Westbrookes News

Westbrookes new café style office in Hucknall have reach the magical ‘100th' customer and have now cemented their place as the market leader’s and most innovative estate agent in the Town. The Hucknall Office was only opened few months ago and a recent survey carried out by a national research company identified that the office now has more sold boards than other company in the Hucknall.

And their 100th customer seems as delighted as anyone. Georgina Harris of Moor Road, Bestwood Village, comments: "I chose Westbrookes to market my property due to their office location and forward thinking marketing ideas that so far no other agent seems to use to market their clients property. Of course being market leaders helped my decision but the virtual reality moving images they did for my property really helped make mine stand out in the crowd. My previous agent didn’t have any marketing that could compare with Westbrookes and I am delighted to be the 100th Customer. Andrew & his team have been nothing but helpful and the bottle of Champagne along with the Cabernet Sauvignon was a lovely surprise."

Although the majority of their work is based in Hucknall, Westbrookes have another office serving clients nearing Nottingham and are also due to be opening another branch in the near future to further advance their network of offices.

Mr Hare; Director of Westbrookes comments “We are extremely pleased with the feedback we have had from local residents about our new café style office. The public have been most happy with the reception area where they can sit and look through our property details without feeling pressurized by a sales person - our sales staff are located in the telesales area where the focus is dedicated to customer service feedback and selling houses!!! Being able to sit in reception and take time whilst having a drink gives clients ample opportunity to browse our extensive list of property and being able to see the moving internal images on the tv screens has helped increase viewing figures well above the national average in the industry. Our offices are open until 7pm in the evening where our competitors close at 5.30pm so therefore when customers are busy at work and cant take calls they can contact us at a convenient time to themselves.”

After their recent expansion in a number of divisions, Westbrookes has now set up a brand new dedicated Sales Progression Department which will be handling the progression of sales for each office and New Homes.

Andrew Hare, Managing Director said:

“Office based and experienced both in the legal process and customer service, this Department will become one of the most highly regarded facets of the service we provide. Our trained and dedicated sales progression team will enable us to reduce the time a sale takes to progress from "under offer" to a successful exchange of contracts, all of which add massive value to our clients”

The new team comprises Gemma Price, a very experienced Senior Sales Progressor and Emma Drew who has been trained by the Westbrookes Senior Management team.

Gemma commented “I am very pleased to have joined the new Sales Progression team and also excited about working with Emma in the new Department. We have a great team in place and are very enthusiastic and are looking forward to the new roles. Once an offer is agreed on a property the exciting prospect of a new home can sometimes be clouded by all the legal and financial responsibilities involved in making an onward move. It can be daunting for first time sellers and an unwanted time-consuming task for anyone in full time employment. There are so many things to remember, not to mention the obstacles that can stand in your way”.

Over the US, open houses are becoming an established way of selling property and it is one that is becoming more common here as both home owners and agents realise the benefits of showing to a number of potential buyers in one day.

Andrew Hare, Director of Westbrookes Estate Agents, says the trend is more prevalent at the top end of the market. He said: "Because of the size of the investment most people looking at property of high value want more than half an hour looking round a property and often they will bring with them builders, architects and interior designers.

"But increasingly it is being used as a way of marketing houses right across the price range. It gives potential buyers a more relaxed way of looking at a property and they can even make return visits on the same day. With conventional viewing you have an allotted time-slot but if you are late for that your time is reduced and you can find yourself making a decision based on a quick 10-minute tour, which is obviously not good for either buyer or seller."

“Most open houses are held at the weekend for between one and two hours and sometimes the home owner is there, but often they are not, making it more of a showhome-style inspection.”

He said: "It does works best on properties that are exclusive or that little bit different. They may already have an exceptional interior or untapped potential, both of which need time to consider, or they may be that little way out where having a half-hour time slot can be restrictive. If that is the case then holding an open house and compacting several viewings into one day can save time for both the seller and the agent and should be part of the sales strategy, not an added extra. But if someone with a more standard property demands an open house then there could be justification for the added expense of advertising and tying up a member of staff for the day.”

