Articles & posts
Mar '26
Since launching my business, I now work with a handful of housebuilding clients who bring me in right at the start of the process, when they’re considering potential land acquisitions.
Which is great, as it allows me to get involved before anything is fixed.
But it does make me think…
At what point is sales actually being brought into the process on most schemes? 🤔
In many cases, I doubt it’s until things are already well progressed. Or even worse, not at all… “we design it, you just need to sell it!” 😬
When you’re involved earlier, you can influence things that are very hard to change later:
• The mix of homes
• How plots are positioned
• Parking and how it will actually work day to day
• Where value can be created or protected
✅ All based on years of home selling experience.
There’s a huge amount of professional input that goes into every scheme to make sure it works from a planning, regulation and compliance point of view.
But if a "sales lens" isn’t brought in early enough, it does increase the risk and often leaves the sales team having to work with decisions that have already been made.
And that’s usually where you start to see slower sales, more negotiation, or value that never quite gets realised. 🤕
Mar '26
Another bugbear of mine on schemes - parking allocation!!
I’ve got a simple test for any recent housing scheme...
👉 Drive through it on a Sunday afternoon.
I did this last weekend on a scheme I was involved in towards the latter stages, hence this post.
❌ Cars parked down both sides of the road.
❌ Tight to get through.
❌ Visitors with nowhere obvious to go.
❌ The kind of layout that probably worked on the plan… but not in reality.
It's a scheme that was just let down by one key decision...
Parking!
The original approach?
• 1 allocated space per home
• Or 1 space + a single garage
Parking designed to satisfy planning...not how people actually live.
Because in reality:
✅ Most households have 2+ cars
✅ Visitors need somewhere to go
✅ Garages are often used for storage, not parking
The issue comes when the layout hasn’t accounted for that:
🤔 Streets feel tight and cluttered
🤔 Parking spills onto the road
🤔 Good plots lose their appeal
🤔 The whole scheme feels busier than it should
And this is where it really matters…
Because poor parking doesn’t just create inconvenience.
It has a significant impact on saleability.
Especially when you’re still trying to sell homes on the scheme..!
My rule of thumb has always been simple:
✅ 2 spaces minimum for 2 & 3 bed (terraces and semi's)
✅ 3 & 4 bed detached = 2 spaces + single garage
✅ Larger 4+ beds = double garage (where appropriate) + additional spaces
And that’s before visitor parking… people have friends & family 😉
In more rural areas like the South West, for many a car isn’t optional. This makes getting the parking allocations right even more critical.
It’s one of the reasons I always encourage developers to review layouts through a real-world, lived-in lens before they’re finalised.
👉 “What will this actually feel like to live here on a Sunday afternoon?”
Because once it’s built…
You’ll know the answer, and it becomes part of your legacy.
Mar '26
Wow - that escalated quickly...!!!🤯
Love the fact that people are really engaging about how we can create better places to live 🙂
Mar '26 - 149,000 Impressions on LinkedIn
I keep banging on about this, but it is such an important aspect that sadly can get missed when designing the layout of a new scheme, and there is still time to make changes.
Every development has a handful of plots that are simply better than the rest, they're the ones the customers are immediately drawn to when looking at a site plan in the show home...!
✅ Corner positions
✅ Better gardens
✅ Less overlooked
✅ Great view or Outlook
Often it is only a small number, but financially they can carry a lot of weight, especially on the smaller schemes. In some cases they can even raise the profile of the whole site...
The issue comes when clear opportunities are missed:
🤔 Homes that could have had better gardens within the site boundary
🤔 Parking schemes and layouts that just don't work once people live there
🤔 Plots where the orientation could have been improved
or
🤔 The house type simply does not make the most of the position
These premium plots and sales optimised layouts should really be doing some of the heavy lifting for the scheme. But once the layout is fixed and planning is in, those opportunities are usually gone.
It is one of the reasons I always encourage, and work with, developers to review layouts through a sales and buyer lens before schemes are finalised.
Feb '26
I posted last week about how important it is for developers, especially in the SME marketplace where you need to "carve out" your story and your niche, to factor in Saleability as an integral part of due diligence when planning a new site.
In the current climate where viabilities are challenged at every step - every department needs to bring something to the table. All sitting in the realm of being "uncomfortably uncomfortable" to get many schemes to work.
Not factoring detailed sales input into layouts (both site and house types) comes with a huge risk, especially on smaller schemes where the margins for error are so much smaller!
