Shows
The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessDigital Offers, Human Value: Phil Farrell on the Future of Estate AgencyThis week on The Viking Chats, I’m joined by Phil Farrell of Offr - former agent, industry operator, and now one of the most thoughtful voices in the PropTech space.And this isn’t a fluffy “tech will save the world” conversation.It’s a frank, honest and occasionally uncomfortable deep dive into where estate agents truly add value… and where we absolutely don’t.Phil spent over two decades in agency before moving into tech. He’s negotiated, valued, built teams and led businesses. Which means when he talks about di...
2026-02-271h 01The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessFrom Foxy Beginnings to Founders: Liana & Ollie UnfilteredWhat happens when you mix two award-winning agents, a shared love of doing things differently, and the guts to leave the corporate world behind to launch something with your name on the door? You get Liana and Ollie Loporto-Browne - and one of the most refreshingly honest episodes of Viking Chats to date.In this candid and laugh-filled conversation, Kristjan sits down with Liana and Ollie to unpack their journey from colleagues and co-conspirators to co-founders and life partners. It’s a story of values, vision, and a deep, shared commitment to building a business whe...
2026-02-121h 11The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessMintz Condition: Property, Podcasts & Saying What Needs to Be SaidThis week’s Viking Chat is full of big energy, blunt truths, and a big dose of Northern charm - because joining Kristjan is none other than David Mintz.If you’re in agency and haven’t come across David yet, you’re in for a treat. Co-host of the brilliantly unpredictable Kerfuffle Podcast, long-standing estate and letting agent, and self-confessed industry “agent provocateur,” David brings charisma, candour and more quotables than your average awards dinner.This episode is about more than lettings - it’s about how to lead with personality, bu...
2026-02-041h 20The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessNot Just a PropTech: Why Street Group Thinks Like a Tech Giant – with Stella NicolWhat happens when a psychology student-turned-estate agent walks into the fast-evolving world of proptech? You get Stella Nicol- former Reeds Rains branch manager, Barrett New Homes sales manager, Spectre pioneer, and now one of the longest-standing team members at Street Group.In this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan catches up with Stella for an honest, often hilarious, and always insightful deep dive into her journey from negotiating viewings in Chester to helping build one of the UK’s most admired proptech powerhouses.From her early days “nosying around” homes and flipping through Cheshire Life for ki...
2026-01-291h 07The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessFrom Silicon Valley to Street Smarts: Neal Bawa on Data, Development & Doing It Differently🎙 The Viking Chats – From Silicon Valley to Street Smarts: Neal Bawa on Data, Development & Doing It DifferentlyThis week on The Viking Chats, we go global - quite literally - as Neal Bawa, one of America’s most well-known (and polarising) data-driven real estate investors, joins Kristjan for a cross-Atlantic conversation packed with eyebrow-raising stats, uncomfortable truths, and big lessons for the UK property industry.Neal isn’t your typical investor. He’s a self-proclaimed tech geek, former Silicon Valley exec, and now the founder of Grocapitus and Multifamily University - with over
2026-01-2632 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessInside Lettings: From Rightmove to Goodlord with Costas FrangeskouIn this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Costas Frangeskou, Director of Growth at Goodlord, to explore a career that’s taken him from one of the UK’s most recognisable portals to the heart of lettings technology - and the insights he’s gained along the way.From early agency days through to his tenure at Rightmove, and now shaping the future of digital lettings at Goodlord, Costas has seen the industry from every angle. But what makes this conversation special isn’t just his CV - it’s h...
2026-01-161h 20The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessAnnalese Walmsley: Killing the Frankenstein Stack, One Workflow at a TimeIn this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield is joined by Annalese Walmsley, Sales Director at Kotini, to explore one of the most overlooked parts of the property journey: onboarding.While much of the UK’s PropTech conversation focuses on portals, valuations and back-office automation, onboarding - that crucial first stage where ID checks, AML, forms, PIQs and more collide - is often held together by digital duct tape. A PDF here. A link there. A dashboard somewhere else. Annalese calls it a Frankenstein tech stack.And...