Westbrookes have recently started to hold open house weekends across the area, and they estimate that two in three properties will sell as a direct result.

The open house day is part of a sales package by Westbrookes where they prepare a solid marketing strategy for the home owner. The marketing package includes a quarter page newspaper advert, extensive internet advertising, virtual moving images, multi office marketing and clients even get their own open board outside their homes.

For more information on selling your property with the benefit of an open house then please call Westbrookes Estate Agents on (0115) 964 6600. www.westbrookes.co.uk

Westbrookes has recently opened its exciting new café style office in Hucknall. The new High Street office will have the local support of the Nottingham office, as well as a valuable link to the home-sale network with approaching 750 member offices nationwide.

In 2004, Westbrookes ventured into the Midlands. The successful formula of this leading operation has already meant that Westbrookes has since gained huge market share in the Nottingham City and plans for further expansion beyond 2010 are in progress. A very affluent part of Nottingham, Hucknall was an obvious next step to open an office. The area is of much importance to local residents and commuters, its the first stop on the Tram to the City Centre and has been of interest to major developers, as the number of new build plots has been on the increase over the last few years.

Andrew Hare, Westbrookes Managing Director, says: "Our new café style office is the first in the Midlands with this style already proven to be highly successful in London. Clients can market their homes to passing traffic with virtual tours of their homes on the 32’ screens fitted in the front window. Customers are able to sit comfortably in our private viewing rooms to discuss their moving needs without the entire office knowing their personal details. Complimentary drinks are available from our coffee machine offering a range of freshly brewed Roast and Ground Coffees, Cappuccino, freshly filtered leaf teas or a creamy hot chocolate flavoured drink."

Andrew believes a successful estate agency is based on its reputation and, having enjoyed great success with their Nottingham office, it was the right time to introduce the Westbrookes service to Hucknall.

With a website that attracts over 100,000 visits a month, a full marketing service and trained, "local expert" estate agents, Westbrookes look to offer buyers and sellers an unparalleled service.

Westbrookes Estate Agents was proud to support Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK in a Charity Raffle and Auction at the recent annual Home Sale Network Conference and Awards Dinner, where £7651 was raised in 30 minutes.

Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK grants wishes of children and young people aged 3 to 17 living with life-threatening illnesses.  Make-A-Wish has granted over 4,000 very special wishes since 1986.  Originally formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1980 there are now over 30 affiliates throughout the world.

The Charity Raffle is an important part of the Home Sale Network Awards Dinner, which was hosted this year by Alistair McGowan and Miss Wales 2006, Sarah Fleming. Seven companies generously donate prizes for the event and the highlight was a hard fought auction for a day at Henley Regatta hosted by Bryan Baxter from Auction House.

Home Sale Network of which Westbrookes is a member, is made up of approaching 750 selected independent estate agents through England, Scotland and Wales.

Andrew Hare of Westbrookes commented “We were delighted to be able to support this worthy cause at the Awards Dinner.  We currently support Wollaton Football Club and consider this an important way of giving back to our local community.  We look forward to hearing all about the children and families that we, as members of Home Sale Network, have helped”.

Jo Hillis of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK added “To be a guest at the Awards Dinner and watch the Charity Raffle and Auction take place was a very special moment.  The amount raised is a massive step towards helping a number of families around the country.  We were very pleased with the support showed by Home Sale Network and would like to thank all their agents on behalf of all the children that will receive a wish over the coming months”.

NOTTINGHAM ESTATE AGENCY WINS TOP NATIONAL AWARD

Local estate agents, Westbrookes have won the coveted ‘Best Newcomer Award’ at the estate agency industry’s most prestigious Awards ceremony, the annual Home Sale Network Conference.

The ‘Best Newcomer Award’ recognises the Home Sale Network member that has shown an outstanding ability to embrace the Network’s concepts and principles.

