Letting & Estate Agent Podcast

Is Self Employment the Future of Estate Agency? Insights from Ian Preston. The property market is evolving, and self employment in estate agency is fast becoming a key trend. But is it truly the future? In this episode, Ian Preston, who successfully transitioned his agency to a self employed model, shares his valuable insights on how this shift, combined with the rise of AI, is transforming the industry. Ian explains how the latest AI systems are helping self employed agents handle tasks like prospecting and listing management, making their job easier and more efficient. He also dives into the financial benefits of adding self employed agents to your agency model, without the need for a full conversion. The cultural shift that comes with this change is key, and Ian highlights the importance of creating a supportive environment where agents feel part of a team, even as they work independently. This is a must listen for anyone in the property market, whether you’re looking to move towards self employment or simply exploring the possibilities. Listen now to learn more and share your thoughts in the comments!

Sales vs Lettings: Why the Divide? Estate Agency Truths with Tracey Thompson! What’s really behind the tension between sales and lettings teams? In this straight talking interview, we’re joined by Tracey Thompson, who spent 21 years at the sharp end of the UK property market as Head of Trading for national estate agency chain Hunters. She now works with agents and business owners across the country, helping them understand themselves and their teams better, and finally get results that stick. Tracey shares honest reflections on the internal battles that hold agencies back, why sales and lettings still struggle to collaborate, and what needs to change to build a stronger, more profitable business. With decades of leadership experience, she offers practical advice grounded in real agency life, not management theory. If you’ve ever wondered why your departments don’t pull in the same direction, this conversation will hit home. Listen now and let us know where your agency stands, divided or united?

Estate Agent Valuations: The Biggest Lie in the UK Property Market In this eye opening episode, property market commentator Dan Marsden uncovers the uncomfortable truth about estate agent valuations and why they might be the biggest lie in UK estate agency today. Are you guilty of overvaluing properties just to win instructions? If so, you're not alone, but it's a practice that can have serious consequences for both your reputation and your clients’ expectations. Dan reveals why so many agents overprice properties to secure business, only for them to end up with price reductions weeks later. He also addresses the shocking statistics about the success rate of property sales, exposing how many agents are failing to deliver. With the public’s trust in estate agents at a low point, it’s more important than ever to rethink how you approach valuations and sales. If you’re ready to challenge the status quo and improve the way you do business, this episode is a must listen. Drop your thoughts in the comments, do you agree with Dan’s take? Let’s discuss!

Is Ethical Overvaluing Really Ethical? | Rob Graves Discusses the Paradox of Pricing in Estate Agency. In this interview, Rob Graves, former estate agent and now a leading estate agency coach, tackles the controversial subject of ethical overvaluing. While many agents may feel pressure to overvalue properties to secure listings, Rob challenges the practice, arguing that even when it's done with good intentions, it can harm sellers in the long run. Rob dives into the consequences of overpricing homes, including the increased risk of falling through and the impact on achieving the best price. He also discusses the subtle balance between motivation, fear, and price when setting a property’s value and how it influences decision making in the market. With years of experience, Rob also sheds light on the differences between corporate estate agents and self employed agents when it comes to vendor management. If you’re looking to build a sustainable, profitable estate agency business without compromising ethics, this is a must listen!

UK PROPERTY MARKET WEEKLY UPDATE Welcome to the 25th UK Property Market Stats Show of 2025, your go to weekly ‘TV show’ on the UK Property Market on YouTube This week, I’m joined by Verona Frankish, boss lady of Yopa, as we delve into the key property market headlines for 25th week of 2025 ending on the 29th June 2025. The YouTube Show https://youtu.be/wIz4xxwfdes ✅ Listings (New Properties on the Market) 36.7k new listings this week (last week 37.7k) YTD still 5% higher than Week 25 of 2024 YTD and 7.6% higher YTD compared to 2017/18/19. (9301k Listings YTD 2025 vs 889k YTD 2024) ✅ Price Reductions (% of Resi Stock) 26.7k Price Reductions this week (last week 26.8k) Monthly Run Rate in reductions - 1 in 7.1 of Resi Sales stock per month is being reduced (which represents 14%)) …13.4% the month before For comparison, 12.1% average in 2024, though the long-term 5-year average is 10.6%. ✅ Total Gross Sales (Agreed Sales) 27.5k UK homes sold STC this week (last week 28.3k) YTD - The number of Sold STC Resi homes are 8% higher compared to 2024  (664k Sales agreed YTD 2025 vs 615k YTD 2024) and 15.6% higher than 2017/18/19 YTD levels (575k). ✅ Sell-Through Rate (Monthly in Arrears) (Month in Arrears) May’s sale run rate of 16.1% of Resi stock sold stc (ie 16.1% of Estate Agents properties on the market went sale agreed). 15.36% last month 2024 monthly average: 15.3%. Long term 8 yr average: 17.9%. ✅ Sale Fall-Throughs 6,529 Sale fall-thrus last week from Resi Sale Sales Pipeline of 479k UK homes sale agreed (sold stc). Another method is that week’s sale fall thrus as a % of gross sales that week. This week, that is 23.7% (last week 23.2%). That is below the 7-year average of 24.2%, and well below the 40%+ levels post-Truss Budget (Autumn 2022). May’s figure 5.84% of sales in the UK agents pipelines fell thru. For comparison, April ’25 - 5.51%. 2024 average: 5.36%. (June’s figures to follow next week) ✅ Net Sales (Gross sales for the week less Sale Fall Thrus for the week) 21k net sales this week (21.7k last week), compared 2025 weekly average of 20k. 509k Net sales 2025 YTD total is still 6% higher than compared to 2024 YTD (480k) and 11.1% higher than YTD 2017/18/19 (458k). Local Focus this week Mansfield Graphs Available for use in free valuations / internally. Please dont publish these on social media without my OK. Reason - my fee paying clients use them - so its not fair on them https://we.tl/t-9kstQ6PoRl

