Buying a property

London remains a prime destination to buy property. Our clients buy homes in London for many reasons:  somewhere to live, a long-term investment, a rental property or somewhere for their child to live whilst studying in London. 

We support you from finding the property through to exchange and completion.

BUYING A PROPERTY IN LONDON:

“London is a roost for every bird.” – Benjamin Disraeli

Buying a property in London is still considered one of the best long-term investments you can make.
Clients buy property in London for various reasons: a home for themselves, a home for their child whilst at university, a buy-to-let investment and a myriad of other reasons.

Property in London is not cheap!

However, there are many up-and-coming areas that are affordable or in fact, areas that traditionally have been very expensive but as London grows have become more affordable. Part of our London property finding service to you is to be aware of all these current and future changes and help to match your needs with the best options available.

Off-market properties:
Many owners prefer not to have their property advertised and list the property as off-market. Having a property agent work on your behalf helps you to access these off-market properties due to our trusted relationship built-up over many years. There are also owners of properties who don’t list their property – on- or off-market - but are open to selling if the opportunity presents itself.

First steps:
Once you have decided on your criteria, areas and budget, we will start the London property search on your behalf.
We will contact the key sales agents, property agents and in many cases owners to discuss what you are looking for.
We will send any suitable properties to you via email along with all relevant details, e.g. leasehold or freehold, length of lease, services charges, ground rent, etc. If a client has already identified properties of interest themselves, We will contact the agent on their behalf and arrange to view the property either with the client or as a live video tour.

Compared to finding a property to rent in London, the property buying service can take weeks, if not months, to find the “right” property.

Viewing properties:
Depending on where you are based, we can view together in person or via video in real-time.

Negotiating the offer: We work on your behalf to negotiate your offer with the agent or seller until both sides have agreed in writing.

At that point, solicitors are instructed by both you, the buyer and the seller to progress the sale of the property until the exchange, and completion, of contracts.

Fee:
The full fee comes in two parts: a non-refundable property search fee plus a success fee.

Success fee:
Upon the buyer (the Client) and the Seller solicitors’ being instructed, a success fee of 1% of the agreed purchase price is due.

** Any property search fees paid will be deducted from the success fee.

“A purchaser is a “ready, willing and able” purchaser if he is prepared and is able to exchange unconditional contracts for the purchase of your property. You will be liable to pay remuneration to us, in additional to any other costs or charges agreed, if such a purchaser is introduced by us in accordance with your instructions and this must be paid even if you subsequently withdraw and unconditional contracts for sale are not exchanged, irrespective of your reasons.”

Source: Regulation 5 and the Schedule of the Estate Agents (Provision of Information) Regulations 1991.

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