8 minute read
Meet Hannah Musk
from SANDERSTEAD, SOUTH CROYDON Hannah Musk from Manchester Durman. REPUTATION The Estate Agent Magazine
Manchester Durrman 19-21 Limpsfield Road, Sanderstead, CR2 9LA 020 8657 5599 www.manchesterdurman.com
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Hannah Musk
We are the sole member of the Guild of Property Professionals for South Croydon which is an accolade to our working ethos. We are a hard-working team of local people so know a lot about the local area and all it has to offer. I have found that we are selling an area as much as selling a home so all the vital local knowledge is beneficial. We have our very own in-house Solicitors who provide a conveyancing service which helps massively with sales “ “ progression as it is all under one roof. We also offer a discount on this service in exchange for entrusting your home to us. Being a good listener is essential.
Sanderstead South Croydon
It is a fast-paced job in which I thrive on. I love being busy and as a ‘people person’ I really enjoy getting to meet lots of people on a daily basis. I have always had an interest in property so getting to work in this environment where I see lots of homes is a great bonus, not to mention it satisfies my nosiness! My favourite part of the job is handing over keys to the new owners on completion, the happiness and excitement are apparent, knowing that a new chapter of their lives is just about to start.
Having a young family, I have immersed myself in the local community through clubs, local events and sporting activities. I enjoy a variety of sports, especially running, football, rugby and outdoor time with the family, making the most of the vast amount of woodland and outdoor space in the area. For some relaxing time, there is nothing better than pottering around the garden, in the veggie patch or with my chickens. What is the best thing about being an Agent?
Hannah Musk Sales Manager sales@manchesterdurman.com 20 years management experience
How did you get into real estate?
I have always been interested in property and when looking for a complete career change, I knew where I wanted to be! The opportunity arose for me and I jumped at it as I loved the fact that Manchester Durman was an independent estate agent which has kept hold of its traditional values and really puts its customers first. I only wanted to be part of an estate agent like that as these values are very important to me.
What qualities do you need to be a successful estate agent & why?
Being honest and trustworthy are the two main qualities that are needed. A good agent needs to build their career on reputation so it is important that you put the client first and always do what you have said that you will do. Being a good listener is essential too so as to really grasp the client’s needs and objectives from the outset. Good preparation and the ability to analyse the market or the present situation. Confidence, good initiative, and enthusiasm for the task at hand are traits that all vendors instinctively seek as vendors want a strong ally for selling.
How important is having a good reputation in this industry & why?
A good reputation takes a long time to build and comes from consistently working hard to give a good service to the buyer and the seller alike. It is incredibly important to build up a good reputation within this industry as you are being trusted with a person’s most valuable asset and they need to be assured of the service that they are going to receive.
What is the best way of valuing a home?
This is the perfect question for me with my background in analytics. There are no short-cuts and I am lucky to have fast access to historic prices, property listings past and present, our own in-house solicitors’ observations of mortgage trends and regional prices, and several algorithmic profiles which offer suggestions but nothing beats the human brain on this one because the ‘perfect pricing formula’ requires essential and in-depth knowledge of what potential buyers are seeking and are prepared to pay. Again, the slogan ‘people, not property’ applies. I find it fascinating.
A lot of thinking and reflection goes into the role of a sales manager, from approaching a property’s market launch to monitoring how that develops and can be safely and successfully concluded. It is only possible for me to have the essential thinking time to do that with a team who can deal with all the arguably less exciting but vital support roles such as, registering applicants and getting to know their position, coordinating viewings and checking our database for new registrants and calling them to verify and clarify. The greater the stock the more hands that are needed. From our experience, each property absorbs on average ten hours of support time in the first week of marketing. My team of five has surplus capacity for the stock we typically have, I am pleased to tell our sellers. I do wonder how estate agents with the same support or less can properly and adequately service as many properties as some typically take on to sell. Manchester Durman ran a successful lettings agency for 17 years but decided in the tumultuous 2020 to concentrate just on sales out of a sense of duty to its property sellers.
How do you deal with the after-sales?
This is where Manchester Durman and I are uniquely placed to assist. As good sales managers will be first to say, ‘finding a buyer is only half the job’. Apart from my fabulous estate agency team, I have a property solicitor team at my disposal for those sellers of mine who opt to use them. How many sales managers can say that? The chronology of key after sales events on manchesterdurman.com outlines the process, but where there are unexpected bumps in the road it takes that special human touch and much diplomacy to deal with them, and the partners, I am proud to say, recognise that ability in me in their reviews/feedback.
How do you manage sellers’ expectations?
This starts with the first meeting and listening to find out what the seller wants to achieve as this will vary depending on their circumstances. For instance, a seller who is relocating and found the ideal new home may not thank me if I embark on a marketing strategy that does not suit. For example, it may be better for them to choose a chain-free cash buyer than wait for a buyer with a higher offer who is in a long chain which might break down. With the help of our in-house property solicitors, I try to spot chain weaknesses for example a house which may not be habitable in a lender’s eyes or a flat with a poor lease.
Do you like sellers to be home on viewings?
This depends on the seller. I will always speak my mind. I sometimes identify in a vendor, a natural salesperson or ‘sales asset’ and so will encourage them to be present at a viewing if they wish, but sometimes the opposite is true. Having a seller present increases the likelihood that a more specific or subjective viewer’s question will be answered and helps with the ‘viewing momentum’.
What are the key aspects when negotiating a house sale?
Do look up our website where you can find the typical chronology of events for marketing under “latest news” and our in-house property lawyers have a similar chronology for the legal process under the “legal/property” tab. Clients have commented how useful that is!
What are some important questions a seller should ask you on a listing presentation?
An owner should never be shy or wary of asking an agent what simple things might be done to stage a home at its best. A good agent will volunteer that information without being asked. This is important and there are experts who make a living from promoting home staging tips and I’m always keen to read about them and add to my knowledge about them. The experts on this really approach it like a science.
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What do you recommend that a seller should do prior to calling in an estate agent for a valuation?
I do my best to keep an open mind and sellers must not worry if their house is cluttered or not looking its best. All I ask is that it’s safe enough to view and show to potential buyers. If there are dangers to avoid do let me know. With my contacts, I may even be able to point an owner in the right direction to address them. I must say that a new inexpensive carpet particularly in the entrance hall can work wonders and clean your windows, make the beds and put food away! First impressions for the senses! I also think that making arrangements to take pets out for a walk during a viewing is a good idea.
