Diary of an estate agent: China

Monday
I start my week with the Sales and Development Consultancy meeting, followed by a conference call with our local teams throughout Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

This week is going to be busy for me, with 12 viewings already booked, two on-going offers and three hot leads to follow up.

In the afternoon I visit a new residential development in White City with a buyer who is looking for a two-bedroom apartment.

With so many fantastic developments in London at the moment, I am confident we can find one for him.

Tuesday
My morning starts with a site visit to anew project near Wood Green Station, the first phase will be launched this November.

With good prices and great transport links (15 mins to King’s Cross), I am confident this project will be popular among Chinese buyers looking to invest.

In the afternoon, I hear from my colleagues in Shanghai who refer a buyer moving to London and wanting a home.

The buyer would like a one-bedroom apartment in central London) so I create a WeChat group for us all so that we can keep in touch ahead of her arrival at the end of the week.

WeChat is a Chinese social media platform that we use daily to keep in touch with our network. I share details of three projects I think will be of interest to the buyer and will wait to hear her thoughts.

Wednesday
I wake up early and see via WeChat that my colleague in Shanghai has had further discussions with the buyer about the three recommended projects and her preference so far is a development in the City. This is a great example of collaboration and customer service between our London China Desk and our local China team.

I also receive a good news from my White City buyer who would like to put an official offer on the two bedroom apartment she viewed on Monday. It is a good starting offer and I begin negotiations to get it accepted.

Thursday
Thursday is always an early start, with the China Desk’s weekly team meeting where we hear about the latest sales and leads, as well as the market feedback from each Chinese region.

I get some fantastic news over lunch – the White City offer has been accepted with exchange within 21 days. My buyer is delighted.

The afternoon is all about Fitzrovia. I have several viewings booked at a development which has been very popular amongst Chinese students, as UCL is just meters away.

Friday
I meet first thing with the Shanghai buyer who has arrived in London, giving her a detailed introduction to the London residential market and buying process in UK.

We then make our way to the City development and discuss the scheme in the marketing suite.After the viewing, I show the buyer a tailored presentation I have created for her, with the details of the units we discussed today.

Her favourite is a south-facing one-bedroom apartment, but she wants to speak more to her family who are still in Shanghai before making a decision.

Over WeChat, I update my colleague in Shanghai on the progress so that she can assist the follow-up with the family in local time. Between the two of us, I am confident we should be able to close a deal next week.