Letting & Estate Agent Podcast
Christopher Watkin
The Letting & Estate Agents Podcast
Having worked for some of the biggest names in the industry, Christopher now offers advice, actions and opinion in helping letting and estate agents grow their lettings and estate agency's. Christopher has proven methods on how to attract landlords and house sellers and helps many agents, using a technique that is designed (if implemented correctly) to grow any agency's turnover by at least 20% to 30% year on year. Its hard work and it requires buckets loads of patience though
Having worked for some of the biggest names in the industry, Christopher now offers advice, actions and opinion in helping letting and estate agents grow their lettings and estate agency's. Christopher has proven methods on how to attract landlords and house sellers and helps many agents, using a technique that is designed (if implemented correctly) to grow any agency's turnover by at least 20% to 30% year on year. Its hard work and it requires buckets loads of patience though
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 6, 2025 • 11min
Why are Estate Agents so bad at marketing themselves? - Ep. 2318
Why are so many estate agents poor at marketing themselves? In this episode, Andrew Seldon, Managing Director of Belvoir, shares the truth behind why even experienced agents struggle to stand out. From one-person outfits to big corporates, glossy brochures and property listings simply aren’t enough. Andrew reveals why most social media falls flat, how to turn local knowledge into compelling content, and what really builds trust with sellers and landlords. Tune in and discover how your agency can win more instructions.

Sep 5, 2025 • 51min
UK Property Market Stats Show - Week 34 2025 - Ep. 2317
UK PROPERTY MARKET WEEKLY UPDATE — Week 34, 2025
Welcome to the 34th UK Property Market Stats Show of 2025 — your go-to weekly YouTube ‘TV Programme’ on the UK property market.
This week, I’m joined by Steph Vass, the co-Founder & boss of TAUK, as we unpack the key headlines from the 34th week of 2025, ending Sunday, 31st August 2025
▶️ Watch on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/6JNiBEhq0Ig
🔍 Key Market Stats – Week 34 of 2025
✅ Listings (New to Market)
29.1k new listings this week (Down as expected from 33.4k last week as it was August Bank Holiday).
2025 weekly average : 36.2k
YTD listings are 2.7% higher than 2024 YTD and 7.2% above the 2017–19 YTD average (1.23m YTD vs 1.2m in 2024 YTD)
✅ Price Reductions
17.5k reductions this week (down from 20.3k last week - again Bank Holiday).
That’s still only 1 in 7 homes for the month of August on the market being reduced monthly (14.1%)
For context:
• 14.1% in July, 14% in June & 13.4% in May
• 12.1% average in 2024
• Long-term 5-year average: 10.6%
✅ Sales Agreed
21.3k homes sold STC this week (down from last week at 25.3k - again Bank Holiday)
2025 weekly average : 26.2k
YTD agreed sales:
• 6.1% up on 2024 (893k vs 842k)
• 13% up on pre-Covid average of 788k (2017–19)
✅ Sell-Through Rate (July, in arrears)
15.4% of properties on agent’s books went SSTC in July. (August figures to follow next week)
Up from 15.3% in June. 16.1% in May
2024 monthly average: 15.3%
8-year overall average: 17.9%
✅ Sale Fall-Throughs
5,149 fall-throughs last week (from a 512k SSTC pipeline (units)).
Weekly average for 2025: 6,206
Fall-thru rate as percentage of gross sales: 24.1% (up from 24.3% last week).
The 9 year long-term average of 24.2% (post-Truss chaos saw that at levels of 40%+)
✅ Net Sales
16.2k net sales this week (Down from 19.1k last week - again Bank Holiday)
Weekly average for 2025: 20k
YTD Net Sales:
• 682k in 2025 which is 5% ahead of 2024 YTD figure of 649k and 9.8% up on 2017–19 YTD (621k)
✅ % Chance the Home will Sell (month in arrears)
July stats showed 50.9% of UK Homes that left the estate agents books in exchanged & completed contracts (ie the agent got paid and the home moved on completion), the remaining 49.1% left Estate Agent books, unsold and homeowner staying in their home. August figures to follow by mid September onwards
Comparison
Jun - 51.3%
May - 51.7%
April - 53.2%
NB - this July stat will change throughout August as more data comes through.
✅ Stock Levels (For Sale and Sales Pipeline) - 1st of the Month
763k homes on the market at the start of 1st August - 6.7% higher than 1st August 2024 (715k).
512k homes in Estate Agents sales pipelines on 1st August - 4% higher than than 1st August 2024
✅ House Prices (measured by £/sq.ft)
£344.78/sqft on Sales Agreed in July 2025 - 1.97% higher than July 2024 and 3.85% higher than July 2022.
✅ Rental Stats (in arrears)
July 2025 with an average rent of £1,876 pcm (July ’24 - £1,863 pcm)
(YTD 2025 average is £1767 pcm).
✅ Local Focus:
Stoke-on-Trent
Graphs for downloading
https://we.tl/t-cCMlgulyvf

Sep 4, 2025 • 3min
Jason Bull Promo - Ep. 2316
Lonely at the Top? This One’s for You!
Running an estate agency can be isolating and overwhelming. In this episode, industry veteran Jason Bull shares real world advice from decades in both traditional and self employed models. From spotting future branch managers to building smarter growth strategies, Jason offers practical tips for small and mid-sized agencies. Whether you're leading a branch or scaling up, don’t go it alone. Tune in, take notes, and join the conversation with fellow property professionals.

