Acquisition of Acadium Bastion and Flexgarant Assuradeuren
In 2006 another milestone was reached after completing the acquisition of the brokerage firm Acadium Bastion and the insurance company Flexgarant Assuradeuren. Thanks to this acquisition, Direct Wonen now occupies a niche position in the high-end segment as mortgage broker, insurance broker and intermediary for golden handshakes, as well as featuring a high-quality back-office. On 1 January 2007 the existing Direct Wonen back-office and the Acadium Bastion back-office were merged. As a result, growth of the Financial Services division will be further accelerated.
Business Woman of the year
Yvonne Swaans was voted Business Woman of the Year 2005.
Direct Wonen Mortgages
To begin with, our financial services consisted of being an intermediary for household insurance on behalf of tenants. Thanks to increased demand from the target group, we extended our range of services to mortgages and related insurance products in 2004.
Direct Wonen sales of newly built properties
Based on assessments made on the needs of the target group, Direct Wonen started New Build Property Sales.
The start
Yvonne Swaans and Richard Westerhuis started in 1990 with the "Kamer Balie" (Chamber Counter) in Eindhoven, which mediated in rental housing. This formula became successful, and in 1991 a second office followed. Within a short time, the company had grown to eight offices. In 1993 'Kamer Balie' changed its name to Direct Wonen.
At any given point in time, more than 20 000 home-seekers are registered with Direct Wonen as actively seeking housing, against more than 18 700 landlords.
Direct Wonen
In 1993 the Kamerbalie changed its name to Direct Wonen, which loosely translates as “Direct Living”. This name was chosen to embody the purpose and spirit of the company.
The start of the Internet portal
The opportunities of the internet as a medium were recognized early on, and a website was launched in 1995. Direct Wonen was one of the first companies to create a business model based on a relationship with tenants and landlords through the internet. Aside from the possibility of completing transactions, this medium also made it possible to create an online database with knowledge of consumer needs.
