The usual monthly premium market update, but featuring the stats man himself Simon Gates! So instead of the usual 3 or 4 minute long summary, we analyse the premium markets performance this year so far, and how August fared, in light of political turmoil affecting the market. What all this means to you, your sellers and your buyers? Find out here!
In this episode of Property-Porn Stars, I am joined by a hugely successful premium agent, with arguably the most incredible story in the industry. Alice Watson-Smith, Managing Director of Fine & Country French Riviera & Provence shares her story, and her insight, grit and determination needed to succeed in a hugely competitive market. Alice’s story is nothing short of remarkable. Born in Zimbabwe, her family lost everything overnight when their farm was seized during Mu...
In this episode of Property-Porn Stars, host David Lindley speaks with Mark Breffit, a leading figure in London’s premium property market. With over £1 billion of property sold, Mark shares his journey from working at Dexters, Knight Frank, and Hamptons Private Office in prime central London, to launching his latest venture — KnokKnok, a prop-tech platform aiming to reshape how buyers and agents connect. We cover: •Life inside corporate agency vs the independent mindset •Mark’s early career...
In this super-short episode, we cover the headlines of what is going on in the premium property market (spoiler, there is lots of activity!) for July 2025. All stats provided by Simon Gates, whose full report will be out on Friday as part of Premium Estate Agency News - you can read last month's episode and subscribe for free here: https://us21.campaign-archive.com/?u=db74f5b588c5289dd2935b2fe&id=dd3de8a355
Is your business worth what you think it is?? This is crucial listening for agents, in order to avoid a nasty surprise down the road, and to set their business up for future success if and when they look to exit. This month’s guest is Adam J. Walker, who is a Business Transfer Agent (or, put another way, he is an agent for Estate Agencies!). With decades of experience and having accomplished over 700 agency sales in his career, he shares with us the pitfalls, traps, and value-re...
Welcome to the next instalment of our, super quick, premium market reports. This month we review the headline stats for the first half of 2025 and how the premium property market has performed, and it's some particularly interesting listening! All stats provided by Simon Gates, and you can read his full market report (as well as his top 5 Google Chrome extensions tips, newly updated!) in his article for Premium Estate Agency News, out on Tuesday 22nd July. Subscribe fo...
Hosted by David Lindley, with expert insight from Simon Leadbetter, Elaine Penhaul, and Simon Gates. Join four leading voices in the premium property sector for a candid and thought-provoking discussion on the state of the UK’s high-end housing market. In this special episode of Property Porn Stars, we dive into the findings of the 2025 Voice of the Agent Survey—with over 1,000 agents contributing their views. 📈 In this episode, we explore: • What agents across the country really thin...
Welcome to the second instalment of our new feature, a (super quick!) monthly update on the premium market. Perhaps you're curious, thinking strategically about the premium market, or are on your way to see a client - hopefully there is some useful information here to help. All stats collated by the numbers man, Simon Gates, and his full in depth market report is available on our monthly newsletter, Premium Estate Agency News. You can check it out, and subscribe for free to receiv...
It has been 10 years (!) since Andrew and I last saw each other, but it was great to reconnect and share his story about how to succeed in the rural premium market in Yorkshire, and the urban prime central London market, too. Surely thats something for everybody!?! Andrew shares his story, from selling ‘back to backs’ in Yorkshire to Mayfair penthouses, and even beyond our shores… Andrew’s career is very unique, so this is a fascinating listen, covering topics like: “It’s different where I ...
Welcome to the first instalment of our new feature, a (super quick!) monthly update on the premium market. Perhaps you're curious, thinking strategically about the premium market, or are on your way to see a client - hopefully there is some useful information here to help. All stats collated by the numbers man, Simon Gates, and his full in depth market report is available on our monthly newsletter, Premium Estate Agency News. You can check it out, and subscribe for free to receive...
In this episode we are take a (virtual) hop across the Irish Sea to speak with Regina Mangan of Liberty Blue estate agents in the beautiful town of Waterford. Regina is a big character in the Irish property market, a successful entrepreneur, best selling author and exceptional estate agent. In this episode we cover: How to use values to run a business Knowing your numbers Succession planning Growing pains The value of mentorship Why attending industry events is so important How ...
Customer identification, targeting your niche, standing out and a modern approach to building a rural-orientated business… just some of the subjects we discuss in this cracking episode with Ross D'Anielo, the co founder of Chartwell Noble. We get into the detail of how Ross started his business, why, and what the future holds for Chartwell Noble. Rightmove vs Social Media, Ross’ most controversial opinion on the industry, how the exclusive/countryside market is different to the volume m...
For well over the asking price (breaking local records), quickly, and at 2%+ fees... This is genuinely a masterclass (a bit of a controversial word!) but there is so much to take away from this for agents, regardless of the market you're in. In this episode, David sits down with Simon Cowie, MD of By Design in Warwickshire and Sutton Coldfield, and Alex Wilcocks, Co-Founder and MD of Burbeck Interiors, to share their strategies for a huge success for a special property in the midlands...
Industry veteran David Brierley has enjoyed a fascinating and varied career throughout the industry so far; agent and supplier, high end and 'online', independent and corporate, and from trainee to mentor, to name only a few. On a non-industry related note, David is an adventurer, and an avid sailor - accomplishing things that frighten me just to think about... sailing the crocodile (and humungous oil-tanker!) ridden Panama canal in a catamaran, and voyaging across an ocean where the ...
Mark Burgess, CEO of Iceberg Digital, is focussed is on applying the future of technology to the estate agency industry. After the last few years of exponential advances in tech, this is a crucial conversation for agents to hear, regardless of whether you are on the front lines or in a strategic role. What the future of technology in our industry will do, and how the best agents leverage it today How consumers make decisions over which agent to invite to a Market Appraisal The fallacy...
We are joined by Paul Jamieson, Sales Director at 20ea, who shares some invaluable listening for anyone operating in the premium market, both from your own business perspective and some great stats to inform clients with courtesy of Paul and 20ea. Amongst a lot else, we cover: - Some suprising stats around the growth of the premium market - Is the premium market growing faster or slower than the volume market? - What does 2025's market look like? - Are premium homes actually selling, ...
This is something very different to our 'usual programming'...but I really recommend you listen to this! We are joined by Psychotherapist, Author, and Podcaster Ella McCrystal, who shares some incredible insight into how our brains work and how we can re-mould it to improve our work and personal lives... As a total newbie to this whole subject, I found this conversation incredibly interesting, and there will definitely be some actionable tactics you can employ in your day to day lif...
Richard Austen, MD of By Design in South Cambridgeshire, explains how he cold-started his premium estate agency business from zero to £15,000,000 instructions in a matter of months. Transitioning from the volume market to the premium market, as explaining how the sales training he received in the motor trade before that, Richard takes us on the journey, the highs and the lows, of his journey in the world of high-end homes. In this conversation we cover: What service levels a...
Matt Strafford is the co-founder of Dream Home Films, one of the premium property industry's leading photography and videography companies (as well as being a lead singer in the band!). In this podcast we delve into what Matt sees from the behind the lens, what the best agents are doing in their property marketing, and what the future of videography, social media, and property marketing looks like...! More than that, Matt's background in the music industry is fascinating, and ...
James Cooper, MD of By Design in South Devon, talks Matt and David through how he was instructed on £18,000,000 of instructions in the first 10 weeks of his business launch, his journey into premium agency and how he has been so successful in it. If you are in residential agency, and you are interested in moving into the premium market, or want learn from one of the best in the market, this is a great episode to listen to. We discuss: How property brochures not only have a r...