Letting & Estate Agent Podcast

Why do so many self-employed estate agents still compete on fees instead of value? I sit down with Paul Sloan to discuss charging sustainable fees, building confidence, winning instructions, and why focusing on service and long term lettings income leads to a stronger, more profitable agency.

Is the Ethical Agent Network more than just another estate agency club? I sit down with Jerry Lyons and Nick Cheshire to explore how ethics, trust and collaboration are raising standards across the UK property market, and why quality membership and genuine peer support can give agents a real competitive edge.

The UK Property Market Is Not Struggling. So Why Does It Feel Like It Is? The latest property market figures tell a rather different story to the mood you sometimes hear on the high street. Sellers are still coming to market in healthy numbers, sales activity remains ahead of pre-Covid levels, and there is no shortage of people who still want to move home. The market is functioning, but with considerably more choice available to buyers, the rules of the game have changed. That extra choice means buyers can afford to be selective, and that puts far greater pressure on asking prices. The strongest evidence is what happens to the homes that actually find buyers. Around eight in ten successful sellers who have come to market this year have achieved a sale without needing to reduce their asking price. In other words, the issue is not necessarily a lack of buyers, but whether the price is compelling enough to make them act. And that raises the question every homeowner thinking of selling should be asking. If properties are still selling in significant numbers, why do some homes disappear quickly while others sit on the market for months? The answer may have far less to do with the property market itself than most sellers realise. This week, Simon Gates joins Christopher Watkin to look at Week 34 of the UK property market (week ending 30th August 2026.), picking apart the latest figures to see how the market is really performing. They then head to Oldham in the North West, where the data is put to work to discover which estate agents are actually delivering for their sellers, before turning their attention to the town's lettings market as well.

Is overvaluing damaging trust in estate agency? I sit down with Teddy Kleindienst to discuss why some agents inflate valuations to win instructions, why he refuses to promise unrealistic prices, and how honest, evidence based advice helps build lasting client confidence.

Four months into the Renters' Rights Act, I sat down with Suzanne Smith to explore how letting agents can navigate enforcement changes, court challenges and compliance risks. We discuss practical steps to stay fair, informed and protected.

Does talent beat hard work in estate agency? I sit down with Paul Sloan to discuss why consistency, patience and strong relationships matter more than shortcuts. We explore what sets successful self employed agents apart and why lasting success is earned, not inherited.

Why do most estate agents blend into the background? I spoke with Ian Macbeth, co-founder of Avocado, about standing out in a crowded market. We explore finding your niche, building a memorable brand, and moving beyond generic claims to attract the right clients.

The UK Property Market Is Not Broken. But Something Is Definitely Blocking It. This week's UK Property Market Stats Show takes a hard look at Week 33, and beneath the headlines there is a very different story emerging. Buyer demand is still there, stock is plentiful, yet a huge number of homes are simply failing to turn into successful moves. The question is why. Is this really a difficult property market, or have too many homes simply entered the market at the wrong price? We dig into listings, sales agreed, price reductions, fall-throughs and the numbers that show just how dramatically a home's chances change the longer it sits unsold. Then Steph Vass and myself head to Bath in the second part of the Show, where we put the local Bath estate agents under the microscope. Market share is one thing, but which agents are actually getting their sellers moved, and how big is the difference between them? Some of the numbers are difficult to ignore. The main stats for UK Property Market Stats for week 33, week ending 23rd August 2026.

Suzanne Smith joined me to discuss what letting agents should be doing four months into the Renters' Rights Act. We explore landlord communication, compliance, AI and why trusted relationships and expert guidance are the keys to standing out in today's property market.

Over-valuing continues to challenge the UK property market, but who is really to blame? I'm joined by Jerry Lyons and Nick Cheshire from The Ethical Agent Group to discuss building trust through education, setting realistic asking prices, and avoiding the long term damage caused by inflated valuations.