2025-12-1943 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessFrom Deliveroo to PropTech: Graham Paterson’s Journey to Reinvent the Property PortalIn this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan sits down with Graham Paterson, co-founder of the AI-powered portal Jitty, to explore how one of the property industry’s most fundamental tools - the search portal - is being reimagined from the ground up.Graham was part of the leadership team at Deliveroo, helping shape the food delivery brand’s expansion and operational excellence. Now, he’s turned his attention to property - bringing his consumer-first mindset, deep data expertise and a fresh perspective.This isn’t just a story of start...
2025-12-191h 07The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessScaling with Soul: Rethinking Success in Estate Agency with Matt GiggsIn this inspiring and refreshingly candid episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield is joined by Matt Giggs - founder of The Giggs Group, industry coach, and one of the UK property sector’s most passionate advocates for purpose-driven business.Matt’s journey from high-street negotiator to regional director to founding his own multi-branch agency group is not your typical “scale fast, sell hard” narrative. It’s a story of self-awareness, service and sustainable growth - built on values, not just valuation targets.This episode dives deep into what it really means to gro...
2025-12-181h 19The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessFrom Agency Leader to Industry Voice: Angi Cooney UnfilteredIn this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with the bold, brilliant and unmistakably real Angi Cooney - property industry veteran, cultural architect, former MD of C Residential, and a woman unafraid to speak her truth.From building a beloved local agency brand from scratch to leading with compassion in a sector too often ruled by numbers, Angi has always done things differently. Now, having stepped away from the day-to-day of running a business, she’s reflecting on the highs, the lows, and the lessons - and sharing her views on what the...
2025-12-181h 01The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessBeyond Compliance: Nicola Thivessen on Championing Standards and Sanity in LettingsIn this vital and wide-ranging episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan sits down with Nicola Thivessen, Chairperson on the Zoopla Lettings Advisory Board and one of the UK’s most respected voices on lettings regulation, compliance, and raising standards across the private rented sector (PRS).With a career that spans frontline agency with some of the UK's biggest brands, Nicola brings a unique, full-spectrum view of how the lettings industry works - and where it’s currently failing to deliver for agents, landlords and tenants alike.This isn’t just a discussion about rules...
2025-12-161h 16The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessRebecca Nixon on Real Marketing: Why Data, Story & Empathy Drive Agency GrowthIn this game-changing episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Rebecca Nixon - PropTech growth specialist, strategic marketer, and host of The PropTech Growth Podcast - for a refreshingly honest conversation about what marketing really is, and what letting agents are getting wrong.With years of experience helping PropTech founders, suppliers and property businesses align growth strategy with messaging, Rebecca offers clarity on a core truth: marketing isn’t an add-on - it’s the commercial engine of your business.Together, Kristjan and Rebecca unpack the disconnect between what m...
2025-12-1656 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessRules, Risks & Respect: Carrie Alliston on the Evolution of AgencyIn this powerful episode of The Viking Chat, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Carrie Alliston, Head of Partnerships at HomeLet and one of the UK property industry’s most respected voices on compliance, leadership and transformation. After decades of experience in agency - most recently as Group Lettings Director at Hunters - Carrie brings both operational depth and big-picture strategy to every conversation she joins.This is not a surface-level industry chat. It’s a deep dive into the risks we ignore, the rules we misunderstand, and the relationships we take for granted - all from...
2025-12-031h 11The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessSimon Gates Unfiltered: Property, Podcasts & Playing the Long GameIn this powerhouse episode of The Viking Chat, Kristjan Byfield sits down with one of the UK property sector’s most authentic and disruptive voices - Simon Gates, co-founder of Opening The Gates and a man who has made it his mission to rewire how estate and letting agents think, speak and serve.This isn’t just another industry chat. It’s an unfiltered, high-energy deep dive into what’s broken, what’s exciting, and what’s next for the UK agency landscape - all through the lens of a man who’s spent the last...
2025-11-2059 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessThe Maths of Home: Elaine Penhaul’s Formula for Property SuccessIn this compelling episode of The Viking Chat, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Elaine Penhaul, founder of Lemon & Lime Interiors and author of Sell High, Sell Fast, for a conversation that bridges the gap between data, design, and delivery in the UK property sector.Elaine is a leading voice in home staging, but her message isn’t about soft furnishings and fluff. It’s about strategy - the measurable, evidence-led kind that directly impacts how fast a property sells, who it attracts, and how well it performs in a crowded, emotionally charged market.
