News / Property
New ‘off-market’ property app launched by former Bristol rugby player
A new ‘off-market’ property app is designed to “open up the housing market” and enable buyers to connect directly with homeowners in Bristol.
Co-founded by Danny Gray, a former professional rugby player turned entrepreneur, Zump allows people to search the city for homes that match their specifications even if they are not currently listed as ‘for sale’.
The company estimates more than 114,000 people are thinking about moving in Bristol but only around 3,250 houses are listed on Rightmove. The number of properties a buyer can interact with on Zump is 455,000.
Gray played for the Bristol Bears (then Bristol Shoguns) before going on into the property industry. He describes Zump as “like Airbnb but with your own property advisor to help and support you at the point of connection and every step of the way after”.
Speaking about the reasons for launching the app, Gray continued: “In Bristol, there are around 35 potential buyers to every one available property. Not only is there a lack of choice but when you do find something of interest, the competition is ferocious.
“When buyers can’t find what they’re looking for they ultimately don’t list their own property. This further reduces the ability for people to find what they want. It’s a vicious cycle that we’re here to break. We believe the ideal home is out there for everybody and we want to help them find it.”
The app’s ‘smart search’ feature allows buyers to specify certain filters; such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, value and property type.
For homeowners, the aim is to provide an opportunity to gauge interest in their property without any contracts or obligations.
Company bosses say Zump gives more control to consumers while providing support and advice throughout the process. They charge homeowners a fixed sales fee of £599.
Zump property app is designed to “open up the housing market” – image courtesy of Zump
Gray added: “Ultimately, we want to be a global marketplace that has helped millions of people to realise their home-owning dreams and Bristol is an ideal launchpad for us.
“It’s a sizeable city that has a real vibrancy and an open-mindedness that we think will resonate with an innovative and disruptive new brand like us. Whether it’s Bedminster or Gloucester Road, Redland or Brislington, we want to connect the people of Bristol through our app so that they can choose their favourite pocket of the city in which to call home and build new memories.”
Main image courtesy of Zump
Read more: New £2.4m innovation hub opens at Bristol & Bath Science Park
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
