June 2004 - Consort Homes Forging Good Working Relationships
Making the right brand associations with the right companies is important in forging beneficial working relationships these days. So, when it came to Consort Homes, Yorkshire’s award winning house builder, outsourcing some of its sales and marketing operations to an estate agent, they were careful about whom they chose. Consort is currently working with Leeds based Manning Stainton for their prestigious Roundhay development, which is available now to buy off plan.
Consort chose independent estate agents Manning Stainton because of their values and autonomy, which makes the company work that little bit harder to ensure that their customers’ expectations are met. When first looking for a partner to help them sell their Morley based properties 3 years ago, the two companies believed their brands would work well together.
Partnerships aren't just a much-talked-about trend; they are the best alternative for many companies who want added value. For Consort, the relationship with Manning Stainton provides a more aggressive marketing opportunity, many more opportunities for customers to view their developments and valuable time saving, as Consort’s staff are free to work on other projects.
But Manning Stainton’s relationship with Consort does not just extend to selling their properties. Moortown’s Director, Andrew Butler, also helps to find Consort the right type of land to build on, in the right areas. Andrew has worked in the industry for 20 years, and during this time he has helped Consort, and other key builders, to secure sites that are right for each of them. He comments: “A good estate agent should be able to maximize opportunities for their clients, and see the possible potential in each house he or she sells. Many older houses in disrepair with land have the potential to be developed on, making the seller additional revenue and builders like Consort Homes an opportunity to develop sympathetically in key locations.”
When buying land Consort Homes ensures that it does not offer an overly inflated price for a plot, but a realistic one for the type of development that the local council will agree to having built. Consort prides itself on ensuring that each of its developments is sympathetic to the area and the style of buildings around. Unlike other builders whose developments are easily recognisable because of their uniformity, Consort offers something unique every time. Here the relationship with Manning Stainton works really well, in that the estate agent also believes in the importance of providing the right builder with the right development.
In areas like Roundhay and Headingley, where Consort’s latest developments are, the majority of buyers are either young professionals or couples downsizing from a large house to a modern apartment. For both of these markets security is key, whether it be due to the type of car parked in the car park, or the fact that many downsizing couples have homes abroad where they spend some of the year. So it is important that the builder takes this into consideration. Consort has ensured that many of its developments are secure, with electric security gates and entry phone systems, and specifications above and beyond what buyers expect to see.
But not only is the internal specification top quality, but the re-sale value of Consort’s properties is also high. According to Manning Stanton they are proud to tell their customers that they will be buying a previously owned Consort home, because it means a quality build.
Commenting on the relationship with Manning Stainton, Chairman of Consort Homes, Darren Stubbs said: “We want to know that our customers will get a good service from people who understand our values and team spirit. Manning Stainton have the same customer focused organization driven by young, dynamic individuals, and the brand alignment works well.”
