An Interview with Joanna Brooks, Newton Ferrers Office
1. What area do you cover and what are your specialities?
Newton Ferrers and the surrounding villages and communities within commuting distance of Plymouth City. Unusual or striking homes, with those situated on or near the water being my main focus.
2. When did you first think of yourself as an Estate Agent?
I first starting enjoying property when I was in my early teens, when my family moved to an historic Devon longhouse near Wonwell Beach. Not only was the house magical, but there were the remains of a Roman fort in the fields too. I knew then I wanted a career in the property world. In my late teens I then undertook some work experience with Stags estate agents in Totnes, followed by an apprenticeship with Bettisons in Yealmpton. My career started here.
3. Is Luscombe Maye the best Estate Agent in The South Hams?
I am of course bias, but quite honestly I would not be part of this firm if I thought they were not the best around! The firm is what it is because of the team of people working for it. All are passionate about their work, their clients and the company as a whole. They work very hard to achieve results. I also love the fact that we are proper ‘old-fashioned’ estate agents and yet are more than capable of moving with the times. We have a wonderful history and hopefully an equally spectacular future!
4. How do you compare yourself now, as an Estate Agent, to when you first began?
I am now far more ‘world-wise’. Dealing with the general public you really do see both the best, and worse, of human nature. I have certainly learnt to check and double check what people say and indeed mean. The experience that comes with time is invaluable. 21 years in this industry means I have witnessed most situations and can use my knowledge to ensure Clients are best advised and assisted.
5. There are Estate Agents in every country in the World. Are there any lessons we can learn from overseas?
I do feel a little aggrieved that in the UK we seem to work as hard as, if not harder, than many of the agents in other countries and yet we are probably the worse paid in the world! Our commission rates are very poor compared with some countries and with ever mounting costs in running a business our payment is being sorely squeezed as clients grind our fees down. Agents on the continent are also very good at selling ‘lifestyles’ as well homes – a theme I am starting to knit in to Luscombe Mayes working practices.
6. What is it about the job that keeps you doing it after all this time?
There is great satisfaction in seeing someone move in to their dream home or indeed move away from a home that just wasn’t right for them any more. It’s a very emotional process and if we can make it as stress free as possible it really does feel very good. I do also love property. How many people get to spend their working life travelling around beautiful countryside and visiting amazing homes?!
7. How do you see the property market in 2011?
I broke my crystal ball a long time ago. We really do have to just react to all the different situations this country presents us with and guide clients and customers one step at a time. Luscombe Maye have worked through difficult markets before so are very well placed to continue to do so. 2011 started with some renewed confident in the market, indeed there was a real ‘buzz’ through January. Providing the media can relay some of the more optimistic property news rather than concentrating on just the sour notes, I am hopeful our South Hams market will hold its own. It will be hard work, but not impossible.
8. Tell us something about working in small communities, is a local agent always the best option?
I truly believe that traditional practices and work ethics create the best results. The general public expect a very high level of service and personal attention nowadays and this can only be provided by regular one-to-one contact, local knowledge and superior customer service. Such service is diluted in large, power-hungry firms who are only focused on growing their company profile rather than looking after their clients individual needs. In today’s difficult world we need to go back to basics and good old fashioned customer service. The Internet can more than adequately handle the national and world-wide exposure for us; the accessible local office remains the best tool on the ground.
9. Should Estate Agents be qualified and if so, who with?
They should be qualified and regularly trained, or certainly study – known in the industry as Continued Professional Development. Property is likely to be one of the most valuable assets anyone will ever own. Step back a few decades and agents were perhaps dealing with only tens of thousands of pounds, now we regularly advise on hundreds and millions of pounds of someone’s money. An agent has to know what they are doing in order to best represent and advise their client. If an agent is a member of The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and/or the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) the general public can rest assured that they are employing a professional.
10. What would you change if you were Prime minister?
The list is too long to mention……!!