Latest Homes: Always on the move

Latest Homes has just celebrated its twelfth year as Brighton & Hove’s leading property journal and city magazine – and we’re working hard on the next 12 years

It’s hard to believe that it’s 12 years since we launched Latest Homes. Back then we knew we had a great idea but it was going to take more than just a good idea to make it work. It was going to take the trust of the local property businesses too – and we are delighted that we were given that trust by so many of you back then, both businesses and readers alike. We are so proud that so many of our original advertisers are still with us and still successful. We are also proud that our readers have grown with us and that new ones join in every week. A massive thank you to you all.

Just like the property market Latest Homes always has to be on the move, reflecting the businesses we work with in an ever-changing economy. The landscape of estate agency has changed radically over the years and that is why Latest Homes changes too. Who would believe that back then we had a scooter courier who rode around the city collecting hard copy and pictures from which we created the advertisements. Now all the copy arrives by email and some in a finished form as more and more agents embrace the advancing technology that gives them complete control of their advertising.

Keeping promises
In our first months we made lots of promises and these we have upheld. Across those 12 years we have achieved higher standards in property advertising and customer service for our clients. We introduced full colour advertising that was both attractive and affordable and created newer and more exciting ways to promote property sales and lettings through inspiring advertorial features and business news.

We are delighted to be working alongside the Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Association (BHEAA), involving ourselves with more events, from the annual dinner to seminars and fun activities across the year. As technologies change and improve we are radically streamlining the methods used to process and fulfil your advertising needs. This is an ongoing project and we hope to always stay at the front of the game when it comes to new technology.

Web success
We were also very proud when we introduced our massively successful property website, www.latesthomes.co.uk, a portal which in terms of Brighton and Hove offers proper challenges to the big national players. Not only that, we offer that service to Brighton agents as a free services if they advertise with us. It’s a no frills website, easy to navigate and full of local property for sale and to rent. Our responsive property website is also available for both smart phones, tablets and all devices.

We are now looking at state-of-the-art digital editions of all our products and at extra magazines in the very near future. Since the exciting news that we as a company had won the very first licence for a local TV station here in Brighton, we have been planning property programming for thelatest.tv. We have already been producing TV ads for local agents that have been widely screened both online and at the Amex Stadium where huge numbers see them at each event. Wining the licence is not only good for the city but for the property professionals that we work with and, as ever, we are here to listen to your ideas so do call us to talk.

One thing we were always aware of was the need to place property and estate agents in context with other businesses in the city. Businesses like interiors, builders and developers where all could and would benefit from the power of crossover marketing. The combination of Latest 7 opened up that potential to cross market property sales and especially rentals to the widest possible audience.

Staying in the lead position
By staying ahead of the game with ideas we have become the lead publication for property, and we have been much copied on a national level. Latest Homes and Latest 7 is the envy of other cities.

So how do we achieve this? We have a fantastic team with a wealth of experience and great ideas. We employ professionals and we also work with young and enthusiastic newcomers who bring a freshness to what we do week on week. In the current market social networking has become a mainstay of business and we actively use Facebook and Twitter to talk about what we and what you are doing from sales to activities.

A massive 30 per cent of people now use their smart phones and tablets, especially commuters, of which Brighton has so many. They use their devices for an hour twice a day as they travel to and from London and beyond, and we are tapping into that market. Using our interactive service potential buyers have the luxury and ease of this technology which is far faster than using a conventional property portal.

Hot news
In addition, news has become an important part of what we do, and our expanding news coverage will soon become more frequent as we reveal exciting new developments.

We are also active across the city with our involvement with the Artists Open Houses and the Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival, and we invest time, space and skill in working with those organisations as media partners. That in turn converts to more awareness of the product and, in turn, of your businesses.

That immediately reminds us that as far as success can be judged we must look at our readership. We know that Latest Homes and Latest 7 is the city’s first choice of magazine from the massive response we get and the speed with which each edition is gobbled up. Readers are vital to our success and we cannot stress how much we value them, which is why we are constantly introducing new writers, both young and old, to give editorial balance to what we do.

Filled with ideas & innovation
We are confident that this magazine is a focused product created with flair, filled with ideas and innovation and with an ever developing vision of what the market needs to grow. We are also delighted that for the last two years we have been able to hold prices, despite recession. We know that we have to provide a service that businesses can afford and that meets the exacting standards demanded by property vendors.

We are now launching a new property video offer that we believe is an exciting way forward and an affordable way of showing great properties to full effect. Using our team of TV professionals we can offer great production values at prices that you will love. And using our great business links we are confident that your properties will be seen by a massive audience.

Our alliance to other business professionals has always worked in our – and in your – favour. We maintain strong links to both local and national government representatives too, making sure that they are fully aware of local business and social needs.

Of course, with so many new revenues we need to remember to look after our core business, new homes, commercial property, sales and lettings, mortgages and finance and, of course, all the ancillary business opportunities that arise. And we remain committed to our own massive bespoke distribution service, ensuring that Latest Homes and Latest 7 gets to where it needs to be.

A massive thank you to you all for your part in this success, and remember, we are always here to listen to your ideas, report your news and do what we can to help. Here’s to the next 12 years!