Richard Poole — trusted estate agent in Leighton Buzzard

"You can't do that! You can't lie!". This is what my Dad said to me when I told him I was going to be an estate agent, and it's always stuck with me.

I remember being confused at first as I always knew that moving home was the one of the most important things you can do in life, but I quickly learnt this was the general reputation of estate agents in the UK. However, over the years I worked out why estate agents don't have glowing reputations- KPl's.

I know this may not make sense at first, but MD's, area managers and branch managers driving KPl's on a daily basis inevitably leads to quantity over quality. When numbers and 'market share' being the priority is constantly being drilled into you, it's easy to lose track of what is actually important - the people who own the homes you are selling. It's your move, your life, your equity that you entrust an estate agent with, and I for one do not take that for granted. I wasn't going to be a 'typical estate agent'; I was going to show my Dad there was another way.

That's why when the opportunity came up to work with Lion Estates it was a no-brainer. Being a 'personal estate agent' allows me to handle everything for my clients. From the initial consultation, to conducting thorough viewings which are more than simply opening a door, to even collecting keys on completion day so you don't have to take a detour to drop them off at an office. My clients know they have me supporting their goals and trust that I have their best interest at heart at every step.

They know they're not just another number on a spreadsheet.

Estate agency isn't only about selling homes, it's about helping people move.