In this episode, I chat with Teddy Kleindienst about whether AI is transforming estate agency or simply creating more hype than value. We explore the tools genuinely saving agents time, where chatbots fall short, and why great relationships will always matter more than technology alone.

Is a strong brand or great mentorship the key to estate agency success? Mike Robson, co-founder of Avocado, joined me to debate both sides. We explore branding, niche positioning, digital lead generation and why mentorship remains crucial for long-term success.

UK Property Market Bounces Back After Last Week's Summer Wobble After last week's unexpected drop in sales agreed, the UK property market has bounced back. 24,435 homes went sold subject to contract in Week 32, up from around 21,700 the week before and much closer to where we would expect the market to be at this point in August. The evidence increasingly suggests last week's fall may simply have been the summer slowdown arriving slightly earlier than usual, rather than anything more sinister. Yet beneath that headline, the market remains brutally price sensitive. Around half the homes leaving estate agents' books are still withdrawing unsold, while four out of five homes listed and sold so far in 2026 achieved that sale without needing a price reduction. The message is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, getting the pricing strategy right from the beginning matters enormously. This week I am joined by Iain White, one of the property industry's most experienced operators, to dissect the numbers and discuss where estate agents are getting it right and wrong. Then we head to Oxford, where we use cold, hard data to compare its estate agents on market share, exchanges, withdrawals, pricing, fall-throughs and the prices they actually achieve for their sellers and see who is the best Estate Agent in the City. The main stats for UK Property Market Stats for week 32, week ending 16th August 2026.

At the 3rd Letting and Estate Agent Conference in Grantham, John Cottrell, talks about The 5 Things holding Estate/Letting Agents back in life John Cottrell - Voted Action Coach's (Action Coach - the World's No.1 Business Coach Franchise) Best Executive Business Coach for Europe, Middle East and Asia 2016 This guy knows his onions! 52 minutes long - prepare to be interested, intrigued and educated!

When should you walk away from a listing? I sit down with Paul Sloan to discuss why saying no to the wrong instructions can strengthen your agency, improve profitability, and help you win better clients by staying true to your principles.

Are you ready for the new Private Rented Sector database? I sit down with Suzanne Smith from The Independent Landlord to explore what the Register Your Rental Property scheme means for landlords and letting agents, including compliance requirements, registration challenges, potential £7,000 penalties, and how agencies could turn the process into a valuable paid service.

When a self-employed estate agent falls short, who's responsible? I spoke with Lee O'Brien from IAD UK about accountability, lead generation, valuations and why success often comes down to the person in the mirror. Listen to the full episode and share your thoughts.

The biggest talking point in the UK property market this week is the 11% drop in sales agreed from last week. Some summer softening is perfectly normal, but the size of this week's fall was slightly unexpected, particularly after the previous two weeks had been unusually strong and had bucked the normal seasonal trend. So, is this simply the summer holidays finally catching up with the market, or are we seeing the start of something more significant? One week certainly does not make a trend, especially after those two stronger weeks, but it is exactly the sort of movement that estate agents, sellers and buyers should be watching closely. This week I am joined by Ian McKenzie from The Guild of Property Professionals to dig beneath the headline numbers in the YouTube video report. We look at listings, stock levels, price reductions, sales agreed, exchanges and withdrawals, before heading to Eastbourne to put its estate agents under the microscope using cold, hard performance data. The main stats for UK Property Market Stats for week 31, week ending 9th August 2026.

I sat down with Lucy Joerin to discuss whether self-employed estate agency truly offers freedom and flexibility, or simply longer hours for less reward. We explore lead generation, discipline, outsourcing, and why treating yourself as a business is key to long-term success.

Are estate agency conferences still worth attending, or have they become more about selling than learning? I'm joined by Jerry Lyons and Nick Cheshire from The Ethical Estate Agent Network to discuss practical education, supplier led events, fresh industry voices and how conferences can deliver greater value for estate agents.