Alongside pricing and research, a large part of my work that adds huge value to clients, is detailed site and plot layout reviews - providing practical feedback to optimise plot revenues and ensure that valuable £££'s of GDV are not left on the table...!
If you have a scheme in the early phases and would like me to take a look then drop me a line.
e: paul@pfconsulting.co.uk
m: 07870 839936
Feb '26
Seen a few of these - but as it's Friday afternoon after a hell of a week I thought what the heck...
Put a smile on my face, am slightly concerned though that Chat GPT thinks I have 3 hands, work with "SHW HOME" and that my eyebrows are keen to escape off the top of my forehead!!
Have a good weekend all... 😊
Jan '26
Business Mentoring Support for Sales and Growth
Alongside my consultancy work, I support business owners who want an experienced, independent perspective to help them think things through properly.
Running a business can feel really isolating. The key decisions and responsibilities sit with you, ideas can get stuck in your head, and it’s easy to get lost between “this could work” and “where do I even start?”
My mentoring support is designed for business owners who want:
✅ Clear, straight-talking commercial guidance
✅ A confidential space to explore strategy and sales performance
✅ Help and support with sense-checking and evolving ideas before committing time or money
✅ Accountability to move plans from idea to action
All sessions are strictly confidential, practical, and completely tailored to you and your business. No generic frameworks. No corporate fluff. Just real-world support.
If you’re thinking about growing, refining your offer, or improving sales performance this year, a mentoring relationship could help to explore options and clarify your next steps.
If this sounds useful, drop me a message and we can discuss what you’re looking to achieve...
Jan '26
So a decent start to 2026!!
✅ Some great training material created and more underway for an interesting and exciting new project
✅ Proposal submitted for retained work for a client over the coming months
✅ Pricing and mix update completed on an ongoing piece of work for a client with a new land opportunity
✅ Discussions ongoing with a potential new client to provide support with future land bids and their sales & marketing operations
✅2 further pricing reports booked in to do
and 2 calls scheduled for this week to explore potential new mentoring relationships...
I'll take that 😎
Dec '25
Wishing all my colleagues, connections, friends and clients a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
Nov '25
I was back out East on Friday looking at another superb potential 10-20 unit site for a client...
Great input from the local agents to help build picture of the market and enable me to position the pricing and potential mix options. Comparables and evidence complete and now putting the written report together...
My aim is to provide the best, evidence backed, input and context to support my clients with getting potential site's moving👍
It doesn't stop there - I then continue to work with closely with Land and Development teams to develop the best possible outcomes and layout suited to the local market.🏠😎
Nov '25
That's another market research and pricing report wrapped and sent off to the client - on to the next one to support a potential acquisition in the region...
If you have an active site that's struggling, or are looking at new opportunities that would benefit from an independent review and input then please give me a shout to discuss how I can help...
Nov '25
That's a detailed site and house type layout, review, feedback and recommendation report for a 200 + unit scheme wrapped up and issued today.
Love it when the work you do to support clients will ultimately feed into enhanced schemes, with improved sales potential for the future...🏗️🏠😊
Oct '25
Approaching the end of what's been a flat out week following a quick trip up to Manchester last weekend to visit my lad and hear about his first term at Uni exploits (oh to be young again!!!) ... 🥵
It is certainly challenging out there and am feeling pleased to be able to help and support some great businesses across the region. Looking forward to a chill weekend then back to it on Monday and a new challenge.
How is it November tomorrow...??? 😲
Oct '25
Fab few hours spent with the team from Edenstone Group at their pre-launch showing of their new development in Exeter - Willow Grange.
Love the small world that is housebuilding in the South West - great to catch up with friends and former colleagues whilst looking at their stunning new show home which is launching tomorrow. It's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area...
Oct '25
When I directly led Sales teams I always used to bang on about the power and importance of customer recommendations & testimonials.
We can all shout about how well we think we are doing, or that our product is the best, but it is what our clients or customers say that really counts.
Hence why I was massively honoured to receive the review below from a client I have been mentoring, to help them set up and launch their new fitness & wellbeing business.
I've not said huge amounts on here about the mentoring work I do as for my clients it is private, and the quality of the relationship and trust between myself and them is paramount.
If however you have thought about working with a mentor to help start or grow your business but are not sure if it's the right thing, then let's have a free discovery chat and see if I can help.
Sep '25
🙂 New brochure available
We’ve just released a new PF Consulting brochure, showing how we support SME developers and housebuilders across the South West.
Inside you'll find:
✅ Key areas where we add value
✅ A simple 5-step process for clarity and results
✅ The significant GDV impact of a recent a 60-minute site review
To take a look - download your copy here:
If you’re a South West based housebuilder or developer and would like to discuss any of the services in more detail, I’d be happy to arrange a call..
