25 things you didn’t know about James Wyatt
“You get half that for life at Her Majesty’s pleasure!” quips James Wyatt when reflecting on his 25 years as an estate agent. As this well known, award-winning property guru celebrates his silver anniversary, we go undercover to find out 25 things you didn’t know about Mr James Wyatt.
1. James Wyatt was born on 12th July 1965 in Hampton Court, Surrey
2. He attended Hall Grove Prep School in Bagshot and liked it so much he has subsequently sent his sons there
3. James then went on, with his brother Rupert, to the prestigious Charterhouse School in Godalming, Surrey. He enjoyed his time there entering into most house events with gusto.
4. During his youth James was a regular ‘assistant’ in the Barton Wyatt office – earning his stripes from a very tender age, he would regularly answer the phone, photocopy and make the tea on a Saturday as well as help with events, hand out canapés and drinks whilst perfecting the art of socialising for occasional events.
5. Following in the steps of his father, James enter the world of estate agency and joined the family business, Barton Wyatt, in February 1987
6. At this time estate agency was very different with no one called by their first names, no computers, black and white handwritten property listings were standard, smoking was the norm and the office forcibly closed each day for lunch
7. On the advice of his father, James then joined Mann & Co estate agents in Weybridge where he gained a great deal of hands on experience
8. He then further maximised his learning potential with a stint in the ‘big smoke’ at established agency Chesterton’s in London
9. A country man at heart, James grew tired of city life and headed back to Surrey and the beloved family business in February 1987 some 25 years ago
10. After a stint in Virginia Water, James expanded his knowledge and expertises in the property market by heading up Barton Wyatt’s Twickenham branch for 5 years
11. James worked with his father until 2008 when Barton Wyatt was officially handed over to him and his brother, Rupert, the third generation of the estate agency
12. The Barton Wyatt mission of being the best estate agency in Virginia Water remains as strong today as ever – more challenging these days with 7 active estate agents in the vicinity.
13. Barton Wyatt HQ has been situated in the same office in the heart of Virginia Water since 1965
14. James in an active member of numerous industry associations including NAEA, ARLA, FIABCI, American NAR, AIPP and the IoD.
15. In 2010, James was appointed Head of the Surrey branch of NAEA
16. Barton Wyatt as an agency has also won a raft of awards including Daily Mail Best Estate Agency Surrey 6 times, Best UK Estate Agent 2007 and CNBC International Property Awards Top 5 Global Real Estate Agent
17. James and his team specialise in the sale and lettings of luxury properties in Surrey, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire
18. Over the years James has seen the size of properties in this area grow considerably from an average 3-4,000 square feet to 5-6,000. Many of the older houses in the area have been demolished to make way for the newer in vogue ‘Surrey Mansion’.
19. The average price of a home for sale through Barton Wyatt today is £3 million. In 1987 the average price was closer to £100,000.
20. The most expensive property ever sold by James was just under £20 million
21. Barton Wyatt has seen a vast rise in demand for rental property in their area. Back in 1987 there were only 6 properties to let on the books, today there are over 150.
22. James has also noticed the marked increase in international buyers with purchasers from Australia, USA. China, Malaysia, Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan to name but a few. He believes that over 20% of Wentworth’s residents are of overseas nationalities.
23. James also lives on the Wentworth Estate with his wife and 3 children and has recently completed the construction of his own modern detached home
24. The most famous persona James has ever met is HRH Prince Philip. The nicest? James says there have been too many but he has always been fond of Wentworth residents Sir Bruce Forsyth and golfer Retief Goosen.
25. In his spare time James enjoys swimming, golf, skiing and travel but most of his time is spent being his children’s chauffeur! Hi personal goal for 2012 is to master the Cresta Run!
For more information about James Wyatt and his award winning agency, Barton Wyatt, please call 01344 843 000, visit www.bartonwyatt.co.uk or follow James on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/James_Wyatt.