The Voice of the Agent Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

What does a good lettings business look like in 2026? In this episode of The Voice of the Agent Podcast, Toby Martin is joined by Sophie Lang, co-owner of multi-award-winning Lang Llewellyn & Co, to go deep on the realities of running — and growing — a lettings business in the year ahead. Using fresh insight from the January Voice of the Agent report, the conversation explores why landlord numbers are proving more resilient than headlines suggest, how agents are turning the Renters’ Rights Act into a growth opportunity, and why education — not fear — is the key to winning new instructions. Sophie shares practical, hard-earned experience on converting self-managing landlords, managing expectations around rents, and why many landlords exiting the market are being replaced by a more professional, business-minded generation. The episode also tackles some of the industry’s most uncomfortable questions: 🏠 Is 10% really enough for full management? 📉 Why let-only services may be living on borrowed time 📈 How acquisitions can outperform organic growth 🧠 What makes a lettings book genuinely valuable ⚖️ And how to future-proof your business without panic This is a candid, experience-led discussion for lettings professionals who want clarity, not chaos — and a reminder that while 2026 will bring change, it also brings opportunity for agents who are prepared. 📊 Download the full January Voice of the Agent report here: https://www.weareunchained.co.uk/thevoiceoftheagent

Estate agents don’t need more tech, they need less friction. In this episode, Simon is joined by Victoria Lambden, Business Development Lead at GlueDog (and a former estate agent who’s lived the spreadsheet-and-duplicate-data nightmare). Together they unpack why so many agencies keep adding tools… yet don’t see the output improve, and how the real unlock is integration. You’ll hear Victoria’s “traffic light” way of spotting bottlenecks, why integration is finally shifting from “nice-to-have” to non-negotiable, and what proptech should feel like when it’s working properly: it disappears into the background. They also get into: ✅ PropTech overload (and how to audit your stack without losing the plot) ✅ Why teams use less than 50% of their CRM ✅ Training, adoption, morale, and the human side of tech change ✅ AI in agency: brilliant assistant, terrible replacement agent If you’re still typing the same address 16 times into 4 systems, this is a must listen.

In this special edition of the Voice of the Agent podcast, we’re taking you inside the room at the Voice of the Agent Conference for a live keynote from one of the UK’s leading property experts: Kate Faulkner OBE. If there were a National Curriculum for estate agency, this talk would be on page one. Kate brings the kind of clarity, passion and data-backed insight that cuts straight through the headlines and tells the real story of the UK housing market — how we got here, what we’ve misunderstood, and what absolutely has to change. In this episode, Toby introduces a powerful five-minute clip from Kate’s keynote, recorded at Bletchley Park just weeks after she returned to the stage following knee surgery — with all the energy to prove it. You’ll hear a section of Kate’s talk that had agents in the room leaning forward and furiously taking notes. And if you want the full 30-minute keynote, along with every session from the conference, you can now watch the complete on-demand film at weareunchained.co.uk. Coming up in this new conference-series format: Heather Staff, Will Ullstein (YouGov), Phill Agnew (Nudge podcast), The Prime Market Panel, and more. Follow the show to catch the next instalment.

What happens to estate agency when AI stops being a novelty and starts rewriting how people find homes? In this episode of Voice of the Agent, Simon sits down with Mal McCallion, founder of MyPorta and ModelProp, and a key figure behind PrimeLocation and Zoopla, to explore whether AI-driven property discovery could fundamentally reshape the market — and what that means for Rightmove, for portals, and for agents everywhere. Mal shares what he learned from helping build the early portals, why the traditional filter-based search model is about to feel as outdated as newspaper property pages, and how AI will allow people to describe their ideal lifestyle rather than tick boxes. He also reflects on the Rightmove Resistance Tour, the surprising human stories he heard from agents across the country, and why he believes the bulk-subscription, pay-to-list model is living on borrowed time. They dig into MyPorta’s vision for a free-to-list, AI-optimised platform that gives agents control of their leads and data, how consumer behaviour is changing at speed, and why AI literacy is set to become a core skill for every successful agent. If you're curious about the future of property search, the role AI will play, or how the portal landscape could shift over the next five years, this is a fascinating and timely conversation. Listen now, hit Follow, and if you enjoy it, leave us a review so more agents can discover the show.

