Diary of an estate agent: Chelsea

Monday

Well, what an interesting time to be starting a brand-new role at Strutt & Parker, so soon after Brexit. Is “interesting” the right word? It’s definitely been full steam ahead, Brexit or no Brexit.

I start the week on a high note, attending the Christie’s 250th anniversary party at the auction house in King Street, St James’s. This is my first foray into the esteemed world that comes with Strutt & Parker’s exclusive UK affiliation with Christie’s International Real Estate.

We enjoy a private tour ahead of the landmark anniversary celebration showcasing the best of British art. It is a fantastic opportunity to meet some highly influential people in the art world and invite our own clients.

Tuesday

A landlord who owns a total of 150 buy-to-let properties across Kensington and Chelsea has asked to meet me today, as he is currently unhappy with the agency he is using to manage his significant portfolio. I feel like we can really make a difference here and involve all seven of our offices in this area — a bit of internal competition is always good for results.

Wednesday

This afternoon I’m hosting a meeting with all of the sales heads in London to discuss current stock levels, and which clients will be interested in meeting the lettings teams to learn more about the market. We are definitely seeing more stock coming on to the lettings market as a result of people wanting to see how the markets play out in the current climate. In addition to this, we are seeing landlords being a lot more flexible on the rents they ask. We have just agreed an offer of £5,500 per week on a property in Chelsea that we started marketing in late May at £7,950 per week.

Thursday

The morning starts with a pitch for a private rented sector developer who is building regeneration projects for rent in Zones 3 and 4 in west London. Innovation is key and I think it will be really good to get involved in this new type of product coming to the market in the capital. Research by PwC has shown that 60 per cent of Londoners will be renting in nine years’ time. It’s time to embrace Generation Rent and for developers to start building high-spec products for long-term rental.

Friday

A fun community event finishes the week. Strutt & Parker is the platinum sponsor for the summer fair of the Garden House School, one of the most prestigious schools in Chelsea. I look on in awe as more than 500 families swarm through the gates, buzzing with end-of-term excitement. This particular fair, held annually in Burton Court, leaves little to the imagination when it comes to throwing luxury children’s parties, and puts my fond memories of strawberries and cream at the end of term quite to shame.

All of this is watched over by a benevolent gaggle of Chelsea Pensioners. In their splendid red and gold-buttoned uniforms, they offer encouragement on the dunking stand while happily tucking into their ice creams.