NETWORK
“I SEE OUR REPUTATION RESTING ON DELIVERING HONEST, INTEGRITYDRIVEN ADVICE”
JOURNEY TO THE JOB
CHARLOTTE STRANG
Meet the founder of STRANG & CO, the company helping purchasers looking to buy or rent in the Bristol area
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e search the entire market on behalf of our clients, including off-market opportunities ad ise on offer le els negotiate on a client’s behalf, and oversee the transaction through to completion, thus saving our buyers’ time, often money, costly mistakes and stress, in what is often a complex and lengthy process”, says Charlotte. Tell us about the career path that took you to the job I am a chartered surveyor, and worked at Savills in London for the best part of a decade where I gained experience in various areas of the business before specialising in the valuation of residential property. aluin some of the finest properties in London gave me a strong appreciation of the attributes which make property an exceptional investment. What took you back to Bristol? I relocated back here in 2017 and worked as a development surveyor for fi e years which enabled me to ain an in-depth knowled e of the local property market, hone my negotiation skills and build up a fantastic network of trusted contacts. The experience I have created from working in the property industry for almost 20 years has helped immensely in my current role.
When did you decide to start Strang and Co, and what were the initial challenges? During the pandemic, I paused to reassess my career just as the property market was being reshaped by widespread relocations and e ol in home-workin needs. I reco nised an opportunity to offer independent, expert guidance to buyers, many of who were missing out on properties due to fierce competition. Timing, however, proved to be my first real test. Immediately after launching Strang & Co, Liz Truss’s government announced their mini-bud et which si nificantly cooled buyer sentiment. The resulting slowdown did, however, give me the space to deepen my industry connections and broaden my professional network, which has reatly benefited the e cacy of my business in the long term. Who is your typical customer? My clients range from local residents seeking their ideal home to individuals relocating from other parts of the UK or overseas. They typically fall into three categories: those upsizing, downsizing or pursuing investment opportunities. On several occasions, I have been appointed by parents of Bristol University, who have entrusted me to secure apartments that meet their children’s living needs, while also fulfillin their in estment ob ecti es.
How do you differ from standard estate agents? Unlike estate agents, who are instructed by a vendor to sell their property, a property search or buying agent works exclusively for the purchaser. Strang & Co is completely independent and therefore searches the market in its entirety, with a particular focus on findin off-market opportunities. We only ever take on a small number of mandates at any one time, ensuring our clients are provided with a fantastic service, and no con icts of interest result. How do you maintain strong relationships with clients and partners in the industry? I limit the number of clients I represent at any one time, allowing the necessary time to invest and understand each individual’s circumstances and property aspirations. This focused approach ensures frequent, transparent communication and fosters a deep level of trust. Since founding Strang & Co, I’ve maintained ongoing relationships with every client – a rewarding testament to the enduring connections we build. How is the property market in Bristol right now? In recent months, we’ve seen a robust spring market, with increased listings and corresponding demand, particularly compared to the same period in 2024. Understandably,
against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and a cost-of-li in s ueeze the market remains hi hly price-sensiti e. Properties priced ambitiously have tended to stagnate, whereas well-positioned homes those that combine an attractive location, high specification enerous outdoor space, parking and strong energy performance – consistently draw competitive interest, with ‘best and final’ bids not bein uncommon. What do you predict to be the next hotspots? The regeneration of the Temple Quarter and St Philip’s Marsh area, which aim to deliver approximately 10,000 new homes, will be appealing to investors who are willing to take a relati ely lon -term iew. he redevelopment of this area will also benefit surroundin areas such as Brislington, Totterdown and Bedminster, which have already increased in popularity over the past fi e to years. YTL’s redevelopment of the former ilton irfield is another hotspot, particularly for professionals and families working in the area and will be enhanced further by the direct rail link, scheduled for autumn 2026, from Brabazon (North Filton) direct to Temple Meads. Where do you see the company in five to 10 years’ time? I envisage Strang & Co helping an e er- rowin number of clients to secure the perfect property for their life stage, backed by a small but highly skilled team with deep local knowledge across a number of geographical areas. I see our reputation resting on delivering honest inte rity-dri en ad ice and superb service – we’ll sustain that standard as we continue to expand. For more: www.strangandco.com
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 65