PRESS RELEASE May 2008

JSM BUYS ELLIOTS’ LETTINGS DIVISION
East Anglia’s leading property management company, JSM Property, has purchased the lettings and management division of Norwich-based Elliots.
With a staff of 55, JSM has grown considerably through acquisition and organically in the last four years to the stage now where the company has over 3,500 properties throughout Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge.

Lovewell Blake Chartered Accountants carried out the Due Diligence and Jeremy Westcott of Woodbridge based Lightfoot O’Brien and Westcott were the solicitors.

Managing Director, Jeremy Prior started the JSM business in Woodbridge in 1992 and has masterminded the rapid growth. Speaking at the completion of the Elliots purchase, he commented: “Elliots is a well respected business established in Norwich in 1994. Its portfolio is an eminently natural complement to our existing management collective in Norwich, where we have been for 14 years. We will continue to serve the best interests of our landlords and tenants in Norfolk. We are planning further expansion in Norfolk and will be making another announcement shortly.”

James Mathews, Managing Director of Elliots remarked: “We have been looking at our business for a while and by selling the lettings and management side of the business to JSM, we are now able to concentrate on the 5 agency offices we have and will also strengthen the financial planning offer which is called St Andrews Financial Planning. We know that the letting business is now in the safe hands of JSM.”

This acquisition further strengthens JSM’s position as the largest player of its kind in the East of England with offices in Norwich, Woodbridge, Ipswich, Cambridge and Lowestoft.
Visit www.jsmproperty.com for more information.

PRESS INFORMATION:
TIM SHELDON
PR WORKS
8a Church Street
Woodbridge
IP12 1DH
TEL 01394 610500
MOB 07860 814944

Staff News

We are delighted to announce two exciting promotions within our Norwich office.

Jo McCall has been appointed Branch Manager of the Norwich office.

Jo has proved to be an exceptional member of the Norwich team and has earned the respect of her clients and colleagues alike. Emma Wells, General Manager said, following the appointment " I am thrilled that Jo has accepted this challenging role - she has proved herself to be professional and extremely hardworking and I am looking forward to working closely with her in this expanding office"

We are also delighted that Emma Trett has taken the role of Deputy Branch Manager within the Norwich office. Having worked particularly hard, Emma's commitment and loyalty is rewarded with a well deserved promotion.

We have exciting plans in store for our Norwich office, and with Jo and Emma at the helm we are looking forward to a busy year in Norwich.

Award

JSM HOCKEYS are celebrating after coming top in a ‘mystery shopper’ investigation of some of Cambridge’s estate agents.

Industry magazine Sold Out visited five offices on Regent Street, and JSM Hockeys came first overall, as well as scoring an impressive four out of five in the ‘first impressions’, ‘market knowledge’ and ‘website’ categories.

Micheal Houlden, director of sales, is thrilled with the result. “We know our clients like us, but this is the first time we’ve had someone independent saying they love the office, love the website, and that the staff are friendly and helpful. It’s a great acknowledgement.”

You can see why the office itself scored highly – it’s more like a chic boutique than an estate agency, with its large squidgy leather sofa, huge contemporary black and white photographs, and swish black wallpaper.

“We spent lots of money on our office, and it’s good to know that other people think it’s nice as we do,” said Michael. “We have backing music and a coffee machine, and clients feel comfortable. It’s just so that people who come in don’t think they’re walking into a typing pool!

“I’ve always said that first impressions are so important, not just with the office but also how you deal with people. You should always treat people the way you’d want to be treated yourself. We work so hard to provide a service that’s a bit different, so it’s great to have something like this which backs up all our efforts.”

PRESS RELEASE August 2007

JSM Property, the biggest property management and lettings company in East Anglia, has acquired the lettings and management division of Ipswich based Seatons. JSM has grown dramatically both organically and through acquisition over the last three years and now has a portfolio of some 3,500 properties throughout the eastern counties, under management from offices in Woodbridge, Ipswich, Norwich, Cambridge and Lowestoft.

Managing Director of JSM, Jeremy Prior remarked: “The Seatons property portfolio will give us an even stronger position in and around Ipswich with more than 1500 properties in the area alone now under management. This transaction will allow Seatons to focus totally on their estate agency business and for us it is a natural addition to the Suffolk portfolio. Key members of the Seatons management team will join JSM providing continuity for existing landlords and tenants.”

Mark Halls, Managing Director of Seatons commented: “We are proud of what Seatons has achieved over the last 20 years in building up one of the largest residential management portfolios. But the time is now right to concentrate on the agency side of our business. We are pleased to have sold the management division to one of the market leaders, JSM, who have an excellent reputation for providing a professional, personal and friendly service to their clients and tenants, and who will continue the high level of service that our clients have been used to.”

