Spotlight on Lucy Burrows MNAEA - Residential Sales Valuer

What is your job title, where do you work and for how long have you been an estate agent?

I am a Residential Sales Valuer for Wishart Estate Agents York & Tadcaster. I have been an estate agent for 11 years, with a short career break to have my two sons. 

What award have you achieved?

I have achieved the Level 3 Sale of Residential Property.

What does the award mean to you?

Having taken a break after my first 6 years in estate agency, I was encouraged by my colleague and Director, Lucie Wishart, to take the Level 3 qualification to help me back into estate agency, progress to my new role as residential valuer and boost my confidence. Passing this qualification as a busy mum of two, working almost full time hours, means so much to me, I am proud of the achievement for both professional and personal reasons. 

How is the award going to help you in the future?

Our entire team are qualified to at least Level 3, with our Director being qualified to Level 6. This demonstrates our commitment to our clients and estate agency as a whole. We are professional estate agents who take qualifications and regulations seriously and have done for many years, prior to it (hopefully) becoming compulsory. As the requirement for all agents to be qualified gains momentum, this puts us a step ahead of those agents who aren’t qualified.

How important is it to achieve these qualifications?

This qualification was very important to me personally for my own self-confidence, which, as many mums returning to work know, can take a knock when you’ve had time out. The encouragement I have received at work has been so important to me , I’m now a successful professional and mother; it is possible to have it all if you have the right team around you at work and at home.

What advice would you have for others thinking about / or studying for a qualification?

It’s a two sided recommendation, I think we all work better with the right education and knowledge, and it really makes your role more enjoyable. Secondly, it’s great for business; get ahead now before it becomes compulsory and make your business stand out from the others.

What was the hardest part in achieving this qualification?

For me it was finding the time to study at home while I had support and quiet time at work. It’s not so easy to get those extra hours in at home. However the recommended  12 hours can be taken over a 12-18 month period, so there is plenty of time for even the busiest of people to become qualified.

How important is it to the customer for you to be qualified?

Our vendors and purchasers are very impressed that our whole team is qualified, and shocked that there are agents out there who aren’t. We are genuinely seen as professionals alongside solicitors and surveyors for the expert advice and service we provide to our clients. We’re recommended for this very reason. We’ve found that being a trusted estate agent, with a qualification to match, is a winning combination when competing for business.