TWENTY years ago this month, on May 28, 1998, Howard Douglas estate agents and valuers opened in the South Devon town of Ashburton. 

The business was established by Howard and Dee Douglas, having both had estate agency careers in Teignbridge and Torbay since 1986. 

Over the last 20 years they have built up a loyal following of clients and helped more than 2,600 households successfully move home. 

The firm itself has moved premises within Ashburton on three occasions, as the business steadily grew, and is now settled in a prominent Grade ll listed period building at the very heart of the town, with offices arranged over three floors and an eye-catching corner window display.

In 2008 a separate lettings and property management department was established dealing with both residential and commercial tenancies. 

Whilst the internet and property sites such as Rightmove and OnTheMarket have, in recent years, made reaching the national and international market somewhat easier, Howard Douglas believe the process of buying or letting a home continues to be about people and their needs and expectations which requires a very human, personal approach.

Around 90 per cent of buyers and almost 100 per cent of tenants visit the Howard Douglas offices at some point during their property transaction. Indeed, they receive between 80 and 100 potential buyers/tenants through their doors each week and nothing will ever substitute a face-to-face meeting, in person, to find out exactly what a particular applicant is looking for, in order to match them with the right property. 

The firm also continue to promote clients’ properties on a local and regional basis through traditional newspaper advertising within the Mid-Devon Advertiser, Western Morning News, Herald Express and The Moorlander.

Managing partner Howard J Douglas, who was 28 years old back in 1998 when the business was established, commented: ‘The last 20 years have been a real pleasure. We have enjoyed meeting some lovely people, many of whom have become good friends, and we have sold and let some wonderful properties. We feel privileged to be able to live and work in such a beautiful part of South Devon and Dartmoor.

‘Our longevity is down not only to the support from our many clients and the local community, for which we are sincerely grateful, but also our hard working, loyal team who have made the business a success and who are always prepared to go that little bit extra to help our clients, without being asked.

‘We are now eagerly looking forward to the next 20 years and continuing to assist clients, both old and new, with their property requirements.’