Why Online Reviews are a Game Changer for Estate Agents. In the fast paced property market, standing out from the competition is crucial. Online reviews could be your secret weapon, yet many estate agents still aren’t using them to their full potential. In this episode, marketing expert Reena Patel explains why reviews are so important for building trust and how you can harness their power to grow your business. Reena highlights that just like the thank you cards you'd display in your office years ago, customer reviews should never be ignored or tucked away. Whether it’s on Google, Facebook, or Trustpilot, reviews are a direct reflection of your service, and responding to them shows you care about your clients' experiences. Timing is key, though. Ask for feedback when your customers are happiest, and you’ll see better results. Reena also shares how you can automate the process, so collecting reviews doesn’t eat into your busy day. It's all about making those reviews work for you, creating positive momentum for your business. If you want to build your brand’s reputation and attract more clients, this episode is a must listen. Be sure to like, comment, and share your thoughts!

Is the 'No Sale, No Fee' Model Dead? The Truth Every Estate Agent Needs to Know! In this episode, we explore a question that's been on the minds of many in the UK property market: is the 'No Sale, No Fee' model still relevant, or is it time for a change? Joining us to discuss this is the insightful Ian Preston, an experienced estate agent and prop tech expert who’s seen it all when it comes to evolving business practices. Ian reveals how the 'No Sale, No Fee' model, which has dominated the industry for decades, may no longer be the most sustainable approach for agents. He explains how flexible fee structures, including upfront payments and blended pricing, are giving agents the chance to increase revenue and improve cash flow. The key takeaway? Giving clients choice not only empowers them but can also drive a 20% boost in agency income. If you're looking to adapt your pricing strategy and grow your business, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Don’t miss out on a potential game changer for your agency, listen now, and share your thoughts in the comments!

How AI is Actually Changing Estate Agency, with Mal McCallion AI isn’t some far off concept, it’s already reshaping the UK property market. In this insightful conversation, Mal McCallion, a seasoned figure behind Zoopla, Primelocation, and GetAgent, shares how artificial intelligence is transforming the way estate agents work today. From smarter prospecting to virtual staging and deep market research, AI is doing far more than writing property brochures. Mal explains how it’s shifting the balance, taking the heavy lifting off agents so they can focus on what really counts: people. But with that shift comes opportunity and responsibility. Understanding how to use AI effectively could be the difference between falling behind and leading the charge. This isn’t about machines replacing agents, it’s about giving professionals the tools to stand out, build stronger relationships, and deliver service at scale without sacrificing the human touch. Click play to see where the future’s heading, and let us know how AI is changing your agency.

Why Are Estate Agents STILL So Rubbish at Customer Service? Tracey Thompson Explains... Estate agency is a people business, so why do so many agents still get customer service so wrong? In this no nonsense conversation, Chris Watkin is joined by Tracey Thompson, who spent over two decades at the heart of one of the UK’s largest estate agency chains, Hunters. As their Head of Training for 21 years, Tracey saw first hand what separates average agents from outstanding ones, and she’s now using that experience to help agency owners, branch managers and teams across the country raise their game. From old school relationship building, to the missed opportunities of modern tech, Tracey shares exactly where agents are falling short, and what needs to change if the industry wants to reclaim its reputation for service. It’s not about gimmicks, it’s about leadership, consistency, and remembering that people buy from people. Listen now and share your thoughts in the comments, has customer service really slipped, or are expectations just changing?

Is Self Employed Estate Agency a Job or a Business? | Rob Graves Explains... Is being a self employed estate agent just a job, or is it truly a business? In this interview with Rob Graves, founder of Key Coaching Ltd., we explore the real challenges and opportunities for self employed agents in today’s property market. Rob, a former estate agent, shares his experience of moving from employee to entrepreneur and reveals why it’s crucial for self employed agents to think beyond simply selling houses. He discusses how agents can build a business that works for them, the common mistakes many make, and how to avoid the pitfalls that often lead to failure. If you're looking to elevate your career and create a more sustainable, profitable agency, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Listen now, share your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to pass it on to anyone who could benefit from Rob’s advice!