NEWSbeat
PORTALS Rightmove launches Student Lettings
Rightmove has launched a major new venture aimed at the student lettings market.
Rightmove Students is accessible through the main Rightmove site, offering a search function for student property across the UK. Initial marketing for Rightmove
Students will focus on three major university cities – Sheffield, Birmingham and Southampton – before the project is rolled out across the country over the next 12 months.
Miles Shipside Commercial
Director of Rightmove comments, “Rightmove Students offers a way for lettings agents to specifically target the student market and we have already had a great response from agents who have been quick to sign up to this new venture. We hope to help simplify the searching process by bringing students and lettings agents together on-line in one easy place.” Existing Rightmove member
agents are currently able sign up for Rightmove Students and list their student lettings stock free of
TECHNOLOGY Ancient agency keeps up with the times
In 1906 Alfred Frost opened his first property business, ‘A.C. Frost & Co’, in
Gerrards Cross, Bucks. Today, third and fourth generation Frosts remain prominent in the business, now called The Frost Partnership with 13 branches. Allan Taylor, Director, says “Our ethos has always been ‘experience’, ‘commitment’ and ‘service’. We pride ourselves on delivering a thorough and professional service to both sellers and buyers and as a result we have built a well-respected reputation in the regions in which we operate.” “Three years ago, it was clear that purchasers wanted more than just one photo and a description of the property – more graphic illustrations, interactive maps, a full range of photos and also floor plans.”
8 JANUARY 2011 PROPERTYdrum
charge and new member agents who handle student lettings are coming onto Rightmove. Among the first to sign up were West One Student Accommodation in Sheffield. Andrea Marsden of West One said, “As professional landlords that provide accommodation for over 600 students we are always looking for ways to improve our service and were so pleased to get on board with Rightmove when they advised us they had chosen Sheffield as one of their flagship cities for the launch of this new venture.”
Grant Management in
Birmingham, who handle student lettings across the country also joined. Simon Rodd, Regional Manager said, “Rightmove provides a fantastic service and we’re delighted to be partnering with them in their Birmingham opening and hopefully their national rollout. Birmingham is a vibrant university city with a buoyant student letting market – there are some excellent quality properties available, we manage 1,800 across the country and see consistently high demand.”
TECHNOLOGY
Move with Us ‘Perfect Match’
Move with Us has launched a new service for estate agents on its website that matches buyers
with chain free properties perfectly suited to their unique circumstances. They have identified different
groups who would benefit from this type of service which include first time buyers, investors and growing families. Each of the Perfect Match properties has been identified as having an incentive to help buyers complete their purchase. These include whether part exchange is considered, stamp duty or deposits paid, if there is a 95 per cent mortgage available or whether a rental yield highlights an ideal investment opportunity. The first of its kind, this service has proved an instant hit with property views on the website enjoying a 30 per cent increase in the first two weeks since launch. ‘Perfect Match for First Time
Buyers’. Many properties come with an incentive to provide a helping hand, these can include 95 per cent mortgages, having the stamp duty paid or money for a deposit. ‘Perfect Match Properties for
Investors.’ Properties are realistically priced, reducing the time and hassle; and the search tool locates properties with attractive rental yields. ‘Perfect Match for Growing
Families.’ A number of properties are chain-free ready for a quick sale, ideal for the growing family. Robin King, Move with Us
Frosts chose Metropix. “It’s
extremely intuitive; we tried the system in the first meeting we had with them and found we could use it straight away without any assistance from the presenting team. This was exactly what we needed – after all, my staff’s time is valuable, I don’t want them spending hours creating floor plans. With Metropix, a plan could be drawn up in minutes.” “When we started with
Metropix, one thing that really stood out to me was the
service we received – they were exceptionally good with their training and support and nothing seemed like too much trouble,” says Allan. “A few years on and this is still the case; they are prepared to talk to any member of my staff to help answer any questions they may have. Many companies promote service as their unique selling point, I believe Metropix really do stand out in this area.”
www.frostweb.co.uk www.metropix.com
Director, commented, “Finding the right properties can often seem like a mammoth task especially when buyers have specific criteria which may sit outside of traditional searches. By launching perfect match we have further refined the property search process which will help buyers save time and hassle by only looking at properties that suit their particular needs. However should they be unable to find their perfect property match or have any other queries relating to their search we will offer free property advice and support for anyone moving.”
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