Diary of a Chiswick estate agent
What does a week in the life of our Chiswick Director Paul Cooney look like?
Having worked as an agent in Chiswick for over 10 years and seen the local property market weather many storms, I can safely say that this is one of the most active markets to date.
Since the property market reopened in May, Horton and Garton Chiswick have agreed 19 sales and, with Chanel Rapallini joining the team, we look forward to many more success stories for our wonderful W4 clients.
Monday
The sun is shining and I’m starting the week off with a valuation at an impressive house on one of Chiswick’s most prestigious streets.
At midday, it’s over to Grove Park to say farewell to a client who is completing on their house. Whilst adhering to the social distancing guidelines and wearing the necessary PPE, I hand them our signature completion gift: a hamper from Bayley & Sage.
My next appointment is a valuation in central Chiswick that has a rooftop garden, a rarity in W4.
With busy days and bright summer evenings comes late night viewings that often stretch until after 7pm. Today was no exception and I was out attending viewings at our new listings until 9pm.
Tuesday
An early start again with two viewings at our new Bedford Park apartment listing. Then over the next few hours I’m zipping on my bike between viewings at our listing in Gunnersbury. Another valuation is swiftly followed by a viewing at our listing on an adjacent road, with the day coming full circle at 6.30pm, with a viewing back at the Bedford Park garden flat.
Wednesday
My day starts with a 9am viewing at our listing right on the beautiful River Thames, followed by an off-market viewing on a house just south of the High Road. Before this property came anywhere near the market I already knew we had the perfect buyer.
With back to back viewings followed by a valuation on the Glebe Estate, my afternoon was jam-packed with only serious buyers viewing. Many discussions were had on offering through the day with the majority coming to fruition via email– excellent results for our clients!
Even post-work trips to the gym can generate their own business. From a chance meeting with a local homeowner at the Hogarth Gym earlier in the year, I was invited to value their house near Chiswick Park. I’ve since sold this property off-market for the asking price following a single Sunday viewing.
Thursday
Over the course of Thursday afternoon I’m on the phone in between viewings, responding to emails and negotiating with buyers – thank goodness for my excellent PA Emily Messersmith back at the office!
The afternoon is topped off with a second viewing at a property I’m particularly fond of. It’s a period home bursting with family memories, having been lived in by its current owner for 72 years! It was a very important sale, and sales like these are one of the many reasons I love selling homes in W4.
Friday
Friday is off to a positive start as the key collection for a new listing is immediately followed by a viewing at the same property. The buyer was eager- a good omen for the day to come as that afternoon was time for the virtual ESTAS (The Estate Agent of the Year Awards).
Incredibly, we took home Gold for the People Award (again); two Golds for our amazing lettings team and the Silver Award for West London, beaten only by the Horton and Garton team in Hammersmith who earned the Gold.
These are the only awards based exclusively on customer feedback and so we owe a huge thanks to all of our amazing clients who voted.
Saturday
Saturday’s are usually busy for viewings and today was no exception – viewings ran from 8.05 am to 6.30 pm. It was a particularly busy day at our newest listing in Strand on the Green where we had a total of 10 viewings!
Sunday
We understand that for some sellers, especially those with families, evening appointments can be tricky. That’s why I spent my last afternoon of the week on a second viewing of an apartment on Chiswick High Road, and I couldn’t have been happier to do so. Then, finally, a well earned rest.
If you would like to book a viewing at one of the beautiful properties mentioned, or have a home you would like Paul to value, call him on 020 8996 5120 (sales) or get in touch here.