Sep '25
“It works on a spreadsheet…” but will it sell on the ground? 🤔
Getting a scheme's viability to stack up is essential when bringing forward a potential new development. The figures need to work - if not, then quite simply, there is no site.
However...
An efficient and workable scheme on paper doesn’t always translate into a saleable scheme.
The homes that might deliver the best returns on a spreadsheet can be the least suited to the local market – or worse, create a bland, repetitive scheme that lacks buyer appeal.
Get it wrong, and the sales rate stalls, the site lifespan extends out, and costs spiral up – or worse, the scheme becomes unattractive altogether.
It's even more risky in today’s buyer-led, needs-based market, where customers have a wider choice due to increased stock levels across both new build and resale.
I totally acknowledge that "saleability" is a grey area, it's not something you can quantify & measure, but it's a super critical consideration especially in tough markets.
It’s not just about numbers. It’s about:
✔ Providing the right type of accommodation for the area
✔ Designing and plotting attractive homes that reflect genuine buyer demand
✔ Carefully considering and optimising every element of the scheme
✔ Adding features that customers truly value whilst keeping unnecessary costs under control
✔ Delivering appropriate and timely facilities that work for the community
A new development has to deliver financially and work with the market it serves. If it doesn’t, the spreadsheet becomes irrelevant.
👉 This is why viability and local market expertise need to go hand in hand. One without the other risks building something that looks good in a financial model but fails to sell in reality!
Sep '25
As the property market in the South West remains challenging and, for SME's, costs and overheads come under increased scrutiny - there is another option...
Sep '25
The more time I spend working as a freelance consultant with regional housebuilders & developers, the clearer it becomes...
Those that aren’t tuning in to this kind of support are either missing out on the real benefits of flexible, on-demand expertise — or spending more than they need to for the scale of their business.
Working with someone like myself fractionally, for the sales aspects of your business, gives you experienced input and senior-level thinking:
✅ Only when you need it
✅ Without the full-time cost
✅ With no long-term tie-in
And just as importantly - you get the benefit of an experienced, external, impartial set of eyes.
No fluff or BS. No agenda. Just clear, honest insight & feedback.
Whether it’s reviewing a slow-selling site, research & viabilities for potential acquisitions, improving layouts to maximise GDV & saleability, shaping a better strategy, or supporting a stretched team – this kind of support works.
And from my experience to date, it pays for itself and then some...
Aug '25
I'm ready for a beer!!
Back last weekend from an amazing holiday with the family before No1 son heads off to Uni... straight into finishing a significant and detailed Market Intelligence Report, pricing & research for a 500 unit+ scheme with a deadline for delivery today...
Report all wrapped and issued to client this afternoon👌 - time now to chill for the weekend with some distant, rapidly fading, memories of sun, beaches and questionably titled over-strength cocktails 😅 🌅 🍹
Aug '25
Work hard - play hard…
It’s rare for me to fully switch my laptop off (unless it’s having a moment!!) but that’s me now signing off for some well earned R & R.
Time now to have some fun, a week off, and some quality family time ☺️
Normal service will resume after the Bank Holiday weekend ready for a busy end to the month👋😎☀️
Aug '25
Been back in Cornwall again this week to visit another new site and carry out research for an extensive market report - totally forgot to take a pic that I can use on here though as was a (very hot and) busy day!! 😅
Happy to say there is a lot going on and some really interesting work ahead...
Aug '25
Reckon it’s going to be a pasty for lunch today…
Back out West in the sunshine ☀️
2 sites in Cornwall to review and prepare detailed market research & pricing reports for 😎
Supporting clients future growth plans in this stunning part of the region 🙂🏡
Jul '25
This article has been in my mind for some time - SME housebuilders need to focus on carving out their niche and resist trying to compete toe to toe with the PLC's...
SME Housebuilders Need to Stop Trying to Compete with the PLCs — and Start Defining Their Own Playing Field
July 1, 2025
A regular conversation I keep having in the SME housebuilding world right now is this:
Stop trying to compete with the PLCs. It's unlikely you’re not going to win on their pitch. The way forward? Build your own.
The Reality Check: Different Starting Points
Let’s be honest - SME housebuilders face a very different landscape to the big national developers.
- Higher build and material costs
- Less buying power
- Smaller teams
- Tighter margins
- And usually, a more localised presence
Trying to replicate a PLC model - high volume, standardised products, templated processes — just isn’t viable for most SMEs. And it shouldn’t be the goal.
