Estate agents' boards outside houses in Hastings. Photograph: PA
Even the most cynical among us can surely spare a thought for that much-maligned individual the estate agent, writes Susan Smillie.
These property professionals are apparently so unloved that one of their number, Alan Howick, from Essex, has felt the need to designate today "national be nice to estate agents day" (NBNTEAD).
Yes, he is an estate agent himself, and since he must surely be aware that Valentine's Day is already spoken for, we assume he is banking on there being some surplus love to spread around.
However, we're thinking he probably needs all the help he can get: when they are not the subject of bad press or the butt of jokes, estate agents are trying to turn the tables around by criticising homebuyers for underhand tactics. (Cue the sound of the masses spluttering into their coffee.)
The main complaints about agents - from flowery language to overpricing - Howick claims, are misguided, since regulations cover these types of abuse.
It needn't be like this, he insists. "National be nice to estate agents day is designed to correct these misunderstandings and encourage people to realise a new-found affection, or even love, for their estate agent." His words.
In an attempt to find out what effect, if any, NBNTEAD is having on the nation, we spoke to Nghi Ton, an estate agent in the capital. It doesn't appear to be working so far, he reveals: neither he nor his colleagues have noticed any warmer feelings directed towards them today. Nghi is philosophical about his status, which he puts down partially to his role as the buffer between vendor and buyer.
Still, he insists he wouldn't change job. "There is no better feeling than finding someone the house of their dreams and watching them pick up the keys on completion," he reckons.
And you thought they didn't care.
