I have long been of the view that estate agents could and should do more for their local community, not necessarily for commercial advantage (though there is a plausible argument that there can be some business benefit) but for three other reasons – yes it’s the rule of three AGAIN…

Rule Number One – It’s FUN!

A lot of estate agency work is based on repetitive patterns of behaviour (hopefully productive) that are repeated again and again. Respond to emails, answer phone calls, book and attend market appraisal appointments, book and attend viewings, negotiate offers, chase conveyancers, update buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants etc etc. You know the drill – rinse and repeat. But let’s be honest, no matter how financially rewarding those patterns of behaviour are, it can get a little, well, boring. Feel free to disagree but don’t we all crave for a bit of variety in our lives? What could possibly be more fun than dressing up as a giant banana and collecting litter in your local town? It really doesn’t have to be something weird or attention seeking – just an activity that is different to your usual daily routine and ideally valuable to others. Which brings me to my second reason…

Rule Number Two – It’s Good For The Soul (and the body!).

Whether you are an atheist (who does not believe in the literal existence of a spiritual soul) like me, an agnostic or a committed religious fanatic you probably believe that doing good, however you define “good”, is in itself a worthwhile pursuit. I would most heartily agree. In fact, according to entrepreneur, business coach and author Ben Steenstra, there are a number of tangible benefits for anyone who does something good…

“ …it’s not just about the immediate pleasure of helping others. Research has also shown that doing something good on a regular basis can have a lasting effect on our emotional and physical health.

For example:

Lower levels of stress and anxiety: A study published in the International Journal of Psychophysiology found that people who regularly perform acts of kindness have lower levels of stress and anxiety, and generally experience fewer negative emotions.

Improved mood and life satisfaction: Another study published in the Journal of Social Psychology found that people who regularly do acts of kindness report higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction and overall well-being.

Better physical health: According to a review of 40 studies on the health benefits of volunteering, people who volunteer have lower rates of depression and mortality, and possibly even a lower risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

*So, why does doing good have such a powerful impact on our well-being? One theory is that kindness helps strengthen our social bonds and build a sense of community, which is crucial to our mental and physical health. It can also give us a sense of purpose, helping us focus on something outside ourselves..”

So it seems that helping others has more benefits than may first be apparent.

Rule Number Three – It’s Great For The Team.

Whether you think you work completely on your own as a self-employed estate agent (like me) or are part of an official bigger team, you will definitely be working alongside others who will share a common business objective in some way or another. In my experience, a successful team is very much dependent on trust often built on common experiences which help bring a team together. Doing something for the community, whatever it may be, as a group with a shared objective is an excellent way of building and developing a team ethic.

So, what to do if you decide that you want to experience these three significant benefits of doing good in your community?

Well, if you’ve yet to do anything at all, the answer is simple – commit to do just one thing in the next few months. I would suggest something simple like collecting litter, donating to a local foodbank (perhaps with the support of your customers) or perhaps sponsoring a local event. Even if you commit to spending just £50 over the year, it is certainly worth the effort considering the benefits.

If you’re even just a little more ambitious and would appreciate the support, may I suggest you take a look at the incredible estate industry charity Agents Giving? This incredible organisation raises significant amounts of cash for numerous charities around the country, and most importantly provides financial and promotional support for individual estate agents and firms looking to do good work.

Looking for cash to share with your favourite local charity? Agents Giving can help. Looking for promotional support for your own event? Agents Giving can help. Looking for inspiration to participate in a pre-organised fun event? Agents Giving can DEFINITELY help! They organise a number of events throughout the country including cycle rides, golf days, sponsored walks, dragon boat racing and even padel tournaments.

And if that’s not enough to excite you, the Agents Giving Summer Party & Fundraising Awards on 3rd July 2026 is certainly an event that ticks all three boxes when it comes to the benefits of supporting your local community!

So what are you waiting for? Check out the brilliant work of Agents Giving and discover how they can help you here…

But whatever you do, I hope you agree that…

Community matters!

Simon Bradbury is a consultant specialising in securing new instructions and runs a (very) small estate agency powered by eXp.