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Written by rosalind renshaw

You only have a few days left in which to apply, but at last we can bring you details of the search going on for the new managing director of the NAEA.

Well, actually, not that much detail.

We don’t know the salary package other than it will be ‘excellent’ and there will be lots of those mysterious ‘stakeholders’ to liaise with in this ‘important yet challenging opportunity’.

There will also be lots of travel, an office in Warwick and the satisfaction of holding a position of importance.

The job spec includes responsibility for increasing membership, but doesn’t mention the all-important bit about actually representing the members and their views and interests.

Anyway, we’re sure they are some excellent candidates out there amongst the EAT readers. And we’re probably all thinking of the same two or three stand-out people who’d do an excellent job.

CVs by this Friday (September 7) to Anthony Hesse, at Property Personnel, with a covering letter.

anthony@propertypersonnel.co.uk

Comments

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    Grumpy

    What waffle.....There are excellent traditional agents out there there are also awful traditional agents out there. Ones that provide poor service, offer poor value for money, commit fraud, expolit there customers, over value properties to get listings, have staff that use there clients properties to have as places to carry out there extra marital affairs when they know nobody is in, take drugs while working, watch porn all day in the office.

    How does they average vendor know which is which.

    or are you saying if they do all the above but make money they are still good?

    • 06 September 2012 19:59 PM
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    It doesnt mean the traditional agent chosen will be any better at selling a property than the supermarket or on line agent though does it?

    Yes it does, an agent that isn't any good isn't open.

    Online Agent, no overheads, could be claiming DSS for all anyone knows operating from a bedsit and watching porn all day while monitoring a website.

    Supermarket- minimum wage salary slaves told and targeted to sell add on services.

    If you want that sort of thing go for it, it leaves me to deal with the sort of people who respect what I do.

    • 06 September 2012 16:53 PM
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    "You can choose an Agent who is wholly dependant for their income on selling your home" It doesnt mean the traditional agent chosen will be any better at selling a property than the supermarket or on line agent though does it?

    Marginally more market exposure given.

    • 06 September 2012 14:17 PM
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    Practice imperfection for 10 years perfects imperfection.

    But I do agree with you the pillock from Tunbridge wellie is a pillock!

    • 06 September 2012 13:31 PM
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    'If you were aware that NAEA members operate to a code of conduct and were subject to delivering the highest standards of customer service, it would help you as a vendor make an informed choice.'

    A code of conduct is one thing - I'm all for that - but how is a code of conduct enforced by a trade association? You get booted out if guilty. Fair enough. But if no-one cares if you are a member of that trade association ... what's the point? The NAEA has signally failed to get the message across to consumers ... Use an NAEA agent for your own protection.

    But customer service? How can you control that? I've had estate agents that have secured an offer and I have not heard one word from them again. I've had others that have had someone ring me up once a week to let me know how my sale is progressing. I know which one I'll use again but, unless I have used someone before, I have no way of knowing who will deliver on their promises of 'high levels of service'.

    • 05 September 2012 09:46 AM
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    But that is the whole point. If you were aware that NAEA members operate to a code of conduct and were subject to delivering the highest standards of customer service, it would help you as a vendor make an informed choice.

    You can choose an Agent who is wholly dependant for their income on selling your home or you can go with the unregulated supermarket Agent who wants to sell you " products and services" or an Online Agent who never needs sell a single place because they earn their living charging a listing fee to put you on the interweb.

    Save you anger for the banks and Messrs Blair and Brown, they educated a nation to be greedy, stupid and lazy.

    • 04 September 2012 18:25 PM
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    Grumpy ... 'the Tunbridge whinger who wants to blame Estate Agents for every ill that has befallen the country'

    I hope you don't mean me! I blame the banks, the last government and the greed and stupidity of people in general for the mess we are in.

    EAs are just part of the picture and, sure, when things are nuts you are the first to feed the frenzy ... but, after all, you're only doing your job.

    And, as I have said a few times, I've met some very good agents in my time. And as many tossers too. That, really, is the tricky bit. Who to use? It's always a gamble. And whether you are, or are not, a member of the NAEA is utterly irrelevant to me.

    Estate Agency is not a profession and, on the whole, I'm quite happy with that. Once you become a profession, you become a cartel.

    • 04 September 2012 17:02 PM
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    Actually the RICS, at the time,considered that time served plus day release and night school along with 5 HND level papers in Economics, Law, Valuation, Town and Country Planning and Surveying was enough to qualify to apply to be an associate of RICS, just like those coming out of CEM. I take it you can work out compound interest or years purchase and understand 9 ways of valuing property, along with how and when to use each.

    A Fellowship of NAEA meant that you had survived in the same competive, commission based job for 10 years. Perhaps you can explain why 10 years experience is not something one should be proud of. The thing about Estate Agents is that living and working in an area, meeting and conversing with the public, appearance, manners and experience all play a part in one's success.
    I for one don't hold with the notion of being able to buy letters and if that is the strap line on the NAEA website it is indication enough for the need for change.
    The one thing that is needed is someone who is happy to mix it on here with the likes of you, the Tunbridge whinger who wants to blame Estate Agents for every ill that has befallen the country, the likes Peter Hendry and the malcontent no hope HPC crowd. Not once have any of the executive faced up on here and defended an industry that they are supposed to represent.

