A day in the life of Agent X

Friday 27th September 2013

I woke up at 6:45 with our youngest child standing at the bottom of his cot screaming and shouting. He's at the age now where he's not quite talking but he uses his voice to let you know what he wants.

Showered,  dressed and in the car for the school run by 8:30. Wait on the school yard until 9am and make sure the kids get into school safely then a sprint back to the car and drive off to the office.

I got to the office at 9:10 which is quite normal for me. (There's one thing I won't let running a business get in the way of and that is my children) because after all I'm doing this for them, to try and make a better life for them.

The morning started with a quick coffee and and then an hour to process the staff wages, check the bonus's and hours then send off to the accountants for them to do their stuff.

We've had a quiet week for valuations however we have 3 valuations today the first one being 1pm.

I had arranged to meet a friend for lunch at 12:15 but before this I had to make sure I have my research done for my 1pm valuation. A 3 bed semi 1970s build that was about 3.5 miles from the office.

With research done and it being 12:10 I answered the phone to a solicitor who was calling to confirm     A completion  had happened and we could release the key. Excellent!!!

Met friend for lunch, had pork, stuffing and apple sauce baguette which the majority dropped onto the floor and enticed the birds to my feet. (Actual birds - not women)

I got back to the office at 12:45, into the car and off to the valuation at 1pm.

Back to the office at 2:15 ready for a quick car swap with my most senior staff member as he was off to measure, photo, Floorplan and pick up the contract to a new property.

Unusually Friday afternoon in the office was quiet, not many phone calls in and hardly any foot traffic. Not letting this stop me I decided to have 40 minutes on the phones speaking with applicants, updating their records and trying to unearth some valuations.

Our 2 last appointments of the day were a viewing at a property we had already sold, it was the buyer going back to measure, and the 5:30 appointment was a tenant coming in to sign the tenancy and move in. 

I finished up at the office at 6pm, locked up and set off to pick the kids up from the grand parents. 

I got home at 7pm quick change and some food then off out for a game of footy!!

All in a days work for Agent X.

The Lost Keys!

One of the best parts of being an Estate Agent is the getting out of the office, meeting people, seeing various different houses and of course being a trusted person. You have access to literally millions of pounds worth of properties.

On Tuesday I had a second viewing at a property at 11:15. The first viewing a few days earlier went really well, we had held numerous conversations about the property, gained more information from the owner and discussed making an offer after the 2nd viewing.

Having not sold a property for a few days I was desperate to secure this one. You know the feeling when you have had a dry period of sales and you can see in the distance that you could be onto a sale you can sense the finish line, the buzz of the sale grips you and you want to do the best you possibly can to ensure you get the sale.

It was 10:45 and im still buzzing about the office doing bits as the property is only a 5 minute walk from the town centre. 11:05 comes and I decided to get myself ready, grab another brochure, get the keys out of the cupboard (that's after I have fought with our software/internet and the dreaded '****** is not responding') and walk down the road to the property, sell it, come back and have a celebratory coffee.......
UNTIL
I go to the key cupboard and...............the key isn't there! FAN-FLIPPIN-TASTIC. (how many times has this happened to you?)
I check my suit jacket pocket, check all the other key hooks, check with the other staff and then I remember, I was the last one there, the keys must be in my car.
I legged it out of the office to the car parked on level G of the concrete jungle that is the multi storey car park, open the car and.....NO KEYS.
Its 11:11 now and my second viewing commences at 11:15. I called the office and told the negotiator (who was happy to see me squirming) to call the viewers, tell them im stuck in traffic and ill be with them in 10 minutes whilst I drive home at the speed of Batman racing through Gotham City and check my other suit jackets to see if the keys are there.
Every minute goes by I can feel the sale slipping away, vanishing before my eyes.  I receive a text from said negotiator saying 'sorry mate, only a landline number'
I get home fly straight up the stairs and check all of my suits, jackets, jumpers and all the places that I could think of. Its now 11:21 and im officially late. Gutted!
I get back in my car and get onto the office to tell them I cannot find the key, I have searched everywhere when I turn around and look at the back seat of the car to see my suit jacket lying on the floor. (The suit jacket that I wore on the first viewing) The suit jacket that has the keys to the property!!

