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Buying from outside the UK

Services / Buying from outside the UK

buying property in London

We know just how tricky it can be to purchase property while you live abroad without the help of reliable ‘local eyes and ears on the ground’. Having lived in and owned property in many countries, we understand international standards better than most agents. We are here to help you bridge the gap between what you are used to at home and what is available in the London property market.

The UK property market has no Multiple Listing Service (‘MLS’) so you can’t just call one agency and expect to see all available options in London. Furthermore, many properties are not advertised on online property portals, and are classed as ‘off-market’. This is particularly true in Prime Central London, where up to 50% are sold as ‘off market’.

Additionally, in the UK the agencies represent the seller, never the buyer. As property search agents we represent you acting as your 'London Broker'. We are your competitive advantage.

We can give you access to the whole market, and act as a single point of contact for you, managing relationships for you with professionals in tax, banking, the law, property or project management, all while supporting you with our relocation services.

Once we have helped you secure the property of your dreams, we can recommend architects, builders, interior designers, landscape gardeners and other proven professionals to help add value to your property.

Working with us you will benefit from our extensive experience, market knowledge and network to ensure that you do not make expensive mistakes.


How we work

How we work

Every property search is unique. And every search reflects that.

Whether you are looking to buy or rent before we start the search, we first take the time to understand your needs, your personal tastes, your circumstances, and exactly what you’re looking for.We balance an awareness of the needs of our clients with an understanding of the London property market, ensuring a property search that aims to find the best property to suit you, your taste, and your circumstances.

  1. Laying the Foundation: Ahead of starting your search, you need to ready to buy, rent, or relocate. There are many implications, some are legal, others relate to tax, and of course, your budget. We can advise and where necessary we can introduce you to mortgage brokers, solicitors, etc to take as much stress as possible out of the process for you. 

  2. The Search: Next, we go through our network to proactively hunt for and preview potential properties, showing you only the shortlisted very best properties that meet your criteria, saving you the time and frustration that is often associated with finding a property in London. We will then organize viewings tours at a time that is convenient for you. 
  1. Due Diligence & Negotiation: When you’ve found your perfect property, we will undertake a thorough due diligence to give you the peace of mind you need. We will then start to negotiate the price on your behalf. Unlike estate agents, who work for the seller/ landlord, we work for you, which means we will guide you to take as much stress as possible and ensure that you pay the best possible price to secure the property. 
  1. Execution: 'I've got my house thanks to Address', 'Address went the extra mile to negotiate and to secure my house' - these are some of the comments we get from satisfied clients. Execution is key to what we do. Many people think that the process is done when a property has been found, but actually, the hard work starts once you make an offer. We have the experience, skill, and knowledge to ensure a smooth transaction taking all the stress and strain of dealing with solicitors, surveyors and other third parties, whilst keeping you updated on progress. 
  1. One point of Contact: Throughout the whole process, you will have one point of contact. We will be your partner to make the process of buying or renting a property in London as simple as possible. 
  1. Fees: Our fees are very competitive for Prime Central London market. Please enquire to find out more about our Buyers' Agents Fee, our Rental Search Fee or our Consultancy Services Fee.

 
 

Who & What are Buying Agents?

Who & what are buying agents (also known as property consultants, property finders or relo agents)?

A useful guide from the Home Owners Alliance: What are buying agents?

I would add that a good buying agent will also ensure there is smooth execution (around 30% of all transactions fail to complete).
Particularly towards the end of 2022 when mortgages started to change unexpectedly, the number transactions failing to complete increased.
It is not only buyers or sellers changing their minds but we see a surprinsingly high number of transactions failing because of the solicitors or surveyors.
Having a good buying agent with a good reputation will certainly keep the dialogue open and make sure that everybody involved does what
they are meant to do. 

A good buying agent will also ensure that if you are going to part with (what to most people is) a ‘big sum of money’ this is a good investment.
The number need to make sense. A reputable buying agent will tell their client if something is good value (or not). And if it can be negotiated down (or not).

And yes, a fee is involved (nobody works for free!) but as mentioned there a buying agent may negotiate a much better price than you would have been able to have got yourself, and save you time and stress. 

2023 is going to be a buyers' market for most postcodes, make that advantage go further with the right advice.

Ps: Address is not listed on that list (it reads that there are 1000 buying agents in the UK) but we have been around for many years and mostly work through word of mouth - because a satisfied client is the best publicity. Every search Address carries out is undertaken as it we were to buy the property for ourselves.

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