2025-11-201h 00The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessEllie Rees: Disrupting Estate Agency with Feminism, Ethics & FireIn this incendiary episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with the remarkable Ellie Rees - co-founder of Brickworks, creator of the viral #DearSirs campaign, and one of the most fearless voices in the UK property industry.What follows is less of an interview and more of a manifesto. A rallying cry. A challenge to the entire real estate sector to stop making excuses and start doing better - for clients, communities, women, and the wider world.Ellie isn’t here to play nice. She’s here to ca...
2025-11-171h 08The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and business1.7 Billion Reasons to Rethink Rent Arrears: Futureproofing Lettings with Julie FordIn this compelling episode of The Viking Chat, Kristjan Byfield welcomes industry powerhouse Julie Ford of Lettings Advice Service for a conversation that might just change the way you view rent arrears, evictions, and the entire tenant-landlord dynamic.With over 30 years in housing, local authority liaison, tenant support, and compliance, Julie Ford brings a razor-sharp perspective on the biggest challenges facing the private rented sector (PRS)- from the staggering £1.7 billion rent arrears crisis to the looming impact of the Renters (Reform) Bill and a rapidly shifting social landscape.Whether you're a...
2025-11-111h 16The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessCurrency Secrets Agents Should Know: A Game-Changing Chat with Steve EakinsIn this eye-opening episode of The Viking Chat, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Steve Eakins from Lumon, one of the property industry's best-kept secrets. Whether you're in lettings, sales, property management, or Build to Rent, this is the episode you didn't know you needed — and one you’ll never forget.With over two decades of experience in currency markets and international property transactions, Steve lifts the lid on a massive blind spot in UK estate agency: the power of currency exchange strategy. From boosting offer acceptances to saving sales that were about to coll...
2025-10-2244 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessBeyond the Deal: Mental Health, Masculinity & Making Peace with Chris Webb🎧 Episode: “Beyond the Deal: Mental Health, Masculinity & Making Peace”What happens when the outward trappings of success start to smother the person behind the title?In one of the most raw, powerful and deeply human episodes of The Viking Chats to date, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Chris Webb—Founder of The Estate Agent Consultancy and a long-time leader in the UK residential agency space—for a conversation that’s less about metrics, and more about meaning.With a career spanning branch management, regional leadership, performance coaching, training, and strategic bus...
2025-09-3053 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessBrand, Balls & Breaking the Mould: Property as It Should Be with Dan Marsden🎧 Episode: “Brand, Balls & Breaking the Mould: Property as It Should Be”If you’re tired of property podcasts that play it safe, this one’s for you.In this energetic and unfiltered episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield is joined by Dan Marsden, founder of the award-winning brand agency Marsden & Co., and a force of nature when it comes to brand-first thinking in the property sector.Dan’s not your typical marketing guy. He’s not here to flog templates, spew buzzwords, or pitch 50-page decks. He’s here to challenge...
2025-09-171h 22The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessDon’t Just Sell It- Tell It: Chris England on Storytelling in Property MarketingIn this fast-paced, laugh-out-loud, and insight-packed episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield is joined by Chris England, co-founder and creative director of PVS Media—the content agency helping estate and letting agents rethink what property marketing can be.From the very first minute, Chris brings the energy, honesty and sharp creative thinking that has made PVS Media a go-to for agents looking to level up their brand, listings and customer experience through relatable, human-first video content.This episode isn’t about flashy drone shots or cookie-cutter templates—it’s about...
2025-09-081h 29The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessWomen in Agency, Pride in Property & the Power of People🎙️ Women in Agency, Pride in Property & the Power of PeopleIn this unfiltered, hilarious, and genuinely moving episode of The Viking Chats, I sit down with the inimitable Amy Shields—a name that’s become synonymous with leadership, allyship, and transformation in UK estate agency. Whether you know her from her 16-year career as a high-flying agent, her pivotal role at Smart Compliance, or her advocacy through Women in Estate Agency, this conversation peels back the layers on what really drives her—and what needs to change in our indu...
2025-09-011h 21The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessFrom Lettings to Legacy: Ben Moser on Social Impact & Leadership🎙 Episode Title: Legacy, Leadership & Lettings: Ben Moser on Culture, Confidence & Social ChangeIn this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Ben Moser—Director of Operations at Petermans Estate Agents, Managing Director of Petermans Housing Initiatives, and a Volunteer Mentor at Agents Together—for an open, vulnerable, and thought-provoking conversation that cuts right to the core of what the property industry should be about.Ben’s journey is anything but typical. As the next generation in a family-run agency, he could have coasted. Instead, he chose to listen, learn and...
