Author: Jessica Jonzen

What is a Buying Agent & How Can We Help?

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

Success in today’s fast-paced and complex prime property market depends on connections, and no one is better connected than a good buying agent. Will Watson, Head of The Buying Solution, explains what a buying agent is and why they are essential to helping you secure your ideal property.

London townhouses with pink magnolia tree in spring

Have you ever wondered why, when making one of the biggest financial commitments of your life – buying a home – you do not automatically have someone representing your best interests? Sellers do. Their estate agent advises them every step of the way, working to secure the best possible price and buyer for their property. Yet, buyers are often left to navigate the process alone, without a dedicated expert on their side.

Which is why buying agents have gained in both number and credence in recent years. A buying agent works exclusively for the buyer, leveraging their extensive network to connect them with the perfect property. Acting in their client’s best interests, they will provide expert guidance throughout the entire process, ensuring a smooth and successful purchase.

Time is Money

One of the main reasons buyers turn to a buying agent is time – or the lack of it. The property buying process is complex and time-consuming, and many buyers, especially those balancing demanding schedules, simply don’t have the capacity to keep up. In both London and the Country, staying on top of countless agents while remaining aware of discreet off-market listings is nearly impossible. Many of these exclusive opportunities are only offered to those who maintain constant communication with trusted local and national agents, which is where a buying agent can make all the difference.

A buying agent gives you a distinct advantage. As professionals, we maintain daily contact with selling agents and are often the first to hear about properties before they’re publicly listed. At The Buying Solution, 90% of our initial viewings come from these ‘off-market’ properties. Put simply, without a buying agent, opportunities will be missed.

Stay Ahead of the Competition

In today’s competitive market, most buyers at the top end of the market are using buying agents. The reality is, if you don’t have one, you are automatically at a disadvantage. Selling agents also prefer working with buying agents because they know we represent serious, qualified buyers who are likely to follow through on a purchase.

Once you have found a property you wish to buy, a good buying agent can give you a competitive edge in securing it, helping you navigate tricky negotiations and ensuring that you’re seen as a priority buyer. