Letting & Estate Agent Podcast

In this episode, we talk with Amy Rowlands, an estate agency leader from North East Wales, about one of the UK property market's biggest challenges: staff engagement. Amy shares honest insights on recruitment, COVID's impact, and tough lessons from staff departures, revealing why clear values, shared vision and genuinely caring for people are key to building motivated, committed teams.

UK Property Market Update The headlines for the 6th week of the 2026 UK Property Market (week ending Sun 15th February 2026)

Kent estate agent Chris Ellis reveals how reservation agreements, with 94% completion, reduce fall throughs, protect buyers and sellers, improve survey conversations, and boost deal completions.

Estate agency in 2036 is under the spotlight as Chris Watkin talks with David Powell, CEO of Andrews. Drawing on 26 years' experience, David explores the future of the industry, why accountability matters more than personal branding, and how focusing on vendor experience will shape successful, future proof estate agencies across the UK.

In this episode, we speak with Kent estate agent Chris Ellis about why UK property transactions stall. He breaks down outdated conveyancing, stretched solicitors and weak sales progression, then shares practical fixes agents can use to speed up completions, improve pipelines and keep clients happier.

Why are estate agents often seen as egotistical? Chris Watkin chats with North Wales agent Amy Rowlands about ego in estate agency, the impact of fear and rejection, and why self reflection matters. They explore personality types, people skills, lost listings and learning from mistakes, with practical insights on building stronger client relationships and better results in a competitive market.

UK Property Market Update The headlines for the 5th week of the 2026 UK Property Market (week ending Sun 8th February 2026)

From shop floor to agency owner, Chris Ellis shares his unfiltered journey through estate agency, revealing resilience, leadership lessons, mental wellbeing struggles, and the highs and lows of UK property life.

Ever wondered why so few estate agency CEOs put themselves in the spotlight? Chris Watkin speaks with David Powell, CEO of Andrews, on the power of visibility in property. From attracting clients and talent to raising industry standards, they unpack the real risks, rewards and impact of being a visible leader.

From kitchen table to thriving estate agency, Amy Rowlands shares a candid look at building a property business from scratch. She talks redundancies, early uncertainty, scaling too fast, partnerships, and finding balance. An honest, inspiring conversation about the realities of running a UK estate agency, learning from setbacks, and coming back stronger with a renewed focus on people and clients.

We talk with global real estate coach Josh Phegan at Wembley Stadium about why agents overvalue homes. They explore how data led valuations, transparent reporting and clear storytelling build trust, improve completion rates and help agents win listings with confidence.

UK Property Market Update The headlines for the 4th week of the 2026 UK Property Market (week ending Sun 1st February 2026)

Is the Boxing Day bounce real or just clever marketing? Estate agent Chris Ellis explains why more listings don't always mean sales, offering insights for UK property professionals.

Rent protection is no longer optional for landlords or agents. Oli Sherlock explains how the Renters' Rights Act increases financial risk, why rental income often goes uninsured, and how agencies can turn rent protection into both a safeguard and client retention tool.

Do tout letters still work in today's property market? Sam Ashdown and Phil Jones reveal how well crafted letters can unlock valuations, uncover hidden opportunities and deliver serious ROI when used as part of a smart, strategic estate agency system.

We speak with world renowned property coach Josh Phegan about securing realistic price reductions. Learn how data, structured conversations and early communication help agents align sellers, create urgency and achieve faster, smoother sales.

