Month: February 2025

In the Press: The Buying Solution in Fieldsports Journal

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

One of the most experienced buying agents in the country, our Partner Mark Lawson specialises in high value residential and rural estates, and has bought some of the most expensive and complex properties during the 30 years he has worked in the industry. A recent feature in Fieldsports Journal highlighted the immeasurable benefit that Mark – as with our entire team of buying agents – brings to his clients…

  • Mark provides clients with access to the whole market, ensuring they don’t miss that one unique opportunity. Over 80% of the properties he has bought in the last three years have not been openly advertised.
  • Mark saves busy clients time by previewing every property and advising whether a visit is worthwhile.
  • If a property is suitable, Mark produces a detailed pre-purchase report so buyers know everything – warts and all – before they commit.
  • Mark handles all negotiations, organises the necessary surveys and assists with day-to-day communications to ease the purchase process.

For expert guidance with your next property search, contact our specialist team here.

In the Press: The Buying Solution in The Spectator

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Our Partner Mark Lawson spoke to Ruth Bloomfield at The Spectator about gazundering – when a home-buyer reduces their offer at the 11th hour, and gets away with it. “There is a degree of playing chicken – who will blink first?” says Mark.

Read the article here.

In the Press: The Buying Solution in The Standard

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

As DJ and producer Calvin Harris prepares to move to the North Cotswolds, our Partner and Head of the Cotswolds, Harry Gladwin, spoke to Cathy Hawker for The Standard about the appeal of the region for the jet set.

Cotswolds honey stone building with sun shade and outdoor bar. The Wild Rabbit in the Cotswolds
Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

Read the article here.

Goring Gap: The Home Counties Hotspot You Should Know

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Sitting on the picturesque border between Berkshire and Oxfordshire, the Goring Gap is emerging as a highly coveted property hotspot in the North Home Counties. Our Partner in the region, Jemma Scott, explains why it is such a compelling destination, particularly for those looking to relocate from London.

Aerial view of river with weir and boats, villages and fields in Goring and Streatley, England

People moving out of London are moving further than ever before, according to the latest statistics. Londoners bought 5.7 per cent of homes (50,020 properties) sold outside of the capital in 2024, with the average number of miles moved ever-increasing from the pre-Covid average.

While many of those migrating West are familiar with Henley-on-Thames and Marlow – both exceptional riverside towns – pushing on a little further, the area around the Goring Gap offers more for your money while still being a prime Home Counties location.

Here, the River Thames has carved through the chalk hills to form a tree-lined gorge between the Chiltern Hills and the North Wessex Downs, considered one of the most dramatic locations along the length of the river.

Comprising the twinned villages of Goring and Streatley – which sit on either side of the river, linked by a road bridge – and surrounding villages, this area offers a special blend of natural beauty, community and strategic accessibility.

Protection from Development

The Goring Gap lies within a protected landscape, formerly designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and now part of the National Landscapes initiative. This status ensures that the area’s countryside is largely shielded from development, offering prospective buyers a sense of permanence and peace.

The Labour government’s relaxation of the rules around development has resulted in a huge amount of uncertainty about the changing planning landscape. Whatever your view on this, we have a national shortage of housing which needs to be addressed, and there is currently lots of building work in progress around Didcot, Abingdon, Chalgrove, outside Oxford, Benson and around Wallingford, then to the south around Reading. So this protected status brings a huge amount of reassurance to buyers in the Goring Gap region.

With a myriad of footpaths, bridleways and the much-loved Thames Path, all with magnificent countryside views in every direction, the region boasts exceptional opportunities for hiking, riding, cycling and sailing. The nearby Royal Berkshire Shooting School, Goring and Streatley Golf Club and the National Trust-owned Basildon Park are hugely popular with all ages. 

River view of Goring and Streatley, England, with boats and paddle boarders and trees lining the river
Transport Links and Schooling

While geographically slightly further from London than the likes of Henley and Marlow, the Goring Gap still benefits from excellent connectivity into the capital. Nearby Reading is the last stop on the Elizabeth Line with fast trains cutting through the city every ten minutes.

However, many of my clients find that they prefer to commute to London on the GWR from smaller stations on routes that may take slightly longer but offer a calmer experience. Goring and Streatley’s railway station provides direct links to London Paddington and Didcot also has a very convenient trainline. Of course, the M4 and M40 corridors also provide easy road access to major towns and cities, including Reading, Oxford and beyond. There are plenty of choices.

For families considering the area, its proximity to well-regarded schools is another strong draw. These include the renowned Moulsford Prep School, Cranford School in Moulsford, The Oratory in Woodcote and St Andrew’s in Pangbourne – previously attended by Catherine, Princess of Wales. There are also a number of OFSTED-rated ‘Outstanding’ state schools and village primaries in the area.