I got to the property at 11:34 to find that my viewers are not there! Im distraught! I hate being late and im not just late ive completely missed the viewing.

Just as im about to leave the viewers pop out of next door!! they had been having a cup of tea whilst waiting for me!

The moral of the story... failing to prepare = preparing to fail!

THE BATTLE.. High street Estate Agent vs Online Estate Agent

Good evening and welcome to possibly my most controversial, exciting and interesting blogs. Im really excited about releasing this one!

This week I asked for one High Street Estate Agent and one Online Estate Agent to volunteer to answer the same 10 questions with the view of getting an insight into both practices. Are High Street Agents very different to Online Estate Agents or are we all cut from the same cloth?

Firstly thanks you to both Agents who volunteered.......very brave of you! so without further delay here we go!

HIGH STREET AGENT

http://www.parkersproperties.co.uk/

Parkers Estate Agents Gloucester

 

 

Q1. How long have you been trading for?

1. Our director Steve Godsell has worked at our branch since 1998, and became franchisee in 2001. I am a senior negotiator with just over four years experience, all gained at Parkers. Between us in the office we have 40 years of experience within the estate agency industry.

2. What qualifications do you have?

2. We are members of the national association of estate agents (MNAEA) and the property ombudsman scheme (TPO). Our director Steve Godsell is currently studying for Association of residential letting agents (ARLA), his father/business partner was an ARLA member and he sadly passed away towards the end of last year.

3. Describe your service?
 3. Parkers is a family run independently owned estate agency franchise. Our core belief is customer service, we and our customers believe this is key. Our customers feel they can come to us for advice and with any query, we're always there to help. We provide a friendly, honest and efficient service, which we feel is rare in the current economical climate. We are remembered by our customers both past and present.

4. What is your typical fee model?

4. Our typical fee is 1.5% for selling a property. To fully manage a rental property our fee is 12%, we also offer a rent collection service and a tenant find service.

5. What's important about having a High street Agency?
 5. Customers of all ages still like and want a personal face to face service. It's important for any local community to have shops and local businesses nearby, not just for the community spirit but remembering not everyone can and does use online services. It's like having a local shop, a local high street estate agent is a necessary part of the local community. With this in mind, we have an advantage, we can be more helpful to a local clients needs, not to mention being able to sell the area to potential buyers who may not be from the area.
The important factors of high street agents are; the ability to carry out accurate market appraisals, conducting accompanied viewings, negotiating sales, regular updates on the property and local property information for the client, recommending solicitors, dealing with the sales progression after an offer and to monitor, sales chase and give updates on the progress of the sale. We at Parkers feel the main point of a high street estate agent is to be able to meet and get to know the agency team that will be dealing with the property, whether selling or renting, it's surely fundamental to actually know who is dealing with what is most probably the most expensive thing a person owns.

6. What do you think of online estate agents?

6. Have you heard that online is a buyers first point of call before anything else? We have, there is no doubt that this is the case with some potential customers, but certainly not all of them! The process with online estate agents tend to begin with a free online valuation of the property. The figures are generally automated and provided by a third party website that bases its figures on recent sold prices and area averages. We offer free, accurate market appraisals that are conducted by visiting the property, this takes into account all individual aspects about the property itself. A high street agent meets the client at the very start of the process, understand their needs and go from there. It offers a much more personal approach with the clients best interests in mind at all times. In conclusion, a high street agent offers a personal, tailored service to suit the client, with help, advice and professionalism shown every step of the way.

 

7. What territory  do you do business in?

7. We are based in Gloucester, the county town of Gloucestershire. You know place, remember the old rhyme, doctor foster went to Gloucester in a shower of rain, he stepped in a puddle.... You get the idea. Moving on, our branch covers 24 districts within Gloucester, as you can imagine it keeps us rather busy.

