The NAPB was set up to give homeowners more protection when dealing with quick buying firms, in an industry that didn’t have proper checks in place. Getting companies to take responsibility for how they act was seen as a way to make things better for sellers and help the industry become more trustworthy. Since then, the organisation has kept working to promote fair and open practices across the industry. Today we meet Nick of Bettermove.
Who are you and what’s your background?
I’m Nick Statman, founder and CEO of Bettermove, a property solutions company based in Leeds. 
I have worked in the UK property industry for more than 24 years, gaining extensive experience in buying, selling, investing in and financing residential property.
I founded Bettermove to give homeowners a faster and more flexible alternative to a traditional property sale. We help people throughout England and Wales, including those selling tenanted, inherited, unmortgageable or otherwise difficult-to-sell properties.
Where is your company based?
Bettermove is based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. From our Leeds headquarters, our experienced team manages property transactions across England and Wales.
Where do you purchase property?
We purchase residential property throughout England and Wales. This includes houses, flats, tenanted properties, portfolios, properties requiring refurbishment and homes affected by structural, legal or mortgageability issues.
Every homeowner’s situation is different, so we first seek to understand the property, the seller’s circumstances and what they are hoping to achieve. We can then recommend the most appropriate route rather than trying to fit every seller into the same solution.
What are your company’s core values?
Our core values are transparency, professionalism and doing what we say we will do.
Selling a property can be stressful, particularly when someone is dealing with probate, relocation, financial pressure, a failed chain or a difficult property. We believe homeowners should receive clear information, realistic expectations and regular communication throughout the process.
We also believe in treating each seller as an individual. A quick property sale will not be the right solution for everyone, and we think it is important to be honest about the different options available.
Do you have customer reviews online?
Yes. Bettermove has received more than 2,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot. We also publish customer testimonials and video case studies on our website.
We actively encourage homeowners to research Bettermove, read our reviews and make an informed decision before choosing to proceed with us.
Our Trustpilot profile can be found here:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.bettermove.co.uk
What are the company’s biggest challenges?
One of the professional property-buying industry’s biggest challenges is building and maintaining public trust.
At Bettermove, we work hard to explain the available options, the likely timescales and the difference between the speed and certainty of a professional property sale and potentially achieving a higher price through a longer traditional open-market process.
The wider property market can also change quickly, so we must continually adapt while continuing to provide a consistent and reliable service.
What’s the key to running a successful property business?
You need to understand both property and people.
Knowing your numbers is essential, but you also need to listen carefully and understand what the seller is actually trying to achieve. The right solution for someone who needs to sell a house quickly may be completely different from the right solution for someone whose priority is achieving the highest possible price.
A successful property business also depends on employing good people, developing reliable processes and communicating consistently. Most importantly, you have to protect your reputation by taking a long-term view rather than focusing solely on the next transaction.
Where do you see the professional property buyer industry going?
I expect the professional property-buying industry to become increasingly transparent, accountable and professional.
Technology will help companies value properties, communicate with homeowners and manage transactions more efficiently. However, it should support experienced human judgment and good customer service rather than replace them.
I also believe we will see stronger standards and potentially further regulation. Reputable professional property buyers should welcome measures that improve consumer protection and make it easier for homeowners to distinguish established, responsible companies from less credible operators.
Organisations such as the NAPB have an important role to play in raising standards and helping homeowners understand what they should expect from a professional property buyer.
What’s the most unusual property you’ve bought?
After more than 24 years in property, we have quite literally seen it all. We’ve dealt with some incredibly unusual properties and situations over the years.
It is genuinely difficult to single out just one. From highly unusual buildings and unmortgageable homes to properties with complex legal, structural or tenancy issues, no two transactions are ever quite the same. That variety is one of the things that keeps the property business so interesting.
Thank you Nick for your time
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