Smart Property growth spurt

Smart Property, the fast-growing Edinburgh-based estate and lettings agent, has set itself a fresh ambitious goal of doubling its total number of house sales over the coming 12 months.

The business was initially launched three years ago by directors Chris Duffy and Kat Usher, who set out with a target of 100 clients.

However, growth has been faster than expected and that number has now jumped to 240. Smart Property also manages 300 properties and looks after more than 600 tenants across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

The business said yesterday that it was now focusing its efforts on growing the property sales side of its business, with plans to double the number of houses sold.

Usher commented: “Smart Property’s initial growth was through lettings and property management. In the last 18 months, we’ve been focusing on the sales side of the business.

“We’ve sold around 60 houses for clients, with a cumulative value of £10.5 million. In early 2016 we sold a property in under four hours, which is our record.”

Duffy added: “From speaking with clients, we know that sellers across the city are frustrated by the big chains, who take fees up front and then have no incentive to work quickly to sell the property for its maximum value. All of our growth to date has been based on recommendations and word of mouth.

“We’re now focusing on marketing ourselves more widely to the city and Lothians – there’s definitely a market for smaller firms to attract sellers.”

Duffy and Usher are supported by property managers Phil Jurgenson and Richard Usher and solicitor Natasha Temple.