New Appointment for JSM Ipswich Office

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Paula Durbin as the new Assistant Manager of our Ipswich office. Paula has proved to be an exceptional member of staff and has earned the respect of her clients and colleagues alike. Elaine Dunlop, Manager of the Ipswich Office said, following Paula's appointment " I am thrilled that Paula has accepted this new and responsible role - she has proved herself to be professional and extremely hardworking and I am looking forward to working closely with her in this very busy and expanding office"

Press Release 27 February 2007

Every member of the JSM Ipswich office has now passed the ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) examination which is a first for an Ipswich letting agency and for JSM. Pauline Turnbull and Paula Durbin are the latest to receive the ARLA certificate.

Jeremy Prior, Managing Director of JSM said; “No other firm in Suffolk can boast this, proving that JSM is the market leader for professional standards. We place very high value on customer service and staff training and the fact that all the Ipswich team has this qualification echoes this.”

JSM offices are in Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich, Woodbridge and Lowestoft. The company employs 60 people and recently obtained the coveted Investors in People award. Call head office on 01394 380218 for more information or visit  www.jsmproperty.com

Photo shows, left to right, Elaine Dunlop, Lucy Brebner, Pauline Turnbull, Richard Higgins, Wendy Letch and Paula Durbin.

PRESS INFORMATION:
TIM SHELDON
PR WORKS
8a Church Street
Woodbridge
IP12 1DH
TEL 01394 610500
MOB 07860 814944

Winter Letter

A great many changes have been made to the Company over the last few years as we have grown, and we have attempted to keep you informed through regular updating of our new website (www.jsmproperty.com) and the introduction of our Newsletter. To date the feedback has been positive, and so I have been encouraged to write to inform you of various other developments, prior to the publication of our Spring Newsletter.

We tread a fine line between not bombarding clients with unwelcome marketing material and failing to explain and inform the services and benefits that the Company offers. 

Professionalism and courtesy continue to be the key stones of our service and with over 215 years accumulated service between the current members of staff we feel confident that we are best positioned to offer sound and sensible advice to our clients. Needless to say we are not resting on our laurels and continuous training takes place throughout the Company and I am delighted to say that over 60% of our staff has passed the ARLA level one examination which would be hard to rival by any other Company throughout the Country.
 
Below is a short summary of some of the more recent services we now offer, in addition to our core business, which you maybe unaware of. In all aspects of the Companies services we strive to maintain the highest professional standards coupled with the honest, friendly and personable service that has become our trademark over the past two decades.

JSM Hockeys Estate Agents:

Actually not an entirely new service since we have been selling property on behalf of existing clients for years, however we have stepped up a gear and are now actively marketing our services to both the general public as well as existing clients. We advertise properties for sale on our website under the JSM Hockeys banner, as well as using well known search engines such as www.rightmove.co.uk  ; www.primelocation.com and www.propertyfinder.co.uk . All three search engines are advertising on the television and national and local press and we now receive an enormous number of enquiries from this source.

So whether you are selling or letting your property we can help – also we tend to be very competitive in terms of our fees compared to other agents!

Hockeys Financial:

We have a close association with the above company and are now able to source finance for clients whether they be purchasing a new property or wishing to re finance. Our in house mortgage advisor Ray Woodruff has over 25 years experience within the financial mortgage sector and will be delighted to advise you should you be considering any of the above. Ray also specialises in the refinancing of existing ‘Buy to Let’ mortgages and many clients over the years have benefited significantly from Ray’s advice and ‘Financial Health Check Up’.

Although based in our office in Cambridge Ray would be delighted to visit you at home or speak to you on the telephone should you feel this might be of interest.

Telephone Number: 01954 789889
Mobile Number: 07802 405271
E-Mail: raymond_woodruff@hotmail.com

Buildings Insurance 

JSM Acquires Gooderhams December 2006

JSM Property, the largest property management and lettings company in East Anglia, has purchased Suffolk-based lettings agency Gooderhams. This acquisition is the latest move in a steady growth strategy for the firm which now has more than 3000 properties under management throughout the eastern counties. Last year JSM acquired Hockeys, another independent estate agency and lettings company, based in Cambridge which is now called JSM Hockeys.

Jeremy Prior, founder and managing director of JSM is in an acquisitive phase. “The addition of the Gooderhams’ property portfolio is a natural fit with the houses and flats we already have on our books at Grange Farm, Kesgrave and Martlesham Heath, Ipswich. The properties are mostly new, high quality homes. Gooderhams have established a fine reputation in the market and we are pleased to have done this deal.”