To be considered for the award, Westbrookes were judged on various criteria including; referral performance, overall contribution to the Network, regional meeting attendance, promotion of the brand, and use of the website and Network initiatives.

Westbrookes were chosen for the Best Newcomer Award from among the new member recruits in the past 12 month period, each of whom were handpicked as being the premier independent estate agent in their area and invited to join.

Andrew Hare, Managing Director at Westbrookes said: “We are delighted to have received this Award.  We have only been part of the Network since March, so it truly is a great honour to be recognised so soon!”

Operating from 1 office in Nottingham, Westbrookes employs 8 people and was established as an independent agency in 2004.

The winner, announced at Home Sale Network’s Annual Conference, held at The Celtic Manor Resort, South Wales, was presented with their Award at the dazzling Awards Dinner, by the celebrated impressionist Alistair McGowan and Miss Wales 2006.

Overall, 15 Awards were presented at the Conference, including the coveted Cartus Cup for the ‘Estate Agent of the Year’, which went to Chancellors.

Home Sale Network’s Managing Director, Richard Tucker, said: “The standard of all the Award winners was high and bears testimony to the quality of Home Sale Network’s members.”

Picture shows: Alastair McGowan, Richard Tucker, Andrew Hare (Managing Director – Westbrookes), Jordan Kemp (Westbrookes), Andy Armstrong (Westbrookes) and Miss Wales

An independent estate agent from Nottingham has been nominated for a prestigious national Award.

Westbrookes, has been placed on the shortlist of 3 agencies, who are in the running for the Best Network Newcomer Award by Home Sale Network, the national Network of approaching 750 independent estate agents.

The winner will be announced at the 13th annual Home Sale Network Conference, Europe’s largest annual estate agency event, at The Celtic Manor Resort, South Wales on Friday 10th November.

Managing Director, Andrew Hare commented: “We are delighted to have been nominated for this Award.  We have only been part of the Network since May 2006, so it is truly an honour to be among the top finalists.”

Celebrated impersonator Alistair McGowan, best known for Alistair McGowan’s Big Impression TV show, will be presenting the Best Network Newcomer Award to the winner at a dazzling black tie Awards Dinner.

The ‘Best Network Newcomer Award’ is presented by Home Sale Network for its members who have joined within the past year.  The Award aims to recognise the new member who has shown an outstanding ability to embrace the Network’s concepts and principles.

Nominees face tough award criteria and competition for this Award.  Referral performance, overall contribution to the Network, promotion of brand and use of Network initiatives, amongst other criteria are considered.

Home Sale Network’s Managing Director, Richard Tucker commented: “Our members take pride in excelling within the Network and the industry, and the Awards ceremony always proves to be the highlight of the year.”

Home Sale Network is made up of approaching 750 selected independent estate agents.

The other awards are:
1. The Cartus Cup  
2. The Masters Cup 
3. V5 Referral Award
4. Referral Awards (Six categories)
5. National Referral Award
6. Home Conveyancing Award
7. Quality Supplier Award
8. Network PR/ Marketing Award 
9. Best Network Region Award

Young players at the Wollaton Hall football club receive smart new kit thanks to local estate agency.

Always keen to support the local community, Westbrookes Estate Agents is proud to commence sponsorship of Wollaton Hall Football Club in Nottingham. The Midlands based company recently presented the club with their new shirts for the season. The Children responded so well to the new shirts in the first game they won 13-4!!

Commenting on the company’s commitment to local sponsorship, Andy Armstrong, Manager of the agency’s Nottingham Office, comments: “Westbrookes have been sponsoring the community in different area’s, we felt it important to help the Football Club as Wollaton Hall is an important land mark in Nottingham and the team deserve the backing to continue their development and recognition of their achievement. Over the years, we have seen the club’s success and following grow considerably and we are delighted to now play a small part in this. We think the new kit looks great and who knows some of these players could be putting on England shirts in the future!”