How long should a sole agency agreement really last? I'm joined by Teddy Kleindienst to debate whether agents should earn the right to keep an instruction through great service rather than lengthy contracts, and what a fair agreement looks like for sellers and estate agents alike.

Are the best self-employed estate agents selling homes or simply recruiting? I'm joined by Ian Macbeth, co-founder of Advocado, to unpack the self-employed trend, the dangers of overselling the dream, and why honest expectations, real case studies, and transparency matter more than ever.

The UK property market has spent much of 2026 looking weaker than last year, but the latest figures suggest the gap may finally be narrowing. In Week 30, 24.7k homes sold subject to contract, net sales moved back in line with 2024, and July appears to have delivered a noticeably stronger finish than many expected. It is too early to declare a Burnham Bounce, but after a difficult late spring, there are at least signs that the market has found a little momentum. This week, I am joined by property economist Adam Lawrence from Properomics to dig beneath the headlines and examine what is really happening with listings, price reductions, sales, fall-throughs, exchanges and stock levels. We also head to Maidstone for a detailed review of its estate and letting agents, revealing the huge differences in market share, pricing strategy, fall-through rates and the chances of a homeowner actually reaching exchange and completion. The main stats for UK property market stats for week 29, week ending 26th July 2026.

Is “mum guilt” holding women back in estate agency? I'm joined by estate agent, author and coach Lucy Joerin to discuss balancing family, career ambition and expectations, challenging limiting beliefs, and why it may be time to rethink the conversation around mum guilt altogether.

Can AI improve estate and letting agency without replacing great customer service? Paul Sloan explains where technology adds value, why sensitive conversations should stay human, and how automating compliance tasks frees agents to focus on building stronger client relationships.

What can being the eldest of 38 children teach you about estate agency? Rachel Ollington shares how growing up in a foster family shaped her understanding of people, homes and empathy. We explore why understanding clients' emotions can transform relationships and deliver better outcomes in property.

Are you prepared for the biggest shake up in UK tenancy law for a generation? Suzanne Smith shares practical advice on the Renters' Rights Act, helping landlords and letting agents navigate new rules, strengthen tenant relationships and stay ahead of major legislative changes.

Mike Robson of Avocado Estate Agents joins me to discuss why great agents often struggle as business owners. Learn how his team achieves a 77% exchange ratio, why quality beats quantity, and how to build a profitable agency that works for you.

Here are the UK property market stats for week 29, week ending 26th July 2026.

From Million Dollar Listing to building a boutique agency in Oxfordshire, Lucy Joerin shares lessons on branding, growth, premium property sales and lead generation. We discuss launching from scratch, avoiding cash flow mistakes, recruitment, franchising and what it really takes to build a successful estate agency.

Student rentals have been transformed by the Renters' Rights Act. I'm joined by Suzanne Smith to explore the biggest challenges facing landlords, from eviction risks and advance rent restrictions to changing letting patterns, and why proactive letting agents have a real opportunity to support clients through the changes.

Can estate and letting agents be both ethical and profitable? Rachel Ollington believes they can. We discuss challenging industry misconceptions, balancing landlord and tenant relationships, building high performing teams, and creating a sustainable agency where ethics, profitability and people work together.

Is solo estate agency getting too lonely? Going self-employed offers freedom, but it can also be isolating. Lee O'Brien of IAD UK discusses why mentors matter, the difference between coaching and accountability, and how the right support network can help you grow a successful agency.

Is collaboration in estate agency real or just an industry myth? I sit down with Jerry Lyons and Nick Cheshire from The Ethical Agent Group to explore why trust, private networks and non competing agents often create the most valuable conversations and support.

Do you need years of estate agency experience to succeed as a self-employed agent? I'm joined by Lucy Joerin, estate agent, coach and co-founder of a successful Cotswolds agency model, to discuss mindset, resilience, lead generation, business ownership and why industry experience isn't always the key to success.

In this episode, I'm joined by lettings coach Rachel Ollington to explore why self-employed estate agents should add a lettings department. We discuss four key benefits, including predictable income, improved cash flow, business growth, and stronger community presence.

