"You can change somebody's life with the right property" - behind the scenes at Julian Wadden
Julian Wadden - the local estate and lettings agent - has been helping people become residents of Stockport and beyond since 2007.
We spoke with Stockport branch manager Liam Foster to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes.
Liam has more than a decade of experience in the industry. Having grown up in Reddish, he started working in Manchester before returning to his hometown of Stockport - he's now been with Julian Wadden for four years.
Find more information about Julian Wadden here.
So, what goes on behind the scenes?
Liam and the Stockport Julian Wadden team are based at 81-83 Wellington Road South, in a handy corner unit. There are three other branches across the area - in Heaton Moor, Marple and Didsbury.
As well as working from the office to accommodate walk-ins, the team are often dashing to and fro for property viewings. And the age old curiosity of having a nosy around a new house is still there, even for the agents who do it every day!
"Everyone has that curiosity", Liam says. "Whether you're scrolling through Rightmove, or visiting in person."
As for the average working day, Liam said: "You're out on the road quite a lot, meeting clients, valuing their homes, and providing insight and advice to assist with their home moves. But also I work from the office, and make sure the branch is functioning as it should."
"And we don't want to be faceless here - there's always a real person here who's available to help or chat."
And those people, it should be said, or all locals themselves; Liam is an Edgeley resident, and all 60 of Julian Wadden's property brains have similar local experience.
What's it like working in Stockport?
So, how does Stockport compare to the likes of Manchester?
As Liam explains, Stockport is "just a bit more characterful".
"There's a really broad demographic of ages and property styles across Stockport, and there's also lots going on", he said.
"And all the investment that's being pumped in has been helping, too."
There's also a real wealth of properties on the market - cosy two-bed terraces in Edgeley and Reddish; glamorous new town centre flats; generous detached houses in Davenport; and much more.
It's the kind of mix which is harder to come by in other parts of Manchester.
What's the best thing about the job?
There's lots going on, then, in the day-to-day role of an estate agent - but the best part for many is the pleasure of guiding people through a momentous change in their lives.
"It's a really rewarding job", Liam explains.
"These are big decisions for people, so it's always an honour to help."
Certainly, whether you're selling, renting or buying, these aren't the kind of decision to be made on a whim.
This is why it's important to feel supported on the way - what makes it sweeter is knowing the team are enjoying the process of helping.
As Liam says: "You can literally change somebody's life with the right property. We try and make those moments happen as much as we can."
How is the Stockport property market doing?
So how is the local property market faring generally?
Liam says it's doing very well; thanks to a mix of handy transport links, media hype, and affordable locations.
"Stockport has always been pretty stable - propped up by areas like the Heatons", he said.
"But the media attention has definitely helped.
"You're seeing a renaissance of areas like Edgeley, plus there are places like Offerton with parks, good school catchment areas..."
"There's been a boom in central Reddish where there are lots of affordable properties - so there's a really big market for first-time buyers.
"And then in Stockport itself, you're close to all the great bars, Foodie Friday, things like that. But you can also get to Manchester city centre easily. It really is an area that has something for everyone, and I truly enjoy being a part of it."
Find more information about Julian Wadden on their website here.
Julian Wadden is a sponsor of Nub News,
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