Our new deputy editor has spent a day with an estate agent to get the inside track on the industry – and a feel of what it is really like to work in estate agency.

Charlie Stong joined EYE this week after 14 years on local newspapers.

With a solid news background and excellent qualifications, Charlie does not pretend to know about the industry.

But keen to get to grips with it, he jumped at the chance to spend the day at Thomas Morris, in St Ives, Cambridgeshire.

Starting with the morning meeting, Charlie learned first-hand about viewings, negotiations and sales progession, and also appeared on interactive ‘television’ in the afternoon, courtesy of Periscope.

He answered questions and when asked the ‘killer’ one – what does he think of online agents – said he would need another couple of weeks before he could answer it.

But, said Charlie, anyone wanting to know his opinion by then would be welcome to email him for his thoughts.

Perhaps someone will take him up on it! If so, his email is charlie@propertyindustryeye.com

The full interview is here and EYE would like to thank Thomas Morris very much indeed for their kind hosting of Charlie’s introduction to the reality of working in the industry.