Over 200 already signed up to next year's ESTAS

The Estate & Letting Agent Awards, better known as the ESTAS, will once again be recognising the efforts of individuals within agencies next year.  

Simon Brown, owner of the awards, said: “We had a tremendous response from agents who entered this category last year and the feedback from staff who received commendations has been fantastic.”
 
One such agent was Ailsa Mather from Northumbria & Cumbria Estate Agents.

She said: “The ESTAS are a team effort, but to be singled out as an individual award winner, I was in total shock! 

“It has taken a while for it to sink in, and it’s an honour and a privilege to have won such a prestigious award in such a challenging market. 

“In our profession a minority of poor agents give our industry a bad name, so it’s important that these awards highlight the amount of good work that good estate agents do, which exceeds customers’ expectations.”

The ESTAS, sponsored by Zoopla in association with HomeLet, are independent awards specifically designed to rate the level of customer services provided by agents by asking customers to complete a questionnaire.  

In 2011 there were 400 entries from agents and over 26,000 questionnaires were completed by customers.  

With 200 agents already signed up for 2012, competition is hotting up.  

Brown added: “With tough market conditions expected to continue, agents are already thinking about their marketing strategy for 2012 and how they can differentiate themselves from the competition. Being part of the ESTAS gives agents an immediate USP they can build on.”

Agents will be shortlisted in 15 regions with bronze, silver and gold rankings awarded as well as nationally.

The ESTAS will once again be presented by Phil Spencer on Friday, April 20, 2012, at the Hilton Park Lane, London.  

Spencer said: “The ESTAS are the most important and valuable awards in our industry. An ESTA is not an easy accolade to pick up: to win one requires a lot of hard work, over a very long period of time.”
 
Agents must sign up for the ESTAS by September 1 if they wish their staff to be eligible for the individual awards.

For more information go to www.theestas.com