Interview with Sharon Hewitt CEO and Founder of Chiltern Relocation
We wanted to take the opportunity to chat to Sharon and ask her about what she loves about her job and who in fact uses a relocation agent?
- Who Uses a Relocation Agent?
Our clients come from a wide range of backgrounds including professionals such as lawyers, bankers and company owners. Essentially our clients are busy individuals and families who value expertise when making such an important move. Our private clients often include couples or young families who are thinking about schooling options, living space and commuting. Indeed, many clients are those looking to move out of London for their next chapter. Clients seek our help for both house purchases and rentals.
We also assist with corporate relocations for staff members moving into the UK or to a different area in the UK.
- Why do people use a Relocation agent?
Time is the principal reason as to why clients need our help – it takes time to discover a new area and we can take the stress and time out of the process by providing in depth local knowledge. Clients also use a relocation agent to give them the confidence that they are buying the right property, in the right location and at the right price.
- Do clients end up buying what they were looking for?
Prior to starting a search and taking out clients on a Viewing Day, we provide a detailed questionnaire looking at all possible options so that our search can be as tailored as possible to requirements. However, we will often promote a ‘wild card’ property that we believe would be highly suitable but that differs to the original brief. This is always useful to help clients consider other options and this property has been the chosen one on many occasions. I love to share the story of one couple with young twin boys who were keen to move to a period property with land in the Oxfordshire countryside. We viewed a number of properties that fully matched their brief and at the end of the day we presented our ‘wild card’ of a modern town centre house down a private road. This house was within walking distance of the shops and train station in one direction and the woods in the other direction. The couple fell in love with this option as working through the logistics on our Viewing Day they appreciated that the commute would mean less time with their sons and that being within walking distance to all amenities would make a genuine difference to their day-to-day lives.
- How many properties do you preview ahead of a Viewing Day?
This one depends on the area however we do try to have at least five properties for a Viewing Day and we do like to add in a ‘wild card’ viewing too if we feel there is an option that would work but that has not previously been considered.
- How do you hear about properties?
Having worked in the industry for over 20 years, I have built up a wide network of contacts who are all invaluable when it comes to client searches. This includes links to local estate agents, who often provide our clients with a first viewing or access to off-market properties. I am also in touch with solicitors who advise me of any properties coming up for probate that could be suitable. I am also in touch with local developers who are happy to share details of new builds and have also worked alongside our clients on projects that they have taken on.
- How long does it take to find a property?
If we are looking for a rental property this usually happens fairly quickly as the rental market moves much faster. For home purchases we sign up clients for a six-month period. We would say that on average it takes 12-14 weeks to find the right house however we have also been successful on the first Viewing Day. Some of our favourite relocations are the ones where the client has chosen the wild card on our first outing together.
- What part of your job do you enjoy the most?
It has to be spending time with clients. I love getting to understand their priorities and compromise points and what excites them about the move. The best bit has to be handing over the keys on move in day after our time together on the house hunting journey.
Also, no two days are the same – I love the variety that the job provides. I often write about what we get up to on a typical day in our ‘Day in the Life’ feature.
- What has been your favourite relocation?
This is a tough one as we really do enjoy being part of the move for all our clients but a truly special relocation for me has to be for a retired couple with special requirements.
The couple – one an ex-serviceman with PTSD following time in war zones and the other with MS – needed a bungalow which was suitable for her mobility needs and a large garden for his needs. Finding a bungalow with a large garden is not very common so this was the first hurdle. We then needed to calculate the distance to shops for the mobility scooter, measure the width of pavements and calculate battery life of the scooter to get her there and back. The couple were both keen for their move to provide them with personal independence and a new start. We were delighted to help them secure the ideal property.
If you would like help to find your ideal home then please do get in touch. Call 01494 672086, email enquiries@chilternrelocation.com or visit our site for more information www.chilternrelocation.com
