Dean & Co celebrates a major anniversary & looks forward to a great future ahead

Fortified

It’s heartening to go out and meet Brighton and Hove’s estate agents. Given the difficulties of the last few years, financial recession not the least of them, there is now a general air of optimism and enthusiasm. That attitude is particularly strong at Dean & Co, who this year celebrates 40 years in business.

The company started back in 1973 and director Les Newman took over ten years ago. He had purchased his last two properties through Dean & Co so he was well aware of the company and what they could do. He and the team are proud that business is strong and growing – so much so, that a year ago they opened a new office in Portslade.

“The launch of the Portslade office was a vital part of the company’s growth. It gave us a stronger foothold in an area we already operated in and also gave us some much needed space as we were rapidly outgrowing our Hangleton premises.

“We are, and always will be, specialists in the Hangleton market place but we do have a strong presence in Hove and indeed across the city. I have been in this business for a long time now, 20 years or thereabouts.

“We say it like it is, and I genuinely believe that our customers appreciate that. It’s an approach we all use, simple honest talking. And after 40 years, Dean & Co has the name and the reputation to be able to do that.

“We continue to take down boundaries and that means focusing on new areas”

“Initially the company employed three people, now we have a team of 11 property professionals and I am confident that they all care as much about the business as I do. We have unequalled local knowledge, and a real passion for what we do and what we can offer clients.

“One thing that really makes us proud is the huge number or repeat clients we have, people who come back again and again, they buy from us and then we sell for them when they need to move on – and often buy their next home from us.”
There is obviously still an energy to the way Les approaches his business: “I still have a hunger to succeed in this business and that hunger fuels our success,” he says. “We see ourselves as a dynamic team, working together and always looking at new and exciting ideas that will help us to market home successfully.

“It is certainly a changing market – but one that is still going quite strong here in Brighton and Hove despite there being a shortage of properties being brought to market. There are pockets that are peaking though, especially in the £300,000 to £400,000 price bracket.

“Changes have been made though and back in 2006 we launched a lettings wing to our business. It’s not something you can undertake lightly as lettings requires special skills. To do this we have trained staff so that we stay in line with the constantly changing legislation that affects all areas of the property industry.

“We are also proud to be seen as part of the local community and we currently sponsor Hangleton Rangers under 12 football team. We also sponsor the Summer and Christmas fayres at Hangleton School. Simple things like providing football kits can make a huge difference to these teams and we love to be involved.

“Over the years we have always embraced new ideas and new technology, but never at the expense of traditional values.”
So, what are the next goals for Dean & Co in the future?

“We are certainly going to be building on our strength of local knowledge and investing energy in the second office,” Les responds. “We continue to take down boundaries and that means focusing on new areas, securing our presence in new areas and being perceived as a general town agent that we are and not just operating in Hangleton and Portslade. We have sold properties from Tarring and West Worthing to Woodingdean and Hurstpierpoint.

“That said, Hangleton and Portslade are both affordable choices for young families with properties starting at £130,000 for a one bedroom flat. There are also great schools and excellent public transport links. We very much cover the ground price wise too. Our current properties range from a garage for £12,000 to a house for £1,495,000.

“Interestingly, we have just taken on a farm in Devils Dyke Road, for sale with offers in the region of £850,000. It comes with several acres of land and lots of outbuildings and the property has plenty of character with the look of an oast house. Currently it has an Agricultural Tie. By agriculture they mean a wide range of activities from horticulture, fruit growing, dairy farming livestock to market gardens and nursery grounds. The tie is current but there is a chance that it will be changed in which case the property could be worth a considerable amount more. But right now it would really suit an owner interested in owning a stable or developing a small holding.

“For our 40th birthday celebrations, any client instructing us to sell their home during May/June will be entered into a prize draw to win an Apple iPad.”

Les and his team are certainly on the ball, constantly looking at new and better ways to serve their clients’ needs and to be seen as a valuable part of the community. Here at Latest Homes we wish them the very best for another 40 years of
successful trading.

Dean & Co, 1 The Parade Hangleton Road, Hove, BN3 7LU, 01273 721061
10 South Street, Portslade, BN41 2LE
01273 414243
www.dean-property.co.uk