UK Property Market Weekly Update - Week 3 of 2026 I look at the UK property market in the ‘UK Property Market Stats Show“ for the week ending Sunday 25th January 2026 (week 3) with the brilliant Steph Vass. YouTube https://youtu.be/496XoAgOVIU ✅ New Listings * 35.2k new properties came to market this week in week 3, up as expected from 32.8k last week. * 2025 weekly average: 30.6k. * 10-year week 3 average : 31.8k * Year-to-date (YTD): 96.5k new listings, 0.5% above than 2025 YTD (96.1k), 17.5% above 2024 YTD (82.1k) and 34% above the 2017–19 average (72k) ✅ Price Reductions * 20k reductions this week * 7.6% of resi homes for sale were reduced in December. Compared to Oct 12.8%, Sept 14.1%, August 11.1%, July 14.1% in July and 14% in June. * 2025 average was 12.8%, versus the five-year long-term average of 10.74%. ✅ Sales Agreed * 24.6k homes sold stc this week 3, up expectedly from 21.2k last week. * Week 3 average (for last 10 years) : 23.4k * 2026 weekly average : 19.1k. * YTD: 62.7k gross sales, which is 8.7% behind Week 2 * 3 YTD of 2025 (68.7k), yet 23.5% ahead of wk.3 2024 (50.8k) and 30.6% above the 2017–19 average (48k). * Thoughts - January 2025 was an exceptional month as we had the stamp duty deadline for April 2025 - here it was a good sales month. To be ahead of 2024 and pre Covid years by such a amount is good to see. ✅ Price Diff between Listings & Sales * Average Asking Price of listings last week £413k * Average asking price of Sales Agreed (SSTC) last week was £348k * A 18.8% difference (long term 9 year average is 16% to 17%). ✅ Sell-Through Rate * 9.9% of homes on agents' books went SSTC in December '25. Down as expected from 13.5% in November, 15% in October, 14.1% in Sept, 14.5% in Aug, 15.4% in July, 15.3% in June, and 16.1% in May. * Pre-Covid average: 15.5%. ✅ Fall-Throughs * 4,783 fall-throughs last week (pipeline of 482k home Sold STC). * Weekly average for 2025: 6,100. * Fall-through rate: 25.8%, slightly up from 24.9% last week. * Long-term average: 24.2% (post-Truss chaos saw levels exceed 40%). ✅ Net Sales * Huge jump in net sales from last week. 19.3k, up from 15.8k last week. * Ten-year Week 3 average: 18.2k. * Weekly average for 2026: 15.4k. * Weekly average for the whole of 2025: 19.2k. * YTD: 46.1k, which is 8.3% behind Wk.3 of 2025 (30.6k), 35% ahead of wk2 2024 (19.9k) and 40% ahead of wk2 2017–19 (19.1k). ✅ Probability of Selling (% that Exchange vs withdrawal) * December Stats : 60.2% of homes that left agents' books exchanged & completed in December. (Note this figure will change throughout the month as more December stats come in). * November 55.2% / October 53.3% / September: 53.1% / August :55.8% / July: 50.9% / June: 51.3% / May: 51.7% / April: 53.2%. * Dec 24: 60.3% / Dec 23: 57.7% / Dec 22: 64.4% / Dec 21: 73.7% ✅ Stock Levels * 613k homes on the market on the 1st of January '26 , down from 678k on 1st of December '25 . (605k on the market on 1st Jan '25 for comparison) * 434k homes in agent's sales pipeline on the 1st Jan 2026, almost identical than 12 months ago on 1st Jan '25 (439k). ✅ House Prices (£/sq.ft) * December 2025 agreed sales averaged £337.09 per sq.ft. 0.6% higher than 12 months ago (£335.04) and 12.6% than 5 years ago (£299.30). The £/sqft at sale agreed matches the HM Land Registry Index with a 98% accuracy, 5 months in advance. That is why it is so important. ✅ UK Rental Market Overview * Average Rent in December 2025 - £1,702 pcm - compared to £1,719 pcm in Dec 2024 and £1,301 pcm in Dec 2017. * Available Rental Properties in December '25 - 285k compared to 321k in November '25. (Dec '24 - 258k and Dec '23 - 235k) ✅ Graphs https://youtu.be/496XoAgOVIU

Chris Ellis, an estate agent from Sittingbourne, shares his honest experience with Lifesycle CRM, exploring mindset, intent based data, and AI to win more instructions and improve client conversations.

