Jason Brand is expecting a busy year when he officially takes over as president of the Brighton and Hove Estate Agents Association (BHEAA) next week.

The estate agent has been a member of the association’s council for five years and since September he has been organising the annual dinner at The Grand on February 7, as the incoming president, taking over from James Epps.

The Grand has traditionally been the setting for the dinner, and while the style and the formality have changed drastically in the last 20 years, it remains the night the city’s estate agents can get together to catch up on both a personal and business level.

Jason, who started Brand Vaughan Estate Agents with business partner David Vaughan in 2007, said the BHEAA played a vital role in keeping agents in touch with each other and up to date with innovations and legislation affecting their business. The big talking point at the moment is the creation of Agents Mutual, a property website owned and run by agents.

“There have been some huge changes in the way property is sold since the coming of the internet and estate agents had to adapt if they wanted to stay in business.

“Brighton has one of the most active property markets in the country and at the moment it is certainly as busy as it was before the crash in 2008. Houses and flats are selling fast and with high levels of sales conveyancers and solicitors are finding themselves overwhelmed with work, so the time between agreeing a sale and the exchange of contracts seems longer, although finding a buyer in the first place is now generally a lot quicker!

The charity chosen by Jason to benefit from the association’s events during his year at the top, is The Argus Appeal, He said: “I looked at a number of charities but wanted it to be local, and one that helped a whole range of smaller organisations and causes, small charities and individuals, one that could react quickly to a situation and one with minimal or no administration costs.”

James Epps, whose year in office ended in 2013, said: “I really don’t know where the year went. It was a very busy but an enjoyable year and I got to know some great people and also look at property related issues from the point of view of people not in the business, but not forgetting the people I represent.”