Musings of a perplexed agent

This week has been a scramble to get people referenced, their money in and the keys into their hands after all the viewings over the holiday weekend. I don't think any other agents were open so all the folk looking for places to rent ended up on our doorstep.

I did a market appraisal on the Thursday and haven't heard from the prospective LandLady despite trying to call her to ask her if I had upset her. As I do in these cases I checked rightmove to see if it was on with anyone else.

It is: with FK. Why, I wonder? There is one picture of the front of the place and 3 bullet points including the fact that you could fit a table into the kitchen. No further description or interior photos.

When I met the LandLady she told me that her partner would be doing the negotiation of our percentage and I think I took the wind out her sails by telling her that there was no need to negotiate as we just have a flat fee £65+VAT for full management. She looked bemused and said that that was cheaper than any of the others had quoted her for just rent collection.

So why? Is it that I don't have a flash car or wear a shiny suit? Is it becuase I am honest about possible rents and I move good tenants in quickly and hardly ever have any voids?

If you have ever found us on the internet I'm sure you will agree that we show more picutres of properties than anyone else out there except perhaps LL (you know who you are you cheeky- fireplace-photograper-you) and he only does it on his sales properties. Our descriptions are interesting and often funny and really tell you something about the property.

Perhaps people think that you get a cheap service from us and they would prefer to pay a premium and get a premium service. I would turn that on its head and ask why pay a premium for the same service?

What do you get for that premium? It certainly isn't better advertising or viewings on a bank holiday weekend.

Hello to all those of you who have missed us. We miss you too: give me a ring you miserable lot. Its 01235 524800 or alternatively you can fax me pictures of my head made to look like Ming the Merciless on 01235 524500.