Meet Charles Proctor, Partner at Proctors West Wickham 

How long have you worked at Proctors?
I have worked at Proctors since my father bought the business, back in 1991.

What’s your background? i.e. qualifications, past experience
After leaving school, I worked at Harrods for 2 years, but aside from the bi-annual sales and the Christmas build-up, the shop floor simply wasn’t busy enough. So, I decided to change my career. In 1989, I joined Prudential Property Services (presently our Anerley office), working with Doreen Somerville, who taught me a great deal of what I know now and still practice 30 years later! Most of my training was with Prudential Property Services, and I worked there for four years. In 1993, I moved to our West Wickham office to work with my father Anthony Proctor, who opened the office in 1967. I’ve been here ever since.

When did you realise you wanted to work as an estate agent? Why?
When I left school, I had no idea what I wanted to do as a career – hence the brief stint at Harrods. Although working at the internationally-renowned store was fun, day-to-day wasn’t stimulating enough. However, as well as giving me valuable people experience, it made me realise that I liked dealing with and helping members of the public. So, I decided to follow my Grandfather and father into the property business.

What does a normal day at work involve?
As well as running the West Wickham office, my day will normally involve visiting homes to give prospective vendors open-market valuations of their property, talking with current vendors regarding our marketing strategy for their home and measuring up new instructions. I also check in with progressing sales, often contacting solicitors and other estate agents so I can update both the vendor and purchaser. Generally, I am involved and hands on with all aspects of estate agency work.

What do you find rewarding in your job?
Knowing we have worked as hard as we can for our clients, to find the right buyer at the best possible price. After all, we have been matching people with properties since my Grandfather set up the business in 1946.

What, if any, are the challenges faced in your industry?
Helping clients realise that, as with many other aspects of life, you normally get what you pay for. Proctors may not be the cheapest – or the most expensive – but we always work hard and offer a professional service, supported by many years of experience. Finding a buyer can sometimes be easy, sometimes more difficult, but a good estate agent proves their worth in seeing the sale through to exchange of contracts and completion. Many estate agents – especially internet agents –don’t offer a comprehensive ‘after-sale-has-been-agreed service’, which is crucial to a successful completion.

What’s you most memorable/favourite sale?
Selling a major wing of a house for £1.22 million in 2015. We were in competition with one of the leading national and London estate agents, and even before they had produced their glossy brochure, we had arranged three viewings and agreed the sale. The buyers were a delightful family who lived locally within the borough of Bromley, as so many of our purchasers do, even today!

What’s your favourite local restaurant?
I enjoyed my first date with my wife at what was Gi’s (recently closed), in West Wickham.

What’s your dream home?
I don’t have one. As long as my wife and two children are with me, that is my dream home.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Conscientious, personable and optimistic.

What are your interests outside of work?
Gardening, skiing, water skiing, running, spending time with my wife, two children, family and friends.

What would people be surprised to know about you?
I was hopeless at exams at school and struggled to gain a handful of O-Levels.

What’s your biggest achievement?
Celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary this year, my two gorgeous children and becoming a third-generation partner in Proctors following my father and Grandfather.

And finally, we’re off to the pub! What’s your order?
A pint of bitter, please.

If you'd like to get in touch with Charles or meet the rest of the team at West Wickham, click here.

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