Words by Dan Warden
As varied as they are unique, Cornwall is home to a superb stamp of luxury property.
Marks of individuality and character are evident in many of Cornwall’s most charismatic homes, their bricks and mortar standing as evidence of Cornish industry, history and geology, sometimes all at once. This means that when it comes to bringing these homes to Cornwall’s property market, it’s important to ensure that those marks of individuality are not only represented, but celebrated. This is what Martyn Rohrs and Matthew Rowe do best. Founders of award- winning Cornish estate agency, Rohrs and Rowe, they continue to represent some of the very finest homes that Cornwall has to offer, and across the county, too.
“Generally, we are renowned for selling the higher, luxury end of the property market, but in reality we specialise in selling individual homes and special locations,” says Martyn. In fact, he continues: “We market properties across a broad spectrum of price. What’s important is how we add value through our experience, advice, approach to marketing and service.” This last point is key; Rohrs and Rowe have built a sterling reputation that stems largely from their market-leading approach to property marketing. “It’s the thing that sets us apart from the vast majority other estate agents,” says Matthew. “We know the importance of correctly marketing what makes a property unusual or unique to the market and we then invest in communicating this to a targeted audience.” This is a big statement, and one that you could be forgiven for thinking is largely full of hot air. But Martyn and Matthew, with decades of experience selling many of Cornwall and the UK’s finest homes, have learned that it’s one thing to make a claim, and quite another to live up to it. In short, they know the importance of delivering on a claim, and when you scrutinise Matthew’s statement that they ‘invest’ in marketing, what you actually find is that they’re rather underselling themselves. “We have the best professional interiors and aerial photographers in the business,” says Matthew, “which ensures that every house we market receives a consistent level of highly aspirational photography.” Photography is a key component; location and lifestyle are a huge part of the draw for the purchasers of a home in Cornwall, and being able to show prospective buyers the beautiful rural or coastal surroundings, as well as the interiors that await across the threshold, or the lifestyle that owning a certain property enables, really allows them to understand and visualise a life there for themselves.
“We then use this content across an expansive digital and print marketing portfolio. We know the digital age has advanced our industry exponentially and we use all formats but we are still very strong believers in the value of high-quality printed press, which many competitors now completely ignore. Our annual advertising includes more than 300 pages of national and regional magazines such as DRIFT, Cornwall Living and other publications that are delivered directly in to London and the Home Counties, Bath and Bristol and the Cotswolds, several of which we also have exclusive agreements with.”
So, marketing is key. But then, says Martyn, so is service. “What we aim to achieve with every new instruction, is for every client to know exactly who they’ll be dealing with, from valuation to viewings, all the way through the negotiation and conveyancing periods. Small things like attending viewings ourselves can make a big difference, ensuring we get a firm understanding of buyers and form a connection with them that pays dividends throughout the rest of the sales process.”
In terms of what buyers are looking for here in Cornwall, specifically those things that they’d struggle to find by investing in property elsewhere, Martyn explains that the biggest draw is the lifestyle itself. “In essence, it’s about the sun, sea and sand. We have so much in Cornwall that is the envy of the rest of the country. Our beaches are some of the best in the world and this, combined with a relaxed pace of life, means that our county is a huge draw for those hoping to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.”
As an example, Matthew points to the harbour town of Falmouth. “Falmouth is the epitome of all of this, offering fantastic beaches, plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water via sailing, surfing, SUP, kayaking, and a vibrant town that’s proving a huge pull for out-of-county buyers who are not ready to dive 100% into the rural lifestyle. There are some excellent restaurants and bars, too, and when you combine those with a host of cultural events throughout the year, it becomes a highly desirable location in which to live, one that encapsulates the essence of Cornwall that draws buyers here in the first place.”
The properties in the Falmouth area feature many of those ‘marks of individuality’ that I mentioned earlier. Take Chy Wyn as an example; offering views across Falmouth Bay, this three-bedroom home finds itself in an enviable location close to the sands of Gyllyngvase. Beautiful gardens provide space in which to enjoy the Cornish summers, as does a broad, first-floor balcony. Recently updated throughout, with a large garage offering the potential for development, it’s unsurprising that Chy Wyn was quickly snapped off the market. 13 Stratton Terrace is another recently sold home that came to the market brimming with character. Grade II listed and from the Georgian era, this was once the residence of a packet ship captain, who is believed to have commissioned the property’s design to match his cabin. Today, the accommodation combines immaculate interiors with astonishing water views, all in an elevated position looking out across the river and towards Flushing on the far shore. It’s also conveniently close to the many facilities for which Falmouth has become so popular, and with additional accommodation in the form of a two-bedroom annexe, along with a one-bedroom, ground-floor apartment, there’s plenty of room for guests to come and stay and enjoy the fantastic locale.
Indeed, whilst there are other coastal properties to choose from across Cornwall, few lie so close to the social and cultural opportunities that Falmouth provides. “You really get the best of both worlds here,” says Matthew. “The Cornish coastal dream, plus all the advantages an urban lifestyle brings socially and for work.” He adds: “Over the last two years we have seen a marked increase in the number of buyers looking to permanently move to Cornwall, rather than just purchase a second home or holiday let, and the market activity in Falmouth testifies to this. Many out of county buyers simply want to escape city life and enjoy what Cornwall has to offer, whilst affording themselves and their children opportunities to make friends and easily enjoy sports and other recreational clubs, for which Falmouth is proving the ultimate destination.”
Of course, the whole of Cornwall remains as desirable as ever for those in search of a lifestyle change, but any move must always consider what balance will work best for the family. In Falmouth, the phrase ‘best of both worlds’ springs to mind!
Rohrs and Rowe continue to see exceptional demand for properties in the Falmouth area and they would be delighted to hear from anyone looking to sell a property either now or in the future.