Sep 3, 2025 • 13min
How to beat eXp UK (Good Luck) - Ep. 2315
Can anyone really beat eXp UK? This week we’re joined by Adam Day, the man behind the momentum. As the founding force of the UK’s biggest self-employed estate agency, Adam reveals why eXp has become so hard to rival and what it would take to catch up. From explosive growth and agent loyalty to culture, support and mindset, this is a rare inside look at the company reshaping the property market. Tune in now, you won’t want to miss it.

Sep 2, 2025 • 5min
Untrained Letting Agents - Ep. 2314
Are Untrained Letting Agents Damaging Our Industry?
Too many letting agents are being “trained” by people who don’t really know what they’re doing, and it’s causing real problems. In this interview, Nicol Nightingale, former Propertymark regional exec and now an asset manager in Leicester, shares her first hand experiences of unqualified agents passing on bad habits and misinformation.
With over 170 pieces of legislation to navigate, the property industry isn’t one where you can just pick things up as you go along. Nicol explains how even basic legal checks like Right to Rent are being mishandled, not out of laziness, but because no one ever showed agents the correct way to do it.
She makes a strong case for mandatory qualifications and proper regulation, arguing that without it, the gap between good agents and bad ones will only get wider.
Listen now, then jump into the comments, do you agree with Nicol? Is it time for real change?

Sep 1, 2025 • 9min
Should you split your Estate Agency fee? - Ep. 2313
Should You Split Your Estate Agency Fee? Expert Advice from Rupert Collingwood
In today’s fiercely competitive UK property market, the question of whether to split your estate agency fee has never been more relevant. Rupert Collingwood, an experienced London broker, explains why charging the right fee and working collaboratively with other agents might be the best way to stand out from the crowd.
Over the last two decades, average fees have dropped from 1.6% to around 1%, largely due to commoditisation and the dominance of portals, which have made most agents’ services feel almost identical. Rupert argues that by charging a proper, fair fee, agents can afford to share commissions and work together for the benefit of vendors and buyers alike.
He highlights how collaboration can improve the customer experience and build trust, especially when agents put aside ego and focus on what really matters, getting the best outcome for clients. Ready to rethink your approach and discover how cooperation could transform your agency? Listen now, and share your thoughts below!

Aug 31, 2025 • 12min
Changing your high street agency to a self employed model - Ep. 2312
Why are more UK estate agencies embracing the self-employed model? Adam Day, head of eXp UK, reveals why this shift could transform your business. By reducing overheads and risk, while attracting ambitious talent back into the industry, agencies gain freedom to grow without sacrificing control. With eXp handling contracts and admin, you keep your own brand and focus on sales. Adam also unpacks commission splits and costs. Essential listening for agents wanting to scale, boost profits, and stay competitive.

Aug 30, 2025 • 7min
Estate Agency isn't sexy anymore - Ep. 2311
Has estate agency lost its spark? Jason Bull tells it like it is.
In this episode, we dive into why the profession feels flat for many UK agents, from falling real earnings to poor lead handling. Industry coach Jason Bull breaks it down and shares how to revive the buzz with better standards, smarter systems, and a renewed sense of purpose.
It’s not just about money, it’s about challenge, fulfilment, and feeling fired up again. Tune in and let’s talk.

10 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 55min
UK Property Market Stats Show - Week 33 2025 - Ep.2310
Iain McKenzie, leader of the Guild of Property Professionals, shares his expertise on the UK property market. He reveals that new listings have significantly increased post-Bank Holiday. The discussion dives into sales figures, showcasing a stable market with a crucial link between speed-to-sale and successful outcomes. Iain also emphasizes the importance of accurate pricing to avoid prolonged sales times. Additionally, trends in lettings highlight OpenRent's growing influence as landlords shift away from traditional high-street agents.

Aug 28, 2025 • 9min
£25,000 for a Branch Manager - Is that enough? - Ep. 2309
Branch Managers on £25K?!
In this episode, Andrew Seldon, MD at Belvoir, joins us to tackle one of the property industry's biggest issues, low pay and sinking morale. We unpack stagnant salaries, burnout, and why commission isn’t cutting it. Andrew offers straight talking advice on asking for a raise, knowing your worth, and preparing for tough conversations. Business owners, take note, talent is leaving, and it’s time to rethink training, pay, and support. Hit play and join the conversation the industry needs.