8. What do you offer that you think an online estate agent can't?

8.Whether it's sales or lettings, there are several aspects of selling/renting a home that high street agents do, things we can offer that an online estate agent simply can't. We offer a wealth of local knowledge that can play a significant part in the price of a property. Giving the client an accurate market appraisal is the first step to selling/renting a property and a very important part of the process. We can offer a tailored package after meeting a client that suits their requirements and needs. Accompanied viewings take place, something an online estate agent doesn't do. Viewings  are vital to selling/renting a property, if the client works long hours or is nervous about letting unknown people around the property, a high street agent takes away this hassle. We vet all customers and find out their position, give constructive feedback after viewings, negotiate offers on the clients behalf. Even though the buyer isn't the client, it is still all about communication. It is important to take time and all the necessary steps when doing dealing with viewings and offers to get the best price possible for the client. If buyers aren't receiving this interaction and getting what they feel is needed in the process of buying/renting a property, everyone loses out.

9. Where do you see the industry in 10 years time?

9. In 10 years I still see high street agencies being part of the local community and being the number one choice for vendors, however, online estate agencies have definitely increased in recent times. I can't see how the public will completely convert to only wanting online estate agents.
As long as high street agents keep their presence in the local community as trusted businesses and adapt their ways to use more online methods. Online estate agents are the competitor and we must not fear this, embrace it and work twice as hard to prove your worth to the local community. Some high street agents have already adapted the business and do both, therefore offering a choice to clients, a very basic service or the full service.
Even though the Internet and modern technology is very good, I don't think you can beat good old fashioned pen and paper.
In 10 years time I still see high street and online agents, people have and still will have the choice between the two. I don't see online agents replacing us.

 

10. Why should a customer chose a high street agent over an online agent?
 10.Opting for a high street estate agent means getting a good service that's personal and suits the clients needs, Accompanied viewings, feedback, regular contact about the property and market, a fully negotiated sale achieving the best price possible are all included as standard. After a sale has been agreed, it is closely monitored by our dedicated sales progression employee, keeping the client updated right up to completion. Making sure our excellent customer service skills continue throughout the process.
A high street agent may cost more, but when it comes down to the sale price of a property, we will get the best price we can, not only does commission depend on it but maintaining a good service to the client ultimately means a good reputation, word of mouth spreads fast. A high street agent never forgets who the client is, the vendor, maximising footfall through their door, with an outcome of offers and a good hard negotiation to get what the house is truly worth, always with the vendors best interests at the forefront of the mind.

 

 

ONLINE ESTATE AGENT

www.hatched.co.uk

Hatched, the low cost estate agent

 

Q1. How long have you been trading for?7 years. We opened on 1^st June 2006

 

2. What qualifications do you have?

I am NAEA qualified and one of my other fellow directors is ARLA. I have been in the industry since 1997 starting as a trainee and working my way up to manager of a large high street office in 2003/4

 

3. Describe your service?

We visit every property to measure up and take photos, write the description and do the floor plan. On top of this as an extra charge, we can offer virtual tours, 3d floorplans, a walkthrough, a for sale board and anything else the owner wants (newspaper ad, etc - as long as they pay for it). We advertise the property on Rightmove, Zoopla & Primelocation. We deal with all enquiries and arrange viewings via text, email and phone. Each and every viewer and seller gets a confirmation text & email when viewings are booked. We also get feedback from viewings and we enter this on a private ‘vendor area’ where vendors can pick up their feedback and look at stats relating to how many people have clicked on their property. They can also delete or move photos around in this area. We negotiate the offers on behalf of the vendor, send sales letters out and deal with any issues throughout the sale, like downvaluations, retentions, etc, etc.

 

4. What is your typical fee model?Most customers pay £270 up front and then they pay another £270 when we sell the property.

However, customer can choose two further option if they wish to pay less up front. They are:

£150 up front, then 0.25%+VAT on completion (min completion fee £499+VAT)

£0 up front and then 0.5%+VAT on completion (min completion fee £999+VAT)

 

5. What's important about having an online agency?Offering a comparable service to a high street agency, coupled with the low fees. We have to always offer a service that is comparable with a high street agent so that we continue to surprise people. Customers sometimes expect ‘cheap fees, cheap service’, but this couldn’t further from the truth. Customers are consistently surprised when they find that the service is the same, but the fee is completely different. We cannot fail on service and we will always continue to offer a service comparable with a high street agent, which is what will help us to continue to grow as we are.

 

6. What do you think of high street estate agents?I think high street agents are good in the main. You always get a few cowboys, but you do in any industry. I do think there is a fundamental problem with the way high street agents charge. The no sale, no fee model is why fees are so high and perceived as too high by many people. If agents charged for the work that they did, then people would pay for it. I actually think that the industry would end up being seen as more professional if agents charged for the work that they did, rather than the ridiculous ‘no sale, no fee’ model.

