What does world-class estate agency really come down to? For Ricky Veale, it starts with something simple: doing the basics properly, consistently. 🏡 In this episode of the World Class Real Estate Podcast, Ian Macbeth and Mark Worrall are joined by Ricky Veale from Avocado Stevenage to talk about standards, graft, client care, door knocking, self-employed estate agency and what it really takes to build a strong local business. Ricky shares how he built his business the hard way, without relying on shortcuts, but by getting face-to-face with homeowners, following up properly, caring about the client experience and doing the work others often avoid. From Saturday door knocking and handwritten follow-ups to WhatsApp groups, sale progression, family business life and the importance of returning phone calls, this episode is a reminder that estate agency does not always need to be complicated. Sometimes, the agents who win are the ones who care enough to do the simple things properly. 💡 Ian, Mark and Ricky also discuss the current property market, why agents should ignore the noise and focus on what they can control, how Stevenage benefits from surrounding higher-value areas, and why seller expectations need to be handled with honesty and confidence. If you’re an estate agent, business owner, self-employed agent or branch manager who wants to raise standards, improve client service and build a better local reputation, this episode is packed with practical insight. 🚀 🎯 In this episode, we cover: Why world-class estate agency starts with the basicsWhy returning phone calls still mattersThe standards gap in estate agencyHow Ricky built his business through door knockingThe “softly, softly” approach to prospectingWhy Saturday door knocking can build trustHow to stand out as a self-employed estate agentWhy care, systems and culture matterHow agents can improve sale progressionWhy getting solicitors instructed early helpsBuilding a family-run estate agency businessThe mindset needed to succeed as a self-employed agent👤 About Ricky Veale: Ricky Veale is the partner behind Avocado Stevenage and has built his estate agency business around local knowledge, personal service, consistency and genuine client care. After a corporate estate agency background, Ricky moved into the self-employed model and built his business through hard work, door knocking, strong follow-up and a commitment to doing the basics properly. Now working alongside his wife Rebecca, Ricky has created a family-run agency experience where clients know they are dealing directly with the people responsible for their move. 🔗 Connect with Ricky Veale:LinkedIn 🚀 Powered by Iceberg DigitalAI-powered prospecting, instruction-winning marketing systems and a fully integrated CRM designed to help estate agents work smarter and win more business. Visit Iceberg Digital 📘 Get the World Class Real Estate Annual Manual 🎧 Listen on:Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow World Class Real Estate:InstagramFacebookTikTok 🤝 Connect with the hosts:Ian Macbeth & Mark Worrall If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, share it with your team, and send it to an estate agent who needs a reminder that the basics still matter. 👉 Care more. Follow up. Do the basics properly.