Letting & Estate Agent Podcast

Ian Harris is the NAEA Propertymark Vice President and the Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Watsons Residential Sales in Norfolk. In the winter of 2024, he dropped by the WatkinSofa to chat all things Estate Agency and whether or not a Propertymark membership is worth the cash.

UK PROPERTY MARKET WEEKLY UPDATE Welcome to the 10th UK Property Market Stats Show of 2025, your go to weekly TV show on the UK Property Market on YouTube This week, I’m joined by the awesome Toby Martin as we delve into the key property market headlines for 10th week of 2025 ending on the 16th March 2025. The YouTube Show https://youtu.be/KIAimyPHdZ8 ✴️ UK Property Market Highlights this week . ✅ Listings (New Properties on the Market) 39.2k new listings this week (last week 39.8k) That’s 7% higher than Week 10 of 2024 YTD and 10% higher YTD compared to 2017/18/19. ✅ Price Reductions (% of Resi Stock) 24k Price Reductions this week - meaning an approx run rate of 1 in 8 of Resi Sales stock per month is being reduced (12%). For comparison, 12.1% average in 2024, though the long-term 5-year average is 10.6%. ✅ Total Gross Sales (Agreed Sales) 27.2k UK homes sold STC this week, slightly up from 26.7k last week in Week 9 That’s 15% higher YTD compared to 2024 and 25% higher than 2017/18/19 YTD levels. ✅ Sale-Through Rate (Monthly in Arrears) February’s Run rate of 16.2% of Resi stock sold stc (ie 16.2% of Estate Agents properties on the market went sale agreed in February). For comparison, 16.7% of residential sales stock sold in February 2024. 2024 monthly average: 15.3%. Long-term 8-year average: 17.9%. ✅ Sale Fall-Throughs 6,319 Sale fall-thrus last week from Resi Sale Sales Pipeline of 451,074 homes sale agreed (sold stc). Another method is that week’s sale fall thrus as a % of gross sales that week. This week, that is 22.3% (last week 24.3%). Just above the 7-year average of 24.2%, yet well below the 40%+ levels post-Truss Budget (Autumn 2022). For February ’25 as a whole, 5.48% of sales in the UK agents pipelines fell thru in Feb 25. For comparison, 2024 average: 5.36%. ✅ Net Sales (Gross sales for the week less Sale Fall Thrus for the week) 20.9k net sales this week (20.2k last week), compared 2025 weekly average of 19.7k. 2025 YTD is 12% higher than compared to 2024 YTD and 18% higher than YTD 2017/18/19. ✅ Residential Sales Stock on the Market 675k properties on the market on the 1st March 2025 (monthly stat taken on the first day of the month). Historical comparison for 1st march : * 2024: 623k * 2023: 548k * 2022: 399k * 2021: 518k * 2020: 614k * 2019: 628k * 2018: 567k * 2017: 528k ✅ Residential Sales Sold STC Pipeline 451k sales agreed in Estate Agents Sales Pipeline (ie sold stc but not yet completed) as at the 1st March 2025 (monthly figure) Historical comparison for 1st March : * 2024: 376k * 2023: 349k * 2022: 464k * 2021: 446k * 2020: 334k * 2019: 303k * 2018: 291k * 2017: 282k ✅ UK House Prices (£/sq.ft) As always, the £/sq.ft metric predicts Land Registry figures 5 months in advance with 92% accuracy (the orange line of the graph). February’s final figure: £340/sq.ft. * January ’25 : £342/sq.ft * December ’24 : £339/sq.ft * August ’24: £334/sq.ft * February ’24: £335/sq.ft This means UK house prices achieved in Feb 25 were 0.39% lower than Jan 25, yet 1.64% higher than a year ago (Feb 24). Local Focus this week - King’s Lynn Graphs - https://we.tl/t-cX92miXa5N

Ben Marley, a very well known figure in the UK Estate & Letting Agency community with senior roles at FixFlo and most recently at the ESTAS, has decided to start his own business at GeoCale, a service that helps Estate Agents rank highly on Google when homeowners search for Estate Agents. He dropped by the WatkinSofa in the Autumn of 2024. In this episode, Ben asks Estate Agents if they're being honest with themselves.

Kirsty Franks is the fractional marketing director for the Property Franchise Group, and also boss of Frank Marketing, a firm that helps big or small estate agents with their marketing. In the winter of 2024, she dropped by the WatkinSofa to chat about how she got into marketing.

Maxine Fothergill is the MD of Amax Estates & Property Services Gravesend, Past President ARLA PropertyMark, Columnist for Property Investor News and published book author of “How to Become a Successful Property Investor”. She dropped by the WatkinSofa in the late Autumn of 2024 to chat all things property as well as how to become a successful property investor.

Why Estate Agents Are Missing Out on Lettings, And How You Can Capitalise! If you're an estate agent who’s still avoiding lettings, you could be overlooking a massive opportunity. In this episode, expert Toby Martin explains why estate agents should expand into lettings and how it can unlock valuable new revenue streams for your business. Toby highlights how a lettings arm isn’t just about diversifying your income. It’s about creating a full service experience for your clients. Tenants can become landlords, and landlords can become buyers or sellers. If you're not offering lettings, those opportunities are likely going to your competitors. But the biggest advantage of all? Lettings is key to building a business you can sell. The value is in your lettings book, and Toby explains why this can be your exit strategy when it’s time to cash out and retire. He also touches on the guaranteed monthly income lettings bring, offering stability that lets you stay competitive with sales fees, even when the market is quieter. Want to know where to begin? Toby shares tips on training and qualifications, plus how he helps businesses with his fractional lettings director services. Don't miss out, listen now. Drop a comment, and let us know your thoughts!

