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-reducing mistakes agents make… as well as how to set yourself up for maximum value on your exit. 

Plus, how all this plays out in the new world of Self-Employed agents, as well as the future of valuations in the agency market. 

In this conversation, we cover:

Lifestyle business vs. saleable business, how even profitable businesses can be almost unsellable.

The importance of lettings in business valuation

Valuation benchmarks, and how to sell for more…

Common deal structures, and what to avoid

Top mistakes agency owners make when selling

When to start planning a sale

What the characteristics of a saleable agency are (and they might not be what you think)

Industry trends, changes over the past 25+ years, and what to expect next

Perhaps most interestingly, when Adam thinks that traditional sales agencies will be the most valuable… i.e., when to sell!

Certainly not one to miss….

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 for free, and catch up on last month's content, here: https://us21.campaign-archive.com/?u=db74f5b588c5289dd2935b2fe&id=bfb6ee9673

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 think is happening in the premium market
 • Why understanding market sentiment is crucial when dealing with homes at the top end
 • How staging, marketing, and messaging are evolving in today’s landscape
 • The tension between data-driven insights vs. agent anecdotes
 • The role of collaboration and how different industry perspectives can shape better outcomes

Whether you’re an estate agent, property professional, or simply intrigued by the premium market, this episode offers rich insights, expert commentary, and lively debate from a panel deeply embedded in the industry (even if not currently practising agents themselves).

👥 Featuring contributors from:
 • Lemon and Lime Interiors (Elaine Penhaul)
 • Opening the Gates (Simon Gates)
 • Unchained Marketing (Simon Leadbetter)
 • By Design (David Lindley)

📣 Don’t just take one opinion—hear the collective voice of over 1,000 agents and the commentary that brings it to life.

👉 Watch now, and let us know your take in the comments!

Subscribe to receive Premium Estate Agency News, featuring articles from Simon, Simon, Elaine and I each month, here: https://us21.campaign-archive.com/?u=db74f5b588c5289dd2935b2fe&id=dcada24633

#PremiumProperty #EstateAgency #VoiceOfTheAgent #UKHousingMarket #PropertyPodcast #ByDesign #PropertyPornStars

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 receive it directly to your inbox, here: https://us21.campaign-archive.com/?u=db74f5b588c5289dd2935b2fe&id=dcada24633

(Plus you can check out Simons top 5 hacks for listing and launching properties to sell, particularly pertinent at the moment!). 

Back with the 'usual' interview style episode next month, until then I hope you enjoy this premium market update episode. 

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 am”…is London exception, or not?

Fee levels in London vs provinces

How not to compete with other agents, and the mindset required

Paying for the best

Premium brands ‘done right’

Arrogance vs confidence - ‘confidence in your confidence’

How people act differently in premium and prime

Acting as a buying agent and sales agent

High net worth individuals coming BACK to London, despite what you might hear in the press…

Long term relationships and networking with high net worth clients - tips and the harsh reality of it (compared to our favourite property TV’s depictions!)

And how Andrew was one of the early pioneers of personal branding…!

Plus lots more, a great conversation with a great guest, be sure not to miss this one.

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 it directly to your inbox, here: https://us21.campaign-archive.com/?u=db74f5b588c5289dd2935b2fe&id=3449ca75a2

(Plus you can check out Simons top 5 hacks for targeting properties currently on the market with other agents there, particularly pertinent at the moment!). 

Back with the 'usual' interview style episode next month, until then I hope you enjoy the first premium market update episode. 

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 to maintain your mindset

Teambuilding

How to manage Burnout

Self Care

Firing Clients

How to ask for help!

And most importantly, the story of Matt table-dancing at an industry event...

A great episode from a great guest, be sure to check it out wherever you get your podcasts! 

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 market, and the importance of specialisation in your chosen field.

Plus, what a ‘schoffel’ is, and why its so symbolic of a market niche.

And…most importantly of all, we might have a new winner for the best ‘Porn-Star Name’!

Lots of shout outs, some detailed explanation of decision making as he launched his business, and some learnings along the way… there’s a great amount of content shared in this episode - one not to miss!

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. 

What went well, what didn't, what they'd do again, and what they wouldn't - our guests share their strategies in detail, and this insight is worth its weight in gold for any agents operating, or aspiring to operate in, the premium property market.

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 nearest landmass is 400 miles away, 6 miles of ocean beneath you, and the nearest humans to you...are in the international space station! 😳

This is a great conversation, touching on:

David's journey through corporate, independent, start up, online agency, premium agency, supplier...what hed do again, and what he wouldn't! 

The easyProperty deal.

Meeting a billionaire, and how they think.

Sales vs Managerial roles; how to retain your best talent.

The art and science of salesmanship. 

Promotions...! How to promote salespeople, and manage managers...

What I learned on my adventures: oceans, crocodiles, oil tankers, and the remote place on earth! 

And the role of fear... in business, and in your personal life; how to harness it. 

Benefit from David's 40 years in business, as he kindly shares some of the best things he has learned in arguably one of the most varied and interesting careers in the industry.