Are you a Rat or a Hamster? An open letter to independent estate agents.

Hello there,

I’ll get to the point.

The industry has an image problem. A bloody big one.

Most people do not trust estate agents. Heck a lot of agents don’t even trust agents.

Every time there is a top ten list of the least trusted / most despised professions in the UK estate agents will feature in it – Guaranteed.

Among the roll call of greedy bankers, lying politicians, dodgy car salesmen and truth allergic journalists you’ll be among them.

Why?

Don’t the public realise what you do for them?

Are they wilfully ignorant to the hard work and stress involved in getting the best price in the shortest amount of time for their most valuable asset?

Do they really think all you do is upload a few photos with some sales spiel onto a property portal?

I know most of you are good guys, but do they? From the popularity charts it appears not.

I’ve even heard estate agents referred to as ‘rats.’

This is despicable, unfair and a terrible slur on the majority of the industry (Disclaimer: In all professions there a percentage of schmucks, that’s just life).

But this slanderous snipe got me thinking.

What’s the difference between a rat and a hamster?

Both are rodents, they look pretty similar and share those beady little eyes.

Unless you’re a Vet or Sir David Attenborough that’s where the similarities end and perception kicks in.

Rats are feared, often hated, universally mistrusted and seen as vermin of the highest order.

Hamsters on the other hand are seen as cute, cuddly and so trustworthy little Jack or Jane has one called Harry as a pet wheeling around carefree in a cage in their bedroom.

Roman Abramovich (Russian, owns Chelsea FC, seriously loaded) says the real difference between a rat and a hamster is simply that ‘one has much better PR than the other.’

Old Romi is right.

It’s all about the public’s perception and that applies to your agency’s image and reputation. Perception matters. A lot.

As estate agents surely you sell trust and expertise before you sell houses? Otherwise how would you win the instruction?

If someone doesn’t trust you, value your skills or even like you nine times out of ten they sure as hell ain’t going to instruct you.

This is where working with a professional public relations man works wonders. I can change your public perception. For the better obviously.

While your agency’s image and reputation is priceless my guide to estate agency PR is as free as little Jimmy’s hamster after you forgot to shut the cage door.

My guide will show you lots of things including:

Why blogging works wonders for estate agents.

How to get the local press to love you.

Get a reputation for being your area’s most trusted agent.

And I’ll even include a free 20 minute telephone consultation on how you can improve your agency’s PR.

Yours (literally) in the fight against the plague of misperception,

Jerry Lyons

PS – Follow this link to grab my PR for Estate Agents Guide and see how I can help your agency become more popular, trusted and loved – just like Harry the Hamster.

www.propertyprexpert.co.uk

PPS – I’d love to know why your agency is more hamster than rat – feel free to send me an email at Jerry@propertyprexpert.co.uk – subject line – ‘Rats enough, we’re hamsters.’

 

 

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Home and Living

Laundry Room Essentials Every Home Needs

A well-equipped laundry room is key to maintaining a smooth and efficient household. Whether you have a spacious utility area or a compact corner dedicated to washing and drying, having the right essentials can make all the difference. From practical appliances to useful accessories, here are the must-have items every home needs in its laundry…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

First-time buyers now face £33k in upfront costs

First-time buyers now face an average upfront cost of just under £33,000 to purchase a home—a rise of more than £1,000 (3%) compared to 2024. But why is buying a home so expensive? How can first-time buyers reduce these initial costs? To help, Compare My Move has released a detailed report on the cost of…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Essential Car Tips for Estate Agents Spending Long Days on the Road

As an estate agent in the UK, you are likely to spend extended periods of time on the road, travelling between properties and meeting clients in various locations. Considering the magnitude of your driving responsibilities, following a few vital car tips can considerably make your job easier and safer, whilst also saving you money in…
Read More
Kerb appeal
Breaking NewsEstate Agent Talk

Response to Latest Halifax House Price Index

Halifax house price data shows property prices have risen by 0.7% month on month, here are some thoughts from the industry.   Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark: “As we embed ourselves into 2025, confidence is being echoed within the housing market, as house prices and mortgage lending remain buoyant. “With the Bank of England announcing…
Read More
Breaking News

Halifax House Price Index – January 2025

House prices in January 2025 were 3.0% higher than the same month a year earlier. The housing market kicks off 2025 with price rise to hit new record high • House prices increased by +0.7% in January following dip of -0.2% in December • Average property price of £299,138 is a new record high •…
Read More
Breaking News

Landlords Respond to Government’s Energy Efficiency Plans

Responding to the publication of the Government’s consultation on the energy efficiency of privately rented housing, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “We all want to see rented homes as energy efficient as possible, but that will require a realistic plan to achieve this. “The chronic shortage of tradespeople to…
Read More