Instead, there’s real opportunity for SME developers to play a different game altogether. A game where individuality, design-led thinking, and customer-first strategy make you stand out because you’re not trying to be the same.
It Starts With Strategic & Design DNA
Successful SME housebuilders know what they’re about - and more importantly, make sure their developments reflect it.
This is where I believe the idea of strategic and design DNA becomes essential.
- Strategic DNA is about clarity of purpose. What type of land do you target? What’s your buyer profile? What kind of communities do you want to create? How do you demonstrate it's uniquely yours?
- Design DNA is how that strategy is brought to life on-site. From materials and layouts to street scenes and house type choices — the look, feel and functionality of your homes should tell a story.
When this DNA is clear and consistent, your brand and identity as a housebuilder starts to grow. Not just in logo terms - but in reputation, referral and local impact.
Playing a Different Game
PLC developers work at scale. They’re well-oiled machines. But that same scale often comes at the cost of character and flexibility.
SMEs have the chance to offer something different - and in many cases, better - for the local buyer.
But it takes focus.
- Smarter, more cost-efficient design — to help offset those higher build costs without cutting corners
- Strong aesthetics — to appeal to buyers who want a home that feels unique and considered
- Great layouts — that reflect how people live today, not just what fits on the plot
It’s about creating places that feel like part of the area, not dropped in from a template.
The Sites That Sell Themselves
The developments that perform best - even in a tough market - are the ones that feel cohesive, characterful, and aligned with what buyers really value.
These aren’t just homes that tick boxes on a spec sheet. They’re homes that feel right.
That’s the edge SMEs can bring. And that’s why having a clear identity, a strategic focus, and a design-led approach isn’t just good practice - it’s essential to long-term success.
Final Thought
There is absolutely a place, and a need for creative, thoughtful, and ambitious SME developers in the housing market.
But that place is not about competing on volume or scale. It’s in delivering something distinctive, authentic, and better suited to the people and places they serve.
I genuinely think there is a great future for SME builders who stop trying to mimic the big players - and instead, define their own space with confidence.
Jun '25
It's time for the next step in my world of self employment... 😎
I have been working on this in the background for some time - but am now ready to go live with my new business venture to run alongside and complement Paul Furner Consulting...
Homesearch SW is the South West's newest property search/buying agency. Created to work with and for home buyers seeking a property in the West Country...
As a B2C business it wont be all over my LinkedIn but, if you're interested, you can follow along on the company's Facebook page: https://lnkd.in/ekvkhudZ
The website is live so take a look: https://lnkd.in/eFKhVmTK
Having spent almost my entire career in and around property across the West Country, the dual sector and complimentary offerings of Paul Furner Consulting and Homesearch SW will offer the very best of my experience to business and home buying clients in the region...
Exciting!!!!! 😁😁😁
Jun '25
Continuing on from my previous post...
In addition to a developments layout - who reviews and gives feedback on your house types from a sales perspective?
Many developers have sets of house types they roll out across schemes. They’ve been signed off internally, tick the technical boxes, and broadly “work.” However…
Are they actually helping you sell and is the design the best it can be for a modern home? 🧐
Throughout my career, and now as part of my consultancy work, I have seen & reviewed countless individual house types and layouts with a specific focus on sale-ability and use-ability. This takes into account the aesthetics and appeal to the market, however it's vital to consider how well they will work in the real world of physically being lived in...
This can cover all sorts of areas:
🌳 Access to outside space
☀️ How outside light could affect rooms
🤕 Fundamental layout flaws
🛋️ Reality of furniture layouts and potential issues
📦 Storage
✨ Opportunities to enhance
...to name just a few
These often aren’t huge redesigns and, in the overall scheme of getting a site off the ground, may seem small fry. However when homes are released to the market they can make a big difference to buyer interest, site momentum & value.
During their first visit a potential client will often fall in love with the show homes we work hard as an industry to create...
But it’s often the second visit where they face the reality of a design and the
"Does it really work for us?" question comes into play 🤔
No-one wants to get stuck with a house type that's struggling due to a design issue that could have been avoided during the planning stages, or buyers having to make compromises to make their new home work...
Jun '25
From my experience there is often a lot of discussion about breaking down or removing silos in housebuilding, and rightfully so!!
Interesting that now, for someone with an almost exclusively Sales based career, a large part of my consultancy work is with house-builders Land, Development & Design teams.
I totally believe that early sales input and ongoing engagement throughout the development process is super critical to a successful end result.
