December 2007 / January 2008

HIP pioneer Maria decides to pack it in

MARIA COLEMAN, the ‘First Lady’ of Home Information Packs, has decided to retire.

Ms Coleman, who ran her own estate agency in Bristol and later founded the OpenBook company supplying HIPs, was involved in Packs from the outset.

Maria Coleman

Her company — M Coleman Estate Agents — supplied their own 'Seller’s Pack’ as long as 10 years ago and were a participating agency in the Bristol pilot for the Government’s Packs proposition at the turn of the Millennium.

She was an outspoken champion of the Packs, but has decided to call it a day just as the HIPs, introduced earlier this year, are extended to all properties.

“HIPs have been my passion for over 10 years and I was supremely confident that I would eventually see the legislation through to fruition, despite frustrations along the way,” she said.

“ The timing couldn’t have been better. I turned 60 in January and was ready for retirement, so when the first HIPs were launched this summer, it seemed fitting to step down and pass on the mantle to Gerard Buckley, OpenBook’s chief executive, as well as my son, Barney, who is commercial director.

“I have three grandchildren, with another on the way and am looking forward to spending a lot more time with them all, as well as indulging my love of the South of France.

“Now I finally have the time, I will be taking up music lessons, putting our grand piano to use again.

“As for the future of HIPs, I remain confident that they will be the answer to smoothing out the home buying process.

“I strongly believe Pack providers need to push for the Home Condition Report, which will be the only way to win over estate agents, encouraging them to volunteer the HIP to the buyer.

“The Energy Performance Certificate alone does not present enough positive information about the home.

“My legacy, OpenBook, has a pedigree in the HIP industry and I am positive that it will continue to evolve to remain at the forefront of the sector.

“I will be sorry to no longer be in the thick of it, but shall certainly follow the progress of HIPs with a keen interest!”