Diary of an estate agent: Soho

Monday
Kicking off with our weekly team catch-up, I’m then ready for my first viewing tour of the week. It’s with an international student looking to rent a one-bedroom apartment in Covent Garden near the London School of Economics.

She falls in love with a flat I show her in Russell Street and puts in an offer immediately. Fingers crossed she gets it.

All the time I’m with her my phone is ringing off the hook, so the moment I can, I run back to the office to deal with enquiries. September is the busiest month for me with the arrival of students all looking for properties close to their universities.

By 1pm my diary is packed for the week ahead.

Tuesday
An amazing penthouse near Charing Cross is my initial port of call today, and it’s a third viewing. It’s the most expensive property we have ever let and the viewing is with a top-secret client — very exciting, especially when an offer is agreed.

Next up, I show a corporate client round a new development in Strand. This scheme has incredible facilities including a virtual golf room.

Back-to-back viewings in Soho and Covent Garden come this afternoon, after which two of the applicants offer exact asking prices. We manage to get things tied up and agreed before the close of play — stock at the right price is flying.

Wednesday
A family relocating to London from Dubai are with me in Knightsbridge to view a stunning five-bedroom townhouse. By this afternoon they submit an offer on a two-year straight-term agreement, which delights the client.

The area is perfect for the family, being close to great schools and with easy access to the city.

Then it’s back to Soho to meet one of our biggest portfolio clients for a monthly update, discussing prices and up-and-coming stock.

Thursday

I’ve a very long to-do list today. The rest of the team are in good spirits and ready for a busy end to the week — the phone is still ringing off the hook.

I take a call from a chap who just missed out on a flat for sale in Soho and has seen one for rent in the same building.

I book the viewing in, meet him an hour later and he offers on the spot. It’s a popular flat and another offer comes in, so we go to best and final bids.

Thankfully my applicant’s offer is strongest so the client agrees, a reservation fee is paid and he’s thrilled.

Friday
As an office, we have agreed 11 deals on properties in and around Covent Garden this week. Fridays are always very busy and I start with a last-minute tour with some students who are currently in a hotel and desperate to find a place to move into.

I then inspect a block of 10 new units in Bloomsbury that are close to completing, and they are superb. I spend the last few hours of the day completing viewing feedback for some of our biggest clients and overseeing a last-minute offer.

The team celebrates a successful week with a few drinks at our local pub, before I head off to a friend’s birthday party in Soho.