Lucie Wishart: Reflecting on estate agency into my 40s!

Reflecting on estate agency from my 20s and 30s and now, into my 40s!

As someone who has spent decades in the estate agency industry, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing its evolution first-hand. My journey from my 20s to my 40s has been one of growth, learning, and re-evaluation. Reflecting on what I believed back then versus now has been enlightening and has shaped how I lead my amazing team at Wishart Estate Agents to deliver a truly exceptional service in York and Tadcaster.

When I began my estate agency career in my 20s, I was taught that a glossy brochure and a prime window display were the cornerstones of effective property marketing. By the time I reached my 30s, the industry had shifted towards professional photography and virtual tours. These were game-changers then, but today, high-quality marketing is simply expected. It’s no longer a differentiator—it’s a baseline.

Very soon into my career I realised that estate agency isn’t just about showcasing properties in the best light; it’s all about the people involved. It’s about trust, empathy, and the ability to genuinely connect with buyers and sellers.

I’ve always wanted us to be different. We don’t just market properties; we focus on the individual experience for each client. We understand that buying or selling a home is deeply personal. It can be stressful, exciting, frustrating, and a complete rollercoaster of emotions from one day to the next. That’s why we:

Prioritise Personalised Service We take the time to understand our clients’ unique needs and aspirations. No two transactions are the same, which is why we use a bespoke approach. It’s our biggest differentiator. No one can match us because they’re simply not us. Don’t get me wrong, not everyone agrees with what we say, likes our approach, or the feedback we give. But another lesson I’ve learned is that’s not the goal. We’re here to offer sincere advice, and if it resonates with you, we’re a perfect fit. If not, that’s okay—there are many other agents out there.

Offer Genuine Advice Even when delivering bad news, such as a sale falling through, a house not meeting valuation expectations, a lack of interest, or negative survey results, we approach it with compassion, understanding, and proactive advice. We work to overcome challenges and keep our clients’ goals in sight.

Are Local Experts Our team lives and breathes York and Tadcaster. We grew up playing in these streets, attending the schools as our children do now. We live here with our families, understand the community, and stay on top of market dynamics. We use this insight to value properties accurately and perfectly match them with the right buyers.

Go Beyond the Basics While stunning photography and engaging videos are essential, we focus on the story behind each property. Our property descriptions aren’t just lists of features, and our in-person viewing style is unrivalled. We thoroughly get to know every property we sell, and countless viewers have told us, “Out of all our viewings, you were the agents with the most property and area information.” Buyers want to buy from us—they tell us that all the time!

Provide Unparalleled Support Selling or buying a home can be exciting, stressful, and even upsetting. We’re with our clients every step of the way, ensuring clear communication and genuine care throughout the entire process. It’s clichéd, but we truly become a team. These relationships often extend beyond completion—many clients become friends, and our retention figures are high, with buyers and sellers returning to us as they progress along their lifetime property journeys.

So, What Have I Learned?

One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned is that innovation doesn’t stop at technology. True innovation in estate agency lies in how we engage with people. People, not transactions, are at the heart of what we do. As “woo” as it sounds, it’s about going a little deeper (don’t worry—if you’ve met me, you know I’m a lot less “woo” than that sounds!).

Looking back, I used to believe that success was about being the biggest name or having the flashiest marketing. Today, I know that real success comes from consistency and integrity. A reputation for excellence is built with patience, one client at a time.

What Hasn’t Changed?

If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed, it’s the importance of education and self-improvement. In my 20s, I was one of the most highly qualified (Level 6) estate agents in the country, and that commitment to learning has never left me. It’s something I’ve instilled in my team, ensuring we stay ahead of industry standards and consistently refine our skills to better serve our clients. Oh, and my spelling and grammar haven’t improved with age either!

Well, that post turned out a little longer than expected! What can I say? I’m passionate, and with passion comes a lot of waffling on!

If you like our posts, you can read more here:  and look out for some videos coming soon, we know not everyone likes to read and we’d love for you to get a real feel for what we’re about at Wishart Estate Agents.

If you’re looking to sell your home in York or Tadcaster and you like the sound of Wishart Estate Agents, drop us a message, call us on 01904 404558 or e-mail info@wishartestateagents.co.uk, we’d love to hear from you.