Pass the Syrup

In today’s episode guests discuss the obscene terms asset managers are trying to force on agents via their contracts, with Neil Robinson questioning why any agent in their right mind would agree to such terms.  Guests also discuss a recent social post that had caused some confusion within the world of agency, specifically about where the law comes in, where the Ombudsman sits, and everything in be...

In today’s episode guests discuss the extreme measures some people will go to gain a reduction on the price of the property they want to buy, with Jonathan Handford telling the story of a buyer that doctored a survey to the tune of £150,000, in a bid to gain a reduction on the purchase price.     Steph Walker raises questions over the future direction of agency fees in the UK, pointing to the rece...

In today’s episode guests discuss the varying degrees in quality of estate agency across the UK, compared with North America and Australia, as part of a wider conversation about coaching and training. The group has differing opinions on who agents could and should be listening to in order to learn, with some preferring home-grown talent and hearing from their peers, whilst others lean towards inte...

In today’s episode guests discuss The Boys Club, a new men’s mental health initiative launching on Wednesday 21st February. It’s widely agreed that men struggle to discuss their own mental health, and this is very likely a key reason that over three quarters of all suicides are male, as well as being biggest killer of men under the age of 50 in the UK.   The Boys Club will meet online once a month...

In today’s episode guests discuss the recent political point scoring exercise from shadow housing minister Matthew Pennycock, in which he explained that he would prohibit anyone from working as an agent without at least one A-Level, and that business owners and managers should be qualified to degree level.    Guests also talk in detail about the current position of the market and the potential gap...

In today’s episode guests discuss the changing landscape of Britain’s High Streets, and what the future of estate agency could be. How much longer will the local independent agent dominate the High Street for, will the corporates reduce their branch footprint and revert to hub models, and what part does the hybrid self-employed agent play?  Guests also chew the fat over the extreme nature of agent...

In today’s episode guests discuss how agents navigated 2023, and in particular look at Christopher Watkins recent social media content, which pointed to only 40% agents listing more than an average of four homes for sale per month. Is the world of agency changing? Is the growth of the self-employed agent impacting volumes? And what does a changing landscape mean for the traditional, high-street ag...

In today’s episode guests discuss print media and its place in agency today. In a world seemingly obsessed with digital marketing and communications, one agent discusses how their businesses fully utilises print media, the benefits to their clients, and the fees they are able to justify. As well as print marketing, guests discuss the importance of agent safety and what agents can do, to protect th...

In today’s episode guests discuss one particular agents journey of success in 2023 which was fuelled by door knocking, and the potential pivot he plans to make, to a marketing strategy driven by social media. They also get stuck into click bait social media content, the age-old arguments that should have been left behind years ago, and for a change of pace, taxation, and what’s appropriate and eth...

In today’s episode guests discuss some of their pet hates in agency, including misguided consumers, repeatedly receiving leads from particular portals that present as lead, but never materialise, and repeat offender tyre kickers. They also get stuck into Rightmove’s Boxing Day marketing tactics, and Kristjan Byfield, of Base Property Services, discusses the Valentines window display that caused so...

In today’s episode guests discuss a host of subjects, including mandatory licensing and ongoing training, to improve service standards alongside fees in estate agency. There is some debate over the recent Ipsos Veracity Index and whether the consumer genuinely cares about surveys of this nature. And of course, there are some Christmas jokes.     As always, funny stories are shared along with contr...

In today’s Christmas special the guests get stuck into only the most important things to consider at this time of year, including Christmas dinner, the Rightmove Boxing Day marketing extravaganza, and the reason so many agents are closed on such a ‘busy’ day of the year.     Oh and of course, with three such high-quality self-employed agents on the podcast, naturally there was some heated debate a...

In today’s episode guests discuss ‘that’ headline which caused such a stir on social media, pointing to women punching above their weight at the recent Negotiator Awards. The guests debate whether the headline, and story, were premeditated and designed with controversy in mind, or if people overreacted at what could have simply been poor judgement. The guests also get onto the subject of wellbeing...

In today’s episode guests discuss what honest agents can do to win listings at the right price, and the right fee, when other agents over value and undercharge. It’s not uncommon to hear an agent complain about the quality of the competition, it’s the perfect excuse for not winning an instruction, the other agent gave them a higher valuation, or even more common, is charging a lower fee. Today, th...

In today’s special episode Ben is joined by Clare Hughes of eXp UK, Liana Loporto Browne of Loporto Browne Residential, and Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa Property. In a slightly different format to usual, Ben questions three of the founding members of the Women in Estate Agency Group on its place within the industry, the state of underrepresentation throughout the world of estate agency, and on the...

In today’s episode guests discuss how agents can build credibility rapidly, further their careers, and branch out to build their own business, whilst maintaining integrity. Todays episode involves three truly great agents, all of which are highly regarded by agency colleagues and went about building their personal brands the right way – learn from the best.     In this week’s social hand grenade ,...

In today’s episode guests discuss social media and its place in the world of estate agency. Why are so few agents adopting digital marketing within their businesses and what can agents do, that will provide tangible results.     In this week’s social hand grenade , the guests review a particular post that gained a lot of traction online, rightly so? As always, the guests share their funny stories...

In today’s episode guests discuss the ‘new’ model of estate agency that has got the industry buzzing, and whether just about anyone can ‘go’ self-employed. Is it right for everyone, should recruiters be doing more to explain the risks to those they are recruiting, and what is needed to actually be a success as a stand-alone agent, in one of the most competitive industries you can work.     In this...

In today’s episode guests discuss whether, in this age of disinformation, fake news, and outright dishonesty, is taking the moral high ground still the right thing to do. If the consumer is more likely to choose dishonesty to better position themselves, should agents fight fire with fire?      In this week’s social hand grenade , the guests the age-old debate – should an agent be concerned with ma...

n today’s episode guests discuss whether estate agents are really as bad as their reputation would have you believe. The consumer doesn’t trust agents, but is it fair to tar an entire industry with the same brush?     In this week’s social hand grenade , the guests discuss cheesy sales techniques. The you can’t make it up segment provides more of the off-piste antics agents face week in week out....

In today’s episode guests discuss whether estate agents are actually salespeople anymore, why standards might be dropping, and the somewhat increasingly popular opinion, that being a salesperson is a bad thing.     In this week’s social hand grenade , the guests discuss excuses versus progress and why it’s time to take responsibility. The you can’t make it up segment provides a number of au natura...

In today’s episode the guests discuss the recent Rightmove HPI, whether the increase in asking prices actually means anything, and the impact of the recent uplift property price reductions sweeping the nation.      Ben is joined by Alexandra Hearn of the Agency UK, Jo Parker of Fine & country, and Mohamed Mohamedali of Armford Estates. 

In today’s episode the guests discuss the changing approaches to work, the attitudes, and the beliefs of the different generations. As Generation Z becomes a larger segment of the work force, the guests question whether their reputation for entitlement and a lack of work ethic is fair, and how other generations have carved out their place in agency.     Ben is joined by Kesha Foss-Smith of John D...

In today’s episode the guests discuss the ever-changing landscape that is social media, and how it could impact the portals if they don’t move with the times and develop their offering. They also get stuck into house prices and what rest of 2023 looks like, plus a decent debate on the need for an agent to utilise for sale boards.       Ben is joined by Ben Gee of Hat and Home, Scott Gunn of eXp an...

In today’s episode the guests discuss security and protection for Agents and whether businesses are doing enough, as well as the recent data showing a larger than average reduction in asking prices this August.     Ben is joined by Perry Power of Power Bespoke, Victoria Brookes of Moss Properties and Charly Saunders of William H Brown.