Hamptons International celebrating 5 years in Brighton & Hove
Hamptons International has built a great reputation in the global & local luxury property market. Andrew Kay catches up with the Brighton & Hove team as the branch celebrates its fifth anniversary
The name Hamptons International certainly conjures up images of lavish mansions, luxury penthouses and all types of property at the very top end of the market. In a sense, that image is a fair representation of much of what they do. They handle a portfolio of properties for sale and to let that impress with quality, scale and, of course, price. As such, they squarely deserve to use the word international as many of their clients are successful business people working in an international setting.
Paul Taggart, manager of the Brighton and Hove branch, is a specialist in the area, having worked locally in the estate agency business for 27 years. Over the years he has worked for John Wilkins, Just Flats and Austin Gray. For a long period he worked for Fox & Sons, then Mishon Mackay, before forming Lewis & Co. The office moved to Hove and it was five years ago that negotiations took place and Hamptons International took over Lewis & Co.
“The Lewis and Co policy was quite assertive and we identified that many properties were undersold,” says Paul. “Vendors loved this and we were certainly responsible for driving the market forward, achieving for our vendors the very best possible results.
“We certainly excel at the £1million plus end of the market,” continues Paul. “We have properties starting from £300,000 upwards, the core is £500,000 to £1million. If a property is suitable for a London buyer then we are certainly the right agency to use. Our London profile is very high with buyers and vendors from all over the world. Anyone selling a Brighton or Hove property can be confident that it will be marketed globally throughout various internet/web portals.”
There is still a market in London for Brighton homes. Brighton and Hove still has massive appeal and many Londoners are drawn to the city, the lifestyle and the kinds of properties Hamptons International represents. Some come because the appeal is the quieter lifestyle; others see Brighton as an attractive suburb of London, often no further away in travel time than some of the capital’s more attractive residential areas, and often considerably better value.
“Quality is key to what we do,” Paul continues. “It might be a Regency town house on a grand scale but it can equally be a stunning penthouse apartment or a minimal new build. It’s very much about our diverse range of clients and their needs. We have buyers who are looking for a property that is fully finished and ready to move in, but we also have clients who are seeking a complete project, a shell requiring complete refurbishment, something on which they can really make their own mark.”
Prestige homes over £500,000 may be the core of their business, but they also have many properties around the £300,000 mark. “For many families we have homes at this area in the market, quality properties that meet our exacting standards but are at the middle of the market rather than the luxury end,” says Paul. “Quality is the defining factor when we decide whether or not to take a property for sale onto our books and not price. I am always excited when we have great property to offer at any price bracket as I am confident that they will be of a quality that will give them fantastic market appeal.”
For a while Hamptons was the agent linked to sales of homes to celebrities, and it is still the case today. “We do get many celebrities call in and register with us,” Paul confirms, “many of them being members of boy bands and stars of TV shows, but I seldom know who they are, however the younger members of the team do!”
It appears to be a very busy office but a happy one. “We work hard but we all enjoy what we do and get on well,” Paul explains. “There is a good work ethic and the team are motivated by each other all the time. We all genuinely want to do the very best for all of our vendors and buyers alike.”
Hamptons has been in business since 1869, plenty of time to build such a strong local, national and international presence. In Brighton they are ideally suited to busy professionals. They are allowed to operate with a certain amount of autonomy too, reflecting the nature of the city. Paul explains: “Brighton and Hove is a 12 month of the year market. The constant stream of visitors, conferences, theatre companies and holidaymakers come here year round and many fall in love with our city and decide they would like to make it their home.”
It’s not a new thing; Brighton has always appealed to incoming visitors, and over the years has been home to countless stars, business people and even royalty. Hamptons International knows exactly how to deal with that area of the market. They have buyers from Europe, the Middle East, Russia and China, and have found homes for actors, musicians and movie stars – as well as finding that perfect family home for ordinary people like you and me.
Hamptons International, 82 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2EB, Sales: 01273 796061, hove@hamptons-int.com,
www.hamptons.co.uk
