Letting & Estate Agent Podcast

Should estate agents earn commissions or “kickbacks” from solicitors and financial service providers? In this episode, Chris Watkin chats with former agent Anton Plackowski from Tamworth, who shares his candid views on where to draw the line between fair reward and greed. They explore ethics, transparency, and how big corporates may be damaging the industry’s reputation. Tune in and decide, fair p...

Why Property Managers Are the Unsung Heroes of the UK Property Market. Think estate agents run the show? Think again. In this episode, Andrew Seldon, Managing Director of Belvoir, explains why property managers are the real backbone of any lettings business. From handling maintenance and rent to juggling landlords and tenants, they’re under constant pressure yet too often underpaid and overlooked....

Estate Agency in 2035: Will You Still Be in Business? In part four of our series with Mark Burgess, author of Prepare: AI’s Impact on Estate Agency, we leap to 2035 to explore the future of UK estate agency. Mark discusses how top agents will thrive using proprietary data, while AI takes over admin, freeing agents to focus on people. He also reveals why data-driven marketing and avoiding the “race...

Can social media really replace property portals? With budgets tighter than ever, many agents are asking that question. In this episode, we chat with Richard Hayes, COO of Zoopla, about how platforms like Facebook stack up against portals, what truly drives quality leads, and why brand visibility matters just as much as enquiries. Tune in to discover whether social media is a threat or a powerful...

In this episode, Siân Hemming Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, reveals why joining the ICG (Innovation Collaboration Group) is transforming how suppliers connect with estate and letting agents. From powerful collaboration and shared expertise to innovative “speed dating” events that build real relationships, discover how the ICG is helping suppliers better serve the UK property mar...

Can the UK really hit the target of 300,000 new homes a year? In this episode, Richard Donnell, Research Director at Zoopla, joins us to explore what’s holding builders back, why demand is the real challenge, and how estate agents can play a key role. We also discuss Help to Buy, shifting new build prices, and changing buyer behaviour. Listen now and share your thoughts, are we any closer to hitti...

Prop Tech vs People: What’s Really Powering Your Agency’s Success? Is your agency led by cutting-edge tech or the people behind it? In this episode, Andrew Seldon, new Managing Director of Belvoir, explores the role of prop tech in the UK property market and why people remain your greatest asset. From AML checks to sales progression, tech has transformed the game - but it’s no substitute for stron...

Meet Miranda Menzies, the Northamptonshire estate agent proving that grit can outshine experience. From growing up on a council estate and serving six years in the RAF to running a fitness business and becoming one of the UK’s top self-employed agents, Miranda’s journey is pure determination. In this interview, she shares how she turned adversity into drive, the mindset behind her success, and hon...

How can estate agents thrive in the AI-driven property market? In this third episode of our five-part series, Mark Burgess explains how to move beyond basic tools like ChatGPT and truly harness AI for a competitive edge. We explore off-the-shelf versus bespoke systems, the importance of structured data, and how AI can identify your next listings before anyone else. Mark also shares the mindset shi...

Thinking of selling your estate or lettings agency? In this episode, we’re joined by Lucy Noonan, founder of Atomic Consultancy, who shares her top three tips for maximising your sale value. From working on your business (not just in it) to getting your numbers and tax planning right, Lucy’s insights are essential listening for any UK agency owner thinking about their next move. Tune in and start...

Struggling to attract new landlords in today’s property market? Letting agent consultant Julie Ford shares what’s working now, from TikTok and AI to building trust through personality driven marketing. Forget the old “Landlords Wanted” leaflets; it’s time to meet landlords where they are and stand out online. Tune in to learn how to future proof your marketing and attract the landlords you actuall...

Why are self-employed estate agents selling 20% more homes? In this episode, I’m joined by Adam Day, head of eXp UK, to explore why independent agents are outperforming traditional and hybrid models. From personal branding and local trust to having full control over marketing, self-employed agents are converting more listings into sales, and faster. Adam also shares how having real skin in the gam...

UK Property Market Weekly Update - Week 38, 2025 Welcome to the 38th UK Property Market Stats Show of 2025, your weekly YouTube ‘TV programme’ on the UK housing market. This week, I’m joined by Ben Madden, a leading Estate Agent in West London, as we unpack the key headlines from Week 38 (ending Sunday 28th September 2025). ▶️ Watch on YouTube: 
https://youtu.be/2K5jp2gBZ_Y 🔍 Key Market Headlines...

