Experiencing The Change In Buyer Priorities

We talk to Bruce Burkitt, founder of Property Experts, about his passion for everything property and hear how open-plan living has had its day – and that it’s up to developers to get creative in their designs.

You founded and now run Property Experts, what was your motivation behind starting the company?

Since entering the world of property at the age of 16, I’ve always loved everything property, whether it’s development, investment, sourcing or new build. Creating Property Experts gives me the opportunity to indulge in these passions on a daily basis and affords me a lifestyle for which I’m grateful. Initially I started on smaller projects and really enjoyed the thrill of getting a deal over the line, but through the years we have begun to undertake larger development projects, which we see through from start to finish. We have managed to build a strong relationship with purchasers that really value the quality of the apartments we deliver. It's hard to beat the feeling when you've sourced a project site, handled every aspect of the development process and then see happy purchasers moving in. It's something that really drives us to keep pushing the boundaries with every scheme we do.

And you don’t just develop, you source properties too; why do people use a property buyer?

A property sourcing agent works exclusively for the buyer. Many of the best buying opportunities are found before they hit the open market. Using a good agent will save you time and money, because their knowledge and expertise will ensure you secure the home you want on the best possible terms.

Is there a particular ‘type’ of person who would engage your sourcing and buying services?

Previously our services were favoured by high-net-worth individuals with demands on their time either seeking a home or investment/development opportunity but more recently we have seen a shift towards a wider demographic.

People recognise that being represented by a buying agent will more often than not give them the upper hand over someone with no representation.

Are you able to help negotiate the best price for your client once you’ve found their perfect home?

With 30 years' experience of negotiating purchases for ourselves and clients we are extremely confident at ensuring that all purchases are secured at the best possible price and on the best terms. Our track record of having completed over 800 sales ensures that agents take our offers seriously.

We’ve heard about a booming property market during the pandemic, as people look to move away from the Capital and buy in more rural areas of the country; is this a trend you’ve been seeing too?

100%. There’s been a complete shift in demand towards buyers prioritising quality of life over accessibility to their workplace. Moving further away from cities buyers are able to obtain larger properties with more outside space. At the beginning of this pandemic so many people were caught out and the ensuing lockdowns have seen the loss of a multitude of freedoms that we used to take for granted.. This has led to people planning for the future, with the thought in their mind that even when this passes the next pandemic may not be far away, so rather than just settling and waiting they now want bigger homes, more outside space, close to green space and with a host of accessible amenities close by. Transport links and proximity to the office have dropped considerably down people's list of core needs.

Property Experts' Horley development

Tell us about your new development in Horley – who do you think it will appeal to and why is now a good time to buy?

Our Horley development will comprise 24 executive one- and two-bedroom apartments, all finished to a high standard and available on the Help to Buy scheme. With several private terraces and a business centre exclusively for residents, the development will appeal to first time buyers and those looking to work from home. With interest rates at a record low and the extension of the Help to Buy scheme, now is a great time to buy.

Your Horley scheme includes a ‘residents’ office’, can you tell us more about what this means for buyers?

research has shown that buyers crave routine and, in particular, a separate office space within their property. Our residents' only business centre will provide a private working area offering separate workstations, high speed broadband and office amenities – an ideal space for anyone wishing to work from home but wanting a separate area away from their apartment.

Do you think the pandemic will really change the way that people live and work for the long term?

The pandemic has highlighted to many that a large proportion of their day was spent commuting to larger cities, when the same results (if not better in some cases) could be achieved from working at home. Since the pandemic there has also been an increase in people prioritising their work life balance. It will be difficult for employers to immediately bring back full-time office life, especially when so many advancements have been made in remote working. This is why instead of including a gym or fitting out a commercial unit at out Horley site we wanted to innovate and create a flexible workspace for residents to enjoy and use whenever they need it.

What trends are you seeing in the buying market right now, are there particular features or areas that people are gravitating towards?

As well as buyers looking to move to more rural/coastal locations, there is an increase in demand for properties with separate rooms over those with open plan living. Again, this is largely influenced by the pandemic and how that has changed the way we live. People now want to compartmentalise their homes and have separate spaces for where they sleep, eat, relax, work, workout etc. The trend of having one big space/open-plan living is at an end and it is down to us as developers to get creative and design brand new spaces that people are going to benefit from.

And finally, you have over 30 years of experience in the property sector – what’s the best piece of advice you could give to a first-time buyer?

Always purchase a property where there is the ability to add value, no matter at what level you are buying. If researched properly there is always the opportunity to add value to a home. Whether it is moving to an up-and-coming location, with a regeneration plan that will see values skyrocket in a couple of years or spotting a home with potential to renovate or extend, where there is a will there is a way. One thing we always do when sourcing our next investment or development is look at locations and what is planned there over the next two to three years, because if it is on the cusp of a boom then it will sell well, and our purchasers will see steady if not significant value growth by the time the decide to move on.