Time at John German? I first joined John German Estate Agents in the Ashby office as a Trainee Land Agent in 1981. I qualified as a Chartered Surveyor a year later. After ten years in various parts of the country, I moved to the John German Stafford office. I was the head of the Residential Estate Agency and Valuation department. I stayed until we opened in Uttoxeter in 2004. I now work from Ashbourne and Uttoxeter, combining them with my role as Managing Director.

The best part of your job? Despite how long I have been doing it, I get immense satisfaction from doing a deal and achieving an excellent result for a client. It is great when clients follow your advice, especially when the results match or exceed everyone’s expectations.

Top tip for anyone selling a property? It is vital to prepare well to avoid unnecessary delays and avoidable issues spoiling the sale in the final stages of the deal. It is worth reviewing the house’s condition and sorting out teething problems that could deter buyers and create many damning words from surveyors. Also, ensure all the appropriate certificates and paperwork is readily available for your solicitor.

Time at John German? Joined John German in 1998 at the Burton office and have worked in estate agency since leaving school.

Best part of your job? We sell properties but this business is all about people, working with our clients to achieve a sale and seeing them move home gives me tremendous satisfaction, more so, if difficulties have to be overcome along the way.

Top tip for buyer or seller?  Seller: Do your research on estate agents before instructing one, it’s not all about a low fee! Buyer: Yes buy with your head but let your heart have a say too!

What would be your dream home? A contemporary glass and steel home overlooking an estuary.

Time at John German? I started at John German around 1998.

Best part of your job? Knowing our clients trust us and are confident in the knowledge we will sell their home for them. To make it as stress free as possible, we have a brilliant support team in the sales progression department. Lichfield is a small town and we regularly bump into happy customers which makes the job very rewarding.

Top tip for buyer or seller? Before going on the market, walk through your home and imagine how a buyer would see things for the very first time. Can you see anything which needs updating or fixing? Are there any rooms which look too cluttered or busy? If so, it’s worth taking a bit of time to get things looking fresh, spacious and homely.

What is your experience? I started in estate agency straight out of college at 18. I now have over 25 years of experience working solely in the sector and dealing with all property types and various marketplaces.

The best part of your job? Bit of a stock answer, but nothing beats selling a property, and I love it when that means that our seller gets to secure the home of their dreams. It’s not like selling any other product; it’s full of emotion and hopes for the future.

Top tip for buyer or seller? Make the most of what you have; that doesn’t mean spending a fortune but touching up that bit of paint and clearing out the clutter makes all the difference. Remember, best foot forward you wouldn’t go on a date without brushing your hair!

What would be your dream home? Somewhere out in the countryside with views for miles!

Best part of your job? I love everything about my job, from meeting new people to agreeing sales. The best thing is seeing the smiles on people’s faces and knowing we have done our job!

Top tip for buyer or seller?  Choose an agent with a great reputation and great local knowledge, one that will provide you with the highest level of customer service. Of course, this means choosing John German!

What would be your dream home? A detached home with a fabulous modern living kitchen and great outdoor space to entertain from.

Time at John German? I started working at John German in the summer of 2019. Before that, I was manager of a ladies boutique in Ashbourne for nearly twenty years. From this, I have been able to apply my experience of high level customer service to my role here.

Favourite part of your job? I really like the communication we have with clients and helping them with their move. It’s lovely meeting people on viewings and getting to know them better.

Top tip for buyer or seller? I would say to get your house looking as good as it can be so it looks fantastic in the photographs. Then keeping up the good work for viewings, making sure everything has been stream lined so people can see themselves in the property.

What’s your dream home? My dream home would be something that has been renovated in a sympathetic way, keeping the charm and features but with a modern twist.

Experience: I started working as an estate agent at the beginning of 2021. I previously worked in London as a luxury lifestyle concierge.

Favourite part of your job? I have always been a people person, so I love the satisfaction of knowing I have helped people with one of the most significant moves of their life. But, of course, I also love seeing all the beautiful homes too!

Top tips for a buyer/seller? Choose the agent wisely; cheaper fees doesn’t always mean better value. Go for an agent with a team dedicated to selling your home and giving you the best service possible. Check online reviews and ask friends and family for recommendations.

Dream home? My dream home would be a big beautiful home Hamptons style overlooking the sea!

Time at John German? Since 1995 but with 3 years off for good behaviour!

Favourite part of your job? Going out to meet landlords and gaining their confidence to instruct us…. And then finding them the perfect tenant!

Top tip for a landlord? Only buy a property to let in an area you would live!

What would be your dream home? A grand design home with full height windows overlooking countryside.

Time at John German? I joined John German Estate Agents in 2011 and have worked for both the Lettings and Sales departments.

The best part of your job? It’s a fast-paced job which provides me with a great feeling of accomplishment when I find the perfect tenant for a landlord. Another aspect of the job I enjoy is building great relationships with our landlords and tenants. It feels good when they come back to us time and time again to re-let their properties or when they are looking for a new home.

What would be your dream home? My dream home would be a period property with plenty of old features and open fires, with somewhere to put a very big Christmas tree.

Time at John German? Since 2005 both in Sales and Lettings.

The best part of your job? Building up a good relationship with landlords and tenants alike.

Top tip for buyer or seller? First impressions really do count, maximise your kerb appeal and be realistic with the rental price to avoid the property sitting empty.

What would be your dream home? I’ve always really fancied a grand design type house, perhaps by Frank Lloyd or similar.

Favourite part of your job? Is saving the day! When something has gone wrong with someone’s mortgage application and we are able to intervene and get them into their dream home.

Top tip for buyer or seller? Before taking the plunge and applying for a mortgage speak to an independent mortgage advisor. With so many different lending policies between mortgage providers these days, it is worth your while to speak to someone impartial who will find you a mortgage based around your own needs.

What would be your dream home? My dream house would have to be a place overlooking the sea. There is something really calming about watching the waves roll in. Being by the sea takes me back to my childhood in the Northeast, having lemon tops in Redcar and enjoying fish & chips in Whitby.