Industry Interview: Simon Newman of Durleigh

Presentation is key in estate agency, do you agree?

Presentation is key to remain successful in estate agency.
Life is always changing, people move on for many different reasons, it can be an emotional time for the client; their home is one of the most valuable assets they own.
The first visual presentation is very important to any client before they even commit to entering the office. During the next few minutes of engagement the client will assess the type of agency, it’s this initial presentation that will ensure estate agents gain good quality properties on their listings.
Making the client feel at ease is crucial so put energy into your office design. To make staff and clients feel at home why not use the family home as an inspiration for your office space, it is creative and as an estate agent a reflection of what the business stands for.
Excellent uncluttered visual presentation displays showing the current listed properties is also critical to gain a new client.

How can an estate agency on the high street look to stand out against his local competitors? Surely all the known tricks are already being used, or can agencies explore more innovative display systems and really steal a margin on the competition?

Clients ask themselves when choosing an estate agent to list their property ‘Which estate agent will make my property stand out from the crowd?’
It’s important to explore innovative window displays to make your high street shop window differ from the competition, you can use your window space to add personality to your property presentation. Window displays and window graphics can work together to create stunning effects. Be creative with framed LED DLite pockets these can be fancy 3D frames coloured or wood finishes.
Durleigh’s signature range use glass panels and solid wood for a quality prestige designer feel.
Estate agents offices will continue to become inspirational spaces in this busy commercial world clients are always look for a sense of comfort amongst all the chaos and information. Wall murels are a great way to create a calm spot amongst the whirlwind of reality.

What do you think is the biggest trick missed by estate agencies when it comes to signage and displays?

The biggest trick missed by estate agents is they don’t have to look like the agent next door.
When thinking about displays and signage it’s important to remember that in 2017 less is more. It’s an increasingly used expression which suggests that there is value in simplicity and that more can be accomplished with less.
External signage is the first impression a new customer gets of your business, it marks your location. Internal signage is just as important and should be considered as part of your interior décor and overall customer experience.
The displays and signage need to be inviting, tidy and balanced to the type of market the agent is aiming at. Durleigh are passionate about making the signage and displays work for the client and as a bespoke manufacturer of displays and signage we can offer a unique package tailor made to your requirements.

Thank you to Simon Newman for answering our questions who is Senior Partner of Durleigh.com

Christopher Walkey

Founder of Estate Agent Networking. Internationally invited speaker on how to build online target audiences using Social Media. Writes about UK property prices, housing, politics and affordable homes.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Rental demand remains resilient in 2026

The latest research from Benham and Reeves has found that around a quarter of all rental homes currently listed across Britain have already secured a tenant, highlighting continued underlying demand despite ongoing regulatory uncertainty. Benham and Reeves analysed current rental market listings to highlight current rental demand, the size of rental properties currently most in-demand…
Read More
Breaking News

Buy-to-let lending growth matches FTBs and homemovers

The latest market analysis from Alexander Hall has revealed that buy-to-let mortgage lending has grown at an average quarterly rate of 7% over the last year, matching the pace of growth seen across both first-time buyer and home movers, as improving mortgage market conditions continue to support borrowing demand for rental properties. Alexander Hall analysed…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Prices stand still in February but still strongest start to a year for prices since 2020

The average price of newly listed homes for sale is virtually flat in February , down by just £12 (-0.0%) to £368,019 Despite the standstill in prices in February, January’s record asking price increase for the time of year means that it is still the strongest start to a year for asking prices since 2020,…
Read More
to let sign 2025
Breaking News

Game-changing online letting platform set to slash landlord costs

New AI-enabled technology service promises to save London landlords thousands A new online letting platform is set to disrupt the capital’s property management sector, offering landlords significant savings per property. Prop247, launching this month, combines cutting-edge technology with on-the-ground agents to deliver what its founders claim is the UK’s first truly end-to-end remote letting service,…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 13/2/26

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   96% of proptechs fail to get to series A funding – here is why Thought Leadership by Andrew Stanton, CEO Proptech-PR The proptech sector has never been short of ideas. From AI-driven valuations and digital conveyancing to smart buildings and tokenised real estate, innovation in property…
Read More
Breaking News

Landlords unprepared for the Renters’ Rights Act

Three quarters have made no preparations for the end of Section 21, despite major reforms taking effect from May 2026 New research from Inventory Base has revealed widespread lack of preparedness among UK landlords ahead of the first phase of reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA), due to come into force on 1 May…
Read More