Trade Secrets

Michelle Stacey

PROPERTY AGENT FOR M&B RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS

Why did you become a property agent?                              

I began working for a letting agency after leaving school and fortuitously found the position very much to my liking. As a result, I applied myself totally and subsequently obtained several qualifications.

How much training is involved, what qualifications do you need to become a property agent?

Legally there is no obligation to have qualifications. However, I believe they should be required as new legislation regarding this business is constantly being introduced. Our office has regular training updates and we are members of ARLA (Associate of Residential Letting Agents), NALS (National Association of Letting Agents), SafeAgent, NAEA, TDS and Property Redress Scheme.

How long have you been a property agent?

For over twenty years and I have gradually worked into the position of owning my own company.

What is it like owning your own business?

On the whole I feel privileged to be in this position but realise that it brings a huge responsibility.

Where do you work?

I have an office in Derriford but due to current technology I can always communicate with clients when I’m on the road. We cover a huge area from East Cornwall throughout Devon so I spend a lot of time visiting landlords and tenants, walking the unbiased line between the two. 

Who else works with you?

We are a team of 6. Two qualified negotiators, an office administrator, an apprentice and a part-time accountant.

What is involved in being a property agent? How does your day usually unfold?

It is essential that an agent has full knowledge of the property market and a lot of this does come with experience.  A ‘willing to learn’ attitude is therefore extremely important.  Each day is different – some bring worries but the majority bring excitement. Hopefully I can look back at the end of each year with pride.

What would you say to someone thinking of this as a career?

You need to have good people and communication skills. You need to be versatile and capable of solving problems. The logistics of this job will keep anyone on their toes but to be a good agent you need to have confidence and empathy in equal measure.  

What is the best thing about your job?

I would say the people that I work with and meet - but actually it is often the properties! A property can tell you so much about a person and I get to see some remarkable homes.   

Michelle has recently completed additional training and M&B Residential Lettings now offers a sales department, block management services and commercial lettings.