Own Homes

Business Details

18 Years

experience

Your Trusted Estate Agent in Stevenage

Established in 2008, Own Homes is a locally owned and operated estate agency based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Founded by Stephen Harris and Michael Notschild, our team of dedicated property specialists combines deep local knowledge with a commitment to exceptional service. We operate from two strategically located offices in Stevenage Old Town, one dedicated to sales and the other to lettings, enabling us to provide tailored support for every property transaction. Our approach prioritises transparency, efficiency, and client satisfaction, underpinned by a no-sale, no-fee policy and a proven track record of swift property transactions. Recognised as a leading estate agent in Stevenage and the South East, we have earned multiple British Property Awards for our outstanding service. Our teams expertise extends beyond property listings to include comprehensive marketing strategies, mortgage advisory services, and post-sale support, ensuring a seamless experience for buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants.

We pride ourselves on treating every property as a home, fostering trust through honest communication and professional integrity. With a strong focus on community and client relationships, Own Homes continues to grow through word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business. Our dedication to innovation and adaptability allows us to navigate complex transactions, including multi-party chains and challenging market conditions, with confidence and precision. By combining local expertise with industry-leading practices, we strive to make property transactions as stress-free and successful as possible for every client.

Services

Property Sales Lettings Mortgage Advice Free Valuations Property Management

Details

Year established: 2008

Highlights and features

Established in 2008 with unrivalled local property knowledge
Award-winning service recognised by British Property Awards
No-sale, no-fee policy with transparent pricing
Dedicated team handling complex transactions with expertise
Personalised marketing strategies for maximum property exposure

What people say

Sold in 11 days Smooth and expedient sale Professional and sensitive approach Diligence and persistence Exceptional team support

Website

Update Listing

Services

Property Sales

Our property sales service specialises in helping homeowners sell their properties quickly and efficiently. With a dedicated sales team, we offer tailored marketing strategies, professional property valuations, and extensive local market knowledge. Our no-sale, no-fee policy ensures transparency, while our proven track record of completing transactions within 11 days demonstrates our commitment to swift outcomes. We handle all aspects of the sales process, from viewings to negotiations, ensuring a stress-free experience for vendors.

Lettings

Our lettings service connects landlords with suitable tenants while ensuring compliance with all legal requirements. The team provides comprehensive property management, including tenant referencing, lease agreements, and ongoing maintenance support. With a deep understanding of the Stevenage rental market, we maximise rental returns and minimise void periods. Our dedicated lettings negotiators maintain clear communication with both landlords and tenants throughout the tenancy lifecycle, fostering positive and lasting relationships.

Mortgage Advice

Our mortgage advisory service assists first-time buyers and experienced investors in securing suitable financing options. We offer guidance on purchase mortgages, remortgaging, buy-to-let schemes, and specialist products for those with credit challenges. Our financial specialists provide impartial advice on government-backed schemes like Shared Ownership and Key Worker initiatives. We also review existing mortgages to ensure clients receive competitive rates and value for money, making property ownership more accessible and affordable.

Free Valuations

We provide accurate, no-obligation property valuations to help clients understand their property's market worth. Our local experts combine current market data with in-depth knowledge of Stevenage property trends to deliver realistic pricing guidance. Available for both sales and rental purposes, these valuations help owners make informed decisions about their property transactions. The service is conducted by experienced negotiators who understand the factors influencing property values in different neighbourhoods.

Property Management

Our property management service offers landlords comprehensive support for maintaining and managing rental properties. This includes tenant acquisition, rent collection, maintenance coordination, and legal compliance checks. We act as a trusted intermediary between landlords and tenants, resolving issues promptly to maintain positive relationships. With dedicated lettings negotiators and administrative support, we ensure properties remain well-maintained and tenancies run smoothly, providing landlords with peace of mind and consistent returns.

People

Stephen Harris

Director

Co-founder with over 15 years of property expertise, Stephen established Own Homes in 2008. He leads strategic operations, leveraging deep market knowledge to deliver tailored solutions for clients' property needs.

Michael Notschild

Director

Co-founder and director, Michael oversees daily operations and client relations. With extensive experience in property transactions, he ensures the team maintains high service standards and innovative practices.

Michelle Lyme

Lettings Negotiator / Administrator

Michelle manages lettings operations with meticulous attention to detail. She ensures smooth tenant placements and provides administrative support, maintaining clear communication between landlords and tenants throughout the tenancy process.

Laura Mirza

Sales Negotiator / Administrator

Laura plays a key role in property sales, coordinating viewings and providing market updates. Her organisational skills ensure efficient transaction management from initial listing to successful completion.

Natasha Coughtrey

Sales Negotiator / Administrator

Natasha supports sales transactions with professionalism and client-focused communication. She assists vendors with marketing strategies and provides regular feedback to ensure informed decision-making during the sales process.

Questions

What areas do you serve?

We specialise in Stevenage and the wider Hertfordshire region, with in-depth local market knowledge to support property transactions across these areas.

Do you offer free property valuations?

Yes, we provide accurate, no-obligation property valuations conducted by experienced negotiators to help you understand your property's current market value.

How quickly can you sell a property?

Our average sale time is just 11 days, achieved through effective marketing strategies, proactive client communication, and our extensive property network.

Are you accredited by any industry awards?

We've won multiple British Property Awards, including recognition as the leading estate agent in Stevenage and the South East for outstanding service.

What mortgage options do you assist with?

Our mortgage advisors help with purchase mortgages, remortgaging, buy-to-let schemes, and specialist products for clients with credit challenges or unique circumstances.

Reviews (7)

Write a Review

Jessica 'Shrub' Plant

Oct 17, 2021 Report

Own Homes recently let my house and I couldn't recommend them more. Their professionalism, service, attentiveness, responsiveness and attention to detail is more than I ever thought I'd get from them as letting agents. They put in effort with viewings and found a great tenant for my house. I'd advise any landlord going with them. There is a reason why they have the best Google reviews of any lettings agent in Stevenage!

Colin Budd

Jul 01, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism
I recently used own homes to purchase a property in Stevenage, and found their service to be helpful and professional. They also make a decent cup of tea. Would recommend.

Lucy Byrne

Jun 27, 2021 Report

I cannot recommend Own Homes highly enough. I rented a property through them for 8 years and I always found the whole team to be professional, friendly and quick to arrange any repairs that were needed over the years. Their professionalism is second to none, but what really makes their service stand out amongst other agents, is how friendly and caring the team are - as a tenant, I was exceptionally well looked after during my time under their management. Steve, Michelle and Keith are absolute superstars, as are the rest of the Own Homes Team!

Amy

Apr 03, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
A massive thank you to Harry, Steve and Natasha for all their help buying our home. All of them so kind, professional and helpful throughout the process. A truly lovely team, we couldnt recommend them enough!

Sandeep Talapatra

Mar 22, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Bought with the Stevenage branch and the process seemed very seamless. Realistic and pragmatic approach and very professional. No hassling unlike other agencies before. Thankyou!

Louise Webster

Jan 25, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
Excellent service from Own Homes from start to finish. Special thanks to Tash for being super efficient and going above and beyond to get us completed on time, keeping us updated every step of the way. Top Service. Would definitely recommend to anyone.

Demetrio Valenti

Sep 28, 2020 Report

Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Responsiveness,Value
The best estate agent by far. Dealt with Steve, Michael and Harry throughout the purchase of a property and sale of another. Professional efficient team and excellent customer service. Wouldnt deal with any other agency, highly recommended!