The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and business
Welcome aboard The Viking Chats—the podcast where property, tech, and business collide in candid, no-fluff conversations. Hosted by Kristjan Byfield—lettings veteran, proptech pioneer, and co-founder of Base Property Specialists and The Depositary—this show dives deep into the real-world challenges and bold innovations shaping the future of the housing sector and beyond.
Each episode, Kristjan drops anchor with industry leaders, disruptors, and entrepreneurs to unpack the messy, inspiring, and often chaotic reality of running a modern business in a rapidly evolving landscape. Expect sharp insights, honest stories, and the occasional Viking metaphor—all served with Kristjan’s trademark wit and big-hearted honesty.
Whether you’re in lettings, launching a startup, or just love a good story about navigating change—this podcast is your compass in the storm.
The Viking Chats: navigating the choppy waters of property, technology and business
Beyond transactions: Can proptech make agents more human?
In this powerful first episode of our new conversation series, Kristjan Byfield—co-founder of The Depositary & base property specilaists—sits down with Sian Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, to unpack a fascinating and timely question: Can property technology (PropTech) actually help estate agents become more human?
Too often, PropTech is dismissed as cold or impersonal—seen as a digital wedge between agents and their clients. But what if the opposite were true?
💡 Reframing PropTech
Sian flips the script on the traditional narrative, arguing that PropTech isn’t about replacing people—it’s about freeing them. When tech takes care of the repetitive, time-consuming admin (like chasing paperwork or managing maintenance tickets), agents can focus on what really matters: empathy, connection, and delivering truly personal service.
👥 From Transactions to Relationships
The episode explores how the lettings and estate agency world can shift its mindset—from one focused purely on process, to one built around relationships. Signing a tenancy agreement or completing a sale shouldn’t be the end of the journey—it should be the start of a lasting, trust-based relationship. Kristjan and Sian discuss how tech can create space for deeper human moments throughout the property lifecycle.
🏡 Rethinking the High Street Agency
With online platforms dominating property searches, is the traditional agency storefront still relevant? Sian suggests bold new ideas—like transforming agencies into inviting, experience-led spaces that foster community and trust. Imagine dropping into your local agent for a coffee and a chat, not just to sign a form.
🤖 Tech as an Enabler, Not a Threat
Far from being a job stealer, AI and automation are reframed as tools that empower agents. The more tech can streamline operations behind the scenes, the more time agents have to do what humans do best—listen, advise, empathize, and connect.
🔥 Why This Episode Matters
This conversation is essential listening for anyone in the property world looking to reimagine their role in a rapidly evolving industry. Whether you're an agent, a tech provider, or simply curious about the future of property, this episode offers a fresh, hopeful perspective on how we can make real estate more personal, not less.
Tune in for an honest, inspiring, and forward-thinking discussion about how PropTech can unlock the most human version of agency work.
