New Norfolk online estate agent could win up to £2m

Norwich entrepreneur Chris Sargisson's new business venture House Revolution - the online estate agent has been successful in reaching the final 10 companies in the East of England Development Agency's (EEDA) 'running the gauntlet' competition putting them in prime position for funding of up to £2 million.

Chris Sargisson, House Revolution's - the online estate agent co-founder and Managing Director said “Finding appropriate funding is the hardest part of any new business. We are so pleased and relieved to get to this final stage. This announcement clearly indicates that there is both a recognised and real market for a value for money alternative to the high street estate agent and we should be shouting about it".

During his visit to see some of the East of England's vibrant IT and technology companies, Competitiveness Minister, Stephen Timms MP announced the ten finalists. He commented:

"The ten 'running the gauntlet' finalists demonstrate vision and the determination to succeed. Entrepreneurship plays a central part in our recent economic success and we must do all we can to encourage it grow and develop. EEDA's 'running the gauntlet' is an excellent example of how this can be achieved through public/private sector partnership, incentive and educational development. I am impressed by what I have seen and heard today and wish the finalists a prosperous future."

'Running the Gauntlet' is an investment competition and education programme which has helped over 1,100 East of England entrepreneurs, many in the technology sector, since it began in 2005. Over 300 companies registered this year and 50 were short-listed. The finalists now go forward for further scrutiny by the programme's four investors - CREATE, Low Carbon Accelerator, NW Brown and SEP. They will also be given access to advice covering negotiating term sheets, building the right team, technology exploitation and media awareness courtesy of Grant Thornton, Taylor Vinters, Bailey Fisher ~ Executive Search, Sagentia and BBC East respectively.

Commenting on today's announcement, Richard Ellis, chairman of EEDA said: "The sectoral diversity of this year's finalists shows that the spirit of entrepreneurialism is very much alive and growing in the East of England. Our finalists have demonstrated an enthusiasm and expertise that bodes well for the future of our region's economy. While some may secure funding all will have benefited from this process and I wish them well in their ongoing negotiations with the investors."

Doug Richard, from BBC2 “Dragons Den” and chairman of the 'running the gauntlet' investors panel said: "Entrepreneurs are risk-takers who make money by thinking outside the box. Our ten finalists have shown that by grasping the opportunities offered by this programme they have been able to develop in a way that attracts investors' attention. However, they need to show a continued hunger for success if they are to secure the funding on offer."

Chris Sargisson further commented that "House Revolution the online estate agent is a totally new type of estate agency, a pioneer of change, with a passion for honesty and an unfaltering belief in providing a value for money service that will blow your socks off, which uses the internet as its shop-front, so covers the whole of the UK without the need for expensive high street offices piled high with equipment and people. We are one of the first to provide a complete estate agency service, on line, and at a fraction of the high street price without loss of function or service."

Chris, who recently launched the new £499 online estate agency has so far saved his customers on average £5,500 in estate agency fees with some customers saving over £8,500 in fees on the sale of their property.

Chris is well versed in the nuances of the internet and estate agency, his influence alone helped to build his previous company, its4me to achieve a 30 million pound premium turnover in just 5 years and created jobs for over 120 staff in its Norwich offices.

House Revolution - the online estate agent short-listed for prestigious East of England Award

(issued 12thSeptember 2007)

House Revolution the online estate agent are celebrating today after being short-listed for the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) “Running The Gauntlet 2007” Award. Last night (12th September 2007) they were nominated by Doug Richards (BBC2 “Dragons Den”) as being in the top 50 entrepreneurial companies in the East of England.

Time scales and competition for the finals are tight and fierce. Both businesses have to present an extensive business plan by 17th September 2007. The firms have won consultancy from a media firm to prepare for a Dragon’s Den style “pitch”. The final 10 contestants will have the opportunity for funding up to £2 million.

Chris Sargisson, House Revolution the online estate agent's Co founder said “This is a huge boost for us. Having a great idea and turning into a working business is very hard but getting recognition and noticed by some of the most intelligent and respected people in the business world such as the Gauntlet judging panel really gives you a boost. We are very proud to be the Norwich based firms now ‘Running The Gauntlet’.

