There’s another new team member at Urban Village already making waves in SE5! Jordan’s brilliant initiative and service record in property make him a dream to work with for landlords and tenants alike. We get to know Jordan and get his take on the challenges landlords have been facing in the interview below.
Tell us a bit about you! Where were you before, and what attracted you to Urban Village?
I started in Manchester and then moved to London and worked with overseas investors into new-build developments. I was attracted to Urban Village because after meeting the team and the founder Suzanne, I could tell they had the same ethos as me, that they all actually care about the community and simply enjoyed helping others find their perfect move.
In your experience, what are the main things tenants look for when they visit a rental property for the first time?
Usually, on the first visit, they are more interested in the location and surroundings as they more than likely have seen the internal specification and size through marketing. Most people just want a secure property with modern fittings and plenty of liveability. When renting, practicality trumps most other attributes.
What are the main challenges that landlords face on a daily basis?
Usually, the main challenges for non-managed landlords would be the ongoing maintenance of the property and maintaining a business relationship with tenants. However, when the lockdown hit, it created a short period of turbulence for tenants and landlords alike.
For non-managed properties, this meant that while maintaining a business relationship with the tenants, they were also now navigating a minefield of ever-changing and sometimes temporary legalities. I believe our managed landlords and tenants were extremely thankful they were not dealing with each other directly throughout the pandemic and I also believe the increasing complexity of the time we live in has made many non-managed landlords now instruct us for management.
What advice would you give to someone selling their property for the first time?
The biggest impact I see is choosing the correct agent; this can make the biggest difference when it comes to money as they will be negotiating at least tens of thousands of pounds for you, as well as timing as they will be the ones progressing a sale. The trick is to find an agent that is enthusiastic and eager to help.
The agent makes the biggest difference. Positive or negative, the agent will have the largest impact.
What would you say Urban Village does differently to other estate agents?
Urban Village is different because we care about helping people with the sales/purchasing process. When you get a kick from something, you will usually do it well and as often as possible, and the team here really gets a kick from helping you sell or buying a house.
Tea or coffee? And where’s the best place to get a cup in Denmark Hill?
Coffee for sure. The best place to get a coffee is OUR OFFICE. In fact, I would invite anyone to try one of our coffees and decide for themselves.
Christmas is coming up – any exciting plans in SE5/London?
I’ll be doing lots in London before heading home for Christmas to see family. Mainly spending time with friends, Winter Wonderland and lots of mulled wine are on the menu!
Whether you are looking to rent, buy or sell a new property or switch to a new estate agent, Jordan and the rest of the Urban Village team are happy to help. Just get in touch by calling 020 3519 9121, or emailing us at info@urbanvillagehomes.com.