Homes get a matchmaker
A TEESSIDE estate agent has hit on a novel way of boosting sales in a flagging housing market.
Ian McClelland, of Thirlwells estate agents and valuers, is set to launch the UK’s first lonely homes club for buyers and sellers looking for their ideal match.
Around half a dozen properties have already been exchanged following a pilot speed-dating style event for buyers and sellers earlier this year.
Mr McClelland said the scheme worked best where owners were loyal to the area but needed to up or down-size.
“In areas like Billingham, where it’s ring-fenced and people want to stay, it’s going terrifically,” he said.
Homeowners, who only pay the difference in price between two properties, stand to make substantial savings, he said, while the agent still retains the fee on the full value of the property. And the scheme is not confined to clients on his own books. He has already successfully negotiated exchanges through other property agents.
“There’s absolutely no effort on their part and solicitors are over the moon because it’s so simple and straightforward. The chances of a sale falling through are virtually zero.”
Responding to calls yesterday from the National Association of Estate Agents for the Government to urgently review Home Information Packs, branding them as “not fit for purpose”, Mr Thirlwell said they had failed to streamline the house-buying process. He said the removal of the home condition report had diluted their usefulness.
