Let’s keep in touch – Oakley’s Continued Service During Lockdown

We’re always here for our clients and customers; at the end of the phone, by email, and usually by video streaming for a good old face to face catch up. Lockdown has meant we’ve needed to adapt our business, but we’re far from shut down. Our teams have been busy finding alternative ways to keep everything running smoothly in our Sales, Lettings, Property Management and Commercial Departments. We stay in touch regularly as a team to discuss projects, ideas and most importantly to stay sociable, which is what our business is all about. Our team leaders have taken time to write a quick note to you, our customer

Chris Oakley – Executive Chairman

“Our hearts go out to everyone in this time of international need, we are (so far) the lucky ones, who have thankfully only had to adapt short term to a change of lifestyle. We value so highly our relationships with our clients and staff, who have been so supportive to us over recent weeks.

As a business we have had to make some hard decisions, but I am confident things will bounce back to normality for everyone very soon and hopefully with a surge of new optimism! We thought it might be helpful to let you know how we have adapted our business to cope with the Coronavirus pandemic and also to hear from some familiar voices.

If there is anything we can help anyone with by using our property experience, please call!”

James Epps – Director of Brighton & Hove Residential Sales

“In order to support existing business, we have quickly adapted how we work and are now offering clients video tours of properties, so they can formulate an opinion on the suitability of a property. Obviously, everyone’s health comes first, but so many people we are speaking with still want to move this year, so until we are able to return to the office, we shall continue valuing homes, from our homes!” 

David Beaken – Director of Lewes Residential Sales & Lettings

“The Team at Lewes are bursting to get back into the office. We have a number of stunning New Homes projects which we were hoping to launch in April & May and we are ready to press the launch button, as soon as things get back to normal! These new developments include Bell Lane and Cuilfail Mews in Lewes, Smiths’ Yard in Ditchling and Beechwood in Heathfield. We have also held off launching some fascinating traditional homes including a substantial house on Kingston Ridge near Lewes that we know will get great interest!”

Steven Harvey – Director Commercial Property

“The Commercial Property team have successfully transitioned to remote working and have been continuing to liaise with clients and applicants on new and existing transactions. We have found that many businesses have needed support and advice over the last few weeks on lease terms or short-term accommodation for Coronavirus business planning, so we are keeping busy! We are also providing Virtual Valuations and Appraisals, so our technologies are really coming into their own.”

Murray Kerr – Brighton & Hove Lettings Manager

“I am reminded of that famous quote ‘It’s life Jim, but not as we know it!’ Believe it or not, other than the team working from home, life in our Lettings department is much the same. We have access to all of our accounting, marketing, and maintenance organising software as usual. We are still managing to show properties to prospective tenants via video link, and as long as a property is clean, clear and vacant we are moving new tenants in by dealing with paperwork electronically.”

Nick Williams – Shoreham Residential Sales & Lettings Manager

“With daily Zoom meetings, the team are keeping everyone updated on Sales Progression and new instructions, in between the odd Joe Wicks workout! The team have full remote access, so we can do everything at home meaning our clients are fully up to date with what’s going on in the local market. We’re still dealing with ongoing sales and negotiating with buyers, keen to do a deal where possible. For example, we placed a property on the market last week in Shoreham and we have four people wanting to view it when restrictions are loosened.”

If there is anything at all we can help with, all of our team members would be delighted to hear from you, they’re safe at home ready to answer your questions and keep the Sussex Property Market moving.

Stay safe Sussex!