Avoid Burnout in Estate Agency: Time Blocking & Work-Life Balance Tips! Being an estate agent can feel like a constant hustle—but what if you could build your business without burning out in the process? In this episode, we’re joined by the amazing Steph Walker, boss lady of TAUK, to discuss how to balance work and life while building a successful self-employed property business. What you’ll learn in this episode: - The Reality of Work-Life Balance: Why it doesn’t exist in year one of self-employment (and why that’s okay). - Time Blocking for Success: How dedicating time to specific tasks can help you stay on track without sacrificing family time or your sanity. - Hyperlocal Focus: Wyh working in your local area can actually save you time and help you sell more properties. - Support Systems: How to find the right brokerage or mentorship to give you the accountability and guidance you need. Steph shares her personal insights on how to avoid the trap of being a “24/7 estate agent” and instead focus on working smarter—not harder. So, if you're tired of spinning plates and ready to make your work-life balance a reality, this episode is a must-listen! Hit play to learn more, and don’t forget to comment with your thoughts on work-life balance in estate agency!

Ben Moser, Director Of Operations at Petermans Estate Agents, Managing Director at Petermans Housing Initiatives dropped by the WatkinSofa in the Summer of 2024 to chat about all things Estate Agency. In this episode Ben talks about why Agents should use Agents Together.

Welcome to the 9th UK Property Market Stats Show of 2025, your go to weekly TV show on the UK Property Market on YouTube This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Rob Smith, (Group MD of Hunters, Whitegates & Northwood) as we delve into the key property market headlines for 9th week of 2025 ending on the 9th March 2025. YouTube Link - https://youtu.be/t0baXqjXonA ✴️ UK Property Market Highlights this week ✅ Listings (New Properties on the Market) 39.8k new listings this week (last week 37.9k) That’s 8% higher than Week 8 of 2024 YTD and 10% higher YTD compared to 2017/18/19. ✅ Price Reductions (% of Resi Stock) 23.6k Price Reductions this week - meaning an approx run rate of 1 in 8 of Resi Sales stock per month is being reduced (12%). For comparison, 12.1% average in 2024, though the long-term 5-year average is 10.6%. ✅ Total Gross Sales (Agreed Sales) 26.7k UK homes sold STC this week, slightly up from 27.6k last week in Week 8 That’s 16% higher YTD compared to 2024 and 25% higher than 2017/18/19 YTD levels. ✅ Sale-Through Rate (Monthly in Arrears) February’s Run rate of 16.2% of Resi stock sold stc (ie 16.2% of Estate Agents properties on the market went sale agreed in February). For comparison, 16.7% of residential sales stock sold in February 2024. 2024 monthly average: 15.3%. Long-term 8-year average: 17.9%. ✅ Sale Fall-Throughs 6,506 Sale fall-thrus last week from Resi Sale Sales Pipeline of 451,074 homes sale agreed (sold stc). Another method is that week’s sale fall thrus as a % of gross sales that week. This week, that is 24.3% (last week 22.3%). Just above the 7-year average of 24.2%, yet well below the 40%+ levels post-Truss Budget (Autumn 2022). For February ’25 as a whole, 5.48% of sales in the UK agents pipelines fell thru in Feb 25. For comparison, 2024 average: 5.36%. ✅ Net Sales (Gross sales for the week less Sale Fall Thrus for the week) 20.2k net sales this week, compared 2025 weekly average of 19.6k. 2025 YTD is 13% higher than compared to 2024 YTD and 19% higher than YTD 2017/18/19. ✅ Residential Sales Stock on the Market 675k properties on the market on the 1st March 2025 (monthly stat taken on the first day of the month). Historical comparison for end of January : * 2024: 623k * 2023: 548k * 2022: 399k * 2021: 518k * 2020: 614k * 2019: 628k * 2018: 567k * 2017: 528k ✅ Residential Sales Sold STC Pipeline 451k sales agreed in Estate Agents Sales Pipeline (ie sold stc but not yet completed) as at the 1st March 2025 (monthly figure) Historical comparison for January : * 2024: 376k * 2023: 349k * 2022: 464k * 2021: 446k * 2020: 334k * 2019: 303k * 2018: 291k * 2017: 282k ✅ UK House Prices (£/sq.ft) As always, the £/sq.ft metric predicts Land Registry figures 5 months in advance with 92% accuracy (the orange line of the graph). February’s final figure: £340/sq.ft. * January ’25 : £342/sq.ft * December ’24 : £339/sq.ft * August ’24: £334/sq.ft * February ’24: £335/sq.ft This means UK house prices achieved in Feb 25 were 0.39% lower than Jan 25, yet 1.64% higher than a year ago (Feb 24). Local Focus this week - Braintree Graphs https://we.tl/t-KYJyD2Cqgr

Why Do Estate Agents Have a Bad Reputation? Let’s Set the Record Straight! In this episode, we're tackling the age old question: why do estate agents have such a bad reputation? Joining me is John Newhouse, Bossman of Roseberry Newhouse in Teesside and the proud winner of 'Best UK Estate & Letting Agent 2024'. Together, we’re exploring the reasons behind the negative image of our industry and what we can do to change it. John shares his thoughts on how estate agents are often unfairly grouped with professions like traffic wardens and politicians. But with hundreds of glowing Google reviews and loyal clients trusting them with keys to their homes, it’s clear that the reality is much more positive. Despite the trust we build, estate agents often struggle with repeat business, with many clients not returning after their initial transaction. But as John explains, it's not a question of service; it's about maintaining those connections and nurturing relationships over time. If you're tired of the negative stigma and want to help reshape the image of estate agents, this episode is for you. Listen, comment, and share your thoughts on how we can work together to turn things around.