Home Office And Tech Topping Buyers’ Wish Lists

Ben Babington, co-founder of land and news homes agency, Trilogy, tells us about adding value and providing ‘irreplaceable service in a digital world’ and how fast broadband and a home office continue to top new home buyers’ wish lists after the pandemic.

Ben, could you start by giving us a brief overview of Trilogy – what's the meaning behind the name of the company you co-founded last year?

Trilogy is a specialist land and new homes agency which focuses on the three (Trilogy!) core disciplines of residential development: land sales and acquisitions, development consultancy and new homes sales.

What are the key things you've learnt along the way that you've been keen to implement at Trilogy?

Homebuyers are typically very discerning with high expectations. Therefore, a new home has to address their needs. We work closely with our developer clients to ensure that the layouts, specification and saleability of their schemes are optimised from the very outset. No two developments are the same and different locations and property-types often require a very different approach. The end product also has to be desirable, which is why we put a huge focus on the presentation and branding of our developments. Our team is acutely aware that we are offering a service, which is being paid for. We are therefore mindful that we must add value and ensure that we are always readily available to assist.

How would you say the 'Trilogy experience' differs from what other companies are offering?

Every member of the team at Trilogy has at least 20 years of experience in the land and new homes industry, so our clients and customers can always be assured that they are in very capable hands. From a new homes sales perspective, we are able to act as a dedicated new homes sales team and tie in with the very best local/regional agents to ensure both developer and purchaser get the very best service; this is something few if any other companies can provide as the new homes sales team and local office usually come as a package. Our mission statement is ‘irreplaceable service in a digital world’ which encapsulates our ethos of making ourselves readily available, whilst always keeping at the forefront of modern marketing methods.

Warmlake Orchard

And how's it going so far?

We are delighted with the response we have had from both developers and purchasers, many of whom have given us feedback that I am far too embarrassed to repeat! Whilst the pandemic has presented its challenges, we have been extremely agile and adapted very quickly to the prevailing conditions. We have a varied portfolio of high-quality developments across London and the southeast and, I am pleased to say, a very high level of repeat business.

Do you think the pandemic will affect people's homebuying decisions longer term, is the current migration out of cities a trend that's set to stay?

The pandemic has had a dramatic effect on the property market, with people in ‘white collar’ industries finding they can be equally, if not more productive working from home for a proportion of their working week. Virtual meetings and cloud-based computing are almost certainly here to stay, but humans thrive on interaction and I suspect that we will all start creeping back into the office more than we think when ‘normality’ returns.

Suburban or countryside living is by no means for everyone and with the re-opening of shops, bars, restaurants and cultural venues, I am confident that we will see the popularity and allure of cities return very quickly.

Wherever you are buying, fast broadband and a home office will continue to top many people’s wish list when searching for a new property.

Do you think enough is being done to address the housing shortage in the UK, or do you think certain planning regulations could be relaxed to encourage development?

Planning is rarely if ever easy and the enthusiasm is largely there to streamline the process. However, with so many stakeholders involved, it is never going to be easy to set the ship on a different course. There is a huge amount of talent across the SME and national housebuilding industry, with the funds, technical expertise and drive to address the housing shortage and we need a simplified planning system to unlock this potential. I would like to see a particular focus and support for high-quality PDR schemes and brownfield regeneration.

If somebody thinks they might have a space that could be a suitable plot to develop, what are the main factors they need to consider?

The composition of the planning consent needs to be market driven to ensure that the new properties address a need, whilst ensuring that the overall proposal is fully policy compliant. Many landowners underestimate the substantial time and huge cost of obtaining a planning consent, which is why we typically encourage them to identify and work alongside a development partner from the outset. Our land department focuses primarily on matching landowners with the most suitable development partners.

Whitelocke House

You're currently working on a scheme in Hounslow called Whitelocke House, an area that's currently going through a multi-million-pound regeneration project – tell us more!

Whitelocke House is an exemplary example of a high-quality London scheme designed for discerning first-time buyers and investors. The developers, Harbright, have an enviable track record for developments in Prime Central London and they have brought their expertise and fastidious eye for detail into this highly convenient west London location. The specification would not be out of place in a new home costing three times as much and yet apartments start at just £260,000, meaning they can be secured on Help To Buy with a £13,000 deposit. Further information can be found at www.whitelockehouse.co.uk

Would Whitelocke House be a good first-time buy?

If I were a first-time buyer looking to get onto the housing ladder, I would snap up an apartment at Whitelocke House. It is rare to have a combination of such high-quality design, locational convenience and affordability, whilst also benefiting from the on-going, wider transformation of the area.

And finally, what would be your number one piece of advice for a first-time buyer looking to buy a new home this year?

Buying a new, as opposed to a second-hand home, is a great way to control your finances in your first few years of home ownership, particularly if you can also benefit from reduced mortgage payments using the Help To Buy scheme. By purchasing a high-quality home with all new fixtures, fittings and guarantees, you shouldn’t have any nasty surprises such as the need for a new boiler, replacement windows or new kitchen appliances which can suddenly really add up. Believe me I know – my house was built over 100 years ago and it is a money pit!