A property consultant made redundant during the pandemic has bounced back by building a business helping people purchase their dream homes in the Lake District.

Gemma Dawe was made redundant by a local estate agent last summer and decided to follow her long-held ambition of launching her own venture.

Over the last year her business Lake District Relocation, based in Bowness, has helped match 16 people with new houses in the South Lakes area, dealing with everything from small family homes to properties worth millions.

Gemma, who has lived in the Windermere area all her life, said: “Having worked in estate agency in the area and knowing it so well I am able to bridge that gap for people who want to find a certain type of property, but don’t really know where to begin.

“At the same time I am on hand to assist them all the way through the buying process. Traditionally, there isn't a huge amount of support for the buyer when you’re purchasing a house and it’s such a stressful process. People really appreciate having someone they can ring up and ask for support and guidance.”

With the post-pandemic property boom creating an intensely competitive market, Gemma says she is constantly looking for off-market options to fit buyers.

“Some of the most prestigious properties in the area will never come onto the open market, but I’m able to identify homes that might not actually be advertised for sale and match them with the right people,” she says.

“It’s a bit like the buyers have a really clued up and helpful friend doing all the hard work on the ground to save them some of the stress. I only deal with a few clients and so it’s a very personal service and I really care about doing the very best for them.”