Are you guilty of any of these? Estate Agency Jargon.

While researching this article I found a few dictionary definitions of jargon that stood out.

  • Special words and ​phrases which are used by ​particular ​groups of ​people, ​especially in ​their ​work and industry. Often not understood by ‘outsiders.’
  • Unintelligible or meaningless talk or writing.
  • Utter shite spouted by someone who doesn’t have the brains or energy to explain stuff simply.

I like the third explanation best. Working in Public Relations and communications means I hear a lot of jargon. It’s painful, I detest it but if I’m really honest I visit jargon land every so often.

Being a PR bloke who specialises in working with estate agents means I get to hear even more jargon than most. A double whammy if you like.

So I’ve come up with this quick 11 point jargon buster for the estate agency industry – How many of these do you use on a regular basis when speaking with an applicant / vendor?

  • Vendor – The person selling a place.
  • The ‘applicant’ – The person buying the place.
  • Sole agent – Not to be confused with soul agent which would refer to a fan of Luther Vandross and James Brown who sells and lets properties. Basically this means the only agency selling the place.
  • Chain free – This should be an easier place to buy due to the lack of people, solicitors, agents, surveyors etc involved.
  • Mortgage Offer – The lender’s letter proving you have a loan for the money to buy the place.
  • Conveyancing – The legal stuff that needs doing when you are buying a place.
  • EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) – The piece of paper which shows how energy efficient (drafty or insulated) the place is.
  • Subject to contract – You’ve agreed to buy the place, they’ve accepted your offer but everything is still in the lap of the gods until exchange of contracts (or if you are really unlucky completion) happens.
  • Stamp duty – The Government tax which makes buying your place a lot more expensive especially if it’s a holiday home in Cornwall or a studio flat to rent out in Dalston(as of April 2016).
  • Exchange – When everything is legally agreed by everyone involved and you can swap contracts making buying the place a whole lot more likely. At this point you can have a drink.
  • Completion – The moment the place becomes yours. Keys in your hand, kiss the agent, order a take away and have another, larger drink.

I have a love / hate relationship with jargon.

I hate it, but love hearing or reading it. It’s weird.

So if you can add to my I Beg Your Jargon Hall of Fame please use written electronic correspondence techniques to engage me with your content.

Or just email me examples of jargon at Jerry@propertyprexpert.co.uk

Here’s to your next…. moment of extreme joy when someone gives you the go ahead to sell / let their place AKA…… instruction.

Jerry@propertyprexpert.co.uk

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove asks government to carefully consider property tax changes

The UK’s largest property platform Rightmove is asking the government to carefully consider the impact of any changes to property taxation to avoid unintended consequences which would risk stalling parts of the market. Key data National property tax Just under a third (30%) of homes for sale in England are priced at over £500,000, and…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Get Fast and Reliable Basement Flood Cleaning Services

Having water in your basement is awful. It could be because of a storm, busted pipe, or bad sump pump. Whatever the reason, water damage in your basement has disastrous effects if not dealt with. Basement Flood Cleaning Services are what you need. They will dry it out, disinfect the floor, and have your basement…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 21/08/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Providing comprehensive, predictive operational intelligence across all aspects of building operations  JLL (NYSE: JLL) this week introduced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that are now available as an add-on to Prism, its award-winning building operations platform. As part of JLL’s property management technology ecosystem powered by…
Read More
Breaking News

UK House Price Index summary: June 2025

The average monthly rate of house price growth in June was 1.4%. The average annual rate of house price growth in June was 3.7%, up from 2.7% in May. As a result, the average UK house price remains at £269,000.   CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, commented: “June’s figures reflect a market that is steadily…
Read More
Breaking News

Private rent and house prices, UK: August 2025

Average UK monthly private rents increased by 5.9%, to £1,343, in the 12 months to July 2025 (provisional estimate); this annual growth rate is down from 6.7% in the 12 months to June 2025. Average rents increased to £1,398 (6.0%) in England, £807 (7.9%) in Wales, and £999 (3.6%) in Scotland, in the 12 months…
Read More
Breaking News

Industry response to latest inflation figures

Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments: “Unfortunately, any increase seen within the rate of inflation does brings very justified concerns to consumers, many of whom are still struggling with the cost of living, which has been steadily rising over the past few years. “Although there is more work to be done to help ensure inflation…
Read More