A new service is being launched this week aimed at helping smaller agents tap into the land and new homes market.

The outsourced service, from Land & New Homes Network, will include tracking planning applications; exploring local opportunities; prospecting new business; and locating and appraising panels of land.

The work would be white-labelled to the name of the agency, and would be done to that agency’s own high standards, says Network founder Kevin Ellis.

Ellis says he is offering a new way for estate agents to become part of what he describes as a booming market, with house builders looking for opportunities that will enable them to keep pace with demand from both the Government and public.

Ellis said: “We heard so many times that agents up and down the country knew that there was a thriving land and new homes market out there, but they just didn’t have the time to fully devote to it.

“This service allows them to have a stake in the game, to steal a march on their competitors, and crucially, keep on looking after their core business.

“And when they’re able to give land and new homes the full attention it demands, they can step into the driving seat of what will effectively be a fully-formed new department.”

He added: “There’s no doubt that tracking all the local planning sites and checking whether they’re built and sold, under construction, on the market, or consented and not built, is a time-consuming task.

“But it’s incredibly worthwhile and it often leads to development opportunities that can transform the fortunes of an agency.

“And of course, securing a site is just half the story. When your agency markets and sells a new development, it feeds into your existing sales and lettings operations and generates valuable long-term returns.”

Land & New Homes Outsourced will be made available to agents in selected areas.