Knight Frank Global

The Buying Solution FAQ
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FAQ

  • Why use a buying agent and what are the advantages?
  • We can provide our clients with many important advantages. We don’t compete with estate agents as for them we are valued partners and there is no restriction on the agents, vendors and other contacts we can work with giving you access to a vast range of properties. We are in constant contact with vendors, agents, solicitors, architects and surveyors ensuring your search is driven by the latest market intelligence. They know our clients are committed buyers with assured budgets.
  • Which sector of the market do you cover?
  • We have offices in Central London, West Berkshire and the Cotswolds from which we cover the majority of the country. We deal with property in excess of £1 million.
  • Do you view all potentially suitable properties on my behalf?
  • We will always endeavor to view every property on your behalf before you see it. This enables us to talk to you about many aspects of the property that it would be impossible to appreciate from the agents particulars. We can discover any issues that would not be acceptable to you without you having to waste time seeing the property yourself.
  • Do you have access to properties being marketed by all agents?
  • Yes. Our connection to Knight Frank LLP has no impact on the contact and relationship we have with every agent dealing in your area of search.
  • How and when do you get paid?
  • We are paid a one off retaining fee when we sign up a new client, then on exchange of contracts a success fee is also paid which is a percentage of the purchase price.
  • How do you differ from estate agents?
  • We work solely for our retained clients to buy the best houses at the lowest price possible whilst guiding and advising them on any potential pitfalls that may occur in the process. Estate agents act solely for the seller to achieve the best price they can.
  • How many clients do you represent?
  • We act on behalf of 8 to 12 clients per region at any one time.
  • I have a wide area of search, can you still help?
  • Although many of our clients are looking in a small area, due to a preference for a specific school or train station, some have a very wide area of search. This is where our knowledge and resources can really help to save you time with the benefit of several teams possibly looking after your search area.
  • Can you help with a rental search?
  • Yes, we have a division that deals with London and Surrey.
  • Does your service guide me through the negotiations as well as finding me a property?
  • Yes. We offer the complete property buying service. This begins with an initial meeting to understand and discuss your exact requirements. Once you have decided to retain us, we conduct a thorough search, identifying suitable properties and then negotiating on your behalf for the purchase of your chosen property. The service continues through the exchange of contracts and up to, and including, the completion when we check that everything is in order and hand you the keys to your new home. As part of the service we are also able to introduce you to numerous professional services including solicitors, surveyors, architects and finance providers as well as additional services that might be useful to you following your purchase.
  • Can you guarantee my confidentiality?
  • We will always strive to ensure confidentiality at all times if requested to do so.
  • Won't I end up competing against another of your clients looking for the same thing?
  • This is highly unlikely. All our clients have very specific requirements which vary enormously and, as each of our buying agents only takes a limited number of clients at any one time, conflicts are, happily, virtually unheard of.
  • How long does the whole process take?
  • Although very difficult to say how long a house search takes, usually it is anytime between 6-18 months.
  • How do you gain access to the private market?
  • Over many collective years of dealing with our contacts we have built up excellent personal relationships which, combined with our reputation, enables us to hear about things long before they become available to the open market. Often vendors approach us to see if we have a suitable client for their house. In fact over 63% of the properties we bought for our clients during the last 12 months were purchased before they even got to the open market.
  • Do you approach individual houses directly?
  • If requested by a client, yes. However, the issue with this is that the potential vendor is usually not keen to sell and, therefore, will say no. Alternatively, they will or ask for a premium price to tempt them to sell and, from our experience, this could be a significant percentage over the market value.