HOUSE hunting in north Wiltshire has been made a more relaxing pursuit at a new estate agent in Calne.

Real:life estate agents opened this week in Harrier Way, offering cheaper, easier-to-understand mortgage advice under the same roof as a coffee bar.

Breaking with tradition, the new firm has abandoned client charges based on a percentage of their property's value and replaced it with a fixed fee.

The estate agent also doubles up as a coffee shop.

Managing director Gary Tarleton said: "At Real:life we have a fixed rate of £1,500. This is less than our rivals and the customer knows what they are being asked to pay from the beginning."

The coffee shop, basing itself on the Starbucks model, also sells muffins, pastries and paninis.

Mr Tarleton said: "I wanted it to feel like a different estate agent and make it a warmer place.

"People can come in and have a muffin and coffee or pastry and just have a browse in a nice setting.

"There is no pressure at all. No one is waiting to jump on you and sell a property."

Real:life also offers a fixed conveyancing rate of £495 and independent advice on mortgages and insurance.

Mr Tarleton said: "On the continent they have a coffee shop on every street corner whereas here we have an estate agents on every corner.

"This could be the start of having estate agents with a coffee bar on every street corner."

The new firm employs two staff in financial services, two in the property department and three to manage the coffee shop.

To find out more about the real:life project ring (01249) 822226 or log on to www.real-life-services.co.uk