Estate agent’s free offer is a draw
Company’s unique approach to selling, renting and property management starts with coffee and Internet terminals...

Members of the homes4u team present the winner, Mr Ruthven, with a bottle of champagne

Steve Bailey of the South Manchester Reporter picks the winner

Published in the South Manchester Reporter on Thursday 18th October, 2007

HOMES4U has brought a special smile to a client of its new branch at Chorlton by saving him close on £2,500 in fees. To celebrate the opening ofthis ultra-modern estate agent's office, they held a draw in which all of the people who booked a free sales appraisal in the first month were entered. The 'sell your house for free' prize includes sales fees, conveyancing and Home Information Pack. The delighted winner was Mr.Ruthven of Hardcastle Avenue, Chorlton.

The new offices on Barlow Moor Road are inviting because of the company's unique approach to selling, renting and managing property– it all starts with the café-style environment and the welcoming aroma of fresh ground coffee. Visitors who buy a coffee can take a seat at one of half a dozen Internet terminals for free. 

The computers open –not surprisingly – on the www.homes4u.co.uk page. But clients are free to browse across the Internet to check their webmail, shop online or to search for the property of their choice.

homes4u have a policy of establishing a close relationship with clients whether they are buying, selling or renting. Customers new or established can receive a monthly e-newsletter keeping them up to date with the market, property movement and even different offers and discounts available from the likes of Toni and Guy and the Midland Hotel.

Clients for life
Carolyn Mellor, managing director of the Chorlton, Manchester city centre and two branches at Withington, said: "We want clients to stay with us. Many who have been students in Greater Manchester and have rented property through us, have returned to buy their first home when they decided to stay in the region. "Chorlton has long been a very popular suburb, and this has increased in recent years. Many young professionals are looking to rent or buy in the area, which has much to offer, including a café-bar culture, whilst still being within easy access to the City. It is particularly desirable to those with families who can benefit from excellent schools and amenities, whilst still living in a trendy environment, and getting more value than they would in the City."

The estate agent's role has changed: selling property now demands a Home Information Pack which homes4u clients can normally expect to be available in a week; letting involves complying with new legislation on tenancy deposits and property licensing, which has made the business very challenging for the small private landlord. With their dedicated Property Management team, homes4u can provide all the needed advice, on legislation, property repairs and improvements, and the letting process.

The Chorlton branch is already attracting the attention of people looking to rent and buy. Sales manager Mark Connolly said: "Having lived here all my life, I have seen many changes in the area. At the moment a lot of our enquiries are from young professionals and we're speaking to a lot of first time buyers and investors, wanting to benefit from the Chorlton boom."

Rentals manager at Chorlton, Laura Kilbride, said: "We are receiving requests every day for property to rent, mainly from young couples who see Chorlton as a desirable area. There are also good sized family homes for people who want more room for their money. We just need more properties to offer them, as demand is very high.”

Ambitious move
Opening in the Chorlton area which also covers the surrounding districts of Old Trafford, Whalley Range, Stretford and Hulme, is an ambitious move for homes4u.But this is not an upstart estate agent. As operations manager for the region Jenni Critchlow explained: "Our management have nearly a hundred years of experience between them, and it is important to us that whilst we have trendy modern offices, we maintain a warm and friendly atmosphere where new and established customers will feel welcome."
Contact homes4u at 406 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton M21 8AD, tel 0161 882 1571.