Monday morning, we can have between 40 and 60 landlords' rent payments ready to go within a matter of minutes. I wouldn't go back to a time without PayProp for client accounting at all.” Emma Jack
She says PayProp has saved her and her team at least two hours a day on banking alone. Just as importantly, it gives her confidence as a team leader. She can guarantee payments to landlords continue smoothly even if someone is out of the office or on holiday.
One entry is all it takes
The direct integration between PayProp and Reapit has been just as valuable. With data syncing seamlessly across both platforms, information only has to be entered once, whether in the office or out in the field.
By removing duplicate data entry, sensitive information stays off personal devices, overall data accuracy improves, and staff gain extra time. All of this translates into valuable benefits across the board, from higher-quality reports to more personalised client interactions.
“Reapit is our central source of information. Everything feeds back into the system. It controls everything in terms of people's diaries, the property records, the sales records. And PayProp works brilliantly with Reapit to ensure that information is moved backwards and forwards.” Emma Jack
Support that goes beyond the helpdesk
Technology is only part of the equation. For Winkworth Reading, the service behind the software matters just as much.
Michael and Emma both value knowing that if an issue ever does arise – which Michael notes is rare – they can simply pick up the phone, speak to a real person and have their query resolved within minutes.
Beyond day-to-day support, Winkworth Reading also benefits from the wider thought leadership Reapit provides, from webinars to guidance on regulatory change and emerging industry challenges, alongside software updates that help them adapt to those changes.
“Absolutely I would stay with Reapit because of the support, the technology, the advancements, and for paying attention to what's going on in the industry. And I'm confident that Reapit is staying ahead of the game and ensuring that, as agents, we can provide our landlords with everything they need for the changing landscape.” Emma Jack
“I'm aware that I'm in safe hands knowing that the people behind the tech understand my business.” Michael Foldvari
Technology that supports a people business
At its core, property is a people business.
While it’s impossible for any one person to personally know the thousands of landlords, tenants, buyers and sellers Winkworth Reading works with, Michael says having Reapit means he can pull up a client profile and instantly understand who they are and what’s happening.
“Every property is unique, as are people's needs, wants, demands. It's hugely important for me to have an understanding of that. Reapit and PayProp give me confidence to be able to deal with people the best possible way I can, and it gives that customer a really positive journey.” Michael Foldvari
For Emma, the experience is much the same.
“Having the right tech allows us to really focus on the people values and communicating with our customers, knowing that the admin-heavy tasks are taken care of.” Emma Jack
Winkworth Reading’s story shows what’s possible when experienced people are backed by technology that genuinely works for them. With Reapit handling the heavy lifting, the team, from leadership to front line, can do more in less time, without losing the personal touch that our industry demands.
As Winkworth Reading continues to grow, that same combination of people and technology will remain central to delivering a white-glove experience for every single landlord, tenant, buyer and seller they work with.