 

7. What territory  do you do business in?We have 6 regional offices, covering the whole of England & Wales

 

8. What do you offer that you think a high street estate agent can't?Low fees. Other than that, high street agent online agents are no different in my view. The object of the exercise is to sell the property for the best price possible, to the best buyer possible. We do that just as well as a high street agent. Our figures speak for themselves. We have agreed sales on 58% of properties in 2013 at 97.5% of asking price. Looking at a website such as Hometrack, these are better stats than an average high street agency.

 

9. Where do you see the industry in 10 years time?

See answer 6. I think that agency will change to a model where we charge for each of the major jobs that an agent carries out – fee for valuations, fee for listing, a fee for each accompanied viewing, and then a fee on completion – why wouldn’t an agent want to charge for everything that is done. It would improve cashflow and you wouldn’t end up doing dozens of hours work for nothing in some cases.

 

10. Why should a customer chose an online agent over a high street agentAgain, fees. There is little difference between online and high street other than the fees. We believe that technology is also leveraged by us more than a high street agent – text messaging, the vendor login area and this is continually being improved with vendors being able to track their sale on their login area from 1^st September this year.

 

Agent X's Thoughts

A lot of traditional Estate Agents hate online agents with a passion and likewise, there was a recent story of a High Street Agent taking an online agent to court over an advert. The high street agent lost! In my opinion they spent too much time fighting the online agent that they took their eye off the ball.

There is room for both high street and online but the best and most successful Estate Agents will take the best from both rivals and implement it in a way that does not compromise anything. Sooner or later an Estate Agent will grasp this, embrace it and make an absolute fortune from it.

I believe you need to embrace the change that is happening in the industry, embrace and adapt!

 

Im not going to judge from the above q and a so ill leave it to you guys!

 

I hope you enjoyed it and once again thanks to Laura from parkers Gloucester and thanks to Adam from Hatched for your honesty! 

Estate agency. My views

I'm writing this blog, right now because I'm standing inside an empty house waiting for yet another viewer to turn up. I'm looking around at the freshly painted magnolia walls, cleaned carpet and clean windows and I'm thinking....... It's a Saturday, why bother? Why be an estate agent. I know I'm a good sales person, I have my cv to prove it so why do I need to be waiting around empty houses on a Saturday morning when I could be at home with my family and work a monday - Friday job. I'm not paid amazingly well so why bother.

Well I'll tell you why....

For some reason I'm addicted to estate agency. I love the houses (good and bad) I love dealing with all kinds of people I hate the downsides, the angry customers and the ones who firmly believe no matter what you tell them, you are going to shaft them some how. But I love the industry.

I'm addicted to checking rightmove, I'm addicted to looking at good quality photographed houses, I'm addicted to the bad photos, I'm addicted to the language used to describe houses and above all I'm addicted to the buzz you get when you sell a house.

I'm addicted to the stress of working for myself, every minute of every day will lead to a successful or bad month. I love and hate that feeling when you are lying in bed and something pings in your mind to remind you to do a certain task the next day.

Estate agency is a bug, a disease that grips you and doesn't let go. 

Run your own agency, manage your own staff, listen to new ideas, sell houses, rent houses, take the good times and take the shit, get qualified.

Live eat breath and sleep estate agency.

The way I see it is I've got another 30 years left in this industry to make my mark and provide for my family, 

Anyway, back to reality and ,y next viewer hasn't turned up either!!

Happy Saturday fellow property professionals

Agent X's Best and Worst Photos from rightmove LONDON EDITION!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to this weeks best and worst photos uploaded to www.rightmove.co.uk in the last 7 days. Last week we seen some shockers and this week is no different apart from all the images have come from 1 area.

WELCOME TO THE LONDON EDITION!

Each week I talk about being professional, being on top of your game and taking the best images possible.

Things that really annoy me on property photographs are thing that can be moved, should be moved but the agent cant be bothered! (Don't blame the vendor, you are the one with the camera in your hand)

Imagine a travel agent photographing a messy room in a 4 star hotel in Tenerife. Would you book that hotel for your yearly holiday???