2025-08-221h 13The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessBreaking the Mould: Women, Work & Walking Your Own Path in Property with Wendy PetermanIn this deeply personal and brilliantly insightful episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Wendy Peterman—Managing Director of Petermans estate agents—for a conversation that reaches far beyond floorplans, fee structures and portals.Wendy is one of the most authentic and quietly powerful voices in our industry today. As the second generation to take the reins at her family-run agency, and one of the few women to lead a long-standing independent estate agency, Wendy offers a refreshingly honest perspective on leadership, legacy, equality and the human side of property.This isn’t a st...
2025-08-191h 11The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessAdapt or Disappear: Agency, AI & the Real Digital Threat with Russell QuirkIn this candid and explosive episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with the ever-outspoken Russell Quirk, property PR maverick, founder of eMoov, and one of the most polarising voices in the UK residential property scene. If you’re a decision maker in estate agency, lettings, property management, or a serious residential investor—especially in London—this is an episode you cannot miss.Russell opens up on nearly three decades of property experience—from inheriting the family estate agency DNA in Fulham, to founding and scaling one of the UK’s most prominent online age...
2025-07-2942 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessThe Ball, The Buzz & The Business: What We Really Get from Industry EventsIn this special episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with fellow Base Property Specialists & The Depositary co-founder and industry icon An Deckers (aka Big Red) for a reflective and revealing look at what actually matters in the property industry—and why showing up still makes all the difference.Fresh from the Kerfuffle Conference and the Agents Giving Ball, Kristjan and An unpack what attending industry events really offers, beyond the awards, the Prosecco and the usual photos. Spoiler: it’s not about the canapés.This episode is a can...
2025-07-171h 17The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessDr. Rock & The Rise of Agentic AI: Neil Cobbold UnpluggedIn this electric episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield is joined by none other than Neil Cobbold—industry heavyweight, tech evangelist, landlord, Drum & Bass DJ, and true rock superfan—to unpack what’s really going on behind the scenes in UK lettings, PropTech, and beyond.You might know Neil as the Managing Director of Reapit, or from his long tenure as the voice of PayProp. But in true Viking Chats fashion, we go way deeper than job titles. From sleepless DJ gigs to serious property pain points, Neil brings his full self to the mic in a conv...
2025-07-071h 00The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessIntegration Nation: Why GlueDog Could Be the Future of PropTechIn this unmissable episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with Mark McCorrie—founder of Made Snappy 360 and the innovator behind the integration tool GlueDog—for a no-holds-barred deep dive into the tangled, chaotic, and often comical world of PropTech in the UK property industry.If you've ever felt frustrated by the sheer number of logins, dashboards, and disconnected systems in your daily agency life—you are not alone. Mark’s journey from coin-operated internet terminals to pioneering virtual tours and now launching an integration solution for CRMs, is equal parts inspiring and revelatory.Over t...
2025-06-3056 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessThe Unfiltered Agent: Ben Madden on Authenticity, Leadership, and Agency Without the FluffIn this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with the brilliantly unfiltered Ben Madden—Principal Director at Fine & Country, founder of Digital Sparks, and all-around champion for doing estate agency differently.Titled “The Unfiltered Agent: Ben Madden on Authenticity, Leadership, and Agency Without the Fluff”, this episode is a straight-talking deep dive into what’s broken, what’s working, and what the future should look like in residential lettings and estate agency. Ben’s journey spans the launch (and exit) of one of London’s most awarded agencies, to helping shape strategy at Fine & Country, and n...
2025-06-191h 01The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessIt’s Not a Secret: Why the Best Letting Agents Share EverythingIn this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield is joined by the powerhouse behind Liberty Blue, Regina Mangan, for a vibrant and unfiltered discussion that every forward-thinking letting and estate agency leader needs to hear.Titled “It’s Not a Secret: Why the Best Letting Agents Share Everything”, this episode dives headfirst into one of the industry’s most overlooked superpowers: collaboration. In a sector where many still operate behind closed doors, clinging tightly to their ‘trade secrets’, Kristjan and Regina make the compelling case that the true path to faster processes, happier clients, and a more respect...
