‘Purplebricks rival’ aims to recruit 25 agents in next 18 months

A hybrid estate agency which set a target of rivalling Purplebricks when it launched says it aims to recruit 25 agents in the next 18 months.

Hortons, set up in 2017, has won a six-figure cash injection from private investment syndicate Dunelm Partners to help achieve its goal. 

Adam Horton, founder and managing director, set up the agency in 2018 and said at the time that he only charges if he sells a property and there is no contract term for vendors. 

He told Estate Agent Today at the time of the launch that his modus operandi was similar to Purplebricks, using locally-based experts - he calls them partner agents - to advise individual clients.

Now he has told the Business Insider website: “Revenues were up 40 per cent in the year just gone and we now have a team of 14 – which includes eight agents.

“We aim to get 25 agents over the next 12 months and forecast revenue of £1.4m.

“The current property market is strong for us in East Midlands. Leicester was one the best performing cities in the country last year and with further confidence in the market due to the election result I think this year will be even stronger.

“The phrase ‘people buy from people’ is at the centre of our brand.

“We’re building a community of experienced estate agents, who are all self-employed. Hortons helps them to develop their personal brands and build their businesses, establishing themselves as local experts whilst paring them with cutting edge technology.

“This means Hortons’ clients deal with only one agent, who will manage every aspect of their move, from initial advice, marketing and viewings, through to negotiating offers and navigating the conveyancing process.

“Our one point of contact service is enabling us to deliver a unique experience for our clients and so far we’ve had amazing feedback with hundreds of five star reviews.”