Enough of me banging on here is the LAANDAAN EDITION!

Best photo uploaded to rightmove.co.uk (I will use zoopla when they include me in their top 100 influential agents list)

BEST PHOTO

 

 

Congratulations on a fantastic photograph Hunters-Baker Street, London!

 

 

NOW for 2 photographs that nearly made it for many different reasons but pipped to 3rd spot are 2 photographs from the same London agent on the same property.

 

 

SMILE!!!!!!!

may be being a bit harsh here but if I had an £850,000 apartment I would want it to be in a building that was straight and not leaning towards the water!

 

 

3RD PLACE GOES TO.......

 

 

 





FML!

2ND PLACE

 

5 minutes of elbow grease would have sorted this. Whoever took this shot should of asked the vendor to move some stuff!

 

 

AND FIRST PLACE THIS WEEK IN THE LONDON EDITION IS....................

 



 

 

If any of these photos are yours then please do us all a favour and either stop trying to be an Estate Agent because you are giving the industry a bad name or employ someone who has eyes!

 

Thank you and good night!

 

Next week we will be hitting LIVERPOOL!!



My biggest nemesis - no it's not door knockers!

My biggest nemesis.

I'm not a fan of dogs, infact I absolutely hate them. I don't know what it is about dogs but it doesn't matter what size they are, what they look like or how loud they are I just bloody hate them.

Unfortunately in this industry I come up against them on a daily basis. Like the time I accidentally trod dog muck through a house on a valuation. It wasn't  my fault. It was the dogs fault.

The problem with a dog is no matter how potentially dangerous it is the owner will always say "it's ok he's harmless" or "he will lick you to death, he's soft as a brush" . I'm sorry but that doesn't wash with me, for starters I don't know what the dog is thinking and if I don't know what it's thinking then I'm in a potentially dangerous territory!

I've had some bad experiences with dogs whilst out on valuations like the time I entered the front gate,  walked up the path and knocked on the door only to then hear my worst fear..... I knocked the door, then ferocious barking coming from the side of the house, straight away I'm panicked so I knock again and again, as I'm knocking I can hear the barking getting closer and closer, then from around the side garden I see 2 dogs flying at me, teeth out, eyes bulging heading straight towards me!

Just as I'm about to get eaten by theses 2 dogs the vendor opens the door completely unaware of the situation. The moment the door opened I leapt onto him, literally jumped onto him like a bride would be picked up to get carried over the threshold. I'm just glad to be alive after that one.

However nothing can be as bad as getting called to a valuation to find 17, yes 17 jack Russell's in one property! I kid you not. They were in the kitchen cupboards, on top of the units, in the bath, absolutely everywhere. This was a mid terrace house. How on earth did the neighbours feel!

Nowadays I tend to get the office staff to find out at the time of booking the val if they have a dog or 2 or even 17.

Unrelated to work I went for a Sunday morning jog recently. As I left my house and started jogging up the road, I turned the corner to be greeted by a stray Alsatian. I froze, I completely s**t my self. I knew that if I carried on running then it would think it was fun to chase me. Anyway it thought I would be fun to mess with so it jumped up at me, paws on each shoulder. The fear I was experiencing now was unimaginable , I managed to shake it off and then start walking back to my house........ It followed me, walking at the side of me all the way back home. I jumped in the door greeted by my other half saying "what the hell are you doing?" I opened the blinds to to see the Alsatian sitting outside the front door. Needless to say I didn't go back out that day!

This Weeks Best and Worst Property Photos Picked from rightmove.co.uk

Good evening and welcome to another edition of Agent Xs pics of the week.

This week I have trawled www.rightmove.co.uk and come up with some real corkers!!

With the shift in estate agency to online now more than ever the need for quality, professionalism and an all round good service is hugely important. Its not longer good enough to spend 5 minutes at a property with a crap camera (ive known some agents to take the pics on their phone!). You need to up your game to win instructions.

So then, here we go with this weeks property photograph of the week!.............

I love this 1. Quirky house, lovely blue sky, lush green lawn and with the different colours in the bushes and trees. An excellent effort by Meller Braggins of northwich!

(round of applause please!)

Now on to the bit that you have all been waiting for. Agent X's worst photos of the week.

