Estate Agent Robert Reed's Every Day Faith
For over twenty years, Robert has built his career on a simple but profound principle: putting people before profit.
Moving house is often described as one of life’s most stressful experiences. Sadly, estate agents are frequently blamed for adding to that stress. In the UK, the profession has long suffered from a poor reputation — marked by complaints of poor communication, questionable valuations, and aggressive sales tactics.
But Robert Reed is determined to be different.
His approach is rooted not just in professionalism, but in a deep sense of Christian ethics — valuing honesty, empathy, and service above all else.
“The great misconception about estate agency,” Robert explains, “is that people think it’s all about the money. But if you come into this industry focused only on personal gain, you’ll either burn out, make questionable decisions, or lose your joy in the work. The real key to success is understanding that estate agency is, at its heart, a people business.”
Robert’s philosophy is clear: when you genuinely care about helping someone buy or sell a property — especially during life’s most vulnerable moments — everything else falls into place.
“If your motivation is to serve, the business (and accordingly market share and profit) will grow naturally.”
He sees his role as more than transactional — it’s relational, even pastoral.
“There aren’t many industries where someone invites you into their home as a stranger and shares personal details about their life. In many ways, there’s a parallel with a priestly role. I’m often walking into situations shaped by either great joy or great sorrow — a marriage, a new baby, an exciting new job … or sometimes a divorce, a bereavement, ill health, or a job loss.”
Robert considers it a privilege to walk alongside clients during these pivotal moments. His work is not just about bricks and mortar, but about holding space for people’s stories, offering guidance, and maintaining strict confidentiality with compassion.
“A fair proportion of what I do involves the harder things in life — death, divorce, illness, financial hardship.
That’s why it’s so important to understand the full picture. What’s really going on here? What does this person need? How can we help and be sensitive to the broader context?”
Robert’s Christian faith is not just a private belief but a public witness — shaping how he treats others, how he makes decisions, and how he defines success.
Looking ahead to sharing his journey as a panellist on 15 October,
Robert reflects: “I think testimony is one of the most underrated parts of Christian life. There’s something powerful, uplifting, and inspirational about hearing how others live out their faith in everyday situations.”
Estate agency is known as a commercially tough and emotionally charged industry where tempers can fray. Robert is not immune to encountering these issues.
“It is really, really important to me to maintain good personal relationships with customers and competitors in the industry. I hate falling out with people. Thankfully, it rarely happens, but when it does, it can be troubling. Likewise, you can’t duck the responsibility of difficult conversations and sometimes having to say no.
His solution? “Pick up the phone rather than e-mail or even better see someone face to face, ideally over a good cup of coffee! Once you hear the other viewpoint either agree to disagree or if necessary, reflect and apologise. But whatever you do, don’t leave it unresolved, there is almost always a way forward, it’s just a case of finding it!”
In a profession often clouded by mistrust, Robert Reed stands out — not just as a skilled estate agent, but as a man of integrity, guided by a faith that puts people first.
Robert Reed is taking part in the Everyday Faith Podcast Event at St Wilfrid's Church, Grappenhall on Wednesday 15 October, when he'll be joined by Cath Speed, Headteacher of St Wilfrid's School, Grappenhall and Refuse Collector, Francis Pendlebury.
24 September 2025