House Revolution - the online estate agent

House Revolution is a totally new type of online estate agent, a pioneer of change, with a passion for honesty and an unfaltering belief in providing a value for money service that will blow your socks off

House Revolution - the online estate agent uses the internet as its shop-front and therefore covers the whole of the UK without the need for expensive high street offices piled high with equipment and people. They are the first to provide a complete estate agency service, on line at a fraction of the high street price without loss of function or support

Chris Sargisson who recently launched the new £499 online estate agency has so far saved his customers on average £5,500 in estate agency fees with one customer in particular saved over £8,500 on the sale of their property.

Chris is well-versed in the nuances of the internet and estate agency, his influence alone helped to build his previous company, its4me to achieve a 30 million pound premium turnover in just 5 years and created jobs for over 120 staff.

Pilot Success means new offices for House Revolution - the online estate agents

(issued June 2007)

“We can save you, on average over £5,500 on your estate agency fees.” That’s the bold but true statement made today by Chris Sargisson, Managing Director of House Revolution - the online estate agent following an extremely successful trial.

The ground breaking online estate agents have now set their sights firmly on revolutionising the UK property market.

Internet industry heavyweights Chris Sargisson and Richard Savelli who recently launched the new £499 online estate agents also can confirm that over half the houses in the pilot were sold with-in a week

“This is such a fantastic start” says Chris Sargisson. “I’m so pleased that this new online estate agent has worked so well. This is real value for money! For example one couple, Anne and Brendan, saved over £8000 in commission, it really is amazing”

Richard Savelli, House Revolution’s finance director added “By reducing our costs and marketing our properties with the new breed of internet web sites such as Homes24, Thinkproperty and Rightmove has meant success for us and our vendors, now with new offices, new people joining us and a massive determination to bring honesty and value for money to UK home selling we are ready to offer real choice to the traditional estate agency market”

Richard & Chris are well-versed in the nuances of the internet and estate agency, their combined influence alone has helped to build their previous company, its4me to achieve a 30 million pound premium turnover in just 5 years and created jobs for over 120 staff.

INTERNET HEAVYWEIGHTS LAUNCH CONSUMER FRIENDLY ONLINE ESTATE AGENTS

(issued March 2007)

Two internet insurance industry heavyweights Chris Sargisson and Richard Savelli today announce the launch of a new online estate agency which pledges to redefine the way we buy and sell property.

The dynamic duo sent out a challenge today as they launched their joint venture – Houserevolution.com. The launch of this latest online estate agents will ruffle the feathers of the existing high street agents as well as the private, ‘do it yourself’ offerings. Well-versed in the nuances of the internet and estate agency, they have developed their skills over 6 years. Their combined influence alone has helped to build their current company to achieve a 30 million pound premium turnover in just 5 years.

Chris Sargisson, Managing Director for House Revolution - the online estate agents , said: “Our solid, honest values are built around service, reliability and value for money. Simple functionality, low cost, and comprehensive support will win over customers who visit the site. We aim to set new standards, deliver better value and consistently out perform any Estate Agent – on or off line.”

House Revolution the online estate agents promises to revolutionise estate agency, bringing buyers and sellers together in a way that makes it virtually impossible to withhold information or to apply spin. The full range of estate agency service will be available on-line from real time valuation and property searching, through to the ability for sellers to market their property both on and off-line. Sellers can receive viewings, offers and feedback and manage their sale right through to the point where the keys are handed over. According to Chris, “Our whole ethos is to provide significant value for money whilst providing the highest levels of service and honesty ever offered by an estate agent.”

The new company heralds a new era in estate agency. House Revolution - the online estate agent champions customer interests and promises to be transparent with all communication, eliminating one of the key complaints levied at traditional estate agents in that their advice can be biased and not truthful. The new site pledges to be 75% cheaper on average. In addition, House Revolution offers an on-line valuation service so that customers can easily get the best house price and be kept up to date with house price changes. Customers also get full call centre support and the site’s online ‘e-chat’ service for impartial advice.

Richard Savelli, Finance Director for House Revolution - the online estate agents, said: “House revolution will, in the first instance help to revolutionise house selling by giving control back to the customer. Just as we successfully redefined the online insurance market with its4me plc, we will change the face of Estate Agency. Customers can instantly place their property for sale online and then manage the sale to their precise requirements, rather than having to always go via a middleman who takes a large commission for in effect doing a job you are more than capable of doing yourself. Our online estate agency team offers the highest standards of customer care responding quickly to any customer queries. It’s about time estate agency was regarded as an opportunity to exceed customer expectations with good value, sound advice and help. The customer cannot lose with House revolution”.