20 years on...what a Venture!

Posted on 19th January 2016

Cast your mind back to 1995. A time when Newcastle United were genuine Premier league title contenders, Toy Story was a box-office hit at the cinema and you could buy a three bedroom house for £35,000.

This was also the year one North East estate agent, Carl Jenkinson, sold his first house and now twenty years later, he still gets the same excited feeling when a sale goes through.

“It’s surreal that time has gone so fast and so much has changed in my 20 years in the industry, but I am still 100% passionate and committed to what I do,” said Carl.

“When I first started, we had no internet and no emails, everything was photocopied and stuck on photos.

“Now we are so much more advanced with technology which is fantastic, however the job is still the same and still requires the same hard work and dedication.

“When I became an estate agent, I was told good communication, listening to your clients and sound knowledge, are the attributes you need to be a success and this is what I have gone by every day.”

Originally from Darlington, Carl had a passion for houses from a very young age. He found properties intriguing and realised working in the estate sector was the career for him. As most young starters did in those days, a fresh-faced 16-year-old started off as a YTS and since then, has done every job possible in the industry.

In 2008, Carl, along with his business partner Michael O’Connor, opened Venture Properties, their first business together, and they have now expanded to include 6 offices in the North East with more planned.

Taking a trip down memory lane and reflecting on the first house he sold, isn’t hard for Carl, as it was a house he has come to know all too well.

He said: “My first sale was in a street close by to our office and funny enough I’ve sold the home many times since over the years.

“The feeling I had back then was amazing but what’s great, is I still get that now. There really is no better feeling than making someone’s dreams come true in helping them secure the home they want.”