Every review we hold for the Durham City office, from every platform, shown as written. First names only.
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleMany thanks to Barbara at Dowen Durham for making our house purchase go so smoothly.
Very helpful and kept us updated regularly throughout the process.
A real delight to deal with
Thanks again
Danny
Danny · 16 November 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Hi Danny,
Thank you so much for your lovely review!
We’re delighted to hear that Barbara at Dowen Durham made your house purchase such a smooth and positive experience. She’s a valued member of our team, and we’ll be sure to pass on your kind words.
Wishing you all the best in your new home, and we’d love to assist you again in the future!
Warm Regards,
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleCan’t thanks Caroline more for the smooth communication during the process for renting out my property in Durham, whenever i have a question, she always answered it fast and thoroughly, very patient, helpful and friendly, highly recommended!
Rachel · 16 October 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Rachel,
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m delighted to hear that Caroline made the process of renting out your property in Durham smooth and stress-free. Her prompt, thorough communication and friendly support are exactly what we strive for at Dowen. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to working with you again in the future!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 4/5
GoogleFor my first time becoming a landlord Caroline has been helpful throughout and would recommend Dowen
Nikita · 2 April 2026
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Nikita,
Thank you so much for your lovely 4‑star review! We’re really pleased to hear that Caroline was able to support you throughout your first experience as a landlord, and we truly appreciate your recommendation.
We’re always striving to deliver a 5‑star service, so if there’s anything we could have done to make your experience even better, we’d love to hear your feedback. Your thoughts help us continue improving.
Thanks again for choosing Dowen, we’re here whenever you need us!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleAfter being let down by a previous agent I contacted Dowen for the sale of my family home of 30 years which I highly recommend. The photos taken were great much better quality!
Jonathan came out to value the house and he was friendly, understanding, courteous and professional as well as local to Durham so could provide great information on the market, price and timeline etc to set expectations which were all met. We met again when I dropped the keys off for completion and expressed relief after a couple of setbacks beyond my control delayed the sale by one month.
Barbara in the office was also great keeping me updated with ongoing developments right through to completion. I would definatly consider using Dowen again in the future if I was to move back to the Durham area for sure.
Andrew · 16 November 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Andrew,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and generous review! We're truly grateful you chose Dowen to handle the sale of your family home, especially after being let down previously. It’s wonderful to hear that Jonathan provided such friendly, professional, and knowledgeable service, and that Barbara kept you well-informed throughout the process.
We understand how emotional and stressful selling a long-term home can be, and we're so pleased we could help make the experience smoother for you. Your kind words mean a lot to the whole team at our Durham branch, and we’d be absolutely delighted to assist you again in the future should you return to the area. Thanks again for your recommendation!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleBarbara and Helen both endeavored to help us resolve any enquiries we had in purchasing our new home. They were in constant communication with any updates, and communicating with solicitors to get an update on outstanding enquiries.
Barbara was in constant contact on exchange date to let me know when everything had gone through, which was especially helpful on exchange date.
Liam · 11 December 2024
Agent replied · 25 December 2024
Dear Liam,
Thank you so much for your kind words and this wonderful 5-star review! I am delighted to hear that Barbara and Helen could provide the support and communication you needed throughout the process of purchasing your new home.
Keeping you informed and updated is always our priority, especially on important milestones like the exchange date. We’re thrilled that you felt supported and reassured during such an exciting time.
Congratulations on your new home, and if you need anything else in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out. Wishing you all the best as you settle in!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
Dowens
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleHad a great experience with Dowen Buying a house! Barbara was so helpful and kept me updated through everything. Definitely recommend
Emma · 16 February 2026
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Emma,
Thank you so much for your lovely 5‑star review!
We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great experience buying your home with Dowen. Barbara will be delighted to know her support and regular updates made the process easier for you.
Your recommendation truly means a lot to us. If you ever need anything in the future, we’re always here to help, and we wish you all the happiness in your new home!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI'm currently renting a property from dowens and can't speak highly enough of the friendly and professional service they provide...a big thanks to Caroline Ryan who goes above and beyond to resolve any issues with our property...we have been renting for many years and can safely say Caroline and her team provide the best service we have ever had ...thanks again
P · 27 November 2024
Agent replied · 11 December 2024
Dear PI
Thank you so much for your glowing 5-star review! We are thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dowens and are especially grateful for your kind words about Caroline Ryan and the team.
