Rollo Miles, from Agent & Homes

Who are you and what does it say on your business card?

It just says “Agent” for, at the end of the day, that is what I am: an estate agent and proud to be one. I am joint CEO with Bob and as well as setting up Agent and Homes and running the back end, I still take on instructions and sell and let them. Our model is not about fancy names or wanting to be in charge, but simply enabling my colleagues to offer great customer service and make a great living.

What's your company's name and what does it do?

We are called “Agent and Homes” www.agentandhomes.com for this is what we do: we are agents and deal with people’s homes. We are modern estate agents and offer a virtual agent franchise for hungry agents to work with. We also have an Airbnb platform called Air Homes www.airhomes.co.uk for short-term lets.

What services do you offer?

We offer sales, lettings, property management, short-term lettings, Airbnb management, property search and acquisitions, help with onward moves, commercial property, new build… basically anything you can imagine linked to property. We are our client’s agent for life and can help them with any of their property needs.

What makes your product different and how does it benefit agents?

Well, you could say we are similar to Uber in the way that Agent and Homes is the platform and our agents the drivers. Some people have also compared us to a barrister’s chambers where people work together, support each other but are responsible for their own billing and clients. Our main differential is our agents earn 90% of any fee they set.
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What is your greatest achievement in your current role and what made it so special?

Challenging the status quo, and trying to reinvent estate agency, instead of driving fees down like upfront fee online agents have done! We are forcing the high street to pay higher commissions and wages to their staff, for frankly the 5 to 10% they get for what they do in branch is not good enough. Because of our new model, we can see high street agents now starting to increase agent’s commission to over 20% or they risk a real brain drain.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?

Being in charge of my own destiny – not having to report to middle-management pen pushers – and earning 90% of any fee I generate instead of the 10% I used to get when I worked for high street agents.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing estate and letting agents at the moment?

The Conservative government, with the way they are obsessed with punishing the industry and home owners! The stamp duty hike of 2015 still resonates and is the real underlying cause of the stalling London market. Brexit in my opinion was not helpful but the lack of planning and ability to negotiate on behalf of the current government is just not funny!

What is your property prediction for the remainder of 2018?

Until we have clarity on our post-Brexit relationship with Europe and confidence returns, we will remain in a buyers’ market, with a low level of transactions and many people worried about their jobs, staying put and not moving. Thank goodness for lettings, but at the same time the loss of tenant fees to high street agents will create even more disruptions and closures to come.

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Country house or city apartment?

London house.

Trendy roof terrace or traditional English garden?

Traditional English garden with a maze.

Would you rather be a free-moving tenant or settled owner occupier?

Settled owner occupier.

What is your favourite room in your home?

My wine cellars.

Homes under the Hammer or Location, Location, Location?

Location, Location, Location any day.