Diary of an agent – Francesca Leighton-Scott and Jack Alisiroglu

Francesca Leighton-Scott (FLS) is based in Bath and handles country sales. Having started as a PA/administrator  in 2012, she used her customer service background to progress as a negotiator, securing a series of promotions.

Last month Jack Alisiroglu (JA) became head of the Battersea and Riverside office in London, where he and his team of four deal with the fast-moving lettings market.

With Knight Frank forecasting that the number of home sales in 2020 will decline by 526,000, and the number of new tenant registrations down 38% compared with the five-year average in the week ending 2 May, the agents detail the current situation.

Lockdown continues but the market isn’t in stasis, is it?

FLS - Far from it. People are restless and requests for viewings are up. I had a property – a gothic cottage in West Kingston, Wiltshire – featured in the Sunday Times earlier this month and I was inundated with enquires as a consequence. During lockdown I’ve agreed four, strong deals too. 

JA – We had 20 enquiries over the weekend and have agreed 11 tenancies to date in May. We currently have 444 live tenancies, which by the time you factor in the individuals involved – from tenants to landlords or intermediaries –that’s potentially close to a thousand people that could contact us. We’ve continued to provide support and even with the team working from home I’ve made a point of letting clients know that “my team are here for you and they are firing on all cylinders”.

What’s the current sentiment among those in the market?

FLS – People are champing at the bit. However, while many people expect things to pick up exactly from where they left off, I’ve been cautioning them that there remain unknowns such as when our offices will open again and under what restrictions. Clearly though, many people have taken used this period to give thought to what they want for the next chapter of their live and where they’d like to live.

JA – We’ve had tenants get in touch to negotiate rent reductions. In the main where that’s happened owners have been receptive. They are well aware of the situation and for them finding good tenants that will provide longevity remains the most important thing. 

What are your thoughts about what the next few months will bring?

FLS - It’s feeling busier and it’s a good market here. We are still getting buy to let enquiries too as borrowing remains cheap. I’d say seven out of ten of those currently looking to buy are from outside the area, predominately London. 

JA – As a team we’ve worked hard during to build a really strong register of property, so we are well set for when the market comes back. The catalyst to lift activity from its current level will be the resumption of viewings. As we get closer to September there will likely be pressure on families to act in regards school places. We have Newton Prep and Thomas’s school, which is where Prince George and Princess Charlotte are being educated, within our catchment.

During lockdown, what challenges have you overcome?

FLS – Although deals have continued to complete, finding removal firms to help has proved difficult but not impossible. On a personal level not having the face to face contact with clients has been a challenge, as I’m a huge advocate of meeting them in their homes to talk about what they hope to achieve from a sale.

JA – We've been able to continue a certain level of business within government guidelines. However, it’s the logistics that are the limiting factor: the removal companies, the inventory companies, the cleaners that can’t get into the properties at present. 

What will be your lasting memory of this time? 

FLS – I think the comradery both professional and personal that this situation has generated will stay with me. Normally when someone asks, ‘how are you?’ they are simply expecting you to say that you’re okay. During this time people have seemed genuinely interested though.

JA – As a company we’ve adapted really well. We’ve had the technology to draw on and it’s really shown the calibre of the people working here. I’ve enjoyed seeing how friendly and kind people have been. Brexit was divisive but through this experience we really have all been in it together. It’s brought the best out in people.

For more interviews, visit our Diary of an agent page.