Is AI the property market's silver bullet or just another shiny distraction? Oli Sherlock from Goodlord cuts through the hype, exploring how agents should assess tech, prioritise customer readiness, and focus on real solutions rather than flashy features or empty promises.

At Sean Newman's Estate Agency Conference in Birmingham, July 2025, we spoke with world renowned coach Tom Panos about a shocking stat: only one in eight buyers return. Discover why recency beats loyalty, and how to stay front of mind to win long term clients.

Josh Phegan reveals how UK estate agents can win listings without cutting fees. Learn how better leads, value based selling and long term relationships help top agents beat cheap fee competitors and confidently overcome objections before the valuation even begins.

Estate agent Chris Ellis argues long tie in periods encourage overvaluing, hinder honest pricing, and reduce sale success. He shares insights on faster sales, stronger prices, and better agency reputation.

Should you launch an estate agency solo or with a partner? Sam Ashdown and Phil Jones of ASHDOWN JONES share eight years of real world experience, revealing the rewards, risks and realities of partnerships, from trust and timing to ego, profit and decision making.

UK Property Market Weekly Update - Week 2 of 2026 I look at the UK property market in the ‘UK Property Market Stats Show“ for the week ending Sunday 18th January 2026 (week 2) with the brilliant Ben Madden. YouTube https://youtu.be/Pti1_kA3L3I ✅ New Listings * 32.8k new properties came to market this week, up as expected from 28.5k last week. * 2025 weekly average: 30.6k. * 10-year week 2 average : 27.8k * Year-to-date (YTD): 61.3k new listings, 0.3% above than 2025 YTD (61.1k), 25.6% above 2024 YTD and 49% above the 2017–19 average (41.3k) ✅ Price Reductions * 19.8k reductions this week * 7.6% of resi homes for sale were reduced in December. Compared to Oct 12.8%, Sept 14.1%, August 11.1%, July 14.1% in July and 14% in June. * 2025 average was 12.8%, versus the five-year long-term average of 10.74%. ✅ Sales Agreed * 21.2k homes sold subject to contract this week, up expectedly from 17k last week. * Week 2 average (for last 10 years) : 19.6k * 2026 weekly average : 19.1k. * YTD: 38.2k gross sales, which is 11.3% behind Week 2 YTD of 2025 (43k), yet 31% ahead of wk.2 2024 (29.1k) and 42.4% above the 2017–19 average (26.8k). * Thoughts - January 2025 was an exceptional month as we had the stamp duty deadline for April 2025. ✅ Price Diff between Listings & Sales * Average Asking Price of listings last week £423k * Average asking price of Sales Agreed (SSTC) last week was £346k * A 22.2% difference (long term 9 year average is 16% to 17%). ✅ Sell-Through Rate * 9.9% of homes on agents' books went SSTC in December '25. Down as expected from 13.5% in November, 15% in October, 14.1% in Sept, 14.5% in Aug, 15.4% in July, 15.3% in June, and 16.1% in May. * Pre-Covid average: 15.5%. ✅ Fall-Throughs * 4,783 fall-throughs last week (pipeline of 482k home Sold STC). * Weekly average for 2025: 6,100. * Fall-through rate: 25.8%, slightly up from 24.9% last week. * Long-term average: 24.2% (post-Truss chaos saw levels exceed 40%). ✅ Net Sales * 15.8k net sales this week, up expectedly from 11k last week. * Ten-year Week 2 average: 14.4k. * Weekly average for 2026: 13.4k. Weekly average for 2025: 19.2k. * YTD: 26.8k, which is 12.3% behind Wk.2 of 2024 (30.6k), 35% ahead of wk2 2024 (19.9k) and 40% ahead of wk2 2017–19 (19.1k). ✅ Probability of Selling (% that Exchange vs withdrawal) * December Stats : 60.1%% of homes that left agents' books exchanged & completed in December. (Note this figure will change throughout the month as more December stats come in). * November 55.2% / October 53.3% / September: 53.1% / August :55.8% / July: 50.9% / June: 51.3% / May: 51.7% / April: 53.2%. * Dec 24: 60.3% / Dec 23: 57.7% / Dec 22: 64.4% / Dec 21: 73.7% ✅ Stock Levels * 613k homes on the market on the 1st of January '26 , down from 678k on 1st of December '25 . (605k on the market on 1st Jan '25 for comparison) * 434k homes in agent's sales pipeline on the 1st Jan 2026, almost identical than 12 months ago on 1st Jan '25 (439k). ✅ House Prices (£/sq.ft) * December 2025 agreed sales averaged £337.09 per sq.ft. 0.6% higher than 12 months ago (£335.04) and 12.6% than 5 years ago (£299.30). The £/sqft at sale agreed matches the HM Land Registry Index with a 98% accuracy, 5 months in advance. That is why it is so important. ✅ UK Rental Market Overview * Average Rent in December 2025 - £1,702 pcm - compared to £1,719 pcm in Dec 2024 and £1,301 pcm in Dec 2017. * Available Rental Properties in December '25 - 285k compared to 321k in November '25. (Dec '24 - 258k and Dec '23 - 235k)

