Life as a buying agent is an intricate dance of networking, property viewings, client consultations, and endless follow-ups. Here’s a glimpse into a real week in my life as a buying agent, navigating the vibrant and demanding world of property buying.
Monday
Morning
Mondays always kick off with catching up on Sunday’s emails and calls. With agents often tied up in morning meetings, it’s the perfect time for admin work. I begin to envisage the week’s blog and social media posts, ensuring our online presence remains engaging and relevant.
A critical part of the morning routine involves scanning the internet for new property listings to stay ahead of the game. This continual website search helps me stay on top of all relevant properties that have gone live.
Afternoon
I head to Godalming to visit several estate agents’ offices. These visits are essential for keeping my clients’ searches fresh in the agents’ minds and to get wind of any off-market opportunities.
I actively drum up new leads, ensuring I am always on the lookout for the perfect properties for my clients. Throughout the day, I handle incoming calls from agents, clients, and even a potential new client, ensuring everyone feels supported and informed.
Continual communication with agents is critical, as it keeps me updated on any properties that may not be listed online. Living life as a buying agent, networking is crucial to stay informed about every opportunity.
Early Evening
After a busy day, I make time for a visit to the gym for an hour before heading home, balancing work and personal well-being. Staying fit is crucial as it helps me maintain the energy levels required for this demanding job.
Tuesday
Throughout the Day
Today is packed with incoming calls from agents and clients. It’s vital they feel supported and informed, as communication is key in this industry. Additionally, I continuously search websites for new listings and chat with agents to ensure I am aware of any off-market opportunities.
Morning
I start by previewing two cottages in north West Sussex for clients based in London. I take extensive photos and videos of the houses, capturing every detail to write a detailed report later. One of the cottages is ideal and immediately goes on our target list.
Lunch
I discuss the ideal cottage with my clients, ensuring they are fully briefed and excited about the potential new home. Living life as a buying agent and representing my client’s very best interests, I ensure they have all the information they need to make informed decisions.
Afternoon
At 2 PM, I received thrilling news: we’ve exchanged on the purchase of a house for a client at £3.2 million. I immediately called the client to celebrate. This joyous moment is what makes my job so rewarding. My clients were ecstatic, over the moon with happiness. They are travelling down the A3 corridor from Fulham, London, to establish their forever family home. What once seemed impossible to them has now become a wonderful reality!
Later, I head to Midhurst to visit estate agents, ensuring our searches are always at the forefront of their minds. After returning home, I create a social media post to share our latest finds and updates. Staying active on social media helps attract new clients and keeps current ones engaged with our progress.
Early Evening
Another gym session helps me unwind before meeting friends for a drink, blending work and social life seamlessly.
Wednesday
Morning
I begin the day by drafting the week’s blog, capturing the essence of our recent activities and insights. Two agents called to inform me about the new properties they are taking on. One of these sounds perfect for a client looking from abroad, so I immediately schedule a preview for Thursday. Throughout the morning, I keep up with website searches and continue making calls to agents, staying on top of potential new opportunities.
Lunch
I update and tweak our website to meet SEO targets, ensuring our online presence is solid and up-to-date.
Afternoon
Visits to agents in both Guildford and Cranleigh keep me front and centre in their minds. I also sign up the new client from Monday, solidifying another professional relationship. Maintaining constant contact with agents ensures that I am among the first to know about any new listings or off-market properties.
Evening
I attend a networking event at The Prince of Wales in Esher. On the way home, I stop by the gym for another workout, maintaining my fitness routine.
Thursday
Morning
I finish the blog and find appropriate images to accompany it. While doing this, I make and receive calls with agents to update them on the status of current purchases, keeping clients informed where necessary. Continuously searching websites and calling agents is part of my daily routine, ensuring I don’t miss opportunities.
Lunch
The morning’s blog post and social media updates are uploaded. I also discussed the cottage viewed on Tuesday with my clients, who have reflected on it and would like to see it tomorrow.
Afternoon
After completing the blog and social media tasks, I receive signed terms from new clients and complete anti-money laundering requirements. I draft a brief for estate agents to be sent in the morning, ensuring they have all the details to assist my clients effectively. I also take some time to discuss opportunities with other competing buying agents, sharing insights and staying informed about the market.
Life as a buying agent is very sociable, and keeping in touch with other competing buying agents is important. We often work together for the betterment of our clients to ensure the maximum knowledge and contacts within a client’s, often far reaching search area.
Early Evening
I visit a substantial house for one of my wealthiest clients. It’s gorgeous, but I fear the view needs to be longer, and my client will find it too hemmed in. My partner and I go out for a late meal together, enjoying much-needed personal time after a busy day.
Friday
Throughout the Day
Like every other day, I respond to incoming calls from agents and clients, maintaining open lines of communication. Website searching remains a priority, ensuring I’m constantly updated with the latest listings.
Morning
I start my day at the gym in Godalming, catching up on missed workouts. Afterwards, I visited a solicitor and an architect related to a house purchase in a nearby village, taking the opportunity to drop by the local estate agents as well. It is part of life as a buying agent to visit local professionals as often as possible, helping to build a network that benefits my clients.
Lunch
I meet clients at the cottage, spending over an hour exploring and discussing the property. They love it and want to offer, so we strategise on the best approach. I draft an offer letter for their approval, ready to submit on Monday.
Late Afternoon
An agent calls with another off-market opportunity in Cobham, north Surrey. I visited the property an hour later. It has potential, but something feels off, so I need time to consider it. Additionally, a seller called asking if I have any clients who might be interested in her house before she offered it to an estate agent. This is a golden opportunity to secure a property for one of my clients before it hits the market.
Early Evening
I meet friends in The Running Mare in Cobham before heading home, reflecting on the day’s progress.
Saturday
Morning
Only two viewings today, with long-term clients who have just returned from the Middle East. One house gets a great response, while the other is dismissed. We agreed to discuss this further tomorrow as they are meeting friends today.
Afternoon
I update a client on their current search and inform two others of the progress of their purchases. A long walk with my partner provides a refreshing break from the busy week.
Evening
My partner and I enjoy a drink and a meal in Horsham. Taking time to relax and unwind is crucial for maintaining the energy needed for the coming week.
Sunday
Morning
I referee a ladies’ rugby 7’s knockout tournament. The first kick-off is at 09:20, and the final concludes at 12:30. By the end, I have run 28 km, and I know it!
Afternoon
I take a moment to relax before talking to clients about the house they liked yesterday. They are keen but need more information, so I dive into a deeper report, sending it to them around 17:00. I don’t expect to hear back until tomorrow, allowing me to wind down the evening.
Additionally, I take the time to write an advert for local Facebook pages, aiming to appeal to potential sellers considering selling their properties in the next six months. This proactive approach helps generate new leads and keeps my client list growing.
This week has been typical: a whirlwind of activities, balancing property viewings, client consultations, and personal time. The self-employed life as a buying agent is a demanding 7 days a week job, but immensely rewarding, driven by the passion to do well, succeed and to find the perfect homes for clients.
Staying on top of the market through continuous website searches, constant communication with agents, and networking is critical to success in this field. Living and breathing life as a buying agent, I ensure clients feel supported, informed, and excited about their property journey.
After all, referrals from current and past client’s is where the majority of new business comes from, and that business is the most fun and easiest to succeed with.