One of Plymouth’s most promising young estate agents has just reached another milestone in his property career.
Josh Cousins, based at Lang Town & Country’s Plymstock office, has completed all his NAEA Propertymark exams and is now a fully accredited Member of the National Association of Estate Agents (MNAEA).
This achievement demonstrates Josh’s complete understanding of the property market and the skills needed to guide homeowners through every stage of selling and marketing their properties.
With this accreditation, Josh has begun carrying out property valuations, giving clients expert advice they can rely on.
In this Q&A, we catch up with Josh to hear about his journey, why qualifications matter, and what homeowners can expect when he visits their property.
1. How does it feel to have completed your NAEA Propertymark qualifications?
It’s a bit surreal. The qualification is supposed to take a year to complete, and it’s mostly self-taught. There’s a lot to get through, many of my evenings and weekends were taken up by studying.
My fiancé may have forgotten what I looked like at times! But I’m very glad I committed to it and I can now use those letters at the end of my name (MNAEA).
2. For anyone unfamiliar with NAEA Propertymark, what does this qualification actually involve?
The official title of my qualification is the Level 3 Certificate in Property Agency (Sales). The course consists of three modules which are shared with other similar qualifications for lettings and commercial sales, as well as a fourth module specific to residential sales.
Each module has a couple of practice tests followed by a final exam, which I took online. You then have to wait a few days before your official grade comes through.
3. What areas of the property market did the qualification focus on?
Genuinely, everything!
There were sections on property law, building methods and defects, marketing and sales techniques, and so on. There was even a section on how to spot different types of woodworm.
The idea is to get the widest knowledge base possible, so you can discuss any and all queries a seller or buyer may have.
4. Why was gaining this qualification important to you personally?
I have always been a learner in my job. I enjoy getting as much out of something as possible, and I’m very lucky to be in a role as varied as this one.
Other than my general curiosity, having the qualification, and the membership that comes with it, legitimises my role. It tells people that I care, that I’ve invested my time and energy into making sure I’m giving sound advice.
5. How does being NAEA qualified change the way you approach property valuations?
The course focuses on the two aspects of valuations: how to research effectively to land on an appropriate asking price, and how an agent should present themselves. Both of these aspects are equally important in gaining a client’s trust.
You don’t want an agent to arrive unprepared and ‘guessing’. You want an informed and approachable agent who is ready to handle a task as big as selling your property.
6. Many people don’t realise there are no formal rules around who can provide valuations. Why do you think qualifications matter?
Your property is likely the single greatest asset you own. It is not just a financial investment, but often an emotional one. As it stands, anyone can give you advice on that asset which could have a massive impact on your ability to sell.
It is very easy to become an estate agent. You do not need to pass a test. Many estate agents start valuing properties after only a few months in the business.
I believe you should feel confident that the person giving you advice knows what they’re talking about. A formal qualification is a concrete way for you to see that an agent has that knowledge.
7. How will this qualification benefit clients choosing Lang Town & Country?
Lang Town & Country has a very high number of qualified agents, and others who are currently studying while working and building real-world experience.
In the end, it’s all about the service we provide. A seller can trust us to give good advice on how to market their property. A first-time-buyer can ask questions about the conveyancing process and get a proper explanation. A landlord can be confident that their property is being managed in line with any new legislation.
Our agents make a commitment to our clients, to hold ourselves to a higher standard of estate agency.
8. What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned during the estate agent qualification process?
The ‘biggest’ thing is difficult to say, because I genuinely use most of what I’ve learned on a daily basis. The most interesting, though, was how the selling process differs in other parts of the UK.
In Scotland, for example, surveys are carried out before a property is put on the market. This allows a buyer to see everything upfront before making a fully informed offer, leading to faster conveyancing times and less fall-throughs.
I don’t think any one system is perfect, but if our government is serious about changing our industry for the better, there are definitely lessons to be learned from our closest neighbours.
9. You’re now starting to carry out estate agent valuations. What can homeowners expect when you visit their property?
A normal valuation can take up to an hour. This gives me time to tour the property and answer any questions you may have.
I am not there to tell you what to do. It’s your property after all. But I will give advice which is based on fact. For every valuation, I create a unique report of Sold, SSTC, and For Sale properties similar to yours. This will indicate the best price to market for.
I will then leave you to consider. I’m not interested in the ‘hard sell’ when it comes to winning business. I’d rather you feel fully informed and confident in your decision.
10. What’s next for you at Lang Town & Country?
Continue to grow, continue to learn.
This is a fast-changing industry. It looks very different now than it did ten years ago, and I’m sure it will look very different in ten years from now. I’m excited to see how we adapt, as an industry, as an agency, and myself as an individual.
Hopefully I’ll get to see some of the people reading this on valuations or viewings very soon!
Thinking of selling your home or curious about its current value?
Book a valuation with Josh Cousins and our Lang Town & Country team today. With his NAEA Propertymark qualification, you can be confident that your property is in knowledgeable hands.
How else can I get in touch with Lang Town & Country?
If you’re thinking about selling or buying a home, please do contact a member of our team today and we’ll be more than happy to help you get started.
Plymouth Sales – 01752 256000 / Property@langtownandcountry.com
Plymstock Sales – 01752 456000 / Plymstockoffice@langtownandcountry.com
Waterside – 01752 200909 / Waterside@langtownandcountry.com
Land & New Homes – 01752 278499 / newhomes@langtownandcountry.com
Lettings – 01752 201010 / enquiries@langtownandcountry.com
