A NEW Oxford-based estate agents has opened this week despite being 'hugely set back' due to lockdown.

Manor Oxford on Victoria Road aims to take the Oxford property market ‘by storm’.

Founded by Natasha Lane from Summertown and Ashley Harwood from Fringford, who both share a wealth of professional and local knowledge, the boutique property agent plans to take traditional sale techniques and combine them with modern-day marketing and sales strategies.

They hope to provide their clients with the ‘very best’ property professional service.

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But the outbreak of coronavirus came at a difficult time for the agency, almost to the day of its original launch date.

Mr Harwood, said: "With restrictions as such, face to face meetings with one another to discuss the business, its launch and future opportunities were made impossible.

"Being unable to meet any potential clients and a huge sense of unknown and uncertainty in the property market became very quickly a huge set back in terms of promoting and developing our brand.

"With the housing marketing closing down over the months of April and the majority of May, we were paralysed in performing essential work. However, it enabled us to re-evaluate our business model to ensure our breadth of services and marketing are continuously evolving with the market."

The property market is seeing challenging times, therefore diversifying from the agency norm, offering other services and thinking outside the box is the forefront of its business strategy.

It believes in creating a bespoke, personable service that is entirely configured to any individuals’ needs which will be paramount in creating a successful all-encompassing business in a challenging market.

With their plethora of services from sales and acquisition, short term and long-term lettings, project management and design, as well as property and block management, Manor Oxford says it is tailored to cover all of its clients’ property needs under one roof.

Ms Lane's career began when she worked for one of London’s largest estate agents followed by asset management of large residential portfolios in Central London.

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She drew on this experience and carved a career within property development, project management and design.

She is now focusing her passion and talented eye to offer clients with unrivalled project management, property management and design services.

Mr Harwood was born in Oxford and began his property career while working in the Oxfordshire countryside.

Both living and working within Oxfordshire throughout his life has given him a wealth of local knowledge and expertise in what can be a fast-paced and competitive market.

As the nation starts coming out of lockdown, Mr Harwood hopes for a strong property market will emerge.

He said: "The early signs are showing the property market locally is positive; with a huge surge of new listing and instructions becoming available on a daily basis.

"This, alongside interest rates being at an all time low and the constant demand to purchase within Oxfordshire will hopefully ensure a strong market to follow over the coming months.

"Fortunately, the lockdown itself was lifted at a time of the year where the property market is typically buoyant.

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"The early summer months are generally the optimum time to list a property due to the longer days, the nice weather and at a time where a client would be in a position to move and become settled prior to the new academic year.

Mr Harwood says he is passionate about providing the 'very highest level' of customer service and that building a personal and long-lasting relationship with his client has been key to his ongoing success.

He says that not only will Manor Oxford negotiate the best price whilst selling homes, but that it will also continue to support clients in securing them with their next dream property, locally, nationally or internationally.

Manor Oxford says it prides itself on the level of customer service and its commitment to revolutionise estate agents and remove any 'negative stigma' attached to the industry by offering a genuine and professional service that is unrivalled in the local property market.

For more information, go to www.manoroxford.com.