Industry Initiative to Make Homes Matter as Prices Plummet

May 02, 2008 - Press Dispensary - As the housing market slumps and energy prices rise, Homes Matter (http://www.homesmatter.co.uk ), an online estate agent is creating an industry led initiative to help consumers save money when moving home, reduce energy bills and combat climate change.

Partners in the initiative so far include a ‘big six’ energy supplier, leading energy efficiency installers and home inspector / domestic energy assessor groups. A ‘green’ mortgage provider, leading retailers and other companies across the home selling and buying supply chain are also expected to join, in due course.

The initiative will provide sellers with low, fixed cost estate agency and conveyancing services and additionally help them improve the value/saleability of their homes at a time when house prices are falling. Buyers will benefit from obtaining a Home Condition Report up front along with implementation of energy efficiency measures that lower their energy bills and carbon emissions, at no cost to themselves.

Nigel Farren, founder of Homes Matter, says: “There is no comparable service in the market. The initiative brings organisations together from across several industries to provide better value and choice to homeowners and address the associated challenges of reforming the home selling and buying process, improving the energy efficiency of homes, combating climate change and helping energy suppliers meet Carbon Emission Reduction Targets.”

Farren continues: “The Government, Energy Savings Trust, Energy Efficiency Partnership for Homes, Which? and the Association of Home Information Pack Providers amongst others, are aware of the Initiative. The recent announcement that Spicerhaart is to buy Tesco Property Market endorses the online estate agency business model and in due course, a ‘hearts and mind’ campaign promoting the benefits of Home Information Packs, Home Condition Reports and energy efficiency, will be launched”.

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Homes Matter will provide sellers with financial incentives to implement energy efficiency measures and arrange a Home Condition Report. The company will have regional offices instead of costly high street estate agency branches, use home inspectors and domestic energy assessors to draw up property particulars and floor plans instead of estate agency staff and substitute costly negotiators with account managers operating from a customer service centre. Sellers themselves will show buyers around their property.

For further information, please contact:
Nigel Farren, founder, Homes Matter
Tel: 01727 857487
Email:
Site: www.homesmatter.co.uk