2025-06-1648 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessAI: Get onboard or get left behind with Mal McCallion of ModelPropIn this razor-sharp episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield sits down with one of PropTech’s original pioneers—Mal McCallion—to unpack the message every UK letting agent, estate agent and landlord needs to hear:AI isn’t coming. It’s already here.And if you’re not on board? You’re at risk of being left behind.🧠 From PrimeLocation to Prophetic PredictionsWith 24+ years in property and tech, Mal’s résumé reads like a PropTech hall of fame: launching PrimeLocation, rolling out Zoopla, and building tools for Th...
2025-05-231h 08The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessbase turns 21- the memories, the adventures and what's next with An DeckersIn this special anniversary edition of The Viking Chats, Kristjan is joined by his "work wife" and Base Property (and The Depositary) co-founder An Deckers to celebrate a huge milestone—21 years of running one of London’s most distinctive and award-winning independent lettings agencies.Expect laughter, honesty, a little nostalgia, and a masterclass in how to build a values-led business that puts people first—from tenants and landlords to the team that makes it all possible.🏗️ From Back Bedrooms to Best in ClassThis episode isn’t just a trip down memory lane—it’s a candid b...
2025-05-2347 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessAI, Authenticity & Agency: A Proptech Deep Dive with Toby MartinIn this powerful episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield is joined by the sharp, funny, and endlessly insightful Toby Martin—a former agent turned consultant who’s on a mission to help agencies thrive in a tech-powered world.This episode isn’t just about AI—it’s about how you, your team, and your business can stay ahead of the curve, remain unmistakably human, and stop sounding like every other agent in town.🚀 AI: The New Industrial Revolution?Kristjan opens with a bold claim: AI is our generation’s Industrial Revolution—and...
2025-05-2356 minThe Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessInventories, AI & Industry Evolution — with Nick Lyons of No Letting Go & KapturIn this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield welcomes Nick Lyons, founder of No Letting Go and Kaptur Software, to dive deep into the evolution of the inventory sector—and how technology, AI, and data are reshaping it for agents, landlords, and property managers across the UK.🚀 From early dictaphones and manually edited Word docs to a national franchise network processing 10,000 reports a month and a platform producing 300,000+ compliance inspections annually, Nick shares how he turned a scrappy startup into the UK’s largest inventory provider—all built on three core values: reliability, accountability, and consisten...
2025-05-161h 11The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessGame of Homes: Winning in a Tech-Driven Market with Simon WhaleHold onto your helmets, Vikings — in this latest voyage across the turbulent seas of property, technology and business, Kristjan Byfield welcomes a true industry legend (or should we say lovable rogue?): Simon Whale, known for his time at Reapit, his antics with Kerfuffle, and for generally causing "productive chaos" in the world of PropTech and estate agency.In this epic chat, Kristjan and Simon dive deep into the fast-evolving landscape of property technology and what it really means for modern estate and letting agents. No corporate spin here — just honest, practical insi...
2025-04-291h 16The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and business“STOP BEING BORING!" Why Creativity, Storytelling & Brand Personality Are Your Secret SuperpowersAre you stuck in a loop of “free valuations”, “stunning homes”, and “professional photography”? Do your marketing materials look suspiciously like your competitors’? Then buckle up, because this episode of Viking Chat might just blow the doors off your agency's entire approach to branding.This week, Kristjan Byfield – industry troublemaker and Base Property founder – is joined by the ever-creative Tom Durrant, CEO of DCTR (formerly known as Dr. Photo). What starts as a friendly chat about creativity quickly becomes a full-throttle, no-holds-barred deep dive into why most estate agency branding is flat, forgettable, and dangerously dull
2025-04-231h 10The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessBehind the Curtain of Compliance, Complaints & Change in the PRS with Tim Frome of Hamilton FraserIn this powerhouse episode of Viking Chat, industry trailblazer Kristjan Byfield sits down with Tim Frome, legal and compliance heavyweight from Hamilton Fraser, for a deep dive into the ever-evolving landscape of the private rented sector (PRS). Buckle up for a fast-paced, insight-rich ride through the trends, tensions, and tectonic shifts affecting agents, landlords, and tenants alike.Tim unpacks Hamilton Fraser’s 2024 annual report—a digital-first, data-driven, interactive document that’s setting new standards for how compliance can be communicated. From the increasing importance of alternative deposits to the dramatic rise in complaints (up 20% year-on-year and 44% over two ye...