I must admit I have lots of fun doing this part of the blog, Ive posted a few on twitter that didn't make it into this weeks worst pics.

3rd place goes to.......

 

 

Surely if you arrived to photograph a house and you were presented with this, you would have to either get the vendor to move it all, or arrange another appointment when its tidy.

 

 

2nd goes to........

 

 



Oh deary me!  I'm lost for words!

And the winner this week of the worst property photograph uploaded to rightmove in the last 7 days is........................

This has to be theeee worst example of a main property photo!! what the hell was the agent thinking??? The mind boggles!

Hope you enjoyed this weeks Property photos!

Happy fathers day and good night!

Twitter Account Suspended!

Good morning Ladies and gentlemen.

You may have noticed that I have been rather quiet on twitter recently. Unfortunately Twitter have suspended my account (I have no idea why).

I would be grateful if any of my twitter followers that see this post could please tweet a link to this message.

Hopefully My twitter account will be back up and running again soon.

Kind Regards

Agent X

Agent X's Property Pics of The Week! The Best and The Worst!!

Hello and welcome to this weeks special feature.

We all know that one of an Estate Agents biggest marketing tools is www.rightmove.co.uk . The sheer amount of information a potential buyer can find about a property within a few minutes is quite frightening. To sell a property nowadays you need to be a good agent, you also need to be handy with a camera, and if you are not great with the camera then for gods sake employ someone who is!!

Photographs are (in my opinion) the single most important thing when presenting a property online.

So then here we go!

This weeks Property Photo of the week is........

So congratulations to JW Wood Estate Agents!

Swiftly moving on to The worst property photograph uploaded to www.rightmove.co.uk in the last 7 days.
To be honest there are so many bad ones ive decided to do the worst 3! So here goes

In 3rd Place!!!!................................

Now someone please tell me how on earth this is supposed to showcase the property?? This is the properties Main Photo on rightmove! Such a massive Estate Agency should know better.

onto 2nd place!!!.................................

 

 

Do I really need to say anything about this 1?

 

AND HERE IT IS! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I GIVE YOU the Worst uploaded photo to rightmove.........................

 

 

 

 

Can someone explain how this can possibly happen? Hang your head in shame Mr/Mrs Estate Agent. Time to look for a new job! (im so tempted to name and shame because this is just ridiculous!!)

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this weeks blog! Thanks for reading. 





Agent profile Maria Kemp of Kemp & Co in Dorest

Welcome to the latest edition of Estate Agent Profiles.

Agent X had the opportunity of profiling Maria Kemp Director of Kemp & Co in Dorset. Below is how it all went down!!

Loving the blogs! The hot milk situation reminds me of a quite recent, horrific experience whereby I went out to an elderly couples flat to give a market appraisal for lettings.  I swear the wife had narcolepsy, either that or I seriously need to revamp my presentation skills!  As she was busy randomly snoring at their dining table her husband was keen to point out all the antiques in the property including the table and chairs we were sat round which they had lovingly and carefully imported back from Cyprus. After pointing out one or two things they were obviously not too happy about that they had to comply with, I got up to leave and broke off the arm of one of the chairs!!! I had no idea what to say, I just handed it to them as I walked out the door – bizarrely I still got the instruction, so goodness knows what the competition was like!

1.      How long have you been an estate agent for?

I’m in my 21st year!  (I obviously started very young ... 9.. I think, otherwise that would put me on the wrong side of forty *cough*)

2.      What's the best part of the job?

Going out on market appraisals, passing our boards along the way, meeting new people and confidently knowing you can help them. Delivering results and seeing returned business from those clients or recommendations resulting in new business that have stemmed from them. Also coming up with new ideas and new products, I absolutely love new challenges.

3.      What's the worst part of the job?

The fact it’s always with you! As a business owner you can never really just shut the door and go home.  The laptop is always on, your thoughts are always about the business, it comes to bed with you, it goes on holiday with you, I’ve even answered the phone in the bath before! Business doesn’t stop when the doors close. A lot of business is done out of office hours via personal Facebook accounts and twitter and even a trip to Tesco usually results in bumping into clients. It’s great to be busy but sometimes it would be nice to properly shut off but you can’t help but brainstorm for new ideas and look for new ways of taking the business forward. I’ve always got a notepad by my bed!

