ABOUT THIS EPISODE
How does a 24-year-old go from watching livestock auctions on a family farm in regional Ireland to selling and renting upper-quartile luxury homes in prime London?
In this inspiring and deeply practical episode of Estate Agent Showdown, host Matt Giggs sits down with Sean McRedmond, rising real estate star at Fine & Country (The Agency Group). Sean shares his fascinating transition—from honing his early communication skills alongside his father at local livestock sales to winning Ireland's Novice Auctioneer Competition and taking a leap into London’s fast-paced private property market.
Matt and Sean break down the crucial difference between regional emotional buyers and analytical corporate transactions. They unpack Matt’s signature concept: why sales is actually about creating certainty rather than aggressive closing techniques. Sean also reveals how focusing on his own career vision—rather than public opinion—allowed him to step out of his comfort zone and embrace starting at the bottom again in a new city.
Key Takeaways
Sales is About Certainty, Not Closing: Most agents fail in negotiations because they try to "close" lowballing buyers rather than building evidence and certainty around price.
Practice in Private to Perform in Public: Elite professionals rehearse scripts, role-play difficult scenarios, and practice continuous preparation off-camera so they don't test strategies on real clients.
Emotion vs. Logic in High-End Markets: Regional high-street property markets are heavily emotional and reputation-driven, whereas prime London luxury property often operates on transactional logic, comparables, and data clarity.
Focus on Your Account Balance, Not Public Opinion: A key piece of advice for young achievers is to ignore industry perception and focus on delivering actual results for clients.
Embracing the Uncomfortable Leap: Taking calculated risks early in your career prevents future regret, even if it means leaving security to build something bigger from scratch.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction: Matt Giggs welcomes Irish international guest Sean MacRedmond.
03:23 – Roots in the Market: Learning negotiation at regional livestock auctions from age six.
06:15 – The Early Days: Entering real estate during the COVID-19 pandemic and getting weekend experience.
09:33 – Mentorship & Licensing: The structure of Ireland’s property licensing vs. UK requirements.
13:08 – Winning the Competition: The preparation needed to beat top peers in auctioneering.
15:58 – The Rehearsal Rule: Why practicing on the public is the biggest mistake agents make.
17:31 – The Spark of Ambition: Meeting Regina Mangan and planting the seed for a London move.
21:23 – Shared Vision: Connecting with Sean Barash and aligning on progressive business goals.
26:41 – The Decision to Leave: Navigating family protectionism, comfort zones, and starting over in London.
32:29 – Starting at the Bottom: Staying humble and turning a new market into a growth opportunity.
35:17 – London vs. Irish Markets: Comparing emotional family home sales with analytical transactions.
37:18 – The Certainty Masterclass: Breaking down buyer psychology and handling lowball offers.
43:04 – Educating Sellers: Asking great questions to align vendor expectations with market realities.
48:50 – Mindset & Work Ethic: Harnessing a willingness to learn and building continuous momentum.
54:05 – The Auction Floor Reality: Managing buyer energy, prep, and staying calm under pressure.
58:10 – Attracting Young Talent: Why real estate should be positioned as a dynamic, high-skills career.
01:04:14 – Quick-Fire Questions: Best advice, key habits, and Sean’s single biggest fear.
Social Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giggsmatt/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giggsmatt Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgiggs/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4nkTQAw1gFz7I6wIizs1cA/
Sean McRedmond Links
https://theagency-group.com/staff/sean-mcredmond
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-mcredmond-884603267/
https://www.instagram.com/seanmcredmond/
This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/