2025-04-231h 11The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessThe Importance of the process with Vicky BibirisIn this engaging episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield—co-founder of The Depositary and self-proclaimed industry innovator—sits down with the brilliant Vicky Bibiris, Managing Director at award-winning agency Location Location, to explore one of the most underappreciated yet transformative elements of running a successful agency: process.Let’s face it—“process” doesn’t always sound exciting. But as Kristjan and Vicky reveal in this thought-provoking conversation, getting your processes right is the bedrock of consistent, scalable, and exceptional service in the property sector.🧩 Why Process Matters Vicky passionately unpacks why havin...
2025-04-041h 02The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and businessBeyond transactions: Can proptech make agents more human?In this powerful first episode of our new conversation series, Kristjan Byfield—co-founder of The Depositary & base property specilaists—sits down with Sian Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, to unpack a fascinating and timely question: Can property technology (PropTech) actually help estate agents become more human?Too often, PropTech is dismissed as cold or impersonal—seen as a digital wedge between agents and their clients. But what if the opposite were true?💡 Reframing PropTech Sian flips the script on the traditional narrative, arguing that PropTech isn’t about replacing people—it’s about freeing...
2025-04-0443 min
The Two RussellsThe Two Russells with Kristjan Byfield This time the Two Russells victim is the most irrepressible, charismatic, authentic and popular Viking you will ever meet.Yes, Kristjan Byfield tells us about pressure, vodka and dreams at Stowe School (which he attended with Superman by the way) and how he and An Deckers have flourished as one of the most enduring partnerships in the property industry.Plus, failure and success as our regular themes.
2025-02-2846 min
Listen Up Landlords podcastEpisode 48 – A Christmas SpecialIn this episode of Listen Up Landlords, presenters NRLA Chief Executive Ben Beadle and landlord Richard Blanco welcome a panel of guests to look back over the last 12 months and ahead to 2025. It has been a year of change, with a new Government bringing forward new legislation in the form of the Renters' Rights Bill with new minimum EPC ratings also on the cards for landlords going forward. The supply crisis blighting the private rented sector continues, with 21 households competing for every home advertised to let, and rents rising as a result. To...
2024-12-1837 min
EAM: Estate Agency Mastery with Chris BucklerEpisode 25 - Estate Agency Mastery with Krisyjan ByfieldEstate Agency Mastery: Authenticity, Automation, and the Power of "No" with Kristjan Byfield
Welcome to another episode of *Estate Agency Mastery*, where we unlock the secrets of success in the property industry. In this episode, we're joined by Kristjan Byfield, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience in the estate agency world. Kristjan shares insights from his journey as a long-time agent, a business owner, and a tech innovator in the lettings industry.
In this fast-paced conversation, we discuss three powerful strategies that any estate agent—whether you're in Birmingham, Belfast, or Bognor Regis—can apply to their busi...
2024-11-0720 min
Good Landlording#4: Tips for signing up with letting agentsIn this week's episode of Good Landlording, Suzanne Smith and Richard Jackson discuss tips to help landlords understand what to look out for in the contract with letting agents, so they know how to strike a fair deal when signing up with them
This is a practical episode that not only gives the perspective of letting agents, but also explores the experience that landlords have when dealing with agents, the ins and outs of the different services letting agents provide, what to look out for in the agency agreement, and what protection landlords have under the law.
It's is the s...
2024-05-0130 min
Opening The Gates To More ListingsEpisode 109: Kristjan ByfieldToday's guest is the co-founder of Base and The Depositary.
He is well known as 'The Viking' and I can't quite believe it took me this long to get him on the podcast.
One of the nicest guys you could meet, he is passionate about transforming the way agents, landlords, and tenants manage and interact on all tenancy security deposit matters, using cutting-edge technology and best practices.
With over 21 years experience in the London real estate market, he has won multiple awards and recognitions f...
2024-04-181h 00
What's the Kerfuffle?Sophie Lang - Growing your estate agency business through acquisitionGrowing your estate agency business through acquisition is the dream for many and yet there are the practical challenges that need to be considered. In this informative podcast Sophie Lang FARLA LLB gives us the inside track on how she and her business partner Rhiannon Llewellyn - FARLA have grown Lang Llewellyn & Co over the the past year or so.