It helps to shape great places to live where customers will want to buy, and through this make a positive impact on maximising revenues...
Have a scheme you would like me to have a look at? Then drop me a line 🤙
(Yes the image is AI but the post is not!! 😇 )
May '25
That's 2 new site viability and research reports wrapped up and submitted - helping my clients gear up for some exciting potential land bids. 🏡
It’s always interesting digging into each area - researching to understand what works, what doesn’t, and what could make all the difference when it comes to submitting a successful bid.
These reports aren’t just paperwork; they’re local data led and independently crafted insights that my clients can use to support their decisions.
It’s rewarding to play a part in turning land possibilities into real projects... and interesting how every site brings its own challenges and opportunities. 👌 😎
May '25
Early start this morning for a trip across to sunny Somerset 😎 taking a look at another potential site for a developer client.
Their brief?
Provide them with one of my local market research and viability reports to support the land team with preparing a potential bid.
It meant spending time in the local area, walking the site (in the glorious sunshine!!), visiting estate agents, chatting with developers already active in the area, and getting a feel for what’s working when it comes to sales, pricing, and positioning.
This kind of work is great as it really adds value for my clients, ultimately saving them significant time and effort. Land teams are often busy juggling multiple bids with tight deadlines, and sales are rightly focussed on delivery...
Having someone who can drop in, do the legwork on the ground, and bring back clear, practical insight makes a big difference. 👍
It’s about joining the dots between what’s happening on-site, in the sales offices, and in the local market, and from this helping clients go in stronger and better informed. 💪
(Why the sky pic? Often this work requires a high degree of confidentiality for clients so no peeking at the site - just the sky above... 😉 🙂)
If your land team could use this kind of support in the future for a bid you’re preparing, I’d be happy to help.
#Housebuidling #SalesConsultancy #LandViability #NewHomesSales #SMEDevelopers
May '25
What I’ve learned stepping into Sales Director roles on a freelance basis:
Every SME housebuilder has its own rhythm. But when a senior sales role is temporarily unfilled, the pressure points are often the same:
👉 The sales teams need consistent leadership and increased communication to help maintain stability and momentum
👉 Sales reporting and forecasting can drift which can then impact on the new SD when landing in role
👉 Buyer journeys can start to feel reactive rather than proactive
👉 Senior leadership ends up stretched thin as having to support sales whilst keeping up with their existing day job
It’s not just about “covering” the role, it’s about keeping the momentum alive and "smoothing the way" - hence when the permanent SD steps in, they’re set to embed quicker often with less immediate challenges...
Interested in how this might look in practice? Just drop me a line and we can schedule a call to discuss.
#Housebuilding #SalesLeadership #NewHomes #SMEDevelopers #InterimSupport #FreelanceSalesDirector #PFConsulting
May '25
Is it just me? - I am starting to think that looking after your own website is a bit like having a classic car - I am constantly tinkering with it... 💻 🔧
It's not that there is any problem with it, or that it needs this level of ongoing maintenance. I just feel that it should be regularly updated and, I hate to admit it 🫣, but the geek in me kind of enjoys it...!! 🤓
Latest addition is an Articles & Posts page -
https://lnkd.in/eXeJ9zik
What's your self employed geeky/guilty pleasure?
May '25
👁️ “Can you help keep an eye on sales… until we get someone in?”
That was the ask from a Managing Director a few months ago. Their Sales Director had stepped away from the business, recruitment was underway, but there was going to be a gap before a new candidate could start.
What began with Sales & Marketing review work quickly turned into a full interim role - team meetings, reporting, site visits, pricing reviews, site launch & marketing strategies… all the critical day-to-day leadership to keep things moving...
This is just one way I can help my clients - stepping in during these in-between moments - where leadership needs breathing space, but the business can’t afford to pause! ⏳
My background enables me to jump in quickly, speak the team’s language, and make sure nothing slips - all without long on-boarding or disruption.
The added bonus is, that when the new candidate starts, they receive a detailed handover to support a smooth transition into their new role. 😎
Put really simply - a cost and time efficient solution to keep the wheels turning, whilst minimising disruption to other departments and senior roles. 👌
If you’re in a similar situation - or want to have a conversation before you are 😬 - get in touch and let's chat through what you might need.
#Housebuilding #NewHomesSales #SalesLeadership #SMEDevelopers #FreelanceSalesDirector #PaulFurnerConsulting
Apr '25
Headed East again last week to walk a potential new site with a client.
A great site with potential; consideration now for how it can be optimised to support a potential bid.
