A new estate agency in Berkshire that is creating a stir locally with its unusually contemporary branding and marketing has opened a second branch.

Hat and Home, which opened for business in the commuter town of Wokingham in February this year, now has a second high street branch in neighbouring Crowthorne.

Older agents may spot the genesis of the firm’s name – Paul Young’s 1983 chart-topper Wherever I Lay My Hat, That’s My Home.

The firm was established by former Romans, Foxtons and Marsh & Parsons agent Ben Gee who has taken a leaf out of his most recent employer’s marketing playbook with a quirky take branding and advertising.

Estate agency

“Hat and Home offices are designed to reflect the brand values so they are deliberately inviting and friendly,” says director Luke Strzadala (pictured).

“Whether you are looking to buy, sell, let or rent our doors are always open and you are guaranteed a warm welcome.”

The firm’s marketing leans heavily on the concept of ‘hat’ with a bowler featured on its signboards, branch frontages, internal fixtures and fittings as well as its distinctive marketing campaigns featuring a variety of hats which represent their proposition and service offering.

The company also employs some more traditional branch cold-start tactics including a limited-period offer of 0.5% (+VAT) for sales and 5% (+VAT) for lettings.

The company’s marketing effort could also be an award winner – it’s shortlisted at this month’s The Negotiator Awards taking place at the Grosvenor Hotel on Park Lane on 26th November.

Where’s the hat-stand?