Emily Samuel, agency manager at Newport-based serenliving...

Who are you?

I’m Emily Samuel, agency manager at serenliving letting agency, based in Newport

How did you get into this line of work?

I’ve always been interested in property and after developing my own property I started working part time for my local estate agency.

When my eldest son started school, I had more time to focus on my career and increase my hours. I moved into the letting department because I was attracted to the fast pace of this area of property. Four years later, I joined serenliving. I was drawn to this agency as they really were committed to offering a high level of service and support to both landlords and tenants.

What sort of properties does your agency usually let?

We focus solely on lettings and our portfolio includes everything from one-bedroom flats to seven-bedroom barn conversions.

Backed by the Pobl Group, we are able to offer a range of properties across southeast Wales. .

What’s in your car CD player at the moment?

The same album that seems to be everywhere at the moment – Ed Sheeran’s Divide.

What motivates you?

Achievement, and becoming better than before. I’m constantly looking for ways we can improve our service for landlords and tenants, based on feedback and monitoring developments in the wider industry. We want to continue to be the best letting agency we can.

And what irritates you?

Bad practice and dishonesty. Unfortunately, working in property comes with a reputation that has developed over years of dishonest agents. We hope to break that stereotype through transparency and a genuine desire to help people. We’re not out to just get contracts signed.

What do you think the property scene in the area is like at the moment and how would you change it if you could?

There is a shortage of housing throughout the UK, not just in Newport, and I believe that the private rental sector can help to fill the void and provide a stopgap for people before they buy their first home. Rents fell for the first time in six years recently, and I think we need to work to change the perception of renting. It’s an affordable way to move house, which requires less commitment. Gone are the days of buying a house and living in the same area for the rest of your life; renting offers flexibility.

Last film you saw and what did you think?

I recently saw Lion. It’s about a 30-year-old man who is looking for his family after being lost at the age of five. It was an incredible film, with loads of emotion.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?

I never really knew what I wanted to do when I was younger, and I still feel that way now. Luckily, I fell into a career I loved through realising my hobby could be transferred into an actual job. I don’t think I’d change it, except maybe selling or letting the mansions of the stars in Hollywood.

Who is your hero?

I don’t really have a hero as I think it’s a bit destructive comparing yourself to other people. Everyone is on their own journey, so while you can take inspiration from some people there isn’t really any one person that I find directly comparable.

What one tip would you give someone trying to sell their property?

Get rid of your clutter and any personal items. Buyers or tenants need to be able to imagine themselves living in a property, and that can be hard to do when it’s very clearly full of someone else’s life.

And what one tip would you give someone looking to buy in the area?

Do your research and spend time in the area; find out what your local pub would be, how good the transport links are and where you can walk your dog. If you have the time and the money, book a hotel close by and spend a weekend in the area. Basically try before you buy (or rent)!

If you could sell any prop in the world to anyone, what prop would it be and who would it be to?

Something insane and extravagant, to the kind of person where money is no object. While I love my job, and finding the perfect property for people who don’t have as much budget is really satisfying, I’d love to see how the other half live. Of course, I love the sun, so it would have to be somewhere warm. St Lucia, maybe?

Three words which sum up why buying in this area is a great idea…

Value, transport and shopping. It’s been said before, but I truly believe Newport is on its way up.