9165 - BM Outlook 2022 R6 - Flipbook - Page 39
Liaison is vital
Still a shortage
Kim acts as an important link between
developers, who are releasing finished
properties, and the four Batcheller
Monkhouse offices through which they are
to be sold. This is particularly important
when buyers have a choice around things
such as interior finishes, white goods,
carpets and tiles.
Local authority planning delays, caused
at least in part by the Covid-19 pandemic,
mean there is still a shortage of housing in
the South East despite steadily increasing
government house-building targets. Other
factors such as nitrate neutrality have also
caused a slowdown in the delivery of new
homes in parts of the region.
“We provide 24/7 support for developers
while working hard to make sure buyers
have all the information they need,” said
Kim. “Liaison is vital, and we update
developers on sales progress on a weekly
basis, if not more frequently.
“Being forced to spend more
time at home during lockdown
made people ask themselves
if they loved where they lived,
and I think that explains in part
why house sales are currently
booming,” said Kim Abbott.
Kim, who joined Batcheller Monkhouse as
Head of New Homes in 2020, is working
hard to make sure that the company
continues to increase its share of the
house sales market, particularly in
relation to new homes.
“The pandemic inspired many people to
move out of London, into the fresher air of
the countryside and a home that potentially
offers them more outside space,” she said.
“The increasing shift towards working
from home also means some people are
no longer tied to a daily commute and
can live further away from London or
other cities,” continued Kim, who is in the
process of helping one family move from
Barking to Tonbridge.
An experienced professional, Kim is
consistently winning new business for
Batcheller Monkhouse by strengthening and
developing relationships with builders of new
homes across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
“My role is to help the New Homes
Department grow by working with
developers to encourage them to sell
homes through our branches in Battle,
Tunbridge Wells, Haywards Heath and
Pulborough,” she explained. “Having spent
many years in estate agency, the past ten
in the land and new homes sector, I am
relishing the opportunity of expanding this
36 | Outlook
side of the firm’s business. I particularly
enjoy the positive reaction everyone has
to the Batcheller Monkhouse brand.”
Kim Abbot t
Associate,
New Homes,
Kim provides bespoke packages for house
builders and deals with everything from
single homes to large scale developments,
working closely with some of the major
players in the housing world as well as
with local builders.
Pricing appraisals
Setting the right price for any
development is key to its success, and
providing accurate site appraisals, either
in advance of the homes being built or
after they are completed, if a review of
our initial estimate is required, is one of
Kim’s strengths. With more and more
sales being secured off-plan these days,
involving Kim at the earliest opportunity
is invaluable to a developer.
“I am always happy to offer an appraisal
because it’s good for building future
relationships,” she commented. “Clearly we
want to win all instructions, but I appreciate
that, on larger schemes, the developer may
well run the sales operation internally.”
An important part of the job is keeping
abreast of planning applications and
current sale prices.
Batcheller Monkhouse also offers sales
strategy advice, sales and marketing
reports and provides computer
generated images (CGI), brochure
design, signage and advertising all with
the aim of reaching the widest possible
house-buying audience.
“Where clients are buying off-plan, as they
often are with new developments, we
can help by taking them to another site
with similar homes. We also create CGIs
to show people what their new home will
look like. Sales progression is hard work
but very rewarding when you are helping
someone buy their dream home.”
New homes
While a new home is not for everyone,
buying new can have advantages over
moving into an older property, with
many of the initial headaches, such as
redecorating, fitting new carpets and
replacing white goods, removed.
in a desirable part of Tunbridge Wells. It
follows successfully selling a development
of attractive town houses located a short
distance from the town centre.
A new development of detached family
houses in Five Oak Green were quickly
reserved off plan and two “lovely”
bungalows at Matfield are expected
to sell quickly.
Another niche development features three
individual new homes in Pulborough, and
a pair of three-bedroom, semi-detached
homes in Haywards Heath.
Since the start of the year, Kim has
advised more than 40 developers in
relation to around 100 potential new
homes which potentially will come to
the market in the next 18 months.
Batcheller Monkhouse is currently
selling what Kim described as “a
stunning development of nine luxury and
contemporary apartments” that have
already attracted considerable interest
Having spent many years
in estate agency, the
past ten in the land and
new homes sector, I am
relishing the opportunity
of expanding this side of
the firm’s business.
Right to Rent changes
The Government has announced that from 6 April 2022, new
technology will allow landlords and letting agents to carry out ‘right
to rent’ checks digitally, a move designed to crack down on abuse
of the immigration system. Certified Identity Service providers will
allow people to verify their identity and prove their eligibility to rent
remotely, meaning landlords and letting agents who use the system
will no longer need to physically examine the documents.
Sales & Lettings | 37