
Opening The Gates To More Listings
Opening The Gates To More Listings with Simon Gates is a podcast designed to help estate agents find more listings and increase the profitability of their business.
There will be a variety of different guests across the industry being interviewed to share their knowledge on how to achieve this.
Latest episodes

Mar 30, 2023 • 38min
Episode 54: James Cocker
Today's guest is the founder of Agent Accelerator where he helps agents build a pipeline of sellers and landlords.
He loves property, & marketing, two things that tie into estate agency in a big way, and this definitely comes across in this episode. If you want to find out more about how to leverage social media to win more listings, you do not want to miss this episode.

Mar 23, 2023 • 43min
Episode 53: Jonathan Handford
Today's guest is a Non-Executive Director at Fine & Country.
He is a very experienced Speaker, Coach, Trainer and Estate Agent committed to the upper quartile of the market focusing on luxury property.
He was recognised in 2019 as the Best Overall Operator from 325 Fine & Country offices worldwide.
If you're looking to stand on the shoulders of giants (he is very tall) and see how they are getting the results they do, this is an episode not to be missed.

Mar 16, 2023 • 32min
Episode 52: Andy McHugo
Today's guest is a seasoned estate agent with over a dozen years of experience.
He started his business 18 months ago and is going from strength to strength.
If you're looking for inspiration in starting up your own estate agency, moving into a new market or trying new things outside of your comfort zone, this is one for you to listen to.

Mar 12, 2023 • 43min
Episode 51: Scott Gunn
Today's guest has over 15 years of experience selling homes, having sold his very first house in 2002, when he was just 18 years old.
Having joined eXp in October 2019, he was the 2020 eXp Top Performing agent in the UK, voted UK's Most Supportive Agent by his peers, and Rev Share Agent Of The Year.
He saw an opportunity and borrowed £20,000, fast-forward just over 3 years and his life is very different.
He was finally earning over £100,000 (by quite a way), took 6 weeks off last summer, refurbished his house and as of this week exchanged on his 4th buy to let.
He helps explain to estate agents how they can start their very own business, so I thought who better to get on the podcast and discuss how to get more listings.

Mar 9, 2023 • 43min
Episode 50: Robert Hodgson
Today's guest spent a dozen years in the corporate world of estate agency before setting up his own estate agency at the start of 2019.
Having been involved in a chain with him when I was still an agent, I know first-hand what a fantastic agent he is so I had to get him on the podcast.
After entering the Estate Agency profession in 2007, he quickly realised that he had a passion for building lasting relationships with people and he started Margaret James Estate Agents with the aim to provide an outstanding service to his clients and help them realise their property dreams.
He has made great progress in gaining a share of the market in a competitive market town with already established players by mixing his experience, local knowledge, customer service, and technology.
If you're looking for something for inspiration to enter a new market, this is an episode for you not to miss.

Mar 5, 2023 • 39min
Episode 49: Richard Zeff
Today's guest is an estate agent covering South Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas.
He has over 25 years of experience and has been responsible for over £350,000,000 worth of residential property sales and responsible for the letting and management of hundreds of properties.
He started in real estate in the 1990s, and, apart from a few years spent living and working abroad, he has always been an estate agent and has been fortunate to work as an agent in Europe, and Africa too.
He started his own bespoke estate agency in early 2022 because he wanted to give his clients personal, professional and world-class service.
His values are trust, integrity and commitment, and my goal ultimately is to deliver an exceptional and positive moving experience.
He believes in professional and personal development and alongside his estate agency career, several years ago, he launched a training company for the industry.
He has got to meet and work with some of the UK's most successful estate agents and still works with industry groups including Agents Together.
These are the many reasons I wanted to get him on the podcast to add value to the listeners.
It also helps that he is a top guy as well.

Mar 2, 2023 • 39min
Episode 48: Julian O'Dell
Today's guest is the owner, of Marvellous Training Solutions - helping estate agents & lettings agents reach exceptional standards.
He is approaching 40 years in the world of estate agency and helped run, grow and sell multi award-winning estate agency Thomas Morris Sales & Lettings.
No theory - pure proven pragmatic principles that power up your performance - delivered by someone who has truly walked the walk.
He is an ambassador for Action Against Cancer, a fundraising amateur artist and a festival organiser.
This episode was recorded towards the end of August 2022 and a couple of months before Julian's wife Cat sadly passed away.
Over £8,000 has been raised in her memory and you can donate by following the link below:
https://www.love2donate.co.uk//inmemory/identify_name.php?currentpage=1&chosen=53657
This is not an episode to be missed as Julian has been there done it, and very much got the t-shirt.

Feb 26, 2023 • 48min
Episode 47: Ross D'Aniello
Today's guest is the Sales Director at Nock Deighton, overseeing all 9 territories across Shropshire, Worcestershire and the West Midlands and he's also a mentor at Agents Together.
He has successfully overseen the implementation and launch of the Land & New Homes Department, the Auctions Service, a Country Homes & Equestrian Homes service, a Prime Homes Department and the Sales Progression Department.
If you're looking to offer exceptional service and experience to your clients and make the most out of your team, this is definitely an episode to listen to.

Feb 23, 2023 • 34min
Episode 46: Leanne Parr
Today's guest has been in the industry for 15 years now and started her own award-winning estate agency in 2018.
She has won multiple awards, gained hundreds of reviews, and achieves 110% of the asking price for her clients.
If you're looking to be different to your competition, get a better outcome for your clients, win awards, and get reviews for your business, this is not one to be missed.

Feb 19, 2023 • 49min
Episode 45: Charlotte Jeffrey-Campbell
Today's guest has been in the industry for approximately 25 years and is a director at The Able Agent.
She works with estate and lettings agents to provide a full and cost-effective solution for training whilst offering an arm round shoulder approach to help staff progress to the best of their abilities.