5 Minutes with Nick Thompson

Nick Thompson is the Branch Manager for Beresfords Braintree office. He knows the local market better than anyone else and leads a talented, professional residential team. 

We asked him a few questions about his job role and got the inside scoop on Braintree’s property market…

I am the Branch Manager for the Braintree office and head up a very busy team! The role is very varied with lots of plates to spin.  A usual day consists of a morning meeting to discuss the previous day and plan the coming day.

An average day can consist of attending market valuations, accompanying viewings and speaking with solicitors to make sure the conveyance is progressing whilst maintaining high levels of customer service and making sure the team and office are hitting set targets.

To be honest I had never thought of a career in the property industry but, nearly 23 years ago a close friend of mine talked me into joining his company as a negotiator and I have not looked back since. I certainly now have a passion for property and matching people to their dream homes.

Follow up all leads, do the basics consistently, be a good listener, communicate clearly and treat people how you wish to be treated.

I still get a buzz from agreeing a sale and more importantly once a sale proceeds to exchange of contracts. I also really enjoy the other team members excelling and progressing in their careers. Also, you can’t beat winning instructions over other agents!

Be prepared to work long hours, put in the hard work and follow up every lead and opportunity. Do the basics right and always give 100%. Also, if you get the opportunity, get the recognised qualifications as this will give you credibility with potential clients. It's a very worthwhile career and who knows where it will take you!

The last two years have been challenging, mainly because of market conditions but there has been a good demand for two and three-bedroom houses close to local amenities. Braintree is fantastically positioned with great transport links to Stansted Airport, the City of Chelmsford and to London via the M11.

We are seeing good amounts of first-time buyers viewing and looking to purchase their first properties. There are also a large number of potential buyers who work in the City, looking to commute part of the week and work from home the rest of the time. A study, outbuilding or potential for an outbuilding is a requirement we are seeing much more of.

Villages on the outskirts of Braintree are becoming increasingly popular, especially Panfield, Shalford, Cressing & Rayne. Also, the modern developments with good local schooling like White Courts and Great Notley Garden Village are highly sought after. They offer excellent transport links, especially with Stansted Airport being a 20 minute drive away down the A120.

The biggest misconception is the conveyance process and the length of time it can take for a transaction to proceed to exchange of contracts. Our job is to professionally navigate buyers and sellers through the process and manage each client’s expectations with our experience and expertise.

I would advise all first-time buyers to sort out their finances before they start looking. Speak to an independent financial advisor to see what suits you and what the re-payments would be to put you in a good position if you see a property you like. Then register with local agents and discuss your criteria. A good agent will keep you informed of any potential new listings you may be interested in.

Invite myself or my Assistant Manager, Eleanor to provide you with an up-to-date market valuation. We will visit your home and listen to what you are looking to do, and we will let you know what Beresford’s can offer and talk through local market conditions. We will then provide you with a market valuation and provide you comparable evidence to back up our valuation. We will discuss the legal requirements you have to comply with, and we would advise you to speak to an independent financial advisor to make sure the onward move is affordable. I would advise every client to put themselves in the best position moving forward.

Thanks so much to Nick for answering all our questions! If you’re planning a move in Braintree soon, we’re here to support you at every step. As you can tell, we have an enthusiastic and talented team ready to help. Get in touch with Nick and the team, today.