4.      What industry related qualifications do you have if any?

ARLA Level I & II Qualifications. I also started the NAEA Diploma in Residential Estate Agency, undertook and passed the first few modules but sadly didn’t get to finish it.  I set Kemp & Co up part way through and it got so busy so quickly I found it impossible to run the business and undertake the exams. It would be nice to re-sit this at some point, especially now I have a great team in place that would give me the time to do so. I always wanted to be a Fellow of both ARLA and the NAEA. I usually undertake in excess of 100 hours CPD each year, attending many seminars and training courses.

5.      What made you become an estate agent?

It kind of just happened! I had studied Business and Finance for three years, then started a family.  My first job was as a Sunday assistant working for a corporate agent as I didn’t have to worry about childcare on the weekend. I was gradually given more and more hours, I went from part-time to a full time Administrator, Administrator to a Negotiator, Negotiator to a Lettings Manager, Lettings Manager to a Branch Manager.  I finally set up on my own in 2007, initially working from my dining room table. I had my first premises within a year, then went into Partnership with former colleagues. We have grown every year, have since moved to larger premises and there are now 8 of us that make up the team!

6.      What do you prefer sale or lettings and why?

I enjoy both but I have to say I enjoy a good lettings challenge! I really enjoy situations that aren’t the norm, and I’ve encountered many via my role as Chairman of West Dorset Landlords Accreditation Scheme. I find it really interesting when I come across old protected tenancies and also trouble shooting problematic tenancies.  It’s not something you come across on a day to day basis, and I have been able to help out many Landlords that have found themselves in sticky situations and resolve their tenancy issues. I love the research involved and it’s enabled me to work with different organisations and has not been without its dramas, which have included death threats, but it’s so satisfying when you finally get a successful end result – although I’ve got to say the team aren’t quite so enthusiastic when I’ve taken on this type of work!

7.      What estate agency software is your favourite?

Jupix! I’ve used a variety of software packages over the years but I’ve got to say this is one of the most easiest, straightforward packages to use.  The team behind Jupix are great and you can’t fault the support that comes with it.

8.      What car do you drive?

Do I have to answer this? It’s a Ford Galaxy – I have a husband, three kids, a dog and whoever else the children decide to invite over! In an ideal world it would be a two seater sports car with just enough room for me and my shopping!!!

 

9.      What would you change about the industry?

Mandatory Licensing for all Letting Agents!  It’s really hard to remain competitive with the number of agents popping up all over the place under cutting on fees, not holding Client Money Protection and who have a complete disregard to safety and compliance. I’ve walked away from numerous properties where there has been safety issues or the Landlord has been declined consent to let the property by their mortgage company only to see it advertised elsewhere. Safety, security and best practice should always come before profit!

 

10.  Why should people use your estate agency?

We are a team of highly experienced individuals, in fact we have well over 100 years of combined experience between us! Our Sales team have specialised in Sales, our Lettings team have specialised in Lettings – we don’t have one core business that dabbles in another, each team is dedicated and trained in their own roles and are experts in their own fields.  We have all worked in the local market for numerous years, through the highs and the lows, and we know our area inside out.  Being a small, independent agent means that we can quickly adapt to changes in the market place, change strategy, launch new products and ideas without being caught up in corporate red tape. We are not a sideline to any other business, we’re not targeted on financial services or any other industry related products, we concentrate on selling or letting your home. We work as a team and your business matters because our business matters, there’s no large company behind us, financially backing us, our survival is based purely on results and happy clients.  We care about our clients and we care about our own reputation within the industry.

You can follow Maria Kemp on twitter - @mariatkemp 

Thanks for reading!

Agent X's Property Pic of the Week. Best and Worst!

Good evening and welcome the the final blog of the week and Ive saved the best till last! This blog will focus on the Agent X's favourite property photo uploaded to www.rightmove.co.uk in the last 7 days.

Also just to highlight the massive difference in quality photogrpahs you will also see the SHOCKER of the week!!

I am not claiming to be the best photographer in the world (which is why I use a professional photographer on all properties I list.) My tip is if you cant do it right yourself then hire someone who can.

So here goes...

This weeks Property Photo of the Week is..........