Love this kind of work as it presents an almost blank canvas to input into a potential scheme and ultimately create something stand out for the local area.
Time now to consolidate research, thoughts, ideas and figures to feed into these critical early design stages...
#NewHomes #HouseBuilding #DevelopmentViability #SalesSupport
Apr '25
I can’t believe it…
A year ago, I was sat with the post below on my screen and my cursor hovering over the "Post" button.
I won't lie – I was s******g myself!! 😬 😱
It took my wife to say “just do it!!” for me to finally click and then hope for the best…
And that was it... Paul Furner Consulting was born - and unbelievably this week, it turns 1!! 🙂 🎂
What a year it’s been...
I’ve had the privilege of working with some fantastic clients, helping them solve real world sales challenges - just like I set out in my very first post. Staying focused on what each client needs has become the foundation of everything I do, and it always will be.
I’ve learnt a lot - but am well aware I am still really at the beginning of this journey.
Every day is still a school day. It’s a bit like having kids, there is no road map, you just work hard to figure it out as you go!
The highs are amazing; the lows can be unsettling. You have to ride it and it’s important to stay positive, work consistently and keep moving forward.
And it’s not easy...! You wear a lot of hats. But moments like sending your first invoice, getting paid, gaining new business or clients returning for more work - those moments are huge...
I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has been part of the journey so far - valued clients, former colleagues, family & friends. I am really excited about what’s next and cannot wait to keep growing, making a difference and seeing where this journey goes...
#SalesConsultancy #BusinessBirthday
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"It is all about helping – that's what I have come to realise...
Having decided to leave my former Sales Director role at the end of last year and take some well-earned time out, it has given me the time and space to reflect on my career to date and what my next steps should be.
It has become clear to me that whatever I have done since I first started work, one of my key motivators has been to help people, be those customers, my team, my colleagues, or the business in general.
Sales simply is all about helping people – it can be solving a problem they have (or do not yet know they have!) or guiding them through a change in their life – be that buying a new car, setting new banking requirements, or the daunting major life step of buying and moving to a new home.
With my teams, I have always strived to help them grow and get better at what they do, deepen their skillset, and become more proficient and successful in their roles. For colleagues it has been about how I in my role can assist them in theirs – how do we truly collaborate, understand each other, and break down silos to achieve the best outcomes...
Recognising the above I am now hugely excited to have set up and be launching Paul Furner Consulting. The simple aim being to help businesses across the region with their sales processes and challenges to ultimately achieve better results.
I want to support small businesses and housebuilders across Devon, Cornwall & Somerset who are facing challenges with their current sales operations, or have hit a pinch point with their workload or teams and need additional support.
I am keen to speak to business owners, leaders, or teams where they are at this point and would benefit from outsourcing for a temporary set of experienced hands - drop me a line at paul@pfconsulting.co.uk
Fingers crossed for the future... 😀"
Apr '25
It is never lost on me when I am out and about, what a stunning part of the country we are lucky enough to live and work in (hence I always try and take pics when possible...)
This time last week I was heading East 🧭 for a new client to conduct a detailed Sales & Marketing review for them.
These reviews are now being asked for more frequently and provide a completely impartial and unbiased perspective...
📑 - Local Market Intelligence
🏠 - New Homes Competitors
🌟 - Site Presentation inc Show Homes, Sales Arena & Stock Plots
💷 - Pricing
💻 - Online Marketing
🗝️ - Local 2nd Hand Market
were all examined in detail, and a report of my findings, observations, and a detailed suggested action plan provided to the client...
💡 Sound useful?? 💡
If you would like to know more about how this approach could benefit your business then please get in touch...
#NewHomesConsultancy #HelpingDeveloperstoSell #Housebuilding
Apr '25
Something I’ve noticed from working with different businesses:
Understandably many are intently focused on the here and now, dealing with what's right in front of them with the fixed resource they have available!!
Often, when you're right in the thick of it like this, it can be hard to step back and see what’s really going on 😟. This is especially true when it comes to honing in on a specific department or function such as how your sales team is operating - the results are often highly visible but what underpins them might not be as clear!
That’s one of the unexpected benefits of bringing in outside help...
⏰ Firstly there is the on-demand support side of it — getting the right skills in at the right time, for the required period - a cost effective strategy.
🧐 But just as valuable is having someone who can look at things with a fresh perspective and ask the kind of questions that might not come up internally.
More often than not, it’s not about making huge changes — just small tweaks that can unlock better results, smoother processes, or a more focused approach.
