©Michele Monticello Essay  all photos ©Michele Monticello  

Yesterday I was reminded of one of the parts of being an estate agent that makes the job worthwhile. I bumped into someone I had helped recently. She had been sold her property and was looking for a new home and I was fortunate enough to find her a lovely one bedroom apartment close to our office. It was the perfect fit for her. The owner had been renting the property out and the flat was furnished, with everything relatively new. He had originally planned to remove the furniture but when we showed her the apartment and realised she was moving without much to bring with her, he kindly agreed to leave everything behind.

She was absolutely delighted with the flat and felt incredibly fortunate. Months later, she was still expressing her gratitude and even took the time to send a lovely message to the owner explaining how much it meant to her. The owner then contacted me to say how much that message had meant to him.

It was a simple moment, but it highlighted one of the most rewarding aspects of being an estate agent. The job has its challenges, pressures and frustrations, but moments like this remind you that it is not just about properties, negotiations or transactions. It is about people. It is about listening, understanding what matters to someone and helping create an outcome where everyone feels they have been treated with honesty and care.

Over the years, I have been fortunate to experience many similar moments. People I have helped buy or sell properties have stayed in touch, and sometimes even their families have shared their appreciation years later. They remember not just the property, but the trust, support and relationship that was built along the way. After many years in this profession, these are the moments you remember. Not just the transactions that completed, but the people who genuinely felt that you had made a positive difference during an important time in their lives. These are the stories you don’t always hear about, but they are the moments that make the profession worthwhile.

Ultimately, a property is never just bricks and mortar. It represents memories, change and new beginnings. To play a small part in helping people through those moments is one of the genuine rewards of being an estate agent. Home sweet home is not just about the place itself, it is about the feeling it creates.