Are you guilty of any of these? Estate Agency Jargon.
December 14, 2015
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
You May Also Enjoy
Is it worth buying a fixer-upper property?
The latest research from eXp UK reveals that fixer-upper homes can be picked up for an average saving of more than £44,000, but when the cost of renovating the property is accounted for do homebuyers actually stand to make a saving? And what chance do buyers have of finding one on today’s market? Fixer-uppers are…
Read More 
Nottingham letting agents are the busiest in Britain
The latest research from Propoly reveals that across Britain’s major cities, there are an average of 13.5 rental listings for each single letting agency branch, with the nation’s busiest agents found in Nottingham where this figure climbs to 35 properties per professional. Propoly has analysed the estimated number of current rental listings in 21 of…
Read More 
The six protections every new-build buyer must check before signing
With 53% of homebuyers saying they would prefer a new build, demand remains high, but so do the risks if buyers fail to ask the right questions. Buying a new build often means committing to a property that is not yet finished, which makes the small print just as important. Without these protections, buyers risk…
Read More 
Rental price and average salary tracker – February 2026
Regional divergence replaces winter slowdown as rental market shows mixed February movement Month-on-month rental prices showed a mixed picture in February. Notable increases were recorded in the East Midlands (+3.4%), North West (+2.8%), Scotland (+2.7%) and South East (+2.0%), suggesting demand has firmed in several areas. However, Northern Ireland (−6.6%), West Midlands (−1.3%), East of…
Read More 
UK property sector gender pay gap keeps getting wider
UK property sector gender pay gap keeps getting wider and It now has the fourth largest gap across all UK industries The latest research from Yopa reveals that real estate remains one of the UK’s worst-performing industries when it comes to the gender pay gap, ranking as the fourth largest across all sectors after widening…
Read More 
Britain’s most expensive streets revealed
The latest edition of Rightmove’s Most Expensive Streets report reveals that Winnington Road in Barnet, London, retains its position as Great Britain’s most expensive street, with an average asking price of £12,538,095 Chester Square in Westminster is second, with an average asking price of £11,546,428 and The Bishops Avenue in Barnet is third, with a price tag of £8,930,650 East Road…
Read More