I didn't want to use an estate agent when I was moving house, but after weeks of trawling through Gumtree ads and discovering that most of them were posted by estate agents anyway, I knew it would be inevitable.
I started responding to ads posted by estate agents and met with a fair number of agents from different companies in my flat hunt. Of the agents I dealt with, those at First Union were the most genuine and friendly to me. Others were disinterested, overbearing or just downright indifferent.
Now, anyone who rents a flat through an estate agent knows that the process is fraught with trials for the renter. When it comes right down to it, the estate agent works for the landlord, not the tenant. Tenants come away from estate-agent liaised rental agreements feeling f*cked up the ass, and it's not nice. But, I'll be the first to say that First Union was a considerate lover and used lots of lube.
Of the estate agents I came across, Shelly at this First Union office was super personable and always available to answer my questions via email and field my telephone calls. She kept me informed throughout the entire process and never made me feel put out. She was genuinely excited for me to find a new home, not just for herself for sealing a deal. The entire transaction and agreement went smoothly from start to finish.
First Union is a small estate agent with only three locations in the SW18 and SW11 area, which means that you won't necessarily have the most flats to choose from but you will be met with smiles and a helpful demeanour by everyone in the office. And the flats available run the gamut from the cheap to the expensive, and you'll never feel as if First Union is trying to sell you up into a price bracket you cannot afford.
First Union will take your money like any other estate agent will, but, I have to say, I didn't mind all that much. read more