Special shout outs to
👍👍Lucy Noonan
💷PayProp
🌶️🌶️🫚 Angharad Trueman - FARLA President Elect ARLA Propertymark Natalie Barton Toby Martin MARLA David Votta P.P.A.R.L.A Katie Fitzgerald AssocRICS FARLA MNAEA Megan Eigh...
2024-02-051h 00
Pass the SyrupDid Rightmove’s Boxing Day stampede live up to its billing?In today’s episode guests discuss some of their pet hates in agency, including misguided consumers, repeatedly receiving leads from particular portals that present as lead, but never materialise, and repeat offender tyre kickers. They also get stuck into Rightmove’s Boxing Day marketing tactics, and Kristjan Byfield, of Base Property Services, discusses the Valentines window display that caused so much controversy, and how he and his business partner worked through such a difficult period.
As always, funny stories are shared along with contributions from Sam Offley of Agents Together, and Chris Watkins make his regula...
2024-01-1553 minPass the SyrupStamp duty reform, the state of the lettings market, and the truth about sales transaction volumesIn today’s episode the guests discuss the need for stamp duty reform and the impact the lack of housing stock is having on families. They also pick apart why the lettings market is experiencing such extreme conditions around the country, and discuss the truth behind the transaction numbers recently reported by HMRC.
Ben is joined by Rowan Waller, SJ Taylor and Kristjan Byfield, who also talk about great agents they’ve worked with, what agents could be doing to win in the current mark, and finally offer some exceptional advice to a mystery guest.
2024-01-041h 31
Moving Home with CharlieLandlords react to video on Section 21 tenant evictionsYesterday's video with Lettings Agent Kristjan Byfield https://youtube.com/live/kS2GB_f7OeI?feature=shareWatch the video of this podcast here: https://youtube.com/live/GhatZA-XJZsFind Kristjan on X https://x.com/kristjanbyfieldMy website and links https://mhwc.co.uk/Support the showFollow me on X for daily updates: https://x.com/moving_charlie 🎥 Charlie's Golden rules videos for Buyers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6T-uZ28a80 Sellers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9oR2...
2023-10-1712 minMoving Home with CharlieAre No Fault Evictions ok? Charlie chats with lettings legend Kristjan ByfieldCharlie thinks Landlords shouldn't be able to move tenants out unexpectedly for their own financial convenience, and supports the abolition of Section 21 evictions. Watch the video of this podcast here: https://youtube.com/live/kS2GB_f7OeIKristjan Byfield is the owner of Base Property Services, estate agent and lettings specialists in Shoreditch in London. He's also the founder of The Depositary, a tech platform that speeds up the process of returning tenant's deposits by 50% when tenants move out. https://twitter.com/KristjanByfieldCharities 'concerned' over lack of progress with Renters Reform...
2023-10-1658 min
The PropTech Growth PodcastKristjan Byfield, Co-founder at The DepositaryToday your hosts Rich Wynn and Rebecca Nixon are joined by the one and only Kristjan Byfield.What Kristjan doesn't know about PropTech could fill a teaspoon. 🥄We cover:🏛 What's happening in government and how it's affecting our sector🏠 Housing: who is responsible and what needs to change?🎯 PropTech value propositions and how to deliver them😎 When it's appropriate to push a personal brand...and loads more!Don't miss out: listen today on...Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eR9...
2023-05-0338 min
Making Video Your BusinessE16 - Kristjan Byfield: Co-Founder of Base Property Specialists.In this episode, Chris sits down with Kristjan Byfield, Co Founder of Base Property Specialists.
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Making Video Your Business is the show where you can find out first hand from video and business professionals why video content is vital for your business.
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YouTube - https://tinyurl.com/3czx48pv
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2023-04-1425 min
What's the Kerfuffle?Kerfuffle Podcast Live!In this live episode of the podcast we tackle the Boomin story and discuss whether or not they could have done something different. We also talk about the fantastic work that Agents Together have done and are continuing to do. We talk about industry redundancies, how estate agency owners are planning the next few months ahead. A much more lively debate that we first anticipated with plenty of guest contributions from Tom Mcgee, Sarah Edmundson, Megan Eighteen, Matt Baldock, Kristjan Byfield, Graham Wilson, Stephen Brown, Chris Watkin and more.
To find out more about the work that...
