In the loop - November
Horts Use Best Practice
15 November 2007
movewithus offer their agents assistance in all areas to enable them to sell their developer clients' part-exchange property. Northampton and Warwickshire-based member agent Horts has been implementing an initiative across their company to use the associated movewithus services to increase sales of their developer property.
Adam Wellesley, director of Horts, said;
“Part-exchange properties bring fantastic business to estate agents. There is no emotional element to selling this type of property. It is more of a business to business transaction between agent and new homes developer. For estate agents to succeed in the part-exchange market they need to understand how developers work; the timescales, deadlines and levels of feedback required. movewithus perform an excellent ‘middleman’ operation in bringing all these elements together.”
The initiative set out by Horts focuses on five specific areas;
1. Using the movewithus website – the movewithus website offers up to the minute information on all aspects of the transaction process.
2. Maintenance – movewithus’ maintenance department specialise in the renovation of property to make it more attractive to buyers. Utilise this service.
3. Part-exchanging a part-exchange – in general new-home builders will look at buying in properties that are 70% or less than the value of the ones they are selling. This does not just work against their new homes but can also be considered on the part-exchange properties agents are selling. Always be aware if there are any dependant buyers that would suit this arrangement.
4. Getting the sales proforma in quickly – if agents have an acceptable offer on a property, it will remain available until the sales proforma is filled out on the movewithus website.
5. Timescales for vendors moving out – often agents are asked to sell a part-exchange property where the vendor cannot vacate into their new home for many months. Open a dialogue with developers – perhaps they can arrange temporary accommodation?
It is this kind of creative thinking and proactive approach which has made Horts one of the most successful agents in the Northampton and Warwickshire areas.
Nigel Higgins, movewithus director, added; “We are making a concerted effort to ensure our agents have all the assistance they need when selling corporate property. The initiatives Horts are implementing clearly show their efforts to use movewithus services to their full advantage. We are actively encouraging all of our agents to make similar efforts to help them continue to sell in toughening market conditions”