Are online estate agents really estate agents, or just software providers? I sit down with Teddy Kleindienst to discuss the value of human expertise, negotiation and relationships, and ask where technology ends and true estate agency begins.

Did Ian Macbeth sell his soul when he sold Avocado Property? In this episode, Ian shares the realities of exiting a business, tackling burnout, navigating the UK property market, and why prioritising family and wellbeing became the smartest decision of his career.

Here are the UK property market stats for week 27, week ending 12th July 2026.

Are self-employed estate agents being set up to fail? Lucy Joerin joins me to discuss whether agency models focus too heavily on sales and not enough on business skills. We explore mentorship, mindset, delegation and the realities of building a sustainable, profitable estate agency business.

Letting agency coach Rachel Ollington shares three simple ways to win more landlords: attend local networking events, use branded clothing to spark conversations, and tap into referrals from existing contacts. Learn how to raise your profile, build trust, and grow your portfolio.

Is buying your first home really harder in 2026, or is the media missing the bigger picture? I'm joined by Stuart Dare, former CEO of Connells Mortgages UK and now CEO of Nexpad, to unpack affordability, deposits, house prices and why monthly payments matter more than headlines.

Who wins in the IAD - Avocado marriage? I'm joined by Lee O'Brien, Mike Robson and Ian Macbeth to explore what IAD's acquisition of Avocado Property means for agents, from improved earnings and enhanced marketing support to preserving culture, branding and growth opportunities.

47,000 Fewer UK House Sales Agreed Than in 2025 UK house sales agreed are currently 6.8% behind 2025 year-to-date levels, equating to around 47,000 fewer sales. That is the headline the doom-mongers will grab. Yet the wider picture is far more balanced. Sales agreed remain 44,000, or 7.3%, ahead of pre-Covid levels, and 62,000, or 10.3%, higher than at the same point in 2023. So yes, the market has cooled compared with the unusually strong conditions of 2025. However, it is not collapsing. The real story is that the market remains active, but buyers have more choice, sellers face more competition and realistic pricing matters more than it did a year ago. The danger is not the market itself, the danger is interpreting one negative comparison without looking at the longer term context. Here are the property market stats for week 26, week ending 5th July 2026.

In this episode, I speak with estate agent, franchise owner and coach Lucy Joerin about why consistency beats talent in estate agency. We explore the habits, discipline and daily actions that drive long term success, market share growth and a sustainable property business.

In this episode, letting agent coach Rachel Ollington reveals why many landlords still choose let only services. We discuss agent communication, compliance risks, service boundaries, and how agents can better demonstrate the value of professional property management.

Why do mortgage arrangers and valuers often clash in estate agency? I speak with Stuart Dare about communication breakdowns, branch culture and the “feed me” mentality. We explore what sets top advisers apart and why strong partnerships between valuers, negotiators and mortgage consultants are vital in today's property market.

Why do estate agents overvalue properties, and what damage does it cause? I sit down with Charlie Lamdin to explore the pressures behind overpricing, its impact on sales and client trust, and why a process led approach often delivers better outcomes than chasing unrealistic valuations.

UK Home Sales Slide 9.4% in June Across the first four full weeks of June 2026, 99k UK homes sold subject to contract, were down 9.4% on the same period in 2025 (109k). For context before all the doom mongers get on their high horses … 103k in June 2024 92k in June 2023 So, the headline numbers are as follows …

Why haven't buyers' agents taken off in the UK, and could that be changing? I spoke with Daniel Clarke about affordability, flexible models, collaboration, and conflicts of interest, exploring how better support and smarter data could reshape the buying process and reduce fall-throughs.

Estate agency coach Rachel Ollington joins me to discuss mum guilt, balancing family life with a demanding property career, and the pressures working mothers face. We explore support systems, career ambition, and why raising independent children can be an unexpected benefit of business success.