Sam Gould of Chestertons in Hampstead finds the personal touch is invaluable, especially when showing to Oscar winners.

What’s special about your agency?

Chestertons have a strong network of 65 well located offices across London and the world. However, even though we are such a large company we still make sure we offer a very personal service to our clients and purchasers.

Where do you live and with whom?

I live in Hertfordshire with my wonderful wife and two adorable daughters, they are great fun and brilliant negotiators!

Why did you buy your current property? What’s your favourite thing about it?

We bought our house as it ticked all our boxes: detached, large south-facing garden, garage and a driveway, but what we like most is it’s a very peaceful location – apart from the kids!

If you weren’t an estate agent what would you be?

I enjoy explaining things in a structured way with supporting evidence, so I would have been interested in being a Lawyer.

When did you buy your first property and what was it like?

We bought our first property in in 2006, a small two-bedroom house in Mill Hill which was perfect for the two of us at the time. The market was frantic and we had to pay over the asking price, nothing wrong with that!

What’s your dream house?

One of the recently built detached houses on Winnington Road. I would add a tennis court in the garden, it’s a beautiful road, a short walk to Kenwood with easy access to Hampstead and Highgate villages.

How long have you been an estate agent? What’s the most surprising thing you’ve seen on the job?

I have been an estate agent since 1999, in this time I have met a lot of interesting people. I once took an Oscar winner on a viewing tour, that was a nice surprise.

How has the local property market changed since you started out?

When I started the internet was not a significant part of marketing like it is now, the priority was posting out the particulars and reaching everyone by phone. Unfortunately some estate agents have forgotten what an important tool the telephone is and e-mails are being sent when a phone call would be more appropriate and more personal.

What are your top tips for the local area?

Hampstead Village is full of treats, Villa Bianca in Perrins Lane is a superb Italian restaurant, The Wells Tavern on Well Walk and Freemasons Arms on Downshire Hill are great gastro pubs serving delicious food.

Are you good at Monopoly?

I use to play as a child and was quite good, unfortunately I never made it as a real life hotel mogul.

Chestertons