Will self-employed estate agents take over the high street? I speak with Simon King, a leading UK estate agency figure, about why self-employment is rising but unlikely to replace traditional offices. We discuss the high street's ongoing value, how established agencies are adopting hybrid models, and why strong personal and regional branding matters in a competitive market.

Should negotiators and property managers really do the same job, or is it holding agencies back? We chat with Oli Sherlock and explore role separation, single threaded leadership, compliance risk and why focus, ownership and expertise matter as regulation tightens.

World renowned real estate coach Tom Panos reveals why overpricing kills sales, sharing insights from Sean Newman's Estate Agency Conference. Learn how top agents use strategy, data and competition to price correctly, manage vendors and achieve stronger offers.

Josh Phegan joins us at Wembley Stadium to unpack the self employed estate agent model. We explore how it works in the UK and Australia, earning potential, team building, commission splits, and why the right structure and support are key to long term success.

Chris Watkins speaks with industry legend John Hards about what made Countrywide a UK property powerhouse. They explore leadership, culture, training and simple disciplines that drove success, and the practical lessons today's estate and lettings agents can still apply.

Should estate agents be paid commission? Sam Ashdown and Phil Jones share insights from running a successful Lake District agency, exploring why commission can demotivate, how alternative rewards boost morale, and how to balance fair pay, strong culture and client focused performance.

Discover how Ashdown Jones founders Sam Ashdown and Phil Jones help estate agents earn beyond commission. From smart property investment to systemised agencies and alternative income streams, they share practical ways to build wealth, freedom and a lighter touch business.

Think millennials can't cut it in estate agency? Think again. I speak with Simon King to debunk generational myths and unpack what truly makes a great agent. From resilience and people skills to understanding value. We explore today's talent challenges, why mindset matters, and how to build a team that genuinely attracts the best.

The Renters Rights Act has faced years of debate and delay, but could it be a major opportunity for letting agents? Oli Sherlock from Goodlord explains how smarter agents are shifting mindset, using regulation, compliance and better landlord conversations to drive growth and stand out.

At Sean Newman's Estate Agency Conference in Birmingham, Tom Panos reveals why small UK agents can outperform the giants. Learn how speed, focus and smart strategy can beat size, plus a simple script to win more vendors.

Feeling like David among Goliaths? UK estate agency coach Josh Phegan explains why being small is a strength, not a weakness. Learn how agility, honest positioning and smarter post-instruction calls help independents win listings and referrals.

Thinking of starting or scaling an estate agency in 2025? Meet the Newtons, a family team redefining Grantham's property market with their new agency, David Grace. Blending decades of local expertise with modern tech and fresh ideas, they combine personal service, strong branding and client first thinking to deliver care, accessibility and results.

