With the bigger estate agencies getting bigger, it's no surprise to see smaller players merging their interests. That happened this week when McCabe Crisp & Partners joined forces with Ganly Walters, which is building a solid commercial and country house business. The merged practices will trade as Ganly Walters Ltd, incorporating McCabe Crisp & Partners. Laurence McCabe and Patricia Crisp will join the new company as consultants, while two other members of their staff will bring the total staff numbers up to 25. Fee income in the current year is expected to reach around £2 million. McCabe is in a good position to bring in new international business now that he is shortly to be installed as world president of FIABCI, the international real estate federation.

Meanwhile, Sherry FitzGerald continues to attract new members to its provincial franchise operation. The latest coup involves Leitrim agent Liam Farrell, who has been operating a highly successful business in Carrick-on-Shannon. He's now well placed to satisfy the demand for hideaway cottages and tax efficient pads through Sherry FitzGerald's ever-widening client base.