EVERYTHING I LIKE ABOUT A PHOTO IS IN THIS ONE.

Blue sky, no car on the drive, plant pots out, great angle!

 





A big well done to the agent Michael Moon (I dont think that it is the Eastenders Micheal Moon but you never know)  http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-26707551.html


This weeks SHOCKER OF THE WEEK IS.............

 OH DEAR!

 

 

A typical example of how NOT to do it. I wont name the agent, all I will say is that I am following them on twitter! Lets hope they see it and take action!

 

 

Thanks for reading my blogs so far. I hope they keep you entertained for 5 minutes or so!

 

 

Keep reading and sharing the blog guys! http://estateagentx.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1 





The Conference Call

When you attend training courses on 'Winning Instructions' the first thing the super dooper trainer tells you is " make sure you have both decision makers at the valuation". It sounds easy but it is often the most tricky thing as people have hectic busy lives and normally the female of the house is at home for the valuation and the male simply wants to know how much its worth and what the fee will be.

I attended a valuation about 3 miles from our offices. It was a modern 3 bedroom 3 storey end mews/town house/terrace/whatever you want to call it.

The valuation started off well, I instantly engaged with the vendor Miss D (name removed to keep up with my no names policy). Now Miss D was a very bubbly, chatty lady, the house was immaculate and very well dressed (the house, not the owner ;-) ). I went through the usual 'dance' of checking out each room, measuring and writing down details as I went along. Now if you are reading this and you are a valuer/lister then you will understand what I mean when I say the usual 'dance'. The measuring and taking notes is all for show, it makes you look like you are an expert. The fact is you probably know how much you will value the house before you have even set through the door!
We finish up in the lounge. Armed with my marketing material, rightmoveplus comps and 3 comps from the office I go for the kill.

Just as i'm about to get in to full flow, i'm stopped by Miss D. "Ill just call my partner, put him on speakerphone and you can have a conference call with him!!!"
Now I find myself trying desperately to sell our service to someone who I have never seen before, over the loud speaker on Miss D's mobile phone. I wasn't comfortable with this and found myself talking to the floor as I didn't know where to look. At one stage I was looking at Miss D whilst talking to the phone but that felt weird, like she was listening to me but couldn't use her mouth to communicate.
The whole 8 minute conference call was littered with awkward pauses and speaking at the same time followed by another awkward pause and then a "sorry, go on".
I left the valuation thinking and hoping that I will get another chance to impress both the owners and not a loudspeaker on a mobile phone.
To make matters worse as I left the house and got back to my car (no its not a mini or a BMW) I noticed that the tyre was flat. Great!! im completely useless with cars and I have no clue as to what to do next so I called the office and had one of the other negotiators come and replace my tire.

The moral of the storey is ............Refuse point blank to enter into a conference call in an attempt to sell your services to both Parties.

Estate Agent profile by Agent X... Harper James @HarperJamesEA

Greetings. Welcome to the first of many estate agent profiles. Today Agent X sent 10 questions (plus a sneaky one at the end) to Simon Woodley , Assistant Branch Manager  At Harper James. @HarperJamesEA 

Below are the responses. ENJOY!!!

1) how long have you been an estate agent for?

12yrs, my first day in agency was 1st May 2001

2) what, if any qualifications to you hold?

After all this time I haven't got any

3) how old are you?

35

4) what is your best experience in the industry?

 My first ever sale within a week of starting, I still drive past the house most days and think about it.

5) what annoys you about the industry?

 People who watch too many TV shows about property and think they know don't need to take advice.

6) what did you have for breakfast?

Crunchy nut cornflakes and two cups of strong coffee

7) what car do you drive?

Vw golf

8) if you could change anything about the estate agency industry then what would it be?

 There needs to be licensing like in the States.

9) why did you become an estate agent?

I spent a week with a local estate agent when I was 16 for work experience and decided that it was for me.

10) what is the best estate agency software?

I'm old school; I like pen and paper

Final question.

Why should a customer choose your agency to buy, sell or rent?

We have a lot of experience within the office, the manager and myself have previously owned our own estate agencies and our local knowledge and contacts are very extensive.

Agent X will conduct a weekly profile of an estate agent, letting agent or any other industry related company/person. If you would like to answer my question please email estateagentx@gmail.com