Baron Estates: Bigger, bolder & better

With a brand new office at Seven Dials and plans for more across the city, Baron Estates are confident that the time is right to get behind their business and boost the local economy

Baron Estates is a property company with a classic look and a classic commitment to the traditional values of excellent service. The company was started five years ago and was originally based, and still operates from East Street Arcade, a great central location at the heart of the city and one which is particularly prominent for Brighton visitors, almost all of whom gravitate at some point to the famous Brighton Lanes.
For five years that office has served well but it was inevitable that with the growth of the company the decision to open a second office would come, something to complement the central office, expand public awareness and establish the firm as a major business making massive inroads into the local market and local awareness.

Latest Homes went along to meet manager Danny Ross at the beginning of what will be a whole new era for Baron Estates.
“When we decided to expand the business across the city, Seven Dials was at the top of our list for our first new location, and we are delighted to have found this office right at the heart of what is one of Brighton and Hove’s most popular residential areas.

Baron Estates are still actively looking for offices in Church Road, Elm Grove and Kemp Town and as soon as they have them they will be opening there, too.

“Baron Estates have a strong belief in high street presence. We firmly believe that high street offices are the very best way of working in the property industry. A business solely focused on an internet base does not work for us. We strongly hold the view that you need a community presence. We also know from experience that our personal, face to face service, marks us out from other more corporate companies. People who are buying what will probably be the single most expensive purchase of their lifetime do not want to be dealt with in an anonymous way, a case number or a file on a computer database that anyone can pick up. That’s simply not the way that we work.

“You have pointed out that our branding is quite traditional and we know that is true, we are quite traditional and over the years we have come to see that people like that. We still see massive interest in our window displays. People do look at property for sale in agents’ windows and it is still a great way for us to show what we have and what we can do. All of the team will get up and go out and chat to people who are window shopping outside our offices. It’s about being proactive and not merely reactive.”

Baron Estates love traditional methods, but not at the exclusion of new ideas and technology. They launch their new website in the next six weeks; they have their own iPhone app coming very soon. All their team will have iPads that are linked to the office giving them full access to information, presentations and easy appointment making facilities.

They also embrace social networking sites to promote the properties and business initiatives they are taking. They see all of these as essential ways to make sure that all their clients receive the very best service that they can offer.

“As a team we are all very hands on. In terms of manning the new branches I am confident that any member of the team will be comfortable working from either of the offices and from any future offices that we open. We see the local presence as important but at the same time we will retain an attitude that sees us all operating across the whole of the city.”

Obviously with a new office and more planned Baron Estates are investing in new staff too. They have already taken on three new members of staff and this is a reflection of the fact that business is good right now: “We are pushing both the lettings and sales sides of Baron Estates forward right now. We have a pretty balanced proportion of sales and lettings business plus a very strong property management department.”

“They offer all aspects of financial and legal services, but unlike many large corporate firms, Baron Estates do not insist that clients take up these services. They are fiercely proud of being independent’”

In addition to this they offer all aspects of financial and legal services, but unlike many large corporate firms, Baron Estates do not insist that clients take up these services. They are fiercely proud of being independent: “I have spent most of my career working in the independent sector and I recognise, as does the company, that in Brighton and Hove people love to work with local independent businesses. The buy local campaign is not just about food, it is about the whole economy.”

What makes Baron Estates really different at the moment is their expansion. They are investing in people, in technology and in their profile. They are keen to develop across the market, including properties at the very top end of the market. The kind of properties where they can offer, as a part of their service, video tours and even aerial photography. And they believe in offering all their vendors a very full marketing package including media advertising, internet profile and a strong presence on all the major property portals including, of course, latesthomes.co.uk. They are currently running a radio marketing campaign for both sales and lettings on Juice 107.5.

“Soon we will be looking to engage more with the community and would be interested in hearing from local community and charity organisations that in some way we might be able to help. “We open six days a week as standard but we are very flexible and can do Sunday appointments recognising that may customers cannot do weekday daytimes.

“We already have a strong reputation with a lot of repeat business and recommendations. Right now we are doing everything to strengthen the brand, build awareness and share our wealth of experience. With strategically placed branches, the right staff and technology and a coherent and experienced network of offices and staff who are not driven by selling services but by finding and selling homes for real people.”

With the opening of their first new office Baron Estates will also have lots of offers so don’t hesitate to ask. In July and August they have planned some special Olympic deals across their entire business, sales, lettings and management.

104b Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 3JD
01273 779777
www.baron-estates.com