An Interview with Alex Goldstein
What does your business do and how did it start?
Formerly an estate agent for some of the biggest names in the business, I spotted a niche in the market which wasn’t being filled. As a property consultant, I now help clients buy and indeed sell their homes across the whole of London and Yorkshire, by giving them the inside track on the property and estate agency sector.
What’s the most surprising thing about it?
When a client involves me in the sale of their home, they pay me nothing! My fee is paid out of the appointed estate agent’s standard commission. I add value to the owner, without the cost.
What do you do?
One can split my business into two – buying and selling property. Plus, I operate across London and Yorkshire.On the buying side, clients approach me with their search criteria and budget. I then liaise with my property network which I have built up over the last 20 years in the industry, approaching vendors who I know, agents or those properties in the off-market sector (ie they are not online or in the public domain). I then negotiate and secure the property on the best possible terms for my client.The selling side of the business is rare in the industry. Having been an estate agent, I know how the system works and I ensure that my clients sell for the best price with the least stress. Advising them for instance how to maximise the value of their home, which agent to instruct and the reasons why. Istay on board throughout working alongside the agent and orchestrate the sale, ensuring that all those little tricks behind the scene are being carried out.
How did you end up here?
At university, my parents’ neighbour had a reputable local estate agency group and I asked for some work experience. What was meant to be two weeks, turned into three months! When it came to applying for my first job on the graduate schemes, I was way in front of any competitors, as I knew more than them at the time. I started at Cluttons in central London advising on country houses nationally, plus The Crown Estate and The Church Commissioners. I then moved to Harrogate and worked for Strutt & Parker and Knight Frank, before leaving the corporate world and setting up on my own.
What moments of your career so far stand out?
Helping various sports stars, Google employees and National Lottery winners – one always gets a thrill, plus advising on some of the best property in the UK. Being featured on BBC1 and BBC2, plus interviews on ITN and BBC 5 Live. Having my own property radio show has to be up there as well.
Alex can be contacted at www.alexgoldstein.co.uk or 020 3714 5910
Trading as Alex Goldstein & Associates Property Consultants Ltd | Company registration number 9600749VAT number 176931181 | Registered in England at 4 Lidgett Lane, Garforth, Leeds LS25 1EQWhat sets your company apart from the competition?There are very few people indeed who do what I do.Over 20 years’ continuous experience in the property sector, 100% five-star Google reviews, 225 glowing client testimonials and 89% of business last year was through word of mouth referrals, which is probably all you need to know.What type of intermediaries do you tend to work with?As I do not charge clients anything on the selling side of my business, I link in with those in the legal, finance and Trust world. Often these companies use me in their pitches to clients to set them apart from their competitors – it’s a win win for all involved, which is how it should be.What is the most difficult challenge your business has faced?There have been some extremely difficult transactions I have dealt with since I set up on my own, which have been the most demanding of my career. The world seems to be getting increasingly more complicated. Throw emotions, significant amounts of money, solicitors, banks, surveyors and estate agents all into the mix and you can get some very extreme situations!...and what challenges are you experiencing at the moment?Trying to get properties from Under Offer to Exchange remains significantly challenging and the amount of time it takes is getting ever longer.What’s next?To expand my presence and recognition across London and Yorkshire, as the go-to property expert for both buying and selling residential property.Alex can be contacted at www.alexgoldstein.co.uk or 020 3714 5910
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