ABOUT THE FIRM
The Flatman Partnership is owned by family members Jamie Flatman, his wife Tracy Flatman and son Michael Flatman. We opened our doors for business January 2006 offering a wide range of services reflecting the diverse skill base and qualifications of the partners. Whilst we were confident in our ability to deliver a very special service, no one was as surprised as us, given the sheer number of Estate Agents in Reading, when the business took off in the way that it did.
On the sales front we were aware that a lot of the larger firms in the town spend vast amounts of resource in glitzy marketing to attract potential vendors but as soon as the agency agreement is signed the only direct sales effort is the weekly phone call to get the price down until the property sells itself!
We pride ourselves in going the extra mile in knowing all of our applicants and their moving requirements such that when a property comes to market we are able to confidently refer potential purchasers without wasting vendors time and ensuring there is sufficient interest for the right price to be achieved.
The testimonial page of this website will, in some small part, bear witness to this.
By the end of 2006 the work load was too great for the partners particularly as the firm had gathered more and more ‘professional’ vendors able to discern between the ‘run of the mill’ agent and the level of service and industry knowledge available from the Flatman Partnership.
We rapidly expanded from a team of three to a team of seven enabling us to maintain the service level to our growing client base which included companies such as Taylor Wimpey (the second largest house builder in Britain) with whom we have now built up a strong and successful working relationship which we hope will last long into the future.
Because of our specialist planning and development expertise we have attracted developers and property dealers large and small. The Flatman Partnership can offer a unique service which goes way beyond just selling land. This includes management of the planning and design process together with project management from pre-construction phasing right through to delivery and sales of the new product.
Our offices in the university sector of the town have naturally facilitated a thriving lettings business run by Michael Flatman. His warm and cheerful approach has been instrumental in growing our expanding portfolio of managed properties and tenant database.
We are developing an increased involvement with the local commercial market which will doubtless involve further investment in recruitment in the future.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Jamie Flatman FNAEA, CPEA our consultant partner came into the industry in the mid seventies starting in residential agency and then specialising in land and new homes. By the late 1980’s Jamie had moved solely into the development and house-building sector seeing numerous projects through from start to completion both in the UK and in Europe. He now offers the full benefit of more than 30 years valuable experience to our clients.
Jamie also writes for fun a weekly cryptic crossword which the local property paper kindly feature under The Flatman Partnership banner adjacent to our weekly property advertising.
Tracy Flatman MNAEA after qualifying in Business Studies spent more than 20 years working in a public interface environment both in estate agency and financial services. It is without doubt her focus and attention to detail combined with an enormous work ethic which has underpinned the solid growth of the business.
Michael Flatman MNAEA came into Estate Agency in 2003 after completing his ‘A’ levels at Maiden Erlegh School. He has since completed his technical award in residential agency and is continuing his industry related studies in order to ensure that whilst he is the youngest partner he is still able to deal with our clients and customers from an informed standpoint.
OUR VALUABLE TEAM
Mark Hutchings MRICS our consultant Chartered Surveyor qualified from Oxford Polytechnic in 1975 and went on to work as a general practice surveyor in London and the Home Counties dealing with residential and commercial property. 10 years ago Mark came to Reading and took up practice locally. Mark comes to us with a huge experience in a broad spectrum of property matters and a particular skill of helping people to understand property issues in detail.
Justin Digance joined us in late 2006 to run the second hand homes side of the business. He comes with more than 10 years agency experience and a sense of tenacity second to none. He works hard to support his family and since joining the team he has decided to further his industry knowledge by studying alongside Michael.
Rob Dibb CeMAP runs our mortgage and financial services department. Rob has been in the industry since 2000, his gentle and knowledgeable approach and willingness to put in long hours in order to accommodate customer needs is a winning formula.
Sylvia Crouch joined us in late 2006. She is our unflappable office plate spinner taking on the roles of Admin, Accounts and Payroll, Human Resource and Lettings Management as well as helping the whole team to ensure the telephone is answered promptly. She also makes a mean cuppa as many of our clients will verify!
THE FLATMAN FAMILY
The Flatman name has been long associated with Reading and providing services to the Reading community. Jamie’s father, the late Arthur Flatman made his name both as a Berkshire County cricket player and the works chemist at Reading’s famous biscuit maker Huntley and Palmers while his grandfather served the Reading community in the early 1900’s by delivering ale for Simmonds (which later became Courage Brewery). The Flatmans still live in Earley and remain, as their forbears, involved with the community and have a wealth of local contacts.
