A new estate agency has made an audacious appearance on Marlborough High Street by taking over the former offices of top agent Carter Jonas.
And Edward Hall (pictured), the man in charge of Smiths Gore, who was once a tank captain in the armoured Royal Hussars, told Marlborough News Online: “Yes, I really have put my tanks on the lawn. I mean Carter Jonas, Chesterton Humberts and Hamptons are here for me to take on. That’s the exciting challenge.”
“Carter Jonas didn’t know they were letting in the opposition at the time, though they were surprised when there was a new tenant and they were asked to do a structural survey for Smiths Gore, the new tenant.”
Already Clare Manley, from Downer & Company and formerly Strakers, has joined 52-year-old Mr Hall, who quit agents Strutt and Parker in Newbury to take up his new role, and his aim is to increase his staff to five in the coming months.
He laughed as he recalled how Smith Gore has thrown down the gauntlet to the opposition at a time of economic turmoil when some agents are drastically down-sizing and others disappearing.
“Strategically we believe there is still a market place for bespoke estate agency that is not involved in stack them high and sell them cheap but to look after your client and use the Smiths Gore philosophy into selling houses,” declared Mr Hall.
“It is quite an aggressive strategy of building a business when most people are declining, consolidating or closing down in the economic doldrums.”
“It’s tough for vendors who are still looking for good value, good prices for their houses. For buyers, they are now much more cautious, they know that they can’t borrow money and are conscious of the cost of running a house.”
“All of a sudden it’s a bit like the 80’s when suddenly the fuel price went up. People are tending to pull in their lifestyle at the moment, introducing double glazing, secondary glazing, woodchip bowlers, things that are cheaper to run are easier to sell at the moment than traditional old country houses or country cottages, which are difficult to maintain and very expensive to heat.”
“We are seeing a shift where newer houses and houses that are well insulated tend are becoming more popular again. Money is actual real money all of a sudden, people are spending a pound, they are not borrowing a pound. And that makes them thing hard before actually committing themselves to buying something.”
But Smiths Gore, who have adopted a progressive policy of investment by buying up other agencies, are not new to Marlborough. For three years they have had an office on the Business Park, but one devoted to land sales and management, as they have been since they were founded 160 years ago.
“We call ourselves the manager of rural Britain,” explained Mr Hall. “But selling houses, which has been my background since 2001, is something we are doing much more actively now.”
Marlborough and the nearby rural villages are the prime target. “As agents this is an opportunity for us,” he added. The market will settle. It is settling.”
“Houses have been over-priced and we are seeing a long overdue correction. Houses will become more affordable but people need to buy and sell because their circumstances are changing. We are in challenging times and that means times when opportunities present themselves.”
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
And he pointed out: “Marlborough is a vibrant town, a town of choice, and there are so many reasons for living and working in the area. We have good pubs, good shops, schools and great walks, good parking and a friendly view for those who are visiting.”
“It is a destination where people want to come and live. A desirable location that has a great feel.”
“And to be based on the High Street in Marlborough – No 42 – is a great opportunity for me to build a new team, a great excitement and, frankly, a great privilege.”
