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There are exciting times ahead for Hunt Estates, Gill and Stephen Hunt tell Emily Moore
ANYONE who has bought or sold property will probably acknowledge that there is always an element of stress involved.
But, as Gill Hunt, the founder of Hunt Estates, says, having an experienced and knowledgeable professional to ‘hold your hand’ through each stage of the process can transform the experience.
‘Buying a property can be a rollercoaster for some people, especially if they are in a chain,’ she reflected. ‘While we can’t always account for a change in someone’s mind or circumstances, our experience and commitment to supporting our clients means that we can take away a lot of the unknown and ensure that the process is as smooth as possible. We have also developed very strong relationships with those involved in the sale process from lawyers to conveyancers, so if a situation arises, we have the experience to respond straight away.’
With nearly three decades of experience in the local property market, Gill set up Hunt Estates in 2016, a business which she now runs in conjunction with her husband, Steven, who joined the firm following a career in marketing, which included 20 years at Jersey Tourism and Fort Regent and 19 years at Carey Olsen.
‘Working in real estate is incredibly rewarding,’ she said. ‘Initially, it was a love of property which attracted me to the sector, but the job is just as much about people as property. Critically, everybody’s home is their castle and whether you are helping someone to buy their first apartment or to move into a luxury home, you are helping to bring their dreams to reality.’
‘It is a wonderful feeling when you give the keys to a property’s new owner once the sale has gone through court,’ agreed Steve. ‘Whether you are buying your first home or moving up the ladder, that purchase is life-changing and it is a great privilege to help bring about that change.’
And the husband-and-wife team is not just focused solely on the local market.
While the sales handled by the eight-strong Jersey team are for Jersey properties, the firm’s affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate gives the company a unique global outlook.
‘Christie’s approached us in 2020 to ask whether we would become their exclusive affiliate in Jersey,’ explained Gill. ‘This gives us access to the entire Christie’s network, which comprises more than 138 affiliates worldwide, enabling us to promote our clients’ properties through their channels. It also provides us with unrivalled access to Christie’s PR and marketing in the UK and worldwide, which is attractive to vendors of high-value properties.
‘This partnership also benefits Jersey residents who own, and want to sell, properties in other jurisdictions, as we can introduce them to the Christie’s agent in that location.
‘Similarly, as the Jersey representative for Christie’s auction house, if anyone wishes to buy or sell any assets, from artworks to jewellery, we can put them in touch with the right specialists.’
While the affiliation with Christie’s provides access to the higher end of the market who are considering relocating to Jersey, Steven and Gill emphasise that Hunt Estates ‘sells local property for local people’.
‘We are there to help everybody, which is why we have recently expanded the team to cover all prices ranges,’ said Steve. ‘We also have plans to grow the team further and expand into the two upper floors of our New Street building.’
As the team grows, the couple’s focus on training and development remains unwavering, an approach which supports their belief that the sector should be regulated.
‘I have my fellowship in estate agency and I have always placed great importance on learning and training,’ Gill explained. ‘In a similar vein, I have been at the forefront of calls for estate agents to be regulated, which is why I’m the regional executive for Propertymark, the main professional body for the industry in the UK.
‘At the moment, there is no regulation for estate agents in Jersey unless you are part of a professional body such as Propertymark or the Jersey Estate Agents’ Association, something which I think is essential for demonstrating integrity and giving buyers and sellers that confidence and reassurance that their transaction is being handled by a professional.’
The plans to extend the agency also underline the couple’s confidence in the local property market.
‘We have just come out of a very busy period and the rise in interest rates is definitely affecting the turnover of property transactions, which has slowed substantially this year,’ said Gill. ‘On a positive note, though, there is still a lot of intent to buy and to sell. We are carrying out a lot of viewings but people are watching the interest rates and taking their time before making a decision. Having said that, markets are cyclical and I have no doubt that it will pick up again soon.’
Against that backdrop, Gill says that ‘serious vendors’ have adjusted their asking prices to reflect the market conditions.
‘While apartments and three-bed semi-detached houses are the categories most subject to change, it is important that, whatever property you own, you position it well in your bracket,’ she added. ‘If a property is priced right and presented well, it will sell.’
Although sales in many sectors may have slowed, Steve said that the firm was seeing an increased interest among high-net-worths considering a move to the Island.
‘I think this is largely driven by a concern over the possibility of a Labour government following next year’s election,’ he said. ‘There is a lot of nervousness in the UK about the impact this could have on their wealth, so people in this bracket are starting to look at other options.’
While supporting such immigration, Steve cautioned that the government also had a responsibility to act at every end of the market.
‘It is important that the government does as much as it can to help first-time buyers and to provide affordable housing because we have to enable young people to return to, or stay in, the Island once they have studied and taken up a trade,’ he said.
‘Equally, though, the government should not forget last-time buyers, as providing suitable accommodation for these people frees up other homes for people in other parts of the chain. It is important to have a mix of accommodation to suit people at each stage of their lifecycle.’
