The very early days ...
Shortly after opening our office in Eastgate Square, Chichester, the floods of 93/94 virtually shut down the centre of the City. The road was closed outside the office and a Green Goddess fire engine was acting as a pumping station - not an ideal start to trading! At one stage we were even evacuated over fears that the River Lavant would burst its banks but, happily, all was well in the end.
Typical Sales then ...
Sales in those days seemed to proceed at a faster rate than today with transactions taking 8 - 10 weeks to exchange of contracts. In many cases completion took place four weeks after exchange, unlike today where just seven days is more the norm. Commission rates back then ranged from 1.5% - 3% which reflected lower property values.
Our first sale was to the landlord of The Eastgate public house. They bought in Willowbed Drive and the owners of that house purchased a bungalow from us in Belgrave Crescent - a good start to business with a 2 for 1!
The biggest change you have seen...
Without question, the internet and the ability to promote a property with many images, all at the press of a button; it has opened up the market. Our original details showed only one or two colour photographs which were stuck on by hand; the particulars were then posted out to applicants. That’s all changed now with buyers having access to unlimited data to assist in their search for a new home.
Of course, the internet cannot replace the personal involvement of an experienced estate agent and the interaction he/she has with both seller and buyer to match people to property and successfully negotiate a transaction. Experience and local knowledge cannot be found online.
What have you learnt?...
Every day is a learning curve, every day is different. No valuation, instruction or applicant is the same and it makes this profession so interesting - you never know who is going to call or walk through the door.
Selling a property is a joint effort between agent and seller, people want a proactive agent with experience and knowledge, an agent who is happy to work with you and who is not looking to promote other services.