Throwback time – its 2005 and technology looks very different to how it does now. This was the year that Chiltern Relocation was born….alongside a few other memorable moments.
Do you remember these seminal moments in technology, sport, media and property in 2005?
- Google Maps was launched and the first satnav’s started to appear
- YouTube was born…’Me at the zoo’ a 19 second video in front of elephants was the first clip to be uploaded to the site
- The Apple iPod was the music player of choice
- The Apprentice premiered with Sir Alan Sugar
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was the best-selling film of 2005
- Federer won his third Wimbledon title and Tiger Woods his ninth major title
- ‘We Belong Together’ by Mariah Carey and ‘Gold Digger’ by Kanye West were the bestselling songs
- The UK property market feared a house price crash following previous boom years with many headlines debating whether the ‘housing bubble’ would burst
- House price inflation dropped from over 20% in 2004 to single digits in 2005
- Property search portals like PrimeLocation and Rightmove were emerging but still quite ‘clunky’
How Chiltern Relocation was ‘born’
Despite widespread concerns as to the state of the property market, it was in 2005 that Sharon Hewitt decided that the time was right for her to launch Chiltern Relocation and create a business purely dedicated to the buyer or renter.
Twenty-one years ago, Sharon was working for a local estate agent but knew she had a lot to offer potential buyers in terms of local information and advice and she also knew that the perfect property for them may well be on the books of another agent. Feeling conflicted, Sharon had ‘a light bulb moment’ and decided to go it alone and set up Chiltern Relocation from her kitchen table.
In 2005, property portals were basic, sold-price data was limited and many of the best homes never made it online. Estate agents controlled information and relationships mattered more than algorithms. In 2005, being a property finder was a very different job with information being scarce and access was everything.
What does the role of a property finder look like now?
Fast forward to 2026 and the property market, the prevalence of property search engines and the role of home finders has changed beyond recognition. Today, the landscape couldn’t be more different. Buyers now have access to vast amounts of information—price history, planning records, EPC ratings, market trends—all at their fingertips. In theory, this should make property finding easier. However, in reality, it’s made it more overwhelming.
Despite technology having a huge impact meaning greater access for all house hunters, the role is still as vital as ever. The challenge is no longer simply locating properties. It’s filtering the noise, spotting the risks and acting decisively in an ultra-competitive environment. Off-market opportunities still exist, but they are harder to secure and easier to lose.
In 2005, many clients were investors chasing yield and capital growth. Property was widely viewed as a safe, almost guaranteed, investment. Finders were often tasked with sourcing “anything that will go up.” Now, the picture is more nuanced. Tax changes, higher interest rates and tighter regulation have shifted focus toward lifestyle buyers and long-term resilience. Clients want advice that balances financial sense with emotional fit. Finding a property is not just about the house. It is about family life, schooling, commuting choices and the right social amenities – understanding and addressing all these factors is still as pivotal as ever.
How the role really is today
If 2005 was about access to properties, today is also about access and judgement. In a world where everyone can see everything, the true value of a property finder is no longer what they can find, but what they can help you avoid—and how confidently they can guide you forward. The tools have changed and the pace has accelerated. A modern property finder adds value by:
- Interpreting complex data
- Managing risk and emotion
- Negotiating intelligently
- Saving clients from bad decisions
- Bringing clarity to a noisy market
- Looking back and looking forward
Personal connections
For Chiltern Relocation it is still very much the personal interaction with clients that makes the role such an important one. Understanding the real drivers for the move, making informed decisions based on a wealth of local knowledge, supporting clients with negotiations and taking the stress out of the process by removing the huge mental overload. At the end of the day being a property finder is a people business – connecting with clients, sellers, estate agents, solicitors, architects, builders – to secure a perfect home.
Despite the changes over the last two decades, the core purpose remains the same: helping people make one of the biggest decisions of their lives. As we celebrate our 21st birthday we also celebrate this personal interaction that remains at the heart of Chiltern Relocation.
If you would like some guidance to find your next property or have any further questions, speak to Chiltern Relocation to find out more about our home finding and relocation service. Please do contact us on 01494 672086 or email enquiries@chilternrelocation.com