Wollaton Hall F.C. is a FA Charter Standard Club which promotes fun and enjoyment for children of all ages and abilities.

Dave Weston, of Wollaton Hall FC, says: “Westbrookes sponsorship makes such a difference to the club, allowing us to further expand and develop. Wollaton Hall currently consists of around 20 teams.

Westbrookes is one of the leading estate agents in the Midlands solely recommended by the home sale network in West Nottingham. The company offers an extensive range of property services including residential sales, auctions, mortgage advice, commercial, equestrian & country, land & planning.

For further information on Westbrookes, please visit www.westbrookes.co.uk or contact the Nottingham office on tel: (0115) 929 9295.

Innovative Midlands estate agency, Westbrookes, is expanding its property auctions into the four local counties, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire & Derbyshire as interest in the service soars.

In the first half of 2006, Westbrookes recorded its highest ever number of properties being sold, more double that of the first half of 2005. As a result, the company’s auction division is to launch frequent auctions to meet the increasing demand for this type of sale.

Head of auction, Andrew Hare, explained: The perception of auctions has changed completely. In the past, they were synonymous with cheap, repossessed properties however, more and more residential sellers are now reaping the benefits of selling this way. Our auctions also include grazing land, land with planning consent, barns, commercial building, shops, garages and of course residential property.

The Midlands auction will be held The Nottingham Gateway Hotel (M1, J26) and will meet the needs of property vendors in the local Counties.

There are real benefits for both buyers and sellers, said Andrew. Properties are exchanged on the day with completion within 28 days, without any dreaded chains. Viewings and surveys still take place in the same way, everything just happens a lot faster, concluded Andrew.

Sellers have the security of a reserve price, ensuring their property is sold for the best price possible. At the same time they know that anybody attending the auction is serious about buying property as they pay a 10% deposit on the day providing piece of mind to all parties.

Andrew said: We have already attracted many customers locally and nationally, indeed auctions are so popular they attract international investors to the region. We have had requests for sale catalogues from across the globe.

Though Andrew realises that buying through auction could be a daunting task for many, he is keen to dispel rumours that surround auctions. He said: Many people still think that the sale room is a whirlwind of fast talking and hammer dropping where people can bid by twitching their nose or swatting a fly. Auctions are slow paced and people bid clearly. They are very relaxed and we can even provide a Westbrookes representative to sit next to first-timers to guide them through the process.

Westbrookes, who have recently launched a new website, www.westbrookes.co.uk, offers a wide range of property services including equestrian & country, residential, overseas and conveyancing, as well as the auction services.

Entries are currently being accepted into the next auction call Westbrookes Auctions on (0845) 600 7913 or email: auctions@westbrookes.co.uk

Westbrookes Managing Director; Andrew Hare has successfully completed the National Association of Estate Agents Technical Award in Sale of Residential Property examinations held in June 2006.

The examination for the NAEA technical award in Residential property covers Residential Estate Agency practice, Legal Aspects of Estate Agency & General Law, Property Appraisal, Building Construction, Health and Safety and Security.

The NAEA Technical Award is considered to be the industry standard for those within the residential estate agency, lettings and property management, and is part of the NAEA’s drive for regulation of estate agents.

Mr Hare said” This year has so far been an amazing year for the company already we have been selected to join the Home Sale Network; a collective group of the best independent companies in the U.K. and now passing this examination is another milestone. The industry is at an important change with the Government launching Home Information Packs next year, they are expected to then with the help of the NAEA to launch their campaign for regulation of all agents to be part of the Ombudsman. Westbrookes and a number of other companies in fact are already part of the Ombudsman for Estate Agent so we in fact are already regulated on a voluntary basis.”

The National Association of Estate Agents is represented in more than 60% of estate agency offices in the U.K and is committed to raising standards of advice and consumer service across all areas of agency practice.

