Ex-Savills and Hamptons agents launch hybrid firm

Two property professionals who in the past have worked for Savills and Hamptons International, have launched a hybrid estate agency.

Founded by Andrew Giller and David Carter, house will operate out of an 'estate agency hub', covering the Surrey Hills down to the Sussex Border.

Like most hybrid offerings, house says it provides all the services of a traditional estate agent without the need for a 'costly high street office'.

house says one if its unique selling points is that its directors – Giller and Carter – have over 40 years' combined experience of the Surrey property market.

"A number of online agents may pertain to having ‘local agents’, but they are not actually familiar with the local market and don’t have the in-depth market knowledge that house can offer," the firm told Estate Agent Today.

The firm will offer a 'flexible fee structure' to its vendors, will not charge up-front fees and does not have a commission percentage set in stone.

"We have recognised that estate agency has moved on; vendors are increasingly considering instructing an online agent to sell their home, but still want the personal service they get from local experts," says Giller.

"Being based off the high street means we can offer our vendors a flexible fee structure, with no need for them to cover the huge expense of a costly shop front."

The firm's other director, David Carter, adds: “What sets us apart is our ability to sell a lifestyle, rather than just a home.” 

“We have each spent the last 20+ years buying and selling homes in Surrey and it is this combined local expertise that enables us to advise buyers on the lifestyle they can expect from a home and an area."

house currently has '7-10' properties on its books, ranging from £925,000 to £20 million and the agency has confirmed that it will list properties on Rightmove, Zoopla and Primelocation.

For now, house will focus purely on sales but its directors are planning to offer lettings at some point during 2017.