Fast-growing Cleethorpes estate agency Roost has moved home as it adds a rental office and a new director.
Three years on from a lockdown launch, Richard Ladd has acquired the book of Brightstone Lettings, while making the former Maranta and Drew Opticians building on Highgate the new base.
He has also welcomed wife Sophie to the fold, as co-director in the business, having gone from solo venture with his fixed fee approach to a team of eight, with the charging mantra maintained.
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“It has gone the best I could have ever dreamed,” Mr Ladd said, with his father and sister also now employed. “The first two-and-a-half years were unbelievable, we were listing 40 to 50 properties a month and selling that many too. We’ve become one of the leading estate agents. Now the last six months have seen it go slightly quieter with the interest rate rises, but we are still seeming to sell 40 a month. The lower end of the market is still very active, up to £200,000, but further up it is slower.
“With us buying a letting agency it provides guaranteed income, and something for us to build on. We’ve also introduced more staff to the department to manage these properties.”
Roost has already gone from 70 to 100 properties under management, leading to Imogen Petchey joining to manage alongside Sophie, who is currently working through her industry exams to gain full knowledge of the increasingly regulated rental sector.
Having formerly read psychology and taught in the special education needs arena, she is looking forward to the new challenge.
“I am really excited,” she said. “It is a challenge, but there are so many transferable skills coming into a leadership role in a small team.
“We’ve always talked about houses, we love watching all the property shows, and I know what launching meant to Richard. It is great to be joining him now at such an important time.”
The increase in business necessitated the move from the Market Place, with further plans to welcome in-house mortgage advice while future-proofing for further expansion.
Mr Ladd spent a decade working locally and nationally in the industry before setting up in early 2020.
