Danny Bone
Business Development Manager

How did you come to work for Pattinson Auction?

I previously worked for an estate agent that used an auction service, so I became familiar quickly and quite liked the role of the account manager that looked after us. I then saw a position with Pattinson and applied and I guess the rest is history.

Your role requires predominantly self-introductions, cold calling, and visits, while simultaneously maintaining existing relationships. So, how do you approach your day?

I mainly work from home, because I personally find that I can make more calls and speak to more agents in a day. I will always arrange a face-to-face meeting to discuss things further but initially a lot of phone calls and emails.

What’s your proudest achievement since being in the role of Business Development Manager?

Selling a £2.2 million house via auction. For me personally though it is knowing that most of my agents see me as the person to speak to about auction, and they trust that I will do my best to guide and advise them as best as I can.

What are the Top 3 challenges you believe your business solves for agents?

Fees – We pay agents higher fees than what they would typically obtain on the open market.

Workload – As we do everything including marketing and viewings for auction properties, we free up the agents to do what they love the most and generate more business.

Another valid option of sale – Some properties are quirky, or the seller needs the money quickly and the private treaty is not as effective in this instance.

The pandemic introduced many to a new way of working – as in more remote tech focused. Do you prefer in-person meetings with agents, or do you prefer to conduct online meetings/phone calls and emails?

Initially, I prefer to make contact via phone and email, but will always look for an in-person meeting (where possible) to discuss the service or at least do the training. I believe this is the quickest way to achieve trust in a partnership.

What, in your opinion, is the best way for agents to identify potential auction listings from their stock?

Any vacant property works well due to the speedy timescale of the auction process. Also, during vendor contacts we can identify and understand whether the vendors' motivations have changed at all. The auction service is set up for motivated sellers and this could be a key factor for them to decide to use our service.

Given your experience, what is an estate agent's main misconception surrounding auction?

I hear a lot of worries about giving up control of the listing, or the agent can’t sell the property and it would look negative for them if they passed it onto us, which is not the case at all. Our auction service aims to work with agents to achieve the same common goal, which is selling houses quickly and securely.

Tina Waterfall
Business Development Manager

How did you come to work for Pattinson Auction?

I started my auction journey working in face-to-face room auctions, before they became predominantly online, pioneered by Pattinson Auction. Once I discovered that Pattinson Auction offers so much more to assist estate agents than just referring stock, it made complete sense to join them, and that was almost 4 years ago!

Your role requires predominantly self-introductions, cold calling, and visits, while simultaneously maintaining existing relationships. So, how do you approach your day?

I find that being flexible with my diary always helps me focus. I prefer to have at least one meeting booked, and then go on to visit the other agents and prospects around the area of the meeting.

What’s your proudest achievement since being in the role of Business Development Manager?

There are many achievements that I am proud of. One being when a partner agent doesn’t think that they need our auction service, but partner with us anyway, and end up becoming one of our top referring agents. Then you feel you are doing good!

What are the Top 3 challenges you believe your business solves for agents?

Our auction offers a secure sale and speedy sale, with no grey areas. The legalities are drawn up from the onset, reducing any opportunity for a sale fall through.

The agent gets paid much quicker, rather than having to wait for completion, which could take several months from when the property first came on the market.

Auction offers the agent another service to offer the vendor, rather than just taking on the listing, they are tailor making the service of the sale to fit the vendor’s requirements.

The pandemic introduced many to a new way of working – as in more remote tech focused. Do you prefer in-person meetings with agents, or do you prefer to conduct online meetings/phone calls and emails?

I work well with a combination of both face-to-face and remote meetings. Sometimes it’s not convenient to book meetings in the same area on the same day for all the partner agents you wish to visit, so a call /teams meeting may be more flexible for that agent on a different day.

What, in your opinion, is the best way for agents to identify potential auction listings from their stock?

Understanding their vendors’ requirements and their motivation to sell.

Given your experience, what is an estate agent's main misconception surrounding auction?

Many agents think auctions are only for rundown properties, and that the buyers will not pay the fees unless the property is cheap. This is a huge misconception as we list all sorts of varying properties at auction.

Gulsun Shevket
Business Development Manager

How did you come to work for Pattinson Auction?

I was always interested in the auction process for property sales, so when I saw the role for BDM at the award-winning Pattinson Auction advertised, I applied for it without hesitation.

Your role requires predominantly self-introductions, cold calling, and visits, while simultaneously maintaining existing relationships. So, how do you approach your day?

It works for me to respond to all my emails first thing in the morning. I then like to book in a couple of meetings with the Partner Agent in the area that I am visiting that day and prospect other agents whilst I am out and about.

What’s your proudest achievement since being in the role of Business Development Manager?

Getting great referrals from an account which was not going to try our service.

What are the Top 3 challenges you believe your business solves for agents?

To provide a stable and secure alternative for property they could not sell via Private Treaty. This then helps with keeping their market share in the areas they cover.

-Reduce their withdrawal/sales fallen through percentage

-Generate a more improved revenue quicker than the traditional Estate Agent route.

The pandemic introduced many to a new way of working – as in more remote tech focused. Do you prefer in-person meetings with agents, or do you prefer to conduct online meetings/phone calls and emails?

I enjoy a combination of both. I love having in person meetings as I get to engage more with the Agents in person. I have found that online meetings can be a little awkward at times especially if the signal is playing up!

What, in your opinion, is the best way for agents to identify potential auction listings from their stock?

Any vendors with motivation for a quick sale. Withdrawals, probates, divorces etc.

Given your experience, what is an estate agent's main misconception surrounding auction?

There are many preconceived ideas that all auction properties should have something wrong with them or low lease or their stock is too nice for auction. The most common line I get is “I have nothing suitable for auction.” When in fact, most if not all properties are suitable for auction!

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