The model is booming across the UK, but is it built on shaky ground? I’m joined by Anton Plackowski, a former estate and lettings agent from Tamworth, who explains why relying only on sales can be risky. Drawing on lessons from the 2008 crash, he shows how lettings provide crucial recurring income, and why future proofing your business means looking beyond sales alone.

Is your estate agency losing its spark? In this insightful episode, Andrew Seldon, new MD of Belvoir and long-time industry expert, reveals why so many branches feel lifeless and lacking personality. He shares real stories of missed offers, poor service, and uninspired leadership, while explaining how agencies can reignite their energy, improve customer care, and boost profits. If you’re serious a...

Is AI really transforming estate agency, or is it just smoke and mirrors? In Part 2 of our five-part series, industry expert Mark Burgess cuts through the hype, explaining what AI, and more specifically, large language models, can and can’t do for UK estate and letting agents. From debunking jargon to exploring practical realities, Mark breaks down automation, data, and tools like Lifesycle, showi...

Are you confident your agency is fully AML compliant? In this episode, we speak with Sue Hopson, compliance expert and property industry veteran, about the three biggest anti-money laundering mistakes estate agents keep making. With nearly 30 years’ experience across private and social housing, Sue explains why failing to register with HMRC is still the top error, how poor recordkeeping and weak d...

How Grief Became Grit: Adam Day’s Journey to Property Success! What turns tragedy into triumph? In this inspiring episode, Adam Day, Head of eXp UK & Europe and founder of Hatched, shares how losing his father as a baby shaped his resilience, work ethic, and vision. From Mars bar hustles to launching Hatched, Adam reveals the mentors, mindset, and motivation behind his rise in estate agency. More...

Why are so many Rightmove leads ignored? Estate agency coach Jason Bull reveals the shocking truth behind missed buyer enquiries, and what it means for the industry. From mystery shopping to real stats, he uncovers why agents lose business daily and how leadership, training, and broken systems are failing them. Hear what top performers do differently and why “tech and touch” could change everythin...

UK Property Market Weekly Update - Week 37, 2025 Welcome to the 37th UK Property Market Stats Show of 2025, your weekly YouTube ‘TV programme’ on the UK housing market. This week, I’m joined by Toby Phillips, boss man of Martin & Co, CJ Hole & some other franchise brands of TPFG as we unpack the key headlines from Week 37 (ending Sunday 21st September 2025). ▶️ Watch on YouTube: 
https://youtu.be/...

Are letting agents undervaluing themselves? Cheap fees are on the rise, but at what cost to the industry? In this episode, Cornwall property expert Sophie Lang explains how fee cutting and online platforms like OpenRent are impacting agents, landlords, and the market. She reveals why full service agents are often undervalued, how better communication can retain clients, and practical steps to prov...

What can modern estate and letting agents learn from Countrywide’s rise? Chris Watkin chats with John Hards, former Group Lettings Director and now Chairman of OpenBrix, about the lasting impact of branding, leadership and people in agency success. From the power of local names to why strong branch managers matter, John shares insights into the culture that made Countrywide thrive. Estate agency i...

How AI is Really Changing the Game for UK Estate Agents, with Mark Burgess! AI isn’t the future, it’s already here. In this episode, we chat with Mark Burgess, CEO of Iceberg Digital and author of Prepare: AI’s Impact on Business, about how artificial intelligence is transforming estate agencies. We discuss why many CRMs are outdated, the shift from manual to digital processes, and what smart agen...

Why is UK estate agency in 2025 totally bonkers? Estate agency coach Jason Bull doesn’t hold back, calling out outdated systems, poor leadership, and shocking listing to exchange ratios. He argues that if we started from scratch, we’d never build it this way. Jason explores how self employed models are outperforming big names and why reconnecting with the emotional side of moving is key. Watch the...

Is estate agency training broken? Adam Day, head of eXp UK, tells it straight. In this candid conversation, Adam explains why much of the UK’s estate agency training simply isn’t working, and what needs to change for agents to succeed. From outdated attitudes that treat training as punishment to cultural barriers stopping agents from applying what they learn, Adam breaks it down. Discover why peer...