Friends are at home in new Lancashire estate agency

Julie Hardy and Sarah Temmen both worked in the housing sector for many years in various roles but decided to team up and be their own bosses.

As the lockdowns hit home both were put on furlough and used their time to set up their business Jusa Homes.

The agency is in the former George Banks jewellery shop in Poulton Street Kirkham.

Julie, who hails form Newton, said: “We formed the business in December, we went live in January and we opened our shop on April 6.

“We have worked with new builds and estate agents for more than 40 years between us, but last year we ended up having to take other jobs, so we decided to get together and give it a go.

Sarah, from Leyland, and Julie have also taken on two part time staff for when they are out doing valuations.They cover everywhere from the Fylde coast to Preston with the bulk of their current business coming in Ashton, Ingol and the surrounding area.

The market has been very active in recent months as the Chancellor’s stamp duty holiday has fuelled demand due to hefty savings

Julie said: “We are a modern estate agent with traditional values. There are a lot of buyers out there and not enough property on the market at the moment.

“The ones that are on the market are going really fast. We put two properties up on Monday, one sold the next day, the other has had six viewings so far and another five booked in. Mostly they are first time buyers.

“We still have the stamp duty holiday to the end of June and that has obviously helped, but with lockdown easing a lot of people have been re-evaluating and now want to make a move.”

The government raised the threshold at which stamp duty is paid on property sales from £125,000 to £500,000, to help buyers who might have taken a financial hit because of Covid and boosting a property market hit by lockdown.