Viewber Diaries – Lynn, Kent
Another guest blog post from one of our Viewbers.
This series follows different Viewbers who are based all across the UK – sharing their experiences of being a Viewber.
These are the people who conduct the many property appointments and services that we offer. This is your chance to get to know them better!
Here is Lynn’s story from Kent…
I was recently asked to give an insight into the daily life of a Viewber – where do you start? Every day is different!
I’m based in Kent near the lovely town of Sevenoaks, recently voted into the top 10 best places to live in England.
Having found Viewber via a recommendation from a friend in 2018, it started slowly with a few local house viewings. At that time (pre COVID-19) my main work was as a freelancer in the corporate team building industry. I loved my job and the variety of people I met and places I worked. So, property appointments fitted nicely in on the non-event days.
Being a lover of travel, visiting grand stately houses and hotels to run events, I’ve always been interested in the properties that I have been privileged to work in. Interested or nosey or are they the same thing?
Being a homeowner for many years and also owning a couple of buy-to-let flats in the local area, I soon felt comfortable on appointments answering viewers questions on the properties and the area. I do believe being able to talk from your own experience is helpful and the local knowledge is what makes a Viewber unique in the property market. Having always worked in advertising sales, a USP is a must and the local knowledge is one of ours!
When COVID-19 hit last year, I recall my last team building event was on March 1st 2020 at The Warrington Rhino’s Rugby League ground. On the long trip home with two of my colleagues, we talked about what the future might hold and when we might see each other again.
I’m pleased to say my work as a Viewber agent has blossomed since then. Whether filming a 360-degree video or just taking simple property photographs, the work is there if you are organised and prepared to take on new skills. Technology has never been a strong point but once I embraced new online skills and some photography knowhow, I was off and running. I’ve even mastered producing floorplans.
One skill I do feel is required is to be able to engage with your clients – either it be with the agent, the owner selling or the viewer.
A recent trend has seen a big increase in auction properties and its often necessary to work with the auction houses to get the best for their clients. Just the other week I was asked to take some photos of some land behind a village church. On arrival it soon became apparent that the whole field was fenced off. The Auction house quickly sent me a WhatsApp of the land registry plans and it showed the entrance was via a footpath some ½ mile away. As it was pouring with rain, I didn’t fancy the muddy walk so took the initiative of ‘if you don’t ask you don’t get’ and knocked on a neighbour’s door. I asked if they had access to the field and whether I would be permitted to go through their garden. I lovely lady duly obliged and showed me her personal sty to use.
So, thinking on your feet and being adaptable are key. The property market is ever changing but always offering opportunities.
They say “always read the small print” – that is true on every appointment as different client have different questions on the feedback, we provide to Viewber HQ.
My tips for fellow Viewbers:
Always make sure you know exactly how many and which photo’s you are requested to take – you don’t want to be back at home and realise you didn’t take a photo of the electric meter reading!
How do I plan a day for a 360-degree tour?
– Day/night before, I make sure my camera is charged and that I also have a spare battery pack
– Make sure I have ALL the appointment questions noted and contact details
– If I’m collecting keys, I check the office/collection point has them and will be open
– If it’s a key code, check it is in situ
– Make sure I have petrol
– Check on any travel delays before setting off
– I upload the tour and photos before I leave the area (just in case of any errors)
Even though I’ve been with a Viewber for over two years now I’m learning every day new aspects of the property business which are improving my expertise as the front-line person for the client.
Tomorrow I will be showing viewers around some new build flats, then its off to the Kent countryside to a cottage up for auction.
As I open the door, I never quite know what I will find.
One of my favourite properties last year was a 1920’s 4 bed semi which basically was still in its original condition. All be it in need of total modernisation, some of the art deco features were amazing and hopefully will be restored.
Whilst waiting for the prospective buyers I do often think of the stories these houses could tell – beats sitting on the M25 in a traffic jam any day!