In this episode, Toby Martin breaks down the key insights from Part 4 of The Voice of the Agent 2025 report — how consumers are really finding property, what they think about stamp duty, which brands they trust, and why the agent–conveyancer relationship is becoming the industry’s biggest bottleneck. We also explore the rise of AI in property search: from under 1% usage today to potential mainstream adoption within the next decade, and what that means for portals, agent websites, and the future of the customer journey. A fast, data-led look at the trends every estate agent needs to understand in 2025.

Simon Leadbetter of We Are Unchained sits down with Steve Eakins from Lumon following The Voice of the Agents Conference, held on 7 November at Bletchley Park. In this episode, Simon and Steve dive into the world of foreign exchange rates, currency volatility, and brokerage, unpacking how these financial dynamics directly impact today’s estate agents and agencies. From international buyers to cross-border transactions, they explore the real risks, the opportunities, and what agents need to know right now. Whether you're an agent looking to protect your pipeline from FX fluctuations or simply want to understand how currency affects the UK property market, this conversation offers clear, actionable insight. Chat with Steve Eakins To speak with Steve directly, click the link below: 👉 https://wa.me/447919230666?text=Just%... Learn more about Lumon 👉 https://www.lumonpay.com/

Simon Leadbetter sits down with Phill Agnew, Host of Nudge, the UK’s #1 Marketing Podcast, to explore various topics such as ethical marketing, behavioural science, and what it really means to understand your audience. In this episode, Simon and Phill dive into: • Ethical marketing and whether we’re truly benefiting the user • Behavioural psychology and how it shapes buyer decisions • Contacting buyers before viewings, why timing and context matter • How to speak to your audience in a way that actually resonates • The fine line between persuasion and manipulation It’s a thoughtful, practical conversation for anyone looking to communicate more effectively, market more responsibly, and understand the people they’re trying to reach. Phill's reading list reference in the podcast: https://nudge.kit.com/reading-list 🎧 Listen to Phill’s podcast, Nudge: Apple: https://www.nudgepodcast.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0zpOldE9YMNYN1QiL7EBfS

Nearly two-thirds of an average UK estate agent’s marketing budget disappears into portals and most of them can’t explain why. In this explosive panel top industry minds call out one of the biggest financial blind spots in the property game. From the myth of social media as strategy to the untapped power of PR, this episode unpacks what real marketing looks like and why agents who get it are pulling ahead. COVERED TOPICS Why portals are a utility, not marketing The shocking 10.4% stat for all non-portal marketing Why agents still think social media is a strategy The hidden ROI of PR and why no one’s using it How high-growth agents spend and win Why your CFO is killing your pipeline Brand vs lead gen vs product marketing Long-term trust vs short-term wins Zero-based budgeting for smarter marketing decisions Why listings are only step one Marketing mistakes that cost agents millions #EstateAgentMarketing #VoiceOfTheAgent #PRNotPortals #RealEstateMistakes #MarketingROI #TrustAndBrand #UnchainedThinking #AgentGrowth #UKPropertyIndustry

In this episode of The Voice of the Agent Podcast, titled "EP.6: The Mental Health Crisis in Estate Agency," we dive into the pressing issue of mental health within the estate agency industry. With 42% of agents reporting mental health challenges in 2023, the discussion highlights the intense pressures from both within and outside the industry. I explore how social media exacerbates stress and the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health issues. We discuss the role of organizations like Agents Together and Property Mark Trust in providing support and mentorship. The episode emphasizes the need for open conversations, self-awareness, and the importance of seeking help. Join me as we unpack these critical issues and explore solutions for a healthier work-life balance in estate agency.

In this no-holds-barred episode, we tackle the uncomfortable truth: Anyone can sell your home no license, no qualifications, no accountability. We break down exclusive survey data from The Voice of the Agent 2025, revealing that 4 in 5 agents and consumers want regulation… yet 17% of agents don’t want to be regulated or qualified at all.Russell Quirk and the panel expose why this matters not just for standards, but for trust, fees, and the future of the industry. Topics covered: Why estate agency is still the Wild West The link between qualifications and higher fees Why consumers expect more and aren’t getting it Should unqualified agents be shut down? Could better training finally raise the bar? #EstateAgentsUK #VoiceOfTheAgent #UKProperty #RealEstateReform #PropertyQualifications #RaisingStandards #HousingMarket #UKHousingCrisis #RegulationNow #ProfessionalEstateAgents #PropertyPolitics #UnlicensedToSell #LettingAgents #TrainingMatters #RER #PropertyFees #EstateAgencyTruths