Nick Cheshire at Nest in Essex

29/04/2026

Mise En Place - For Estate Agents

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve added cooking to my data-analysis hyperfocus.

I’m now constantly consulting with my AI mate, Claude (much better for many things than ChatGPT in my experience), to improve my culinary skills.

That’s a low bar, as my only two signature dishes are spaghetti bolognese and chilli con carne that tastes like spaghetti bolognese.

The Phrase That Changed My Cooking

I am learning, though.

Things like the heat of the pan make a substantial difference to the outcomes; there’s a reason you measure out ingredients rather than throw stuff in, and the importance of the phrase ‘Mise En Place.’

It means “putting in place.”

It’s my current favourite French phrase (it’s a small data set to be fair), which comes from professional kitchens, where chefs prepare everything before service starts.

Ingredients chopped, sauces ready, stations organised. When orders come in, there’s no chaos, just efficient creation.

Straight From the Chef’s Mouth

Ruche, the EAN’s Community Manager, was once a Chef de Partie and worked in busy kitchens for years. She’s confirmed that the better the prep, the better the kitchen/restaurant runs.

When I think of EAN members who prepare well, two quickly come to mind.

Nick Cheshire and Michelle Gallagher.

I spoke with Michelle last year about her valuation processes. She explained she prepares everything the day before. Her route is mapped out if needed, her marketing/valuation packs are ready to pick up as she leaves the office, and her research is done in advance. Mise En Place.

Nick is similar. His office has packs already made up (by his kids, he uses child labour more than Shein manufacturers!!) that contain everything that his team needs to give to a prospective seller/landlord. The thinking has been done in advance. Again, Mise En Place.

The Takeaway (Literally)

Amateurs turn up and hope. Professionals turn up prepped. Be they chefs or estate agents.

Nick and Michelle aren’t winning loads of instructions because they’re overpromising, louder, or cheaper; they’re winning them because the thinking was done before they knocked on the door. Nick’s proactive use of the 10 Questions to Ask an Estate Guide is proof of that, and Michelle mirrors that approach.

So, this week, pick one thing you always do in a panic. It could be a valuation, a viewing, a follow-up call, and think ‘mise en place.’

Your future self (and your clients) will taste the difference.

Bon Appétit.

Jerry

28/04/2026

Rayleigh Secret Property Tax - and nobody is talking about it?

Would you throw £29,000 away? ….

£29,000

That’s the difference… and most people won’t even notice it.

Because on the surface, every estate agent looks the same.

Stereotypical office on the high street and a suit that’s seen more mirror time than results.

And the usual words…
“delighted”, “proud”, “boasts” (always “boasts”, for some reason).

But none of that sells your home for more money.

What actually matters?
Strategy.
Positioning.
Negotiation.
Timing.

The bits you don’t see.

We don’t have a high street shop.
You won’t see us driving around in branded cars.
And no one here is getting dressed up like they’re heading to a wedding just to do a valuation.

But here’s what ‘we do’ do…

We outperform.

In Rayleigh, we looked at the 12 agents you see on boards every day driving round.
Same market. Same buyers. Same streets.

On a £500,000 home:

There’s a £29,000 gap between us and the lowest performer.

Even the next best agent is still £9,000 behind.

That’s not branding.
That’s not luck.
That’s how the job is done.

The uncomfortable truth?

Most estate agency is still stuck in old habits that don’t work anymore.

We’re not trying to be like everyone else.
We’ve built this to be different.

Because different… gets better results.

And better results put more money in your pocket.

We aren’t your typical estate agents, and we’re proud of it.

We’ve achieved the highest percentage of asking prices on homes in SS6, for over 18 consecutive months. A bold statement. A true statement (honestly, ask getagent)

If you want to achieve the best price for your property, you know where we are 🙂

📍 Lubards Farm, if you don’t 🙂

22/02/2026

“Reputation Should Be Earned” – Industry Response to Fake Review Investigation

Fake Reviews Risk Undermining Trust in Estate Agency, Says Network Founder
Concerns about fake and manipulated online reviews in estate agencies have resurfaced

following an ITV investigation broadcast last Thursday evening that examined the scale of suspicious and incentivised feedback across multiple industries.

The programme highlighted how easily reviews can be generated or purchased, raising fresh questions about consumer trust in sectors where reputation plays a crucial role in decision-making.