Caroline takes great pride in ensuring that all our tenants feel supported, and your feedback about her going above and beyond is a testament to her dedication and hard work. It’s fantastic to know that our service stands out as the best you’ve experienced during your many years of renting.
Your kind words mean the world to us, and we’re here to continue providing the excellent service you deserve. If there’s ever anything you need, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Thanks again!
Warm regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI would 100% recommend Dowens. I am based in Liverpool and had to sell my aunt's house in Durham. The service they provided was way above my expectations of an estate agent. They literally sorted everything out for me from house clearing to chasing solicitors. I hardly had to do a thing :). They kept me updated at every stage of the process and made the whole selling process (almost) a doddle. John and Helen were extremely helpful. I hope they open a branch in Liverpool in case I need to use them again :)
Briony · 16 December 2023
Agent replied · 13 June 2024
Dear Briony
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience with Dowen Durham & me lol! We're thrilled to hear that our service exceeded your expectations during the sale of your beautiful aunt's house in Durham.
It's wonderful to know that you found my team, especially Helen, extremely helpful. We understand that selling a property can be a complex process, and we're delighted that we could make it (almost) a doddle for you. We take pride in offering comprehensive assistance, from house clearing to solicitor coordination, to ensure a smooth experience for our clients.
Your recommendation means the world to us, and we truly appreciate your kind words. Liverpool branch, why not!. If you ever find yourself in need of our services again, whether in Durham or beyond, we'll be more than happy to assist you.
Once again, thank you for choosing Dowens, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Warm regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleDowen have been really attentive during our tenancy in Durham. We had our own contact who was always the point of call (thanks Caroline) who knew the property well. They always used contractors that they knew, and that we got to know. Friendly and recommended!
Ben · 16 June 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Ben,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're delighted to hear you had a positive experience during your tenancy in Durham. Caroline will be especially pleased to know her support made a difference. It's great to know our trusted contractors and personal approach helped you feel at home. Wishing you all the best, and thank you again for the recommendation!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI have nothing but praise for the staff at Dowen in Durham; from the point we instructed this company to sell a property in Probate the communication has been excellent, feedback from the numerous viewings was always prompt and having agreed the sale both Helen & Barbara were great to deal with throughout.
I am very happy to recommend this company.
Alex · 3 October 2024
Agent replied · 24 October 2024
Dear Alex,
Thank you so much for your kind words and 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team at Dowen in Durham. Helen and Barbara are delighted to have been able to support you throughout the process, and we're glad that the communication and feedback met your expectations. It was a pleasure to assist with the sale of your property, and we truly appreciate your recommendation! If you ever need anything in the future, don't hesitate to reach out. Thanks again!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleRecently moved in to a property I’m renting with Dowen, they made sure everything went smoothly and were very helpful, particularly Caroline who was always available to answer my questions, and was a friendly face on my arrival.
Amy · 16 July 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Amy,
Thank you for your fantastic 5-star review! We're so pleased to hear your move went smoothly and that Caroline was there to support you every step of the way. We’ll make sure she hears your kind words, it’ll mean a lot to her. Wishing you all the best in your new home, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleVery grateful for all the updates and help with making communication between all parties run smoothly. Appreciated all the updates as it’s been quite stressful and Helen made a lot easier .
Diane · 16 September 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Diane,
Thank you for your kind review! I’m so pleased to hear that Helen was able to make a stressful process feel more manageable with her clear communication and regular updates. We understand how important it is to keep everyone informed, and it’s great to know that helped things run smoothly. Your feedback means a lot to us, thank you again!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 1/5
GoogleOur experience with Caroline was absolutely dreadful as we embarked on our search for our first rental house in a highly competitive market. We came across a charming apartment located above Dowen's office, which had surprisingly been on the market for an extended period compared to other properties. Little did we know that our encounter with the property manager, Caroline, would shed light on the reasons behind its prolonged availability.
Right from the beginning, it became apparent that Caroline was determined to discourage us from considering the property solely because we were students. She employed various tactics, such as claiming that our income would disqualify us from purchasing the property even before it had been assessed. In an attempt to prove our commitment, we offered to pay the rent upfront, but her response was nothing short of sassy, with a dismissive remark that "money does not solve everything." At that point, it became evident that no matter what we did, securing the property would be an uphill battle.
After persistent efforts, we managed to convince Caroline to grant us a viewing, although it took numerous phone calls, around seven, to be precise. During the viewing, we inquired about the next steps for purchasing the property, only to be met with the same negative attitude. Caroline bluntly retorted, "You can't just say you want it and then get it." Frustrated by her response, we requested that she provide us with the necessary referencing details via email. However, despite providing our email addresses, we received no communication from Caroline. When we reached out to her regarding the missing information, she responded in a condescending manner, implying that it was our fault for not receiving the email. I attempted to rectify the situation by suggesting that we provide our email addresses again, but she refused. Surprisingly, within five minutes, the email suddenly appeared, suggesting that she had not even made an effort to send it initially.
Out of respect for ourselves and the treatment we had received, we made the decision to explore other properties through different estate agents. Caroline's unprofessionalism and unfavorable attitude left us with no desire to continue pursuing the property she represented
Mateusz · 18 August 2023
Agent replied · 13 June 2024
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We sincerely apologize for the unpleasant encounter you had with Dowen during your search for a rental house. We value feedback from our customers, and your comments have not gone unnoticed.
At Dowen's, we strive to provide a transparent and positive experience for all our clients, regardless of their situation. It is disheartening to hear that Caroline's behaviour did not align with your expectations.
We want to assure you that we have a thorough process in place for every property to ensure fairness and consideration for all applicants. While we do have certain criteria to meet, our goal is to treat each case individually and assess applicants based on their qualifications and commitment.
Please accept our sincerest apologies for Caroline's perceived negative conduct during your interactions with her.
Your feedback is invaluable to us, as it helps us improve our services and create a more positive experience for our clients.
Thank you again for bringing this to our attention. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you better in the future.
Sincerely,
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleSimply delighted with the service from Dowens. This is the second property they have sold for us as well as manage a rental property on our behalf. Special thanks to Helen and John who have always been professional and incredibly friendly at every stage, always pro-active and communicative. At a busy stressful time it is great to be able to rely on experts to take charge and responsibility for your house sale. Wholeheartedly recommend .
Kevin · 16 December 2023
Agent replied · 13 June 2024
Dear Mr & Mrs Patterson
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with Dowen Durham. I am thrilled to hear that you are delighted with our service and that this marks the second successful property sale with us, along with the management of your rental property.
I truly appreciate your kind words and are delighted that Helen and myself stood out for our professionalism, friendliness, and proactive communication. It is always our goal to make the process as smooth as possible for our clients, especially during what can be a busy and stressful time.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we are grateful for the trust you have placed in Dowens. If there's anything else we can assist you with, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Thank you once again for choosing Dowens, and we look forward to serving you in the future.
Best regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 4/5
GoogleDowens are the best agency I've used in Durham. Always made the rent my priority bill and found Dowens very supportive if there were ever any issues.
Sadly had to leave the property after a long time but dowens were supportive throughout and never pushy.
Caroline was always available or would get back to you quickly and made it easy to discuss any problems.
G · 26 June 2024
Agent replied · 25 August 2024
Dear G,
Thank you for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you consider Dowens the best agency in Durham and that you found our support helpful during your time with us. We're especially glad to hear that Caroline was able to assist you promptly and effectively.
We're sorry to see you go, but we appreciate your kind words about your experience. Next time, we'll strive to exceed your expectations and earn that fifth star. If there's anything specific we can improve, please let us know. Best of luck in your future endeavors, and we hope to serve you again someday!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotDawn and the staff have been amazing!
Dawn and the staff have been amazing!! Dawn was always on hand to help and explain things so I could understand the process.
Emma · 30 July 2026
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleThis company was highly recommended all be it the Hartlepool office
But no need to worry the Durham office went above and beyond to sell my property and only took 4 days
From the valuation to Helen and the team to the MD
Very professional and was kept up to date on all aspects of the sale
If your are about to sell your property do not hesitate to use this company for a stress free house move
Thank you the Durham office team
Margaret · 14 June 2023
Agent replied · 13 June 2024
Thank you, Margaret for the kinds words, recommendation and 5 stars. It was great to meet you and thank you for appointing Dowen to sell the home. Warmest Regards - John Nicholson - Managing Director.
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI haven't wrote a review before but i want everyone to know about the service i received from Dowens in Durham.
Professional, knowledgeable, honesty and integrity and attention to detail are but a few of the many qualities Dowens demonstrated to me.
