MARKETING
roomservice
ThE FuTuRE IS FuRNIShED All the firms I spoke to have very positive future plans. Growth is expected in all areas, with some interesting twists; Ben Hall says that LOFT will take on the likes of IKEA with a ‘cash and carry’ service that will offer up to 30 per cent for collections. Roger Hollis at Roomservice by CORT
is planning on even more developed relationships with agents as the lettings sector continues to grow. Fully Furnished MD Alec Watt predicts
AgENTS hOmINg IN Four years ago, Savills didn’t have a furnishing service – now, it is immensely popular. One of the first large agencies to establish an interiors service, Savills Interior Services find that small units; one and two bedroom flats need to be furnished as the market they appeal to requires that, whereas large family houses tend to let unfurnished because the families are relocating with the furniture they already own. “With smaller properties, furnishing can present the space better, and often makes smaller rooms feel more spacious, as tenants are able to see that
X Factor judge Louis Walsh and Westlife’s Kian Egan found a stylish, new apartment for their new girl band, Wonderland, pictured right, through Benham and Reeves Residential Lettings. With magnificent views over the Thames, the stunning three bedroom, two bathroom apartment in Imperial Wharf, Chelsea Harbour, has an ‘X Factor’ all of its own. Louis, the X Factor judge,
got together with Westlife’s Kian to manage the new band who are appearing in Louis and Kian’s Next Big Thing – Wonderland. When it came to renting
a home for the band, Kian went to Benham and Reeves Lettings on the
they can live comfortably in the space with the furniture already in situ,” says Nadine Barkho. “Dressing, through furniture rental, has become more and more popular with landlords, we have seen, as it provides fantastic marketing opportunities, showing tenants how they can live in the property and highlighting the space available.” And they enjoy a regular internal
business feed, “Our colleagues in the lettings teams refer landlords to us following a pitch, we also get calls when a landlord has seen our van, boards, or been referred by a previous client.” It’s all part of the service for a multi disciplinary agency.
Furnished apartment with the X Factor
recommendation of a colleague. Benham & Reeves are Imperial Wharf’s appointed letting agent and the only agent to have an office on-site. The 1200 sq ft apartment
is giving the girls a real taste of the pop star lifestyle. With floor to ceiling
windows and a balcony boasting panoramic river views, the reception room really has the ‘wow’ factor and it has been fully furnished by Benham and Reeves Lettings’ sister company In:Style Direct in a chic, contemporary style, worthy of the most discerning pop star. With its stunning
further growth in three main areas, Sales packs, particularly their Essentials range, increased business in interior design for property developers and growth for their Callister Russell service, which now offers rental; unusual at this ‘designer’ level. David Phillips’ CEO Nick Hall says,
“We expect the recently launched Furniture Rental service to show significant growth over the coming years. We have found that an increasing number of developers and agents are using this service to transform unsold, newly acquired or distressed stock. With prices 35 – 40 per cent lower than the competition and next day delivery, the service has already seen huge demand from both new and old customers”. Finally, Savills’ Nadine Barkho says that
Savills Interior Services has already become a major USP for Savills, “It allows our clients to be looked after through the whole process of selling or renting their property, and removes any stress or concern – we are an estate agent and we know what to do to maximise the potential of a property. Savills Interior Services was the first interior department to be set up within an estate agent and is clearly branded service. As the buy-to-let market returns to the
riverside location, it’s no surprise that Imperial Wharf is so popular, as Marc von Grundherr, Lettings Director of Benham and Reeves Residential Lettings explains. “Imperial Wharf is a firm favourite with celebrities but it’s also popular with corporate tenants. Clearly the apartments are incredibly luxurious but the location is perhaps what makes Imperial Wharf so special – those riverside views really are hard to beat.”
market, we see an increase in the furniture packages we provide to our landlords, and expect dressing to remain a popular exercise for both landlords and vendors.” It is inevitable that going the extra mile
for your sellers and landlords will always make a difference, the joy with furnishing services is that they come to you!
CONTACTS PANEL
PLFSwww.plfs.uk.net Landlord Furniture
www.landlord-furniture.com Fully
Furnishedwww.fully-furnished.com David Phillips
www.davidphillips.com Roomservice
www.roomservicebycort.com Savills Interiors and Furnishings
www.savills.co.uk LOFTwww.buytolet-furnishings.co.uk
Add your own tips and techniques online at:
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PROPERTYdrum JANUARY 2011 43
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