Philip's Story

"I remember going to school every day on the bus to St Austell from Truro and being fascinated by all the different houses built along the way.  Looking back, that first interest in architecture was where it all began for me and when I left school nearly 50 years ago I resolved to become a surveyor.  That goal was ultimately achieved and although now qualified as a Chartered Surveyor for many years I am best known as an estate agent having worked in the industry for 48 years. 

Having spent the first 5 years in Launceston and Liskeard I returned to my home city of Truro and became property manager for a well known agricultural firm for the next 10 years.  With Truro dominated by corporate agents I decided to open my own agency and took over premises in Cathedral Lane where my great grandfather had started business in 1876.  I was local, a Cornishman, fiercely proud of both Truro and maintaining the Cornish identity and passionate about “planning” and the built environment.  Many businesses have come and gone but 30 years later I am still here. 

Agents are much maligned and in many respects they have been largely responsible for the bad reputation that exists.  As a firm we have tried to maintain and portray a very professional ideology and meant in its true form being governed in all our day to day dealings by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.  We are certainly less vocal than many other agents on what we have achieved over the years but the reality is we have achieved more than most and we continue to strive.  I have always believed that recommendation is your best form of instruction and never take anyone for granted.  It is said that, in business, loyalty is a diminishing quality with the general public and whilst sometimes bitterly disappointed by clients actions you can also be boosted by a clients complete trust and moral ethics. 

Nowadays I am joined by 3 partners (all remarkably with a similar Cornish background) and with a total workforce of 16 I am proud that the ethos of the firm remains exactly the same.  We are here to be of service, maintain professional standards but be understanding of your clients needs and do your best.  With technology the world is constantly changing but there is still a real need for property professionals and Philip Martin will be here for many years to come. 

Having sold and managed property from the banks of the Tamar to the tip of St. Just in Penwith we have an intimate knowledge of the county.  Indeed WE KNOW CORNWALL, WE KNOW PROPERTY AND THIS IS WHAT WE DO."