What sets them apart from other estate agents?
John Nicholson of Dowens was the spoke respectfully and kindly about the value of my home. Yes my home and not just another house or property on the books. His extensive knowledge of the current market and precise local knowledge helped me to find a price that was right for me.
The photographs were taken at that time, they were uploaded and went live the next day and I'm happy to say I received an offer on my home the day after. I had 3 other viewings the same day.
I never had to ring once for an update. Thanks to Helen I felt I had my own designated agent. She emailed and contacted me with every update.
This is the third property I have bought and sold with Dowens and its no coincidence that the 3 properties around me have also sold as quickly with Dowens.
I say this in the nicest way I hope I don't need an estate agent in the near future but if I did I wouldn't go anywhere else.
Many thanks and continued success
Jan Spencer, Durham
Jan Spencer
Jan · 14 June 2023
Agent replied · 13 June 2024
Thank you, Jan for the repeat business, kind words and 5 stars, I really do appreciate it. Returning customers makes me so proud. Warmest Regards - John Nicholson, Managing Director.
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleGreat support from start to finish. House was sold within a couple of weeks. Did fall through but Barbara and the team were straight on it and kept all parties updated, which meant we were back on track within a week.
Thanks everyone.
Jordan · 16 April 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Jordan,
Thank you so much for your kind words and 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear you were happy with the support from start to finish. Even with the initial hiccup, we're glad Barbara and the team were able to act quickly and keep everything moving. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter, thank you again for choosing us!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleDowen Estate Agents, especially Helen, were amazing selling our home. Communication was second to none. The information pack was produced quickly with stunning video and photographs. We had a stream of viewers from day 1 and sold quickly. Seamless procedure! Would definitely recommend!
Colleen · 16 April 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Colleen,
Thank you so much for your fantastic 5-star review! We're absolutely thrilled to … More
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleDowens as they preach are Tried and tested in the north east of England and I couldn't agree more excellent service, tended to all my needs and ultimately assisted me in the sale of my property which I received pretty much what I was hoping for the sale. Special thank you to Helen as well as the rest of the team.
Shaun · 26 July 2024
Agent replied · 25 August 2024
Dear Shaun,
Thank you so much for your fantastic 5-star review! We are thrilled to hear that our service met your expectations and that you were pleased with the outcome of your property sale. It's always our goal to provide excellent service and attend to all our clients' needs, and we're delighted that you felt we achieved this.
A special thank you from us to you for acknowledging Helen and the rest of the team. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we will be sure to pass on your appreciation to everyone involved. Thank you again for choosing Dowens and for your wonderful feedback!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleWe’ve had an amazing service from Dowen Durham particularly Helen and Barbara
They’ve kept us updated and informed every step of the way and supported us throughout the selling process a great team
Would highly recommend Dowen Durham if you want a seamless house buying/ selling experience
Thanks for everything
Lyndsay and Adrian Middleton
Lyndsay · 17 October 2024
Agent replied · 24 October 2024
Dear Lyndsay and Adrian,
Thank you so much for your fantastic 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience with Dowen Durham, and we're especially proud to know that Helen and Barbara provided you with exceptional service throughout your selling journey. Keeping you informed and supported every step of the way is what we strive for, and it's wonderful to hear that we succeeded in making the process seamless for you.
Your recommendation means the world to us! Wishing you all the best in your next chapter.
Warm regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
GoogleI contacted Dowen to set up a tenancy agreement. Caroline was extremely helpful and efficient. She had everything in place within a week. I couldnt have recieved a better customer experience.
Greg · 16 July 2025
Agent replied · 16 April 2026
Dear Greg,
Thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! We're delighted to hear that Caroline was able to assist you so efficiently and provide such a positive experience. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to her, it means a lot to the whole team. If there's anything else we can help you with in the future, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Warmest Regards
John Nicholson
Managing Director
★★★★★ 5/5
TrustpilotA great team I could always rely on
I've used Dowen to let out my property for the past 3 years and they've been fantastic. Caroline (Durham City) is always on the ball to offer advice, answer questions and provide professional insight. The process of renting out the property was seamless from beginning to end and I'll be using them as my number one estate agent choice for any house sales in the future. 5 stars much deserved to a friendly and very capable team in the Durham office :)
Emma · 21 April 2026
Where the same review appears twice we show it once. We leave out reviews that name another agent or another of the brand's offices.