The Role of the Development Agent
We regard the nature and role of the Development Agent as being a primary factor for ultimate success. Hambleden ensures that Landowners know what the opportunities are, make informed decisions, have expert representation, and are confident throughout the development journey.
A Development Agent must have comprehensive experience of the development process, be fully up to date with the market, the legal mechanisms, and the planning opportunities, and must specialise in acting for owners on development projects. This is a marked difference between rural agents, domestic estate agents, and ‘land trader’ agents.
At Hambleden, our fundamental commitment is that of being full members of the RICS. We adhere to the regulations and responsibilities that they set out. As regulated professionals our business is not focussed on ‘doing deals’ at any price, but on providing Landowners with the right advice.
Personal and Professional
The Agent should have the experience, the seniority, but also the capacity to provide a professional service that is bespoke to the owner. At Hambleden we only work with clients on a one to one basis – you will never be deferred to other members of the team due to other commitments. Our focus in on our clients, not shareholders. We offer a tailored, personal service which is not possible within larger companies.
Expertise
Every project is different and has the potential to unearth unexpected, rare or even unique issues. At Hambleden we have extensive ‘big consultancy’ experience and commissions both large and small, and involving the most complex and intricate residential and mixed-use projects. An Agent is not there to just sell land – they must have the training and the experience to tailor the right strategy, to solve problems in their clients’ best interests, and to lead the process.
Impartial
It is critical that an agent has only one interest – that of their client. An agent must therefore not be swayed in their advice by any external source or their own motivations. Unfortunately some agents or land trader agents fall foul of this critical aspect by accepting commissions from purchasers, only working with purchasers who pay to be part of their network, or by simply selling land or agreeing options without ensuring that the strategy is optimal.
Specialist Skills
The skill of the Development Agent is to make what is a complex, time-consuming process as digestible and risk-free for the Landowner, whilst ensuring that the optimal strategies and most suitable partners are employed. This skill is specific, it is a specialism, and it requires professional focus. Other professionals have roles and specialisms that differ from our own, and we therefore often partner with rural agents, commercial agents, estate agents and land traders to provide the right skills to a Landowner’s project.
Overall, the agent should be a completely trusted advisor, and at Hambleden this is our mission, this is a point of pride, and our clients tell us that the confidence we provide them allows them to trust the entire process under our guidance.
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If you would like to know more about how Hambleden could assist you and provide you with trusted, expert advice, please contact us for a no-obligation discussion.