On the 26th March 2000, I walked into Dixons Estate Agents in Stratford-upon-Avon
for my first day in the job as an estate agent
I had no idea then that 26 years later I’d still be doing the same job —
just in a different way, under my own company, with my own team.
Since that day, I’ve worked in a few different offices in the Midlands and more importantly worked with some incredible people, some of who are still estate agents or linked to estate agency. I must say that those days where i was learning to be the best estate agent that i could be was so much FUN!!
In 2011, I moved back to Swansea and worked at Dawsons estate agents and that is when i decided that i wanted to set up on my own.
In 2013, I opened SA Property — just me, working from a small office in the back of a solicitor’s. In 2014 we moved into a small shop in Gorseinon, and in 2016 we moved into the office many people will recognise today.
Today, we are a family-run sales and lettings agency with a small, dedicated team: Cheryl, who has been with us for 10 years, Sophia who works in sales and lettings, Megan who looks after rental maintenance and inspections, and Gail who keeps everything running behind the scenes with accounts, rents and invoices. - Take a look at our reviews here - Reviews
But the biggest thing I’ve learned in 26 years is this:
This job has never really been about property — it’s about people.
What Has Changed (And What Hasn’t)
The biggest change in estate agency since I started is technology.
When I first started, everything was pen and paper.
We had a box of applicants and we had to go through it and find the people who were most likely to buy and call them one by one.
Now we have portals, social media, CRM systems, property s, online signatures, drones, video tours —
technology has transformed how we market property.
But what hasn’t changed is the most important part of the job:
- Sellers still worry if their house will sell
- Sellers still worry if they’ll get the price
- Buyers still fall in love with houses
- Chains still fall apart
***And deals still need someone to hold them together
Technology helps — but it doesn’t replace relationships, communication and experience.
What Actually Sells a House
After 26 years and thousands of agreed sales, I can tell you that houses sell when you get a few things right, and these are what i think will get you SOLD:
- Trust - you as the seller or landlord, have to trust the agent that you have chosen, you are giving them your largest financial asset, you need to believe that they will take care of it properly
- Realistic pricing – The right price attracts the right people, the wrong price attracts, well... nobody
- Marketing – Proper marketing that makes people want to view, and this is key, lots of different agents have lots of different ways of doing this, and there is no right or wrong in my opinion, its what works for them, however it is no just putting it on a property portal and hope for the best
- Access for viewings – If people can’t see it, they can’t buy it. Most people work during the days, so there needs to be flexibility in evening viewings and weekend viewing, if agents don't do this, then your already marketing to a limited market
It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how often one of these is wrong.
By the way, if you are looking to sell your home, book a FREE appointment with us here - Book Valuation
The Biggest Mistake Sellers Make
The biggest mistake I see sellers make is not reacting to the market.
If your property isn’t getting viewings or offers within the first few weeks,
the market is telling you something. The worst thing you can do is leave it and hope something will happen.
The best sellers — and the ones who achieve the best prices — are the ones who listen, react and work with the market, not against it.
The Biggest Mistake Estate Agents Make
Overpricing a property to win the instruction.
It might win the instruction at the start, but it almost always leads to:
Price reductions
Frustration
Loss of confidence
Longer time on the market
And often a lower final sale price
***A good agent should tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear.
The Part of the Job People Don’t See
The hardest part of this job is the part people don’t see:
Getting properties ready for market
Chasing solicitors
Chasing mortgage brokers
Managing chains
Dealing with maintenance issues
Keeping everyone calm when things go wrong
A lot of estate agency happens after a sale is agreed, not before.
Why I Started SA Property
When I started SA Property in 2013, I had a real urge that i wanted to do things better, or maybe not better but MY WAY. That might sound cheesy, but it was true. I had a 100% belief that if i was doing things myself then i could work how i wanted to do things and more importantly work when and where i wanted to. The driving force behind it was FREEDOM, earning my own money from sales and lettings and working my own way - What could possibly go wrong?!?
We don’t have shareholders.
We don’t have targets set by head office.
We just have to sell houses and look after our clients and build a business around results and reputation
And when your business depends on results, you approach things differently.
My Advice If You’re Selling in 2026
Get 2 or 3 agents out to value your home
Don’t automatically choose the highest price
Don’t automatically choose the cheapest fee
Choose the agent you trust to do the best job for your situation
Because once your house is on the market, the agent you choose really does matter.
Final Thought After 26 Years
In 26 years I’ve seen:
A market crash
A global pandemic
High interest rates
Low interest rates
Booming markets
Slow markets
And the one thing I can tell you is this:
Experience isn’t about how long you’ve been in the job — it’s about how many problems you’ve solved.
And in this job, there are always problems to solve.
Thinking of selling or renting?
If you’re thinking of moving in the next 6–12 months and want some honest advice on price, marketing and how the process works, feel free to get in touch.
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