2022-11-061h 06
The Home StretchKristjan Byfield: The Viking of LettingsOn today's episode, Kristjan Byfield, Co-Founder at base property specialists joined Iain McKenzie to discuss his journey into lettings. Including his recent ESTAS success, being shown how NOT to run an agency and the future of his automation company - The Depositary. Book a demo here >> www.thedepositary.com.
2022-11-0229 min
The Legislate Podcast49: What it takes to build a leading property business with Kristjan Byfield from the DepositaryIn this episode, Legislate meets Kristjan Byfield, director of Base Property Specialists, co-founder of The Depositary and company director of Jack Property Maintenance. Kristjan shares how he built his property businesses and why contracts always need to be tailored to your specific situation.Learn more about The DepositaryLearn more about LegislateRead the transcript
2022-07-0617 min
The Legislate Podcast49: What it takes to build a leading property business with Kristjan Byfield from the DepositaryIn this episode, Legislate meets Kristjan Byfield, director of Base Property Specialists, co-founder of The Depositary and company director of Jack Property Maintenance. Kristjan shares how he built his property businesses and why contracts always need to be tailored to your specific situation.Learn more about The DepositaryLearn more about LegislateRead the transcript
2022-07-0617 minWhat's the Kerfuffle?Ep 18, S2 - Almost Live Aid - Kristjan Byfield and Agents Here To HelpSimon Whale and David Mintz present your favourite property podcast where we almost went live for a few beautiful seconds of technological awesomeness. Guest on our show today is Kristjan Byfield of Base Property, The Depository who updates us on the collective Agents Here To Help initiative that recently launched. We talk portals, social media, staff engagement, the new generation of Proptech, Proptech ROI, Virtual Tours and a host of live content on a range of property topics by the industry's most dedicated agents and suppliers.. and much, much more!
2022-06-0659 min
Newsagent by GoodlordHow technical transformation is impacting agents with Kristjan ByfieldIn this recording of our second State of the Lettings Industry webinar, Kristjan Byfield, the co-founder of The Depository, joins Oli Sherlock, Director of Insurance at Goodlord, to discuss how the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of technology in the lettings industry and beyond - exemplified by the move towards remote work, which is lessening the importance of location for tenants.Download the State of the Lettings Industry Report free now at goodlord.co/newagent Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2021-11-111h 08
World Class Real Estate#84 with Kristjan Byfield of Base Property Specialists & The DepositaryToday’s guest set up his own estate agent in 2004 at the age of 24.
Since then he's worked in partnership to develop the company and services they offer. He’s built a property company with an excellent reputation for its customer service and industry knowledge with the aim of being the one place their clients go to service all their property needs. More recently he’s turned his affections to developing USEFUL proptech in efforts to save time and create efficiencies with the tenancy process.
Co-Founder at base property specialists & The Depositary, he sits on the Bo...
2021-03-091h 09
Business Growth ExecutionGrowth Execution Podcast #0309 - Kristjan Byfield, The DepositaryThis week I'm joined by Kristjan Byfield, Co-Founder and Director at Base Property Specialists and The Depositary. He made the tangential move from the world of acting, via letting agency to now technology entrepreneur. We spoke about Debt-funding your launch, Fundamentally changing the world of property rentals and What happens when your future co-founder doesn't initially seem to like you much.
2021-01-2326 min
The Estate Agents PodcastEpisode 66 - Kristjan Byfield Uniting Agents Across the CountryThis week we speak to Kristjan Byfield of Base Property Specialists and The Depositary fame, who has been on a mission to get estate agents to unite across the length and breadth of the country with his 'Agents here to help' initiative.
2020-04-2320 min
The LM ExperienceThe Guest Spot - Kristjan Byfield of Base Property & Dan Fells of Fells New ForestEpisode 46 of The LM Experience takes us into the world of Lettings and Estate Agency!
We're got good perspectives from the London and Rural Market - from Kristjan Byfield in London of Base Property and The Depositary and Dan Fells of Fells New Forest in the New Forest!
Hear about their respective careers and plans for their businesses - you can follow them both on Twitter - @KristjanByfield - @FellsNewForest
If you'd like to appear in a future episode....contact us!
2020-03-0300 min
The PropShowEpisode 25On episode 25, the guys chat with special guests Graham Lock and Kristjan Byfield!
2019-08-0939 min