Usually us cut throat estate agents hate this time of year. It is always incredibly quiet as people are understandably far too busy and have much better things to do than look for a new house. We end up twiddling our thumbs, waiting for the new year to begin when the market picks up again. We fill our time with exciting things like filing, tidying the office and with even longer lunches than usual which end up being boozy in the festive spirit of things!

This year though, my daughter is changing my outlook slightly. She is still a little bit young to fully appreciate the full meaning of Christmas and freaked out when she saw the big man in his red suit at our office for the Night of the Lights, but, she definitely gets the whole idea of the presents.

I cannot wait to see her face light up on Christmas morning when looks under the tree and see’s the countless amounts of present for her….. It would melt even the hardest of estate agents hearts.

This time of year, is a very good time to reflect. To look back on what has gone on over the past 12 months and to look forward to 2015 and set some goals and targets.

This year has seen huge changes for me personally, as well as Scott & Stapleton. For those that didn’t know, I changed jobs after 17 years of working in Leigh for another estate agency and jumped at the chance to join Scott & Stapleton to be part of their new adventure.

When discussions started about my move, Scott & Stapleton had already secured the new premises at 42 Broadway which they were refurbishing. Tim & Simone (co-owners of Scott & Stapleton) had a great vision of how it was going to look. and aong with their ideas for marketing and work ethos, it was an offer which I just couldn’t refuse.

Obviously, being as risk adverse as I am, it was a petrifying decision for me, but I can honestly say it was one of the best things I have ever done ……after marrying the wife obviously, in case she reads this……

Scott and Stapleton have invested not only in me personally but enormously in the business and are really starting to reap the rewards. One of the most obvious investments was the recent purchase of EC Lettings. Along with the portfolio of 250 properties, we have inherited all of the fabulous staff who are settling in well and comforting all of the tenants and landlords that it is ‘business as usual’.

Another exciting part of the year has been the development of leigh-on-sea.com. Working closely with Jo, who has taken the site to new strengths and must be applauded, has been a real pleasure and the feedback I receive from people who have taken the time to read my blogs has been really pleasing. I am hopefully showing that estate agents aren’t all ruthless and manipulative and may be even have a heart!

I am sure that 2015 will be equally as exciting. We have another portfolio purchase to look forward to and the continuing success of sales and lettings with many more ideas on how to take existing things forward.

In addition, we have some new ideas for different directions in which to take the business.

On that note, it gives me great pleasure in wishing everybody a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and successful new year.

I am not sure I like this new soft side, may be my new years resolution should be to toughen up again?

This Article is by Rob Kahl at Scott & Stapleton
To discuss your propoerty, please call Rob on 01702 471155