IT’S been two and a half years since Oscar James opened the doors to their first office and stamped their mark on Northamptonshire’s property sector.
The sales and lettings agency has shrugged off its ‘new kids on the block’ tag by proving time and time again that it can live up to its pledge to ‘do things differently’ for their customers.
This refreshing approach has proved so successful that the team, headed up by managing director James Potts, is looking forward to expanding its operation in 2019 with new offices in the pipeline.
The new offices are to meet growing demand for the services of the agency which currently has offices in prime locations in Northampton, Kettering and a third in the nearby thriving town of Burton Latimer.
James said: “The company has no restrictions on geographical areas which we cover, and indeed we have successfully sold houses countywide and even spreading our wings into neighbouring areas of Milton Keynes, Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire. We value our customer service and efficient marketing and have strong ambitions to grow our brand significantly going forward providing more exposure and more coverage for our clients.
“The testimonials on this page are just some of the very positive comments we have received recently.”
James has more than 20 years’ experience in the local property market where he lives with wife Vicky and their children Chloe and Oscar, who proudly agreed to have his name used in the company name.
James said: “We want to ensure that each client knows we have their best interests at heart. The team share my high expectations and my passion for excellent service and understand why it is important that we meet high standards.”
These high standards have brought national recognition with the agency listed in the prestigious The Best Agency Guide 2019 which features the top five per cent of all estate agents. After a mystery shop the agency was shortlisted in the finals for the Best Small Independent Estate Agent in the East Midlands and last year was a finalist in the Best New Business category in Northamptonshire SME Awards.
While other agencies are cutting corners, this is one agency with a commitment to ongoing investment.
This can be seen in the stylish, family friendly offices where there are private meeting rooms, iPads and colouring books to keep children occupied, coffee machines and drinks fridges. Clients are not greeted at the door by over-eager agents but encouraged to browse available properties or relax with in the soft seating areas.
Vicky, who left her career as a property lawyer, heads up the agency’s after-sales and customer care to ensure high standards of service continue once a sale has been agreed.
Clients can benefit from other services like independent mortgage and insurance advice from the agency’s in-house financial services team. This growing team of independent financial advisers can give customers impartial advice from remortgages and purchases to buy-to-let packages and Help to Buy.
Other services include free valuations, images from the firm’s in-house photographers, promotional videos and the use of social media to market properties.
“People do so much of their research online, so it is important that each property is presented at its very best on the key online property portals,” said James.
“It is important that visually we catch the attention of buyers who might not know the area or have not considered a certain type of property or a particular location. We work across Northamptonshire and have a lot of interest from people working in London and other areas who want to take advantage of the area’s property prices.”
Investors in properties-to-let, landlord and tenants can expect the same high standards from the dedicated lettings department. The team, already looking after several large portfolios, can offer a fully managed service.
“The attractive property prices in Northamptonshire appeal to buy-to-let investors looking for strong yields and confidence in promising capital growth. We can work with each client to ensure they make the most of their investment,” said James.
OSCAR James has made huge inroads into the premium sector in 2018, including the sales of West Barn at Stow Longa and Saxon House in Harlestone, which was sold just days after being put on to the market.
The team promoted the properties with professionally produced promotional videos and generated a number of offers for the vendors which resulted in a sale within days of one of the properties being launched to the market.
James said: “During 2018 we have seen a clear change in the property market and there is such importance in working with an estate agent who truly understands the market. With growing political and economic uncertainty, it is imperative to employ the services of a local professional agency who can provide exposure, knowledge and cutting-edge marketing to achieve the best sale price in a timescale that works for the client.
“We regularly act for owners who have moved from another agency because their home has failed to sell. In these challenging times the lowest fee may not be the best – owners want to sell their homes for a realistic price. I am proud to have a strong team of property professionals working within the organisation who work tirelessly to achieve just this.”