THE name Oscar James may be a new name in Northamptonshire’s property market but the team has shown no reservations in making its mark.
The sales and letting agency now has three offices – the first in Northampton’s Market Square, opened just a year ago, has been quickly followed by offices in a prime spot in Kettering’s town centre and a third in the nearby thriving town of Burton Latimer.
The agency’s driving force is managing director James Potts who is putting to good use his 20 years’ experience in the local property market where he lives with wife Vicky and their children Chloe and Oscar, who proudly agreed to have his name used in the company name.
James said: “Any agency can claim they can do this or do that but my name is above the door so there is real pressure to make sure each customer has the very best experience. The team share my high expectations and my passion for excellent service and understand why it is important that we meet high standards.”
The team is already achieving impressive results including, on average, an offer within seven days of a property going on to the market with sales hitting 99.1 per cent of the property’s asking price. Vicky, who left her career as a property lawyer, heads up the agency’s after-sales and customer care to ensure high standards of service continue once a sale has been agreed.
James said: “There is no room for complacency in the property market so our aim is to present each home at its best and then to get it sold at a realistic price as quickly as possible. We want to be different and to keep the commitment we make to each of our customers.”
This commitment can be seen in the stylish, family friendly offices where there are private meeting rooms, iPads and colouring books to keep children occupied, coffee machines and drinks fridges. Clients are not greeted at the door by over-eager agents but encouraged to browse available properties or relax with in the soft seating areas.
Further investment has been made in how the agency markets each property with James revealing that the first appointment to his team was professionally-trained photographer Thomas Jolley.
“People do so much of their research online so it is important that each property is presented at its very best,” said James. “Our packages include free professionally-taken photographs so we can show case each property on the key online property portals.
“It is important that visually we catch the attention of buyers who might not know the area or have not considered a certain type of property or a particular location. We work across Northamptonshire and have a lot of interest from people working in London and other areas who want to take advantage of the area’s property prices.”
A decision to open the first office in the heart of Northampton has given the agency opportunities to develop superb links to the London market.
James said: “Our move to Kettering and then Burton Latimer has enabled the team to tap in to a property market which continues to grow. I believe there is clear growth for the property market in this region boosted by the fantastic commuter links.”
No home is off limits for the team who have sold properties across the county and in neighbouring towns like Uppingham, Leicester and Market Harborough. Newly built homes include the Bertone Manor development of 5,000 homes at Barton Seagrave. Oscar James has been recently appointed by developers David Wilson as a local marketing partner for the site.
James said: “We are very excited about this opportunity and delighted that one of the country’s leading developers has recognised our passion.”
Investors in properties to let, landlord and tenants can expect the same high standards from the dedicated lettings department. The team, already looking after several large portfolios, can offer a fully managed service.
“The attractive property prices in Northamptonshire appeal to buy-to-let investors looking for strong yields and confidence in promising capital growth. We can work with each client to ensure they make the most of their investment.”
To find out more see the website at www.oscar-james.com
Northampton: 20 Market Square, NN1 2DL. Telephone: 01604 622722
Kettering: 1 Newland Street, NN16 8JH. Telephone: 01536 415777
Burton Latimer: 45 High Street, NN15 5LB. Telephone: 01536 722222.
