When people ask what I do for a living, my response, “I’m a commercial surveyor,” often elicits a nod of understanding, quickly followed by, “Oh, so you’re an estate agent…. I don’t like estate agents.” It’s a common misconception, but one that highlights a broader issue of public perception
Recent Articles
Green Chronicle
Organising the Academy of Real Assets National Essay Competition: A Celebration of Youthful Vision
As the Communications Manager at The Academy of Real Assets, I have the privilege of coordinating its National Essay Competition. This annual event is a cornerstone of our efforts to increase socioeconomic diversity in the real estate sector.
Green Chronicle
Why we need a Natural Health Service
There is a whopping great elephant in the room when it comes to solving the climate and biodiversity crises: the simple question of “who’s going to pay for it?” Of course, in the long run, when our houses are flooded, our forests burnt and our supermarkets shelves...
Green Chronicle
More regulation or better enforcement?
The UK estate agency sector plays a crucial role in the housing market, facilitating property transactions and helping individuals find homes. However, the industry has long faced criticism for a lack of regulation, with advocates citing issues such as unethical...
Green Chronicle
Letter from Arabia
Following a recent teaching excursion to Riyadh, the Undercover Academic reports back on ambitious and exciting property-related initiatives happening in the Kingdom. We don’t hear much about the property market or the many new or planned developments in Saudi...
Green Chronicle
Could urban schools be the future for co-working?
Falling pupil numbers Urban areas across the United Kingdom are facing a significant decline in the number of pupils. Research by the National Foundation for Educational Research reveals that state primary schools in London have experienced a 6.8% drop in roles...
Green Chronicle
I dream and live a roadwork nightmare
If you live in West London, you probably know the drill by now. You check your route in the morning, hoping that, just maybe, your journey might be slightly less torturous than the previous day. But no. With Hammersmith already undergoing maintenance that...
Green Chronicle
An Ode to Retail’s Past: From maximalism to minimalism
Recently, near where I live in South East London, the local retail park has finally closed its doors for its final time. A mix of 2000s nostalgia, Surrey Quays Leisure Park contained a Hollywood Bowl, an Odeon cinema, a Pizza Hut and Frankie & Benny’s. The large...
Green Chronicle
Can Kamala Harris win over young Americans through her housing plan?
Young people care about housing. The housing crisis, which has become a worldwide phenomenon, has consistently been one of the top issues that matter for young voters, and unsurprisingly, we’ve witnessed politicians pander to millennials and Gen Zs alike, with new...
Green Chronicle
Bitcoin v Gold: Which is the better store of value?
Most newcomers to Bitcoin understand its attempt to be digital gold―a store of value native to the internet. But which is better? On the one hand, you have a time-tested precious metal with low inflation and steady value appreciation. On the other, an extremely...
Green Chronicle
Rent Affordability: The bias of loss aversion?
When I moved to London from abroad I was quite scared; not of all the difficult British accents, the sweaty tube or the doubtful love for vinegar. No… I was scared of the rental prices. How is it normal to pay £1800 per month for outdated one-bedroom apartments with...
Green Chronicle
“I think I killed the high street”
I have a confession to make; Google Trends tells me that late-2018 was the absolute high point for “death of the high street” news content in the UK. If you believe what you read, the last rites were read to the sector a long time ago. Did you know that the “Retail...
Green Chronicle
Young people, start negotiating!
Many young graduates are facing challenges that extend beyond finding the right job or managing student loans. One particular hurdle I’ve noticed the most is their struggle with negotiation, particularly in the job market. Despite being highly educated and digitally...