A Range of Property Options

The housing stock in the Goring Gap is as diverse as its landscape. Within Goring itself, you’ll find modern family homes, while the surrounding hills offer significant properties, including mansion houses and farmhouses. As you head east toward Henley, the quintessential English countryside mix of old rectories, manor houses and charming cottages offers a great deal of choice.

Recently, I helped a family relocate from London to a beautiful manor house just outside Pangbourne – a ten-minute drive down river from Goring and Streatley. There really is something for everyone here; from substantial rural properties to delightful village homes.

Streatley, on the opposite bank of the Thames, complements Goring with its own array of attractive properties and amenities. Notably, it’s home to The Swan country house hotel, a highly regarded café-deli and an exceptional hardware shop. Further up the river you have The Stokes, Basildon and its surrounds and The Astons which are all very pretty villages.

The Value of Expert Guidance

For discerning buyers, the Goring Gap presents an exceptional opportunity to secure both a beautiful home at a competitive price and an enviable lifestyle within a community that takes a great deal of pride in their villages.

With in-depth knowledge of the local market together with established networks, The Buying Solution can advise and unlock access to the finest properties for our clients, often before they reach the open market. We take time to understand our clients’ unique needs and carefully match them with exceptional properties that fit, and often exceed, their requirements. Our experience allows us to handle negotiations seamlessly and secure the perfect home at the right price.

Jemma Scott is our Partner in the North Home Counties


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How to Navigate Rising Service Charges

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

In recent years, service charges have risen dramatically, placing increasing pressure on buyers considering property in Central London. Our vastly experienced Partner Philip Eastwood explains what is driving the rises and how to ensure a sound investment.

London red brick apartment building.
Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

Service charges on leasehold properties in Central London have risen exponentially in recent years. The Property Institute reports that between 2019 and 2024, the average service charges across the UK increased by 41%, compared with a rising inflation rate of 23% in the same period. In London, service charges typically stand at 24% above the average for England and Wales.

This hike is largely driven by rising energy costs, escalating insurance premiums and the natural ageing of high-specification developments. Buyers who are not attuned to these costs could easily find themselves burdened with unexpectedly high outgoings that far outweigh the standard of services, making the guidance of a specialist buying agent crucial.

Why Service Charges are Increasing

A confluence of factors has created the perfect storm for rising service charges. Many large developments purchase utilities at commercial rather than residential rates, which has led to exponential increases in energy costs. Insurance premiums have also risen, while maintenance expenses continue to grow as buildings age.

Luxury developments that once seemed to offer an attractive lifestyle with impeccable communal areas and amenities such as pools, gyms and concierge services are now seeing the reality of long-term upkeep. A 10- to 15-year-old development requires significant reinvestment, with costs frequently passed on to residents. The result? Service charges that can now represent a staggering percentage of a property’s value.

The impact is particularly noticeable in concierge buildings, where charges have soared, sometimes exceeding 1% of the property’s purchase price annually. Buyers will accept high charges in return for impeccable service and premium facilities; you only have to look at the number of first-class restaurants and hotels in London which are frantically busy despite charging huge amounts. Yet there is an understandable resistance to charges that feel disproportionate to the quality received – and demand for such properties is likely to suffer as a result.

Key Considerations for Buyers

Before committing to a property with a service charge, a meticulous evaluation is essential. Buyers should be asking:

  • Precisely how is the money being spent? A large sinking fund with little reinvestment in the building could indicate a lack of necessary maintenance.
  • Are the facilities worth the cost? A pool or gym might seem appealing, but if it’s ageing and you’re unlikely to use it, or you could become a member of a rather nice gym around the corner instead, is it really worth the substantial ongoing cost?
  • Is there transparency? Many listings provide only vague details about lease length and service charges which are often handled by an external management company, leaving buyers in the dark.

There’s little point in investing heavily in a beautifully refurbished apartment if the building itself is not well maintained – akin to upgrading a luxury suite on a ship that is no longer seaworthy.

Where a Buying Agent Adds Value

Navigating the complexities of service charges requires more than a cursory glance at the figures. With limited transparency from many selling agents, buyers often do not receive the full picture until they are deep into the legal process of the purchase.

We ensure that service charge details are scrutinised from the outset, asking the pertinent questions that others might prefer to avoid and pushing for clear answers. How much of the charge goes to actual maintenance rather than management fees? Are future capital works planned? Are costs likely to rise further?

Too often, service charges are dismissed with a casual ‘it is what it is’– but for buyers, especially those purchasing as an investment, these figures matter. I recently came across a rather nice two-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot apartment in Battersea for a client’s daughter with an annual service charge of £5,000. When added to council tax, utility bills and mortgage payments, the overall financial burden is significant. Such figures are dissuading buyers and will ultimately impact property values.

By engaging with a specialist buying agent, buyers gain an essential advantage. Our ability to dig into the finer details, challenge ambiguous charges and provide informed guidance can make all the difference between securing a sound investment and acquiring a financial liability. In a market where costs are only set to rise, this level of diligence is more important than ever.

Philip Eastwood is our specialist Partner in London

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