Tim Owen who owned Gooderhams has become a consultant to JSM. He commented; “Our portfolio will be well looked after by JSM as there is natural synergy. A lot of the business is based around BT at Martlesham who require a steady flow of quality properties for rent. We wish JSM every success.”

JSM offices are in Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich, Woodbridge and Lowestoft. The company employs 60 people and recently obtained the coveted Investors in People award. Call head office on 01394 380218 for more information or visit the recently upgraded http://www.jsmproperty.com/

MORE INFORMATION:
TIM SHELDON
PR WORKS
8a Church Street
Woodbridge
IP12 1DH
TEL 01394 610500
MOB 07860 814944

JSM Property forms joint venture with NW Brown 16 November 2006

JSM Property, the largest property management and lettings company in East Anglia, has formed a joint venture with NW Brown Insurance Brokers based in Cambridge to provide Buildings and Contents insurance for their Landlords. A majority of landlords who already use JSM throughout the eastern counties place their property insurance through the firm but now the service is even better and more competitive.

Jeremy Prior who established JSM in 1990 is delighted with this new venture. He said; “Underwritten by Royal Sun Alliance Insurance, this insurance cover is tailor-made for landlords and comes at one of the best rates in the market. We now look after over 3000 residential properties throughout East Anglia and due to this high volume we have been able to negotiate, along with NW Brown Insurance Brokers, an extremely good rate for a product with an excellent level of cover.”

Comprehensive cover for properties with rebuilding values of up to £500,000 is at a rate of only £200 per annum including accidental damage and owner’s liability. For contents up to £25,000 the premium is £95 per annum. Since the launch of this offer, many landlords have signed up.

NW Brown Insurance Brokers is a part of the NW Brown Group which has been established in Cambridge for over 30 years.  Shaun Lenton, Director of Personal Lines insurance, says; “JSM and NW Brown Insurance Brokers approach client care and service in much the same manner – getting the best service for the best price from the best providers is paramount. I’m delighted to be able to work with JSM to ensure their clients are receiving the cover and the claim service that they truly deserve to receive.”

In addition to the thriving management side of the business, the residential agency division has recently been relaunched through a rebranding exercise. The company employs 60 people and recently obtained the coveted Investors in People award. JSM offices are in Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich, Woodbridge and Lowestoft. Call head office on 01394 380218 for more information on the Insurance cover or visit the recently upgraded http://www.jsmproperty.com/

Cambridge Office Manager Appointment 28th September 2006

We are delighted to announce that Andy Lay has been appointed as the new Office Manager within our Lettings and Management Department at this extremely busy branch. Andy joined us last summer and has proven himself to be an extremely effective manager and someone who is not afraid of hard work! Andy will be working very closely with Marilla Garland who will now have time to concentrate all her efforts on attracting new business. The management of JSM wish Andy all the very best of luck in this very demanding but exciting new challenge.

ARLA examination passes 4 September 2006

Congratulations to Rob Bingham and Ben Shelton of our Cambridge branch and Lucie Brebner of our Ipswich branch for successfully passing the ARLA 2000 level 1 examinations. All three candidates worked extremely hard to obtain high passes in these difficult examinations and they should be congratulated in their achievement.

Emma Wells, General Manager of  JSM and Head of Training, said “ I am delighted that everyone who took the examinations passed with flying colours, their success underscores the continued commitment of JSM to ensure that members of staff  remain at the forefront of the industry and are qualified in providing a level of service to our clients which are second to none”.  

JSM launches new identity for sales business 19 May 2006

JSM HOCKEYS LAUNCHES NEW IDENTITY FOR SALES BUSINESS JSM Hockeys has a striking new corporate identity in order to more clearly signpost the sales side of the business. The independent agency has prestigious offices in Regent Street, Cambridge and was established in 1885. Hockeys was purchased by... read more

Investors in People Award 19 May 2006

COMMITMENT TO TRAINING AT JSM PROPERTY WINS AWARD East Anglian residential property lettings and management company JSM Property Management has received the Investors in People Award. JSM has grown rapidly in the last year having acquired two businesses in Cambridge. JSM employs 60 people and man... read more

JSM Acquires Hockeys 30 June 2005

JSM STRENGTHENS POSITION IN CAMBRIDGE PROPERTY MARKET WITH ANOTHER ACQUISITION – HOCKEYS, ESTABLISHED IN 1885 East Anglian residential property lettings and management company JSM Property Managemen has further strengthened its position in the Cambridge property market with a second acquisition. JS... read more

JSM ACQUIRES LETTINGS FIRM IN CAMBRIDGE 07 June 2005

JSM Property Management, the leading residential property lettings and Management Company in East Anglia, has acquired First Site Property Services, a well established residential letting business in Cambridge. The addition of a strategic fifth office means that JSM, which has offices in Ipswich, Wo... read more