A READING estate agent duo are putting their own spin on the profession to help Shinfield arrivals find their perfect home.
Childhood friends Dan Salisbury and Neil Fenning operate a “no suits, no ties, no leaflets and no sales BS” policy.
The pair work for Avocado Property, a contemporary estate agency which looks to challenge the way the property industry operates.
“Neil and I are best friends and have known each other since we were six,” Dan explained.
“We both grew up in the Reading area, attending Whiteknights Primary and going on to Maiden Erlegh School together.
“We used to cycle around the place when we were younger, which has actually really helped us understand the area.”
The pair share a strong connection with Shinfield, with both living there themselves.
“We both live in Shinfield. I’m currently selling and looking to buy a new place there so I don’t have any plans to go anywhere else,” Dan said.
“It’s a fantastic area and it’s one we’ve been brought up in, so between the two of us we have a lot of experience.”
Both Dan and Neil had spells at the same commercial estate agency before joining Avocado.
During that time, they identified aspects of the trade that did not sit well with them, particularly in terms of the client experience.
“I realised that I wanted to do things differently,” Dan explained.
“Most corporate estate agents are geared up to look at figures and market shares.
“The client experience is not really factored in, because the more they do as individuals the more they get paid, hence why estate agents in general get a bad name.
“It didn’t fit in with how Neil and I wanted to work.”
The pair have utilised the expertise they gained at their previous job to provide a ‘best of both worlds’ approach.
They have seemingly struck the perfect balance between traditional knowhow and modern application.
“To be honest, we haven’t reinvented the wheel. We’re just using things like social media, one-to-one contact, being available on WhatsApp 24/7 and just building relationships,” Dan said.
“The way the model is set up is great because we were brought up here. We find that it’s easier to relate to the people we work with.
“It means that they are more likely to stop and think ‘these guys know what they’re talking about.
“Success will come if you love what you do and do the best that you possibly can. We thought we could do things a bit differently.”
The Shinfield Parish development will see about 3,000 homes built, with new schools, sports facilities and infrastructure included in the wider Wokingham Borough plans.
Dan expressed his delight at the growing sense of community the project has brought.
“We can absolutely see the diversity of the area growing and thriving,” he said.
“Neil and I always say this, but it really feels like Shinfield seems to have its own little bubble around it now. We have a whole pocket of community that everyone just wants to be a part of.”
The pair are excited to continue advising residents, helping to buy and sell their properties.
They were both keen to voice their gratitude for the manner in which the community has embraced them.
“From mine and Neil’s point of view, we have been overwhelmed by the local support,” Dan said.
“How they’ve jumped onto our Facebook comments and left messages just saying nice things. It means so much to us.
“We don’t go door-knocking or handing out fliers promoting our work. We just want to do a good job.
“We are always open to feedback, either way, so if there’s anything they want us to change then just let us know.”
