Needle & Haystack Podcast

"A theatre for someone's life...."   Be in no doubt, photos sell homes. First impressions last.   If the images any agency create are less than favourable, it's always going to be a struggle.   Our guest today, Philip Tottenham, had an early career in photography.  "Enthusiastic to the point of O.C.D " is how he frames his passion for photography.   Photos have to present a true reflection of a home and bring the property to life.   "It's important to me that I 'get' what makes this such a beautiful home".    Rightmove and Zoopla are littered with examples of agencies that care little for the image.  It is vitally important. As is much of the work that goes unseen in high-street estate agency.   The more I listened to this episode, the more detail I uncovered. About the agency. About our guest.   I hope you enjoy

Doing what you say you're going to do. Not always easy. There's plenty of distractions and inducements to move any estate agency away from that intent. But, it is important. Especially in the world of estate agency. Where vendors have a tendency to rely on what any agent says, as 'gospel'. Perry Power has six core values. One of which is Tenacity. They do what they say they're going to do. Very impressively. Listen out for the other values. If they match, this is the agency for you. Our chat with Perry brought up some interesting viewpoints. He, somewhat surprisingly, welcomed the advent of 'call-centre' estate agencies, for no other reason than it has shaken-up the complacent model that existed for so long. A forward-thinking estate agency, in every sense. Highly deserving of the 'raving fans' that spread the word. We hope you enjoy this episode. As much as we did.  

Neil is a twenty-year-experience estate agent with the Holland Park branch of KFH, London. In this episode, we feature that all too rare commodity with estate agents and vendors - TRUST. The two equal parts of trust, according to Stephen Covey, in his book, The Speed of Trust, are that of Character and Competenece.  Most estate agents rely on competence, together with valuation and fee to win trust from the vendor.  It requires more.  It requires character. It's 'old school'.  But, important.  People buy from people they know like and trust.  Listen in and see if you agree. Estate agents either have both. Or, they struggle to gain trust.

There are so many things that can wrong in the sales process. Anyone that has ever sold their home will understand that it's not an easy business and that it requires an estate agency with not just the experience to foresee problems that might arise, but one with the determination and commitment to do the best job possible. For many estate agents, this can involve asking the vendor to reduce the asking price. Said differently, make the estate agents' job easier. There are, however, some great estate agencies that shine when things get tough. As they say; " When things get tough, the tough get going". We hope you enjoy this episode with Donald Collins of Ealing estate agency, GoViewLondon. An agency that is committed.  

"Off the bench - and he scores!!"  Joe Newton, from Nottingham estate agency, Walton & Allen, was a last minute substitute for Director, Phil Williams. As a Valuer for their 4 branches, Joe is the agent most Nottingham homeowners meet when they ask his agency to appraise their home. Here's a great opportunity to find out more about Joe before you make that phone call. An estate agent that sets the bar high and constantly tries to deliver the result.  Walton & Allen are truly a "forward thinking agency". Their technology is cutting-edge, but they haven't lost sight of the fact that it's a people-driven business.  I'm a big fan.  Listen in, look at their web site and see if you agree.