Sometimes, it’s just about spotting what’s already working well and doing more of it. 👍
This is the kind of work I really enjoy — digging into the detail, helping teams find better ways of doing things, problem solving, and offering a bit of outside clarity when it’s needed.
If that resonates, or you’ve been thinking something similar, I am always happy to chat. 🙂
#SalesTeams #IndependentInsight #SalesProcess #FreelanceSupport
Apr '25
Who's in your corner...?
Running your own business can be exciting, rewarding, scary and, being honest, overwhelming at times. The decisions, conflicting priorities, lack of time and the need to keep moving forward… it’s a lot to juggle.
This is where working with a business mentor can make a significant and truly positive difference.
As a mentor you become a trusted partner; someone who listens, challenges, supports and can help clients see the bigger picture—without judgement. An independent sounding board who won’t tell you what to do, or what you want to hear, but what you need to hear. And most importantly, someone who holds you accountable to your own goals.
If you’ve ever thought about working with a mentor but weren’t sure where to start, let’s have a chat. No pressure, just a conversation. You don’t have to do it all alone.
#BusinessMentor #Accountability #Support #Growth
Mar '25
Understanding the "hyper-local" market is a key component of development success
The Pricing Challenge Many Housebuilders Face – And How to Avoid It...
Pricing a new development effectively can be time consuming and challenging, yet is one of the most critical decisions a housebuilder can make. Get it right, and you will have increased success with land acquisitions, maximise sales rates and profitability. Get it wrong, and you risk slow sales, unnecessary price reductions, and even missed opportunities to develop or optimise your scheme.
Yet, one of the most common risks I see housebuilders take is relying solely on rapidly collated, light touch research when setting prices, housing mix & creating initial scheme layouts.
Why National & Regional Trends Are Not Enough
There’s a lot of data available on house prices, and it’s easy to be swayed by national or regional headlines—whether that’s reports of a “market slowdown” or rising property values. While this macroeconomic view is useful, it doesn’t tell you what’s happening on the ground in the specific location where you’re looking to develop.
For example:
- Demand for property types varies locally – A 4-bed detached home might be in high demand regionally, but in a specific town, buyers could be prioritising 2-3 bed homes due to affordability constraints.
- New builds vs second-hand homes – Just because second-hand properties in an area are selling well doesn’t mean new-builds will perform the same way.
- Over saturation - Too many homes on the market, excess of new build, or overall limited demand, can create an over saturated market with a significant knock-on impact on achievable prices and sales rates.
- Local dynamics - It is not uncommon for house prices to vary between, say the East & West of a town, or in some areas even from street to street. These localised variations could make or break a scheme and be easily missed without the right level of focused and detailed research.
Pricing homes is never a science...!
A Smarter Approach: Hyper-Local Research
I recently worked with a regionally based housebuilder to support their preparation for a land bid on a new site. They were considering their pricing strategy and wanted to ensure they were setting the right levels from day one. Rather than just looking at broad regional trends, I carried out detailed, hyper-local market analysis to guide their pricing and mix strategy.
Here’s how we approached it:
- Feet on the Ground - I took time to visit the area, walk the site, understand how it sits in its surroundings and what opportunities there were to optimise the layout and improve the GDV.
- Speaking to Local Estate Agents – Agents have first-hand knowledge of buyer demand, local trends & pricing expectations. Their insights were invaluable in understanding local nuances, what was selling and why.
- Competitor Analysis – I reviewed nearby new-build developments, reviewing pricing, mix and sales rates.
- Online Market Research – Using platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket, suitable local listings were assessed considering comparability, price movements, and time-on-market trends.
- Scheme Optimisation – Beyond pricing, we discussed tweaks to the development mix to align with buyer demand, ensuring the homes were designed for real local needs, not just generic assumptions.
- Industry Understanding - I know the challenges most new development viabilities present, and the critical part sales values play in this. Utilising all the data gathered the client and I spent time working through the scheme, the potential options and discussed in detail the boundaries of pricing and optimum mix to present the best chance of success.
The Outcome?
By taking this locally focused, data-driven approach, the client submitted a confident and competitive land bid that reflected the true market conditions. They were also set up for the next phase of planning with a clear pricing and mix strategy which we will keep under review as the scheme progresses.
The Key Takeaway
Housebuilders who invest in understanding local demand—rather than just working with broader market trends—set themselves up for stronger sales and better profitability.
If you're working on a new scheme and want a data-backed strategy for pricing and development mix, let’s have a chat. A little independent research upfront can make all the difference...
Mar '25
It's been a big week this week in the Furner household...
