Diary of an estate agent: New Cross

Monday
I arrive back in the office after a Sunday spent stripping wallpaper, dealing with the resulting mess and catching up with friends who are also agents, in Highgate and Marylebone.

We met at university in Manchester and now we reminisce about the old times and compare our current respective markets. I am happy to be in this vibrant, emerging pocket of south-east London where there is a fresh energy and an exciting market.

Like any Monday, this morning is busy. One of the team has received an offer on a multi-agency flat. The race starts to ensure our checks and due diligence are complete before presenting the offer to a happy vendor.

The sale is agreed swiftly; now to push through to exchange and completion.

At the end of the day a thought enters my mind. When I worked in contemporary art at Sotheby’s I attended a talk by the American Facebook billionaire Sheryl Sandberg, who said that the best thing she ever did was to get a cleaner — so now the decision is made.

No more dusting. Someone else can take care of that, and while I am on it I will get someone to strip the walls, too.

Tuesday
After a few calls I have found myself a wallpaper stripper. He starts at 8am, just before I leave for the office and says he can have the house stripped in three days. Result.

Most of the morning is spent working on the sales we have in our pipeline which have been agreed and are shuffling towards exchange.

One in particular is proving a challenge, so I gather the team to put together a plan of action in case it falls through.

George has the perfect buyer lined up, so we are ready with a Plan B.

Wednesday

Last night, I did the thing you definitely should never do before going to bed: checked my emails. But I am pleased I did, as I received an unexpected and great email from a future vendor telling me that, after trying the online agent route but with disappointing results, they are now ready to instruct Winkworth.

As I make my way to the office, I make the call and arrange a time to pop round this afternoon to run through the paperwork.

The property is on a highly sought-after road in one of the area’s most prime neighbourhoods, Telegraph Hill, a conservation area filled with elegant Victorian architecture, green spaces, outstanding schools and a vibrant community.

Thursday
Starting the day with our regular 8:45am meeting, I brief the team on the new Telegraph Hill instruction and it looks as though we already have buyers who will be keen to view it on Saturday.

It’s a charming period conversion apartment set within a handsome building with sole use of a 73ft garden complete with a mature fig tree and a beautiful silver birch tree.

I spend the day speaking to the vendors, discussing interest in their property, arranging meetings with other vendors-to-be and catching up with a few local events and charitable organisations that Winkworth supports.

Friday
How is it Friday already? I scan the diary with today’s appointments and am intrigued by the market appraisal booked for 3pm. George tells me it’s a property in Peckham that was originally bought as flats and turned back into a house.

Now the owners are considering how best they can market the place.

Three o’clock arrives and I meet the vendors who are a fascinating couple from Poland. Their beautiful Victorian townhouse, which they bought through Winkworth some 20 years ago, has been lovingly restored — but the time has come to go home.

This is a big decision for them and a milestone in their lives.