Diary of an estate agent: West London

A new development in Chiswick has buyers eager to add to their property portfolio and a school helps to inject some Hollywood glamour...
Weef
26 February 2016

Monday
I am starting the day at Hogarth Views in Chiswick — 19 new apartments we are selling overlooking Hogarth’s House. We’re dressing the show apartment for the official launch on Saturday and there is a real sense of excitement because there is the chance to move in before April 1 and avoid the changes to stamp duty. A call from Team Chiswick confirms 79 people have pre-registered for launch day.

In the afternoon, I make the most of the sunshine and nip over on my Harley-Davidson motorbike to our Fulham office, where the team is busy chatting with a long-term client from the area about the Sands End market. Any excuse for property chat and coffee goes down well with the team.

Tuesday
It’s an early start today, meeting a publication filming an online renovation series at our property in Queensmill Road, Fulham. This is a big coup for us, as it’s going to complement our new — and second — office in Fulham. Next, it’s over to our HQ in Shepherd’s Bush for a strategy meeting with my marketing manager and our directors to thrash out our objectives for the second quarter of the year.

After lunch at a brilliant café in Askew Road, I meet with a developer to pitch for a new-build in Balham for our new homes department.

Wednesday
Waking up to numerous iPhone notifications reminds me that, five years ago today, I wrote the business plan for Haus Properties. Four offices, seven awards and 29 staff later, we’re flying.

We have won an instruction on a new development of six luxury townhouses in Fulham and I spend the morning briefing our office team over there. In the afternoon, we have our monthly “Haus Huddle”, where the entire team gets together to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly. We celebrate our successes, enjoy pizza and a few drinks together.

Thursday
We’ve had five more fantastic Google reviews overnight for treating our clients well. Two regulars come into the Chiswick office with their dog for coffee and an update on their latest investment, which they’re keen for us to take on.

At 5pm, I head over to our Wandsworth Bridge Road office to meet a global architectural firm round the kitchen table. They’re interested in a refurbishment project at one of our properties, and we love any opportunity to talk design. I am slightly jealous, as this is my dream pad.

Friday
A few months after opening, business at our Shepherd’s Bush office is really taking off. I start the day here, and we’re taking in some gorgeous turn-of-the-century homes with quirky, intelligent designs that will be a hit within the local market. I visit all four offices, before heading home to get ready for the evening event.

We’re big on community events and I’m off to cut the ribbon at a bilingual school in Fulham, whose “Hollywood Glamour” evening we’re sponsoring. It’s the end of a busy week and an ideal way to celebrate with clients and local friends alike.