Demonstrating its firm commitment to rewarding outstanding achievement and internal promotions, Westbrookes Estate Agents are delighted to announce the recent appointment of Andy Armstrong as Branch Manager of its successful Nottingham office.

Andy initially started his career with Westrookes as a trainee, but with continual career development and training, he has quickly risen through the ranks. Being born and bred in Wollaton, Andy has in-depth local knowledge as well as extensive experience of the industry. Since his promotion to Manager of Westbrookes, Andy has continued to shine with his dedication and hard work being recognised by this latest appointment.

Commenting on his new post, Andy said: “I am thrilled to be leading the Nottingham office, especially at a time when we are celebrating a record level of sales in the area. I aim to further improve our already high standards of customer service to make the process of buying or selling a property as enjoyable and stress-free as possible for our clients. In addition, I intend to continue and further expand the active role the agency plays in the community through our on-going support of local organisations and events.”

Westbrookes is one of the leading Independant Estate Agents in the Midlands. The company offers an extensive range of property services including residential sales, equestrian and country property, new homes, land & development, conveyancing, commercial property and independent financial services.

MyHomeMove Conveyancing are pleased to announce the winner of their national ‘Golden Boots Competition’. The successful winner was selected from Westbrookes Estate Agency based in Nottingham, who was without doubt, the top striker for the whole of the country!

Over the past three months in the run up to the world cup MyHomeMove Conveyancing, the largest independent conveyancer, have been running a national competition with all their estate agency introducer base. The winner, Andy Armstrong from the Nottingham based Estate Agency, Westbrookes was presented with the prise of a brand new digital television, the latest game’s console with the 2006 World Cup game and 2 crates of beer to celebrate the summer football extravaganza!

Andy Armstrong said “To win this competition was a dream come true, I have won competitions set by Westbrookes but to win a national competition beating all the members of staff from other companies in the U.K. is an achievement I wont forget. I can’t wait to plug in the T.V. and watch England in the World Cup!” said Andy.

Westbrookes; a recommended agent by the Home Sale Network, have been in association with MyHomeMove Conveyancing company for nearly two years building a strong relationship with MyHomeMove Account Manager, Darren Blockley. “ Westbrookes, one of our branded services, have regularly been one of our Top 10 companies on a monthly basis which is all down to Andrew Hare, Managing Director of Westbrookes, “ says Darren.

MyHomeMove Conveyancing demonstrates speed of service, reliability and availability. We are open 7 Days a week, open late into the evening and operate on a no sale – no fee basis similar to estate agents. We also have the facility to access updates on-line by giving clients their own user-name and password. I am delighted that Andy has won this competition he thoroughly deserves it and I am sure that it’s the start of many awards Andy will win in this highly competitive industry.”

Local estate agent’s Westbrookes has joined the UK's leading Network of approaching 750 independent estate agents, following nomination as the Network's local representative for Nottingham.

Westbrookes has been selected by Home Sale Network to represent the Network in Nottingham - an accolade which is bestowed on only one estate agency in any given market area in the UK.

Home Sale Network is extremely selective in its invitation-only membership, basing its criteria on quality of service, local knowledge and commitment and professionalism amongst others. Each member is hand picked after thorough checks, including mystery shopping, which identifies them as being the best estate agency in their area.

This strict selection process has earned the Network an outstanding reputation around the country because it ensures that Members meet the highest standards for customer service and commitment.

Andrew Hare, Director of Westbrookes, said: "It is an honour to be chosen as the Home Sale Network member for Nottingham. Being a member of the Network provides us, and our customers, with a host of benefits not previously available to us, such as national coverage, quality endorsement and access to the www.home-sale.co.uk website for national property advertising”. "Additionally through networking with other members, we can offer expanded services for both buyers and sellers, providing our customers with far more choice." He added.

Richard Tucker Home Sale Network’s Managing Director said: "Our Network consists of the very best estate agents across Britain and we are delighted to welcome Westbrookes to the team. I feel certain that their pedigree, experience and commitment will be of tremendous benefit to all our members."