Some people fall into property by chance. For Carrie Duignan, it’s always been in the blood.
With a father who was a Chartered Surveyor and parents who ran their own independent estate agency right here in Plymouth, Carrie grew up with the property industry woven into everyday life.
Now, with 20 years of experience behind her and a lifelong knowledge of the city, she sits at the heart of the Lang Town & Country sales team in our Mannamead Road office – and she couldn’t be more at home.
As Administrator, Carrie is the driving force behind the smooth running of the sales operation.
Detail-oriented, highly organised, and deeply passionate about getting things right, she plays a fundamental role in making sure every property listing, every client communication, and every stage of the sales process is handled with precision and care. It’s the kind of quiet excellence that makes a real difference – even if clients don’t always see it directly.
When she’s not keeping the office running like clockwork, Carrie can be found enjoying her caravan in Cornwall with her husband, two boys, and their dog Rocco. But back at Mannamead Road, she brings with her a warmth, professionalism, and depth of local knowledge that is immediately felt by everyone she works with.
Here, Carrie talks more about her journey, what makes the Lang Town & Country sales team tick, and what she believes it takes to get the very best result when selling your home.
Can you start by telling us a little about yourself and your journey into the property industry?
I have worked in the property industry for 20 years and have come from a property background where my father was a Chartered Surveyor and both my parents owned an independent estate agency here in Plymouth.
I started working with them in 2006 as a full-time Sales Negotiator, gradually focusing more on the branch administration as time went by and working part time when I had my two children. Another estate agency bought the company in late 2022, with both my parents now retired. I then left in late 2024 to pursue a completely different career path, but very much missed estate agency and the property industry.
I had always said that I would only ever work for an independent estate agency and we had always had a close and good working relationship with Lang Town & Country. So, when a position came up with them, I jumped at the opportunity and secured a position as Branch Administrator at the Mannamead Road office.
What does your role at Lang Town & Country involve day to day – and what do you enjoy most about it?
My role day to day as Administrator involves preparing property details and their online adverts, choosing and editing photos, making various property detail amendments such as price reductions and description changes, regular contact with vendors, organising anti-money laundering checks and energy performance certificates, raising sales and other sale-related invoices, issuing sale details to buyers, vendors and solicitors, and general administrative duties.
I enjoy this work as I have very high attention to detail and enjoy being highly organised and efficient. I also feel that the role is an important and fundamental part of the business.
Buying or selling a home can be one of the most stressful experiences in life – how do you help clients feel at ease throughout the process?
We stay in regular contact with our vendors and buyers and try to help and support them wherever we can. We focus on making the process as clear, smooth, and supportive as possible and keep clients informed at every stage, communicating consistently, and explaining things in simple terms, breaking the process into manageable steps.
By being responsive, honest, and approachable, we help buyers and sellers feel confident, supported, and at ease throughout the entire journey.
What do you think sets the Lang Town & Country sales team apart from other agents in Plymouth?
We offer a much more personal, tailored, professional, and hands-on service compared to other agents in Plymouth. Our team works very closely together to ensure our clients are looked after.
Lang Town & Country has been tied to the Plymouth market for decades. The company was formed from two long-established local firms, with roots going back to the 1990s, so our local knowledge is vast and we have an excellent long-standing reputation. Our sales team are repeatedly praised for communication and sales progression, and our reviews mention both sellers and buyers being kept updated without needing to chase, which is a major differentiator in estate agency.
We also have specialist areas – sales, lettings, land and new homes, and waterside properties – which means advice feels more tailored than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Can you think of a moment where you or the team went above and beyond for a client – and what did that mean to them?
We recently had an elderly vendor who was struggling with the selling process and needed lots of guidance and help throughout. All of our team played a part in regular communication with their solicitor and with the vendor, including personal face-to-face visits, and this made them feel so much more at ease knowing we are here to help at every stage and with any issue that has arisen.
The Plymouth property market can be hard to read – what’s your honest assessment of where things stand right now, and what does that mean for buyers and sellers?
The Plymouth market has shifted into a more selective, price-sensitive market where realistic pricing matters a lot more. Plymouth has always been a very popular, unique, and sought-after location to live in, has so much to offer, and is also relatively affordable – one of the more balanced markets compared to other parts of the South West.
Buyers at the moment generally have more negotiating power, more price reductions, more choice, and less pressure to forgo surveys or overbid.
For sellers, the market is still active but strategy matters – well-presented homes, sensible and realistic pricing, strong EPC ratings, and properties with parking, gardens, and desirable locations continue to perform well.
For anyone thinking about putting their home on the market, what advice would you give them to get the best possible result?
Price the property right from day one and take your estate agent’s advice on pricing – an over-inflated asking price reduces the initial surge of interest from buyers, and reductions later usually mean accepting less than you could have achieved upfront.
Present your home to the best possible standard. Buyers are more selective and have a wide choice of properties to choose from, so your home has to stand out instantly. Clean, declutter, and maximise light as much as possible. First impressions count.
Professional photography, floor plans, and video tours are vital to a property listing.
Choose the right local agent to market your property – not just the agent that has given you the highest valuation. So many agents try to win instructions with inflated asking prices.
Be flexible with viewings and respond to viewing requests quickly. Be realistic about offers and your asking price. A lot of vendors hold on to peak prices, but it’s so important to align your expectations with the current market.
What are the biggest mistakes you see sellers make – and how does Lang Town & Country help clients avoid them?
Not presenting their home to a high standard, with untidy or cluttered spaces. Vendors also often want to use their own photos, which may have a personal appeal to them but ultimately don’t present the property to the best standard. We use professional photography to show properties at their very best and we encourage vendors to keep their property clean and tidy as much as possible.
Not taking on board advice from your estate agent on price. We are very experienced and have an in-depth knowledge of the local market. We are realistic and honest about the asking prices of properties we are marketing.
Not being accommodating for viewings or being slow to respond to viewing requests. We keep in regular contact with our vendors to ensure viewings are booked in and confirmed, and we try to keep viewings grouped together wherever possible to avoid too many separate visits to your home.
Lang Town & Country has been recognised as one of the top estate agents in the UK – what does that kind of recognition mean to you personally, and to the team?
I feel very proud to work for Lang Town & Country. To be recognised as one of the top estate agents in the UK is a reflection of consistent effort, trust, and results – delivering strong customer service, achieving solid sales performance, and maintaining a good reputation in a competitive market.
On a personal level, it validates the hard work that is put in day to day. Recognition like this boosts my confidence and reinforces a sense of pride in doing the job well.
For the team, it strengthens morale. It shows that our collective standards – whether that’s communication, local expertise, or professionalism – are being noticed externally. It also raises expectations internally, pushing everyone to maintain or exceed that level.
Finally, what’s next for you and the sales team at Lang Town & Country?
Hopefully, I will enjoy a long and successful career working alongside the fantastic team at Lang Town & Country. As a sales team, our goal is to achieve continued growth while maintaining the personal, community-focused service our clients know and trust. We also aim to strengthen local relationships and continue building a knowledgeable, customer-oriented team.
Thinking about selling? Start with a free expert valuation
If you’re considering putting your home on the market and want honest, informed advice from a team that truly knows Plymouth, we’d love to hear from you.
Our free property valuations are carried out by experienced local experts who will give you a realistic, up-to-date assessment of your home’s value – with no obligation and no pressure.
