Diary of an estate agent: Chelsea

Monday

It’s my first day at the company and I am so early I might as well have been up all night. I sit in a coffee shop opposite the Chelsea office for ages waiting for someone else to arrive. But once they do, I am introduced to the team and the daily briefing gets under way.

My eyes are on stalks at the value of these properties — it’s a far cry from what I was dealing with in my last job south of the river — but I am keen to get cracking.

Tuesday

Getting to know the properties we have for sale is my task for today. It certainly does not disappoint. One of the highlights is a very grand, one-bedroom flat in South Kensington. It is the size of a small terrace house, with ceiling heights of more than four metres throughout.

The day does not go without a hitch. When previewing a magnificent four-bedroom house in SW10, I come unstuck when presented with a burglar alarm from the last century.

The alarm goes off, I fumble with the code to no avail and as the alarm continues to blare I am convinced I will hear sirens in the distance before too long. After what feels like an age, the alarm stops and there are no blue flashing lights. That would not have been a good start.

Wednesday
Having walked what felt like the entire borough of Kensington and Chelsea yesterday it is a welcome relief to have an introduction to the company at our head office this morning.

I’ve worked previously for an international agent as well as an independent London agency, and Strutt & Parker feels like a mixture of the two — punching well above its weight given its size but maintaining the personable and family feel of an independent estate agent.

I return to the office and prepare for my first viewing. It’s a charming one-bedroom, first-floor flat only a short walk from the office that has caught the eye of a young professional who wants to move into Chelsea. The viewing goes extremely well and we receive an offer.

Thursday
A rather curious story about a rival agent in the area is the hot topic at this morning’s team meeting. It transpires that after we took on a client’s property from this agent, they contacted us to say they had received an offer from one of their applicants.

But all was not what it seemed. We accepted the agent’s request to bring the applicant to view the property again. When they arrived, my colleague was there to greet them both, and when asked if they had seen it before, the applicant replied “No”. Naturally this was quite a surprise and will need further investigation…

Friday
As my first week draws to a close, I can see exactly why this neighbourhood is such a desirable location. My local knowledge gleaned so far is tested when a gentleman comes into the office to register with us and grills me for a good 15 minutes about transport links, schools and restaurants.

Thankfully I pass the test and arrange for him to see a selection of properties next week.

As we head into the weekend, a departing colleague ties up a fantastic deal on a house for a valued client. We toast the deal before heading home for a well-earned, relaxing weekend.