CONVEYANCING


Clear software will speed up conveyancing What is needed now is greater


The rapid development of property search methods such as those described in the exclusive


PROPERTYdrum feature on Google in this issue, has encouraged home movers to expect to be able to access more information when they are looking for property. New systems have increased the


amount of information available in one place, showing, for example, property for sale or to let as an overlay on Google Maps, with users able to drill down by property type, number of bedrooms and number of bathrooms. However, home movers are


rapidly becoming even more internet savvy and want an even deeper level of understanding about a property over and above the number of rooms. There was an element of this desire for more information with the introduction of Home Information Packs, but obviously, these just didn’t work – they did not go far enough and cost too much.


EVENTS Team conference scores a recruitment first


Team’s Autumn Conference in Cambridge broke new ground with a special recruitment seminar for non-members. Over a dozen independent agents from as far afield as Birmingham and Southampton joined a briefing on the benefits of Team membership, introduced by Peter Knight. Meanwhile, the conference, sponsored by MyHomeMove, The Digital Property Group and Team’s technology partners Resource Techniques – was equally notable for other reasons. It was the first such event to be held in the eastern half of the country; the last to be addressed by Peter Byrne before his retirement after 20 years as Team’s IT Director; and it also saw the launch of a brand new co-ordinated range of marketing materials, all based on the eye-catching “Same…only Better” advertising campaign that was run throughout the summer months this year.


innovation in pre-packaging property information to satisfy buyers’ thirst for information on a property before they view it, and to help complete a sale transaction quickly and without disruption. It is also vital that this additional


property information is of benefit to the agent – if home movers have to leave an agency website to research a particular property or geographical area, there is a danger that they won’t return. These issues led Ed Powell to


develop Clear, a marketing software company for the property and legal services sectors. It’s an interesting development; one of Clear’s products include Clear Property File™, which provides a seller’s property data file, downloadable from the estate agent’s website, so buyers do not have to leave the agent’s website to do their research. It contains data and


information on a host of useful home mover questions, including energy (gas, electricity, oil) bills per quarter for the last 12 months; so


a buyer can see how much the property costs to run, where the nearest schools, doctors surgeries, shops, libraries and other amenities are, details of nearby planning applications, how much the council tax is, when the double glazing, kitchen and bathroom were installed, when the rooms were last decorated, the type of heating system used (oil radiators, gas central heating, underfloor heating (water or electric), storage heaters etc) and how many power points the rooms have. The Clear Property File™ is


presented in a user-friendly online flipbook, which is viewed whilst the buyer is on the agent’s website. What’s even better is that it is free to sellers who instruct Clear for an EPC and a floorplan. The benefits are obvious -


buyers enjoy an enhanced user experience with access to rich, useful data all in one place and agents benefit from increased dwell time on their websites and enhanced online customer service. Clear: 0845 643 6164 http://www.clear-ltd.co.uk


INSurANCE


BLP – “We are the revolution!”


BLP, the building defects insurance specialist, is investing in a marketing campaign with the


strapline “We are the revolution” featuring the iconic image painted by Eugene Delacroix of Liberty leading the French Revolution. BLP offers an innovative solution to building defects insurance. With 10 years’ experience and backing by a secure AA rated insurance policy underwritten by Allianz*, BLP claims two revolutionary points of difference: it insures the property, not the developer and their technical review process is renowned for its detail and scope. MD, Simon Main, says, “We


genuinely are “the revolution”. We show that there is an alternative to the standard Warranty Cover that, results in a higher quality build with, therefore, a reduced risk of latent defects. Our new marketing campaign is designed to show that we offer a quality alternative to the traditional and established solutions.” BLP insures the building not the


builder, without registration fees, bonds or indemnities. The Premiums are based on the contract value plus any retained elements – not the sale value of the property and the company can cover conversions and unusual construction.


Main adds, “BLP has been Over 100 Team members


from all over the country attended the event, compèred by trainer Clare Fletcher. Guest speakers included


NFoPP’s CEO Peter Bolton King, Peter Knight and Jim Lawless (pictured) – one of the most inspirational business speakers in Europe. Delegates were given detailed updates on the new web-based Version 6 of Team’s unique multi-listing


software – due to be rolled out in the New Year – and on Team Property Services, the Association’s new revenue- earning joint venture with MyHomeMove. The conference was brought to a close by Team Chairman Neil Parsons, who formally presented Peter Byrne with a token of the members’ esteem in the shape of a high speed race day.


established for 10 years and we are a subsidiary of Thomas Miller so, although we believe we offer a revolutionary and far more comprehensive method of managing the risk of defects, we are well established and backed. BLP’s revolutionary approach is aimed at changing the way the industry and homeowners view building warranties and the time is ripe for a sea change.” www.blpinsurance.com


PROPERTYdrum DECEMBER 2010 7


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