A Saltcoats estate agent is hoping to retain a prestigious award after it was nominated for a second consecutive year.

MacKenzie Way estate agents scooped the 'best estate agent' award at the 2022 Ayrshire Business Awards and the independent team is back in the running this year.

"We are doing something right," owner Jane Parks told the Herald when it visited the shop in Hamilton Street.

Local TV and radio adverts explain that: "The MacKenzie Way is the only way," as the local company thrives on being different.

No matter the size of property they sell, clients are only charged £350 plus VAT for their services.

“Nothing is extra - our fee is our fee," Jane explained.

She continued: “We are appealing to the people who want to sell their house for a reasonable price.

“We are a step away from the traditional - but we pay the same as everyone else.”

The team, which has remained unchanged since its triumph last year, looks to make everyone feel at ease - not something which typically associated with selling, buying, or letting a home.

"Clients don’t feel intimidated - if someone comes into our office we all speak to them,” Christine commented.

And MacKenzie Way also prides itself in working to provide for its clients whenever it can - it doesn't view the job as just a Monday to Friday, nine to five.

The team has sold homes over the weekend "becuase we are always about," no matter if the office is closed.

Jane added: “If we have got something to sell that we have been paid to sell, we will sell it.

“It’s our love, it’s our passion. We want good reviews and we can’t ask upset clients for a good review.”

And for MacKenzie Way, that doesn't mean avoiding issues - they say they face them upfront.

Team member Kieran explained: “We don’t shy away from problems. If someone has a problem we will try and fix it – if we can’t we will find someone who can. We care about after-sales.”

And despite being reigning champion heading into this year's awards ceremony - the team hasn't been resting on its laurels.

Jane explained: “We change for the better, we are always reinventing ourselves.

“We have been doing lots of training so we can all keep up to speed.”

Now, they are asking the community to get behind them in their push for more success.

Ahead of this year's ceremony, you can get behind MacKenzie Way by voting for them in the Ayrshire business awards at nominees.info/vote or texting MacKenzie Way, Ayrshire to 07520 634133.

Or if you haven't had the chance to see their work for yourself yet, you are always welcome to do so.

Jane commented: "Valuation is free so you can get us out for nothing and see what the fuss is about.”