What can today's estate agents learn from Countrywide's rise and collapse? Joined by former Group Lettings Director John Hards, we reveal what went wrong, what still matters, and how culture, training and real value can future proof agencies.

Think door knocking is outdated? Sam Ashdown and Phil Jones reveal how this often avoided tactic wins high value instructions. Learn how to overcome rejection, stand out creatively, and turn door knocking into a confident, KPI driven habit for estate agency success.

Why are so many estate agency suppliers poor at marketing themselves? In this episode, Simon King offers insight from both sides of the industry, exploring why some brands connect while others fall flat. He discusses humanising a company, keeping clients engaged after the sale, and the pitfalls suppliers still face across the UK property market.

Sam Ashdown and Phil Jones unpack why UK agents struggle to delegate, how micromanagement limits growth, and how smarter KPIs, letting go, and avoiding the artisan trap can help you scale profitably.

Estate agents are often taught to fear rivals, but is that holding the industry back? In this lively chat, Oli Sherlock of Goodlord explains why competition drives innovation, stronger propositions and better outcomes for landlords, tenants and agencies across the UK property market.

How to Launch a High Street Estate Agency in 2025 Thinking of starting your own estate agency? David and Grace Newton launched a high street office in Grantham, securing nearly 40 listings in three months. They reveal how smart branding, local marketing, and community engagement helped them gain trust fast, scale their team, and stand out. Tune in for practical tips and inspiration for launching your agency in 2025.

Thinking of going self-employed as an estate agent? Jamie Lester of House Properties reveals how their self-employed bundle jump starts your career with instant access to quality leads, supportive community, streamlined tech and ongoing training. Discover how their in house production team helps you build your brand, earn top fees and grow your presence locally and online.

At Sean Newman's Estate Agency Conference in Birmingham, July 2025, we spoke with Tom Panos on confidently charging your fee without losing listings. Learn how to justify value, avoid unnecessary fee cutting, and take control in the UK property market.

Join Mark Newton, a UK property legend with nearly 50 years' experience, as he shares his journey from Grantham negotiator to running one of the largest estate and letting networks. He discusses starting cold branches, building top teams, navigating corporate versus franchise models, and the values, leadership lessons, and passion that kept him successful. Practical advice and inspiration for agents and leaders alike.

Chris and property expert Simon King debate whether referral fees should be banned in estate agency. Simon calls them a red herring, arguing the real issue is how agents select partners and whether they value service over cash. He explains how referral fees can benefit agents when used responsibly. Should they stay or go?

Should people in their 20s take the leap into self employment as estate agents? In this episode, we chat with Sam Cerrone from eXp, who went from a 19 year old newcomer to a thriving self employed agent. She reveals why passion and drive can beat experience, how freedom outweighs the corporate ladder, and why self employment might be the smartest move for ambitious young professionals.

When did estate agents stop caring? Sharon Carter from East Anglia explores why too many agents have become transactional and lost empathy. She discusses how compassion and genuine relationships, not quick wins, drive long term success, and considers whether PropTech helps or hinders. A must listen for anyone curious what truly sets great agents apart.

Josh Phegan compares UK and Australian estate agency, revealing what each market does best. From Australia's structured sales processes to the UK's strong branding, he shares practical insights to reduce risk, sharpen strategy, and future proof your agency.

Why are so many estate agents wary of new homes? We chat with Jamie Lester of House Estate Agents in London about why the sector feels daunting but is full of opportunity. He reveals how smart lead handling, social media, and clear setup can transform results, including the campaign that helped sell a £35 million development. A must listen for agents exploring new builds.

Why are strong female estate agents still unfairly judged? Sharon Carter from East Anglia discusses the double standards women face in property, the criticism from peers, and why perceptions of leadership and confidence need rethinking. Honest and unfiltered, her insights challenge workplace bias and spark vital conversations.