    • 04 September 2012 15:30 PM
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    "equated to the RICS requirement for a degree. " You were doing alright till you put that nonsense, you almost sound like you believe it! NAEA web site, "why join, get some initials main headline"! Says it all

    • 04 September 2012 14:08 PM
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    Minimum age 30 with 10 years good clean experience with an interview from a panel of piers. I sat 5 five 3 hour examinations which equated to the RICS requirement for a degree.
    The thing about the new MD of NAEA is that the sort of person they need to do the job, is not the sort of person the job protecting, boys club the NAEA has become under PBK's leadership would want to employ.

    Instead of Stonehenge's suggested first press release there wouldn't be one, instead there should be a personal letter sent out to every Fellow who has not renewed their membership in the last 5 years, apologising for they way they and their views have been ignored, apologising for the apathetic attitude towards member interests and promising to put Propertylive at heart of property searching in the UK. An naturally an invitation to renew their Fellowship.
    ARLA should be allowed to regain the respect it had as the bastion of Property Management and RICS can be allowed to attend to their more traditional pursuits.

    A good strong alliance between a solid Kentesque National Association along with a solid, supported and moreover Supportive ARLA will do away with the need for both NALS ans TPO. such clarity focuses the public on a National Association where even people with understandably jaundiced and repeatedly knocking views will start to have respect for the Profession of Estate Agency.

    • 04 September 2012 13:40 PM
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    What percentage of vendors, allegedly, make their choice of agent based on the fact an agent is a member of the NAEA?

    What percentage of vendors have heard of the NAEA?

    What percentage of vendors have 'membership of the NAEA' as any part of their requirement when choosing an agent.

    What is the point of the NAEA?

    • 04 September 2012 10:39 AM
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    Now I thought you went from NAEA to being able to add the F because of age not a higher qualification or standard?

    • 04 September 2012 09:19 AM
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    FNAEA use to stand for something and was a respected position in the industry.

    It was NFoPP failing to tell people like you exactly that which has seen the decline in the value and respect 10 years practical experience should warrant.

    • 03 September 2012 17:58 PM
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    The new man could campaign on getting agents to pay subs so they can add valueless initials after their name so the poor unsuspecting public think they are actually qualified and regulated by the organisation! Nah never catch on!

    • 03 September 2012 17:37 PM
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    Henry Prior's odds are very interesting and very interesting

    EW has been very quiet - he is exactly what NAEA need - someone agents relate to and who isn't frightened to shake things up. If anyone can rally the troops and get things done - he would get my vote.

    • 03 September 2012 17:32 PM
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    If it shut tomorrow, who would notice?

    • 03 September 2012 16:46 PM
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    Lets just speculate on whoever does land the job, his or her first press release will be as follows:

    Delighted to be appointed to progressive, nationally recognised professional body. Look forward to meeting all the members/staff etc. Top organisation in the field.

    Challenging position, innovative, lobbying the Government to recognise that all estate agents should have a professional qualification (i.e. ours!). Moving the organisation forward (maintaining current membership levels!).

    False hopes declared: Increasing the membership by 50% in 2 years.

    Levelling the playing field, ticking the right boxes, blue sky thinking and pushing the envelope. (Freqently used expressions in most meeetings).

    Problem is the actualite:

    1. Being pulled in every direction by anyone with a vested interested in getting "their" way.
    2. The WADITW mentality that change is not good.
    3. Banging your head against the Government brick wall for the entire term of your employment to no discerible effect.
    4. Desperately trying to convince all and sundry that NAEA is recognised throughout by the buying and selling public, and failing.
    5. Minimum hours per week of 80 plus.
    6. Attending branch meetings where fewer than 10 people actually turn up after travelling 150 miles.
    7. Watching your back!
    8. Chinese walls.
    9. Always knackered.
    10. Wife will be a stranger fairly soon.
    11. Lots of pretence about enjoying the job when it's really anything but.
    12. Dealing with prats.
    13. Not being as popular as PBK.

    Any more?

    • 03 September 2012 10:05 AM
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    Keep the punches above the belt please!

    "The job spec includes responsibility for increasing membership, but doesn’t mention the all-important bit about actually representing the members and their views and interests."

    Are you having a laugh?

    My money would be on James Herriot as the only bloke who stands a chance of knowing what to do with such a terminally sick beast.

    • 03 September 2012 09:55 AM
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    You're a bit generous with your odds Henry, this old nag is too tired, too old and too lame to command 20/1. That's apart from the fact that the course would be beset with Beechers Brooks at every turn, and the poor chosen jockey would also be unable to have his/her head as there'd always be an owner in the background confusing the issue by thinking they know better. On the plus side, at least there'd be no weight penalty. Big T

    • 03 September 2012 09:32 AM
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    Who might be in the frame for what must be the poison chalice of all jobs? Good luck to anyone considering the job.

    If EAT offered odds might they look like this;-

    Nick Leeming - 8/1
    Nick Salmon - 10/1
    Trevor Kent - 20/1
    Eric Walker - 20/1
    @GrumpyOldEA - 100/1

    • 03 September 2012 08:21 AM
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