Zero BS Estate Agency

John Savage

Hi, I'm John and I'm on a mission to transform this industry from within. Every week, I sit down with elite level agents from all over the UK. No fancy talk, no nonsense - they spill the beans on their real experiences and show you how to supercharge your career in estate agency. Most hate what I'm doing. Others love it. You decide..

  1. FEB 17

    EP077 – Discovering Fire: The AI Shift That Will Redefine Estate Agency with Mark Burgess

    "It Felt Like Discovering Fire." Last week, I attended the Iceberg AI Summit. And I don't say this lightly… It felt like discovering fire for the first time. Not another proptech demo. Not another "better CRM." Not AI bolted onto old systems. Something fundamentally different. In this episode, I sit down with Mark Burgess, CEO of Iceberg Digital — entrepreneur, and one of the few people in this industry who genuinely sees around corners. Mark has been in estate agency since the mid-90s. He's built multi-million-pound businesses. And now he's building what he calls an AI operating system for estate agents. Not software. An operating system. We talk about: Why most agencies are just sales departments pretending to be businesses Why AI won't replace estate agents — but it will expose weak ones What Lifecycle, Neuron and Uzair actually are (and why they matter) Why the next three years will define who survives The widening gap between agents winning record months… and agents blaming the market Here's the uncomfortable truth: In every town right now, there are agents thriving. And in the same towns, there are agents struggling. Same interest rates. Same Rightmove fees. Same buyers. Different operating systems. This isn't about hype. It's about leverage. It's about moving from chasing and guessing… to positioning and knowing. If you're happy running a traditional, effort-based agency and hoping consistency carries you through — this episode might irritate you. If you know there has to be a better way — you'll want to pay attention. 🔥 Watch the Full Iceberg AI Summit If this conversation felt big… If it made you think differently about how your agency runs… Then don't stop here. Watch the full Iceberg AI Summit and see the entire breakdown of what's coming — and what serious agents are already doing differently: 👉 https://iceberg-digital.co.uk/iceberg-ai-summit-2026-estate-agency-ai The next three years won't reward average operators. They'll reward the ones who adapt. Your move.

    39 min
  2. JAN 2

    EP072 - Understanding the One Thing | Why Most Agents Market Instead of Sell with Ian Macbeth

    In this episode of the Zero BS Estate Agency Podcast, John Savage speaks with Ian Macbeth, founder of Avocado Property, about what truly maximises a seller's result — and why most estate agents get it wrong. Ian explains why homes don't sell because they're marketed harder, listed longer, or pushed across more portals. They sell when an agent identifies the one defining factor that matters to the right buyer and builds the strategy around it. This conversation covers: The difference between marketing a property and actually selling it Why portals like Rightmove are over-credited for results The shift from traditional estate agency to a consultancy-led model Why understanding the ideal buyer matters more than exposure How AI is changing estate agency — and where it genuinely adds value Why the real job is facilitating the move, not just agreeing a price Ian also shares how ultra-endurance running shaped his mindset around pressure, leadership, and long-term decision-making in business. This episode is essential listening for estate agents who want clearer thinking, better decisions, and accountability for results — and for sellers who want to understand what really makes the difference when selling a home. Ian Macbeth – Founder, Avocado Property 🌐 Website: https://avocadopropertyagents.co.uk 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-macbeth-5190a926 📧 Email: ian@avocadopropertyagents.co.uk

    34 min
  3. EP071 - Why Property Deals Collapse: Buyer Qualification, Valuations & Mortgage Failures Explained

    12/23/2025

    EP071 - Why Property Deals Collapse: Buyer Qualification, Valuations & Mortgage Failures Explained

    Most property deals don't collapse because of interest rates or lenders. They collapse because buyers aren't properly qualified. In this episode of Zero BS Estate Agency, John Savage speaks with Emily Franks, an experienced mortgage broker, about the real financial reasons property sales fall apart — often weeks before agents realise there's a problem. Emily explains why most finance-led fall-throughs come down to valuation issues, poor preparation, or buyers approved on hope instead of lender policy. She breaks down what proper buyer qualification actually involves, why an Agreement in Principle means very little on its own, and how experienced brokers protect deals with contingency planning long before an offer is accepted. This episode is essential listening for: Estate agents who want fewer fall-throughs Sellers who want to avoid wasted time and failed chains Buyers who want their purchase to actually complete Straight-talking insight into mortgage finance, risk management, and deal protection — without jargon, hype, or excuses. Episode Chapters 00:00 Understanding Sale Collapses and Financial Challenges 03:13 The Role of Preparation in Successful Financing 05:51 The Importance of Proper Qualification for Buyers 09:07 Navigating Risks in Buyer Financing 11:59 The Impact of Broker Experience on Deal Success 15:01 The Passion Behind Mortgage Brokering 18:02 Advice for Sellers and Buyers in the Market 20:59 Additional Financial Services Offered by Emily 🎯 For Estate Agents If you're tired of fall-throughs, weak buyers, and deals collapsing late in the process, this episode explains exactly where most agents go wrong — and what elite operators do differently. 👉 Follow the podcast for weekly no-BS conversations on buyer qualification, deal protection, pricing strategy, and negotiation. 🏡 For Sellers If you're selling a property, this episode will change how you judge offers. Not all buyers are equal — and the wrong one can cost you months. 👉 Learn how to spot financially solid buyers and protect your sale before you accept an offer.

    30 min
  4. EP070 - Inside EXP's Global Growth With Felix Bravo

    12/19/2025

    EP070 - Inside EXP's Global Growth With Felix Bravo

    In this episode of the Zero BS Estate Agency Podcast, John Savage is joined by Felix Bravo, Managing Director of eXp International, for a deep, honest conversation about where estate agency is heading — and why the self-employed model is accelerating globally. Felix shares a behind-the-scenes view of eXp's international growth, the realities of scaling across dozens of countries, and what truly separates high-performing agents from everyone else. This isn't theory or corporate spin — it's a grounded discussion based on what's actually working in real markets, right now. What we cover in this episode: Why eXp's global growth isn't accidental Why the self-employed model is outperforming traditional agency structures What eXp is doing internationally that other models can't replicate The real challenges of expanding an agency business across borders What differentiates high-performing partners from average operators Why freedom works for some agents — and exposes others How technology and AI will reshape estate agency (without replacing great agents) Felix's view on what the next 5–10 years of estate agency will actually look like Who this episode is for: Agents questioning the traditional employed model Self-employed agents looking to future-proof their business High-performers who want scale, leverage, and control Agents sitting on the fence and looking for clarity If you're serious about building a long-term, resilient agency business — and you want insight from someone who sees the industry at a global level — this episode will challenge how you think about your next move.

    29 min

About

Hi, I'm John and I'm on a mission to transform this industry from within. Every week, I sit down with elite level agents from all over the UK. No fancy talk, no nonsense - they spill the beans on their real experiences and show you how to supercharge your career in estate agency. Most hate what I'm doing. Others love it. You decide..