Jerry Lyons, Founder of Ethical Agent Network, said the issue cannot be ignored.
“The ITV programme on fake online reviews was uncomfortable viewing, but necessary as it shone a light on businesses, including a minority of estate agencies, who cheat the system when it comes to reviews.

To the public, reviews matter. They influence who sells your home, who manages your rental and who handles potentially life-changing transactions.

The problem isn’t reviews. The problem is unverified, manipulated or incentivised reviews.

Consumers should look for patterns, detail and consistency, not just star ratings. Are the reviews detailed or generic? Do they reference real situations? Did they name specific members of staff? Does the business respond professionally to criticism?

That tells you far more than a row of five stars.
We believe reputation should be earned through service, not shortcuts.

At the Ethical Agent Network, credibility isn’t self-declared. Members undergo a vetting process and must meet consistent standards.
“Yes, reviews form part of the picture, but they’re not the only measure of trust. We also look at an agency’s community involvement, adherence to the EAN's code of conduct (The Promises), and the applicant's successful completion of an interview stage, during which they are encouraged to share their agency’s best practices, terms and conditions, complaint handling process and absolute transparency about the fees they charge”

EAN partner and independent agency owner, Nick Chesire, of Nest in Essex added: “Real credibility isn’t bought online from services offering fake reviews. It’s painstakingly built over years of caring, genuine service and hard work.”

Industry observers say the debate is likely to intensify as new consumer protection rules around fake reviews begin to be enforced.

02/02/2026

Network secures young estate agency owner as new investor - Breaking news for estate agents and the residential property industry. Independent, unbiased, and factual reporting. A forum for discussion and debate of topics of the day. Subscribe for our free daily newsletter.

04/12/2025

Most people celebrate 11 years of running a business with a nice dinner, a party, maybe even a quiet cry under the stairs of a probate property.

Me?

I buy myself a pair of custom Nike Blazer ‘77s… in Nest blue, obviously. (although im not ruling out the cry under the stairs obv)

What other colour was it ever going to be?

11 years in, and I’m still finding new ways to match the branding.

Next up: a Nest-blue Christmas tree. Oh wait…

24/11/2025

11 Years Since the Best Decision I Never Felt Ready For

11 years today.

11 years since I walked away from the most toxic environment I’ve ever worked in.
11 years since a fresh-faced 23-year-old me took a jump into something I didn’t fully understand.
11 years since I backed myself, even though I was terrified it wouldn’t work.

It was the biggest moment of self-doubt and self-belief I’ve ever had — both hitting at the same time.

And 11 years on… I regret none of it. Not a single day.

There’ve been mistakes. There’ve been heavy lessons. There’ve been ups, downs, and a few “what on earth am I doing?” moments. But I wouldn’t take any of it back.

Today I’m grateful — for the decision I made back then, and for the people who pushed me forward when I needed it.

Including my wife, who celebrated today with a card, a balloon, and a Belgian bun waiting for me when I got home. Small moment. Big impact.

I’m grateful for every step on this road — and even more grateful for the people who walk it with me.

Here’s to year 12.

17/11/2025

New sign day at - been looking forward to this for a while! Thanks to for putting it up today! 🙏🏡💡

16/10/2025

🐾 Meet Daisy – our newest recruit at Nest! 🐾

She’s joined the team full-time as Head of Morale and part-time Biscuit Inspector.
Her responsibilities include: greeting visitors, boosting office productivity (with cuddles), and reminding us all that naps are, in fact, essential to success.

She’s already settling in well — and yes, she’s on the payroll (paid in treats).

Welcome to the family, Daisy 💛

14/10/2025

30/09/2025

It’s landed! - the latest edition of our ‘how to switch estate agent’ guide…

It really shouldn’t be needed in 2025. But it is.

But for every awesome agent, is a bad one, the ying and yang of estate agency.

And to those bad agents, the ones who over promise, under deliver, don’t discuss contract lengths, don’t discuss notice periods, and don’t provide the service they promise…… we’re coming for you! Maybe not in the Liam neeson sense, but in a helpful guide sense.

This guide arms sellers with the info they shouldn’t need to worry about, but we will make sure anyone who needs it, has it.

I’ve always tried to play my part in increasing the standards of estate agency locally, it’s something I’ve promoted since day 1. This is another step in Nest’s ongoing mission to do exactly that.

So if you need a copy or know someone who does drop me a message, and I’ll pop it over to you. No catches, because if it helps 1 person…… job done!