WALDERSLADE branch of the Greyfox Estate Agency has celebrated its 10th anniversary, with one of its most successful years so far.

"We opened right in the middle of the recession," said partner Sandra East. "But we felt certain there was a niche in the market place for an independent agent offering a very personal and professional level of service."

Founder partner of Greyfox, Shaun Tilley, celebrated the anniversary by passing four exams in the National Association of Estate Agents' Certificate of Practice in Estate Agency qualification.

"I decided to take it because I believe estate agencies need to become more professional, " said Shaun. "It's a qualification I would like to see all 33 of my staff gaining eventually, so I thought I had better lead from the front.

"We need, as a profession, to demonstrate that we have high ethical and professional standards, to dispel the poor perception members of the public have, regarding estate agents. It's important to offer a high level of competence, so that customers feel confident that they are getting value for money.

"All companies should have adequate training programs in place so anyone entering the profession has a basic knowledge and standard of competence in estate agency practices".

Shaun criticises the way houses are bought and sold in England as "archaic". He believes that the process needs to be speeded up, so that customers are not kept waiting for a transaction to be completed.

He is hopeful that proposed new legislation, which call for a 'sellers pack' to be compiled for houses coming onto the market, will achieve that. The pack will include an Home Condition Report, which will save prospective purchasers each having to commission their own survey.

Walderslade branch of Greyfox was very much flavour of the month in September having achieved more sales than any other branch in the group. James Jarmak won sales person of the month despite the fact that he began in the business only two months before. Rachael Attwood achieved the part time sales person of the month award.