Who are you
Jonathan Burden, CEO of Home Move Box.
What does it say on your business card
Jonathan Burden, CEO, Home Move Box.
What is your elevator pitch
Home Move Box gives estate and letting agents the ability to say thank you, as well as leaving a positive lasting impression at the end of a very turbulent time in someone's life. We send a free box of household essentials and relevant retail offers to home movers, on behalf of agents, as they move into their new home. Every Home Move Box is branded with the agent's logo, so the mover knows exactly who it's from. Home movers love receiving the boxes, and it's a great service for agents wanting to go that extra mile for their customers and drive local recommendation.
What is your property prediction for 2014
The current boom in the property market is due to the rebound effect caused by the lack of lending in previous years. With the government adding fuel to the fire with the Help to Buy scheme, mortgage companies now lending, not enough properties being built to meet natural demand, and more people coming to the UK to live, the property market is in overload. Until these factors are dealt with, property prices will only continue to rise.
How do you feel the internet has changed the role of a traditional high street agent
The internet has allowed people to search for properties and provisionally make decisions before they even contact an estate agent. This means the agent's role is now often less about introducing house hunters to a property, and more about guiding them through the viewing process. Agents have also embraced the tools available to them on the internet to help them stand out from competitors, such as introducing video tours to their websites and allowing movers to conduct online registry checks from the comfort of their own home.
What is the most satisfying part of your job
The response we get from home movers, agents and our staff.
Do you think government schemes Help to Buy and Funding for Lending have actually helped First Time Buyers to get on to the property ladder
Yes, but I do believe that more needs to be done to help first time buyers move into new-builds
Would you say there is a housing shortage in the UK
Yes.
Do you think there will be a re-emergence of gazumping this year
Yes, there already has been in areas such as Hitchin and St Albans. Houses that are listed for £300,000, for example, are actually selling for £380,000.
Zoopla or Rightmove
I'd naturally use Rightmove first. However, I'm currently looking for a property in St Albans and the right properties are few and far between. I have just started using Zoopla and like the consumer journey it offers.
House or apartment
House. I have two kids and a dog.
City or countryside
Somewhere in-between.
Modern and stylish or period and original
Somewhere in-between.
Rent or buy
Buy.
Completion or instruction
Completion - it's when we deliver our box.
Kirstie Allsopp or Phil Spencer
Kirstie, as she'd probably have more chance of getting the property I want.
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