With years of lettings experience under our belts, we branched out into sales in 2010...

Read all about the launch of Fabusales.com in this press article featured in the Journal Newspaper and online, November 2010.

NEWCASTLE letting agency Fabulets has branched out into property sales to offer an extra option to its roster of landlords.

Fabusales was launched to cater for clients who wish to buy or sell rather than let. Vicki Hood set up Fabulets two years ago, and has let around 250 properties in locations such as Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham, and now Stockton, Teesside.

Hood said: "When the market was not so good, a lot of landlords only made the decision to rent because they wouldn't be able to sell.

"Rather than lose that landlord now, we are offering a sales service as a sideline. We're currently only selling property we've rented in the first instance. If it grows, that's great. We've also developed a relationship with a receiver in Birmingham which has asked us to start selling their property."

Hood started her business on the eve of the housing slowdown in June 2008 and her first properties were in the Echo 24 building in Sunderland.

She said: "Looking back it was probably the worst time to start the business. August 2008 was the month it really started getting bad, but I had a few contacts in letting to get started. Landlords found out from other landlords and it went from there."

The company has most success with professional lettings, but also offers country and coastal cottages, family homes and starter homes. It has also increasingly found itself letting student homes, and hopes to do more management of property in the future.

Hood said: "There's definite demand for professional property. If we get a property somewhere like St Anne's Quay it's gone in a couple of days. It's all year round, whereas student properties are more seasonal.

"There's a lot of competition in lettings, so we try to be something a little different. When a new tenant moves in we give them a welcome pack with things they need for the house, and information on nearby bars, restaurants and hair salons. It's little things that get people talking to their friends.