Property Photographer Viewing Agent Cumbria

Property Photographer Viewing Agent Cumbria

Here is Hayley’s story from Cumbria…

I am fortunate to live in Cumbria, not too far from the beautiful Lake District. Cumbria being spread out can mean I travel miles to get to some properties. This is always a pleasure with the stunning scenery around me.

I decided to apply to become a Viewber Member last summer when my partner was looking for a job for his son and spotted the advert. At the time I was managing a coffee shop and fancied getting back into the property industry and to take life a little easier.

My working life has been varied (starting my career in a bank; becoming a Personal Trainer and class instructor; working as an estate agent; studying at university to become a person-centred psychotherapist; then being the customer service and events manager in a leisure club to name a few jobs that I have held) but I have always loved property. After buying my first house at 19 and renovating it, I knew it wouldn’t be my only project.

I have bought and renovated both characterful houses and newer properties, but love houses full of features and character. In this role you see all sorts of properties including those in need of some serious TLC. Having vision is definitely required with these properties.

I kept the first house I bought and tenanted it and still have a house that I am the landlord of. It’s helped me having first-hand experience of the letting market too. A lot of the viewers I meet want to extend their rental portfolio, so I’ve found it useful having some background of the area.

Being a self-employed Viewber Member has allowed me the lifestyle I longed for. Having six children between us, life can be hectic. I now have balance of being able to choose when to work and pleasure time, spending more time in the gym and don’t miss anything our children are involved in. I get excited seeing a Viewber email pop up! I love the flexibility and variety that being a Viewber Member provides me with.

I absolutely love doing viewings and making sure any potential buyer is at ease and can gain the correct knowledge of the house and area. It’s always nice to deal with a property from taking the first picture to handing over the keys to the purchaser. This isn’t always the case but as a key holder it’s more likely you can hand over the keys on completion. Usually, the purchaser is excited. This is lovely to see.

One of the purchasers I handed keys to recently is soon to be on ‘Homes Under The Hammer’. I can’t wait to see what they do with the property as when I was last in it, it was raining inside of the house from the large hole in the roof!

I also do photographs, video viewings and floor plans. To be honest I try to add as many things to my ‘can do list’ as possible. Although I’m not the greatest artist I am getting to grips with it. I keep telling myself “I can do this!”

One of the nicest properties I’ve been to do a floor plan was in Grasmere. It had been recently renovated. It was a pleasant change to take my shoes off and walk on fluffy carpets rather than worn carpet or bare boards.

I love getting my ‘work’ clothes on and feeling professional. Meeting so many new and interesting people is amazing. I am learning so much about properties from surveyors and EPC guys too.

As a self-employed Viewber Member, you get to deal with so many different agents. They all work differently but I find I can build a good rapport with them. It’s all a learning curve, but a very interesting one.

The support team at Viewber HQ are so helpful. Nothing is ever too much trouble. I ask lots of questions to make sure I know exactly what I am doing. I would much rather do that than wing it and it to be wrong. Keeping Viewbers clients happy is so important.

My top tips are:

– Make sure you research the property and area you are attending. I use Rightmove or Zoopla and other web sites that are similar. Sometimes there is a link on the email from Viewber but if not, it’s good to see if you can find information about the property.

– Always be organised. Make sure you have all the details you need with you. I use a diary to write down everything I need to know when I’m at the property.

– Get there in plenty time. Make sure you can open doors, put lights on or just acquaint yourself with the property before a viewing or appraisal.

– Always look at the feedback part of the email. Ensure you know what is needed from the potential buyer or what the agent requires.

– Try to complete the feedback as soon as possible. It keeps agents happy and when the details are fresh in your mind.

Most of all I think it’s important to enjoy what you do. It comes across to vendors, viewers and agents.

If you enjoy the work, you will do it well!