Successful Estate Agencies Leave Clues

A quick one this week folks as I’m knackered after being a detective for the past couple of days (hopefully more Columbo than Inspector Clouseau).

Several of my clients have been very successful recently at different industry award competitions.

And success leaves clues as I’ve discovered while researching a future article on what makes some agencies do a lot better than others at awards.

The three clients I’ve featured here are all at different levels in terms of size.

One is a single office agency, another has three offices following a rapid expansion, and the final agency has 15 offices spanning four counties and several property disciplines.

They all have very good market shares in their patches, which let’s face it is a lot more important than awards.

And they all do quite a lot of things better, or at least differently from their rivals.

Small examples include:

Single office agency – The first agency I saw using personalised email signatures with a smiling, approachable looking photo of the staff member. And great social media use.

Three office agency – Have a mantra of ‘How will this benefit our clients? The owner is obsessed by learning about anything which can propel his agency forward. And that’s rubbed off on his well-motivated team.

15 office agency – Invest thousands in staff training, getting involved in local community events and never missing a trick to get their brand out there.

And although the above examples are different, and the agencies individual, they are all united by three things.

  1. They all have some sort of newsletter or regular method of staying in touch with precious (not a typo, work it out) clients who they have served in the past.
  2. They pay their bills on time. (I can usually gauge an agency’s attitude to clients by how they treat suppliers).
  3. The heads of all three companies are very decent, hardworking and honest people. Making a mockery of misconceptions about ‘dodgy agents’ which in my experience is a load of old bollocks anyway.

There are loads more things they do that make them great agencies but I’ve got to go now and solve the case of the missing bagel from my office (I really fancied it for lunch and some Herbert has nicked it).

Thanks for reading and here’s to your next instruction.

Jerry

PS: The Earlybird offer on my new Letting Agent Articles (31 great articles to win some landlord love) ends tomorrow at 5pm. To find out more simply ping me your postcode so I can see if your area is still available and I’ll reply with the deal and more info.

Jerry Lyons

You May Also Enjoy

for sale sign london
Breaking News

¼ of landlords selling up

The latest research from LegalforLandlords reveals that a quarter of landlords plan to exit the market as a result of the Renters’ Rights Act, while 60% of those who remain plan to implement much stricter criteria when vetting tenants. In particular, income and affordability checks are set to face greater scrutiny, with more than half of…
Read More
Breaking News

HMRC ramps up scrutiny of residential property valuations as it cracks down on inheritance tax avoidance

  Taxman’s requests for help from the Valuation Office Agency with property valuations in IHT returns rises nearly 25% Rise reflects HMRC’s increased efforts to recover revenue from underreported and misvalued estates.   HM Revenue & Customs is increasingly challenging residential property valuations in inheritance tax (IHT) returns, with the number of cases referred to…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters urged to understand their new rights before major law change

With just one week until the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect, renters across England are being urged to understand how the changes will affect their rights, tenancies and day-to-day renting experience. From 1 May 2026, the new legislation will introduce wide-ranging reforms designed to provide greater stability, clearer rights, and…
Read More
Adding second coat of varnish floor boards
Home and Living

The Foundation of Your Home: Why Your Subfloor Dictates Your Flooring Destiny

In the field of residential and commercial renovation, the aesthetic selection of a floor covering—be it the grain of a hardwood plank, the texture of a stone tile, or the finish of a luxury vinyl—often commands the most attention. However, from a technical perspective, the long-term performance and durability of these materials are entirely dependent…
Read More
Breaking News

Almost £1.4m difference in property prices between the start and finish lines of London Marathon

The latest property market analysis from London’s number one lettings and sales estate agency brand, Foxtons, has revealed that there’s a difference of almost £1.4m in the average sold price from the starting point of the London Marathon and the finish line. As London’s largest estate agent, Foxtons holds an unrivalled view of the London…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Demand drops year-on-year for commercial property from high base

Three out of four of the main commercial property sectors saw a yearly decline in demand both in terms of leasing and investment in the first quarter of the year, amid speculation about interest rate hikes following the start of the war in Iran. According to Rightmove’s Commercial Insights Tracker for Q1 2026, the office…
Read More