The Swinburne Maddison team work with some brilliant contacts and clients across various sectors.
Here we look back to our winter edition of Prism Magazine where Charlotte Excell, associate solicitor in our Commercial Property team, invited Joe I’Anson, director at Bradley Hall, to sit in the Hot Seat to learn more about the property market.
Congratulations on your recent promotion and heading up the Teesside office, what are your main aspirations, goals and focus for the office?
Thank you! Bradley Hall have had a presence in Teesside for the past couple of years, being based out of Wynyard, and generally focusing on residential sales. We have long-standing relationships with various Teesside-based firms which gives us an excellent base to grow from.
Ultimately, I would like to follow the ‘Durham model’, where I can grow the commercial property side of the business including sales and lettings, management, and valuation alongside a residential agency – focusing mainly on executive homes and providing top-level service.
What are you experiencing and seeing within the current market?
In terms of the commercial market, we are still seeing sales of properties where values are in line with market conditions. From an investment angle, we are seeing more activity in the double-figure yield market or with a development angle to where clients can add value and achieve higher returns.
From a lettings perspective, we have reached any number of solutions recently to secure tenants for landlords. Each situation is different; from a simple short-term agreement to undertaking a full schedule of works to facilitate a letting and agreeing a 15-year lease. As long as both parties are willing, there are deals to be done. In terms of residential sales, ultimately it follows that you must get pricing, presentation, and accessibility correct. If you get these things right, your property will sell – and we are selling houses!
What does a typical working day look like for you?
Get up and go for a jog. There’s nothing like gathering your thoughts and thinking with clarity about the day ahead. I’ll check emails, plan where I need to be and liaise with Lesley, who heads up our residential department. Typically, a day will involve meeting clients, inspecting/viewing properties, reporting to landlords, and liaising with tenants and other professionals. As a general practice surveyor, cliché to say, but no two days are the same. It can honestly be anything from a phone call about a multi-million-pound investment sale or providing strategy advice on a large commercial portfolio to ordering new bins for a managed property! I like to get some form of networking in where possible, ideally on an evening.
What do you think is Bradley Hall’s unique selling point and what sets you apart?
The people and the local knowledge. We have a lot of great client relationships, and we are known for being good at what we do. It’s come a long way since I first started ten years ago which is a testament to the Directors. It is constantly evolving with new, innovative ideas which I think is largely due to being able to offer so many different services for clients and working collaboratively between departments. I don’t see Bradley Hall relenting in its drive to get bigger and better and I’m glad to be a part of it.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given in your career?
The harder you work, the luckier you get.
How do you unwind after a busy week?
I’ll show my true colours here! I like to watch the football (Middlesbrough), eat out and see friends.
My guilty pleasure is Strictly Come Dancing, which is great for cold Saturday nights in. It’s usually a bit of a hectic week so I like to relax with a few drinks.
What’s your favourite social highlight of the year?
Bradley Hall Festive Fundraiser of course! It’s always a great event and the guys do such a good job at organising it. It will be good to see Swinburne Maddison there again this year along with around 600 other clients and staff.
This interview was featured in the winter edition of Prism. Please click here to view Prsim online or pick up a copy on your next visit to our office!
