Visit Henry's Instagram page
here to view some of the videos and updates he shares!
It's more than three decades now since leading North East estate agency Carver Residential, formerly Nick and Gordon Carver, was founded – and it's incredible how much the business of selling houses has changed in that time. This family firm has certainly moved with the times, grabbing the attention of potential buyers through social media channels and funky reels which grab buyers' attention by opening the door remotely on a home's charms.
Company director Henry Carver is the king of the Instagram reel, and he takes an obvious pride in his productions. Cue carefully chosen music – he's currently going through a drum and base phase – and sweeping images of all the rooms in a property; they're entertaining, informative and so successful that agents around the country are asking for tips.
"The response has been mind-blowing. I have lost count of the amount of people who have told me they love watching the videos I post," says Henry. "I started to realise the reach when it wasn't just my family and friends telling me they enjoyed them, but strangers too. We marketed a lovely property that was purchased purely from the reel. The buyer, who had not even viewed the property in person at this point, made a full asking price offer, exceeding the previous highest price on the street by £20,000."
The estate agency has always looked at new ways to get the best exposure for clients' properties, and social media is now playing a huge part in this. "Over the past few years, many viewings and sales have come directly from our social media accounts long before properties go on the portals such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket," explains director James Carver. "We purposefully delay all our properties going on portals by 48 hours to allow us to contact our list of potential buyers first, which can mean securing the best price."
Social media also allows agents to reach a whole new audience of potential buyers who are not necessarily even looking to purchase a new home. "The exposure can be huge – one reel has reached in excess of a million views and a further dozen in excess of 100,000 views each," says James. "There have been many occasions where properties have been bought on the strength of the reel that has been posted. It also gives buyers the chance to have sneak peeks of properties coming soon."
But while live video tours have proved successful, the team at Carvers prefer to speak to and meet potential buyers to discuss the properties they have on the market and others that may be coming soon. "Understanding what a buyer wants and being able to match them to a property is a huge part of our job," says James. "We are in a very privileged position. Having successfully sold property in the area for more than 30 years, many of our clients are people who have bought or sold.
With us before or have been recommended by someone who has. We remain a very proactive agent and work hard to match properties with people. We know that our clients come back to us and recommend us due to our personal touch."
As for the year ahead, James believes there is lots to be positive about in the North East property market with arrival of Government departments into Darlington and significant investment in the local area. "We are seeing first hand that this is spreading confidence to the consumer, although there's still a shortage of good quality properties on the market, which is keeping prices strong," he says.
Both James and brother Henry were born in Darlington and love the area they live and work in. "I'm proud to call Darlington home," says Henry. "It really is a beautiful place to live with lots of local independent shops, cafes and restaurants. I have a real passion for architecture and am extremely lucky to see some incredible period properties on my doorstep."
James loves country living, working mainly around Darlington, Barnard Castle and Richmond. "Favourite places include Raby Castle, the farm shop at Piercebridge, and running along – and occasionally swimming in – the River Tees. "I have plans to run the full Teesdale Way this year," he says. Whether Henry will be making an entertaining reel of his efforts remains to be seen.