With my eldest son reaching the milestone of turning 18 and lot's of talk about the future and plans - to travel, work, University etc... It's a massively exciting time for him 🤗
Naturally I then started thinking about where I was at that age:
👉 Finishing A-Levels that I had hated (should never have stayed on in 6th form!!)
👉 Still living in Kent and with a place secured at Bicton College to study Outdoor Leisure
👉 Mad keen to become an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor
👉 Never happier than when I was running around mountains or sailing/climbing/canoeing etc.
👉 Had no consideration for any other job or lifestyle and definitely not falling into a 25yr + career in sales & property 😂
Funny how life turns out and how situations/opportunities/need and luck all play significant roles in the journey and outcomes...
My advice to him is make the most of everything - get stuck in, go out and explore the world and the opportunities that will present to you, make decisions and live by them good or bad - you will learn either way, avoid living a life of regretting the things you should have done..!
Feb '25
It has been really interesting over the last couple of days spending some time getting my head into the "dark arts" of SEO 🤔
I appreciate this is a huge and complex field with any number of companies that will optimise and manage your SEO strategy for you.
However, as a relatively new small business and having created my own website and marketing I am keen to continue "learning" and "doing" as much as I can primarily to deepen my knowledge in these key areas 💪 (is this just me!!?)
Also am excited as I have another business idea brewing so am busily researching and planning!!
#SalesConsultancy #SEO #BusinessConsultant #SmallBusinessSuccess
Feb '25
A significant service for my Clients...
Jan '25
For my house builder & developer contacts - where do you source your sales revenues and data to ensure you have the info you need in time to prepare a land bid...?
A key service to my clients in the sector is providing detailed market research and pricing in support of land purchases for new schemes. These often need to be delivered to a tight deadline and with evidence to support the pricing, mix and potential options appraisals to optimise a bid...
Even businesses with dedicated internal sales teams (often called upon for this support) can struggle to get the info required in time, especially with the team prioritising generating sales in a difficult market.
If the above resonates, and you would like to discuss how I can work with you and your team to provide detailed sales data when needed most, then please get in touch. I can also send you examples of the type of reports I can provide which can always be adapted to specific client needs - just ping me a message and I will send across...
#NewHomes #LandAppraisal #SalesViability #SalesConsultancy
Jan '25
An interesting challenge of running your own business is consciously giving yourself time to work "on" the business as well as "in" it! 👨🔧
As a recent project providing interim sales director support to a client has come to an end it was time to crack on with some overdue "business housekeeping..."
🤓 Google Ad campaign underway
🤓 Google Business verification video submitted (long overdue!)
🤓 New additional advertising opportunities scoped out
🤓 LinkedIn profile update work ongoing
🤓 Finally sorting access to some great networking opportunities
🤓 Conscious effort to get back to posting more about the business and my consultancy journey
...and I have given the website a refresh as well. A much cleaner look and additional info about the sales solutions I can offer to clients:
If you're interested in discussing how I could support you and your business then drop me a line...
#SalesConsultancy #TailoredSalesSolutions #BusinessHousekeeping
Jan '25
Wow!! It has been over 9 months now since setting up on my own 🤯. For my LI connections & potential new clients who might benefit from my services, here's a flavour of what I have been up to...
👍 Supporting client land bids through detailed site viability appraisals, pricing, market research, mix and layout recommendations
👍 Interim Sales Director support for a client whilst waiting for a new SD to start in role
👍 Creating bespoke training material and associated communications to support sales teams ongoing training and development
👍 Supporting clients with embedding new processes to improve sales team efficiency and output
👍 Delivering detailed marketing strategies for forthcoming new development launches, active site's ongoing promotion and to fulfil Local Authority requirements re the release of self build plots to the open market
👍 House type and scheme layout reviews with detailed feedback of areas for review & improvement
👍 Detailed CRM work to assess current effectiveness, improve utilisation and embed best practice
👍 Supporting clients with sales team recruitment
👍 Focussed work on Trustpilot and embedding measures to improve scores & reviews
👍 Specialist advice on some exciting new software for development sales offices
👍 Working on developing the mentoring side of the business to support local business owners
It's a huge honour to be invited in by companies to spend time with them and their teams to support, enhance efficiency, increase productivity, improve processes or simply just to add value where required.
With an existing project coming to an end soon I now have capacity to take on a new client or projects. If you would like to discuss and explore where I can add value to your business then get in touch. If I am confident I can help then we can get a plan in place - if not then we have connected if ever needed for the future...
#SalesConsultancy #NewHomesSales #SalesDirectorOnDemand #MakingLifeEasier