A Washington-based property professional with almost 40 years of experience in the housing sector is helping landlords and investors navigate the North East property market through a customer-focused approach built on knowledge, honesty and accountability.
Nicky Middleton, owner and director of Oasis Sales and Lettings and The One Stop Property Shop North East, has spent her entire working life in housing, beginning her career as a Youth Training Scheme (YTS) trainee with the local council before progressing through a wide range of roles in both the public and private sectors.
Having witnessed first-hand the challenges and opportunities facing communities across the North East, Nicky says her experience has shaped the way she supports her clients today.
“I’ve seen just about everything the housing sector can throw at you,” she said. “From helping vulnerable families and dealing with anti-social behaviour to supporting people through some of the most difficult times in their lives. Those experiences taught me that housing is about people first and property second.”
Nicky spent many years working in housing offices serving communities across Northumberland’s former coalfield areas before taking time away from the sector to support her daughter. She later returned to housing through private lettings agencies, building extensive experience before launching her own business in 2019.
The decision to establish her own company came from a desire to offer a more personal service than she felt many larger agencies could provide.
“I realised I was helping build other people’s businesses when I could be doing the same for my own,” she said. “One of the biggest frustrations I saw was a lack of continuity for landlords. Clients would speak to a different person every time they called. With us, clients know exactly who they’re dealing with, and they can reach us when they need us.”
Today, Nicky’s business provides everything from property sourcing and investment advice to refurbishment project management and long-term property management.
Her commitment to landlords is simple: only recommend properties she would be happy to buy herself.
“If I’m going to manage a property, I need confidence in it from day one,” she explained. “We’re open, transparent and honest. I would never source a property for a client that I wouldn’t be comfortable investing in personally.”
That approach has helped the business develop a loyal client base, with many investors returning to build larger property portfolios across the region.
Working alongside business partner Paul, an experienced landlord himself, Nicky combines practical property knowledge with detailed financial analysis to help investors make informed decisions.
The company also offers property experience weekends, giving aspiring investors an opportunity to tour properties across the North East and learn directly from professionals with decades of industry experience.
“We’re passionate about the North East and what it offers investors,” said Nicky. “Many people come to us after spending thousands of pounds on property courses, and they often tell us they’ve learned more from a day and a half travelling around the region with us than they did on courses costing tens of thousands.”
Based in Washington, Nicky continues to personally oversee much of the day-to-day operation of the business, ensuring landlords receive the hands-on service that has become the company’s hallmark.
Ends
Photo: Nicky viewing potential properties (The Bigger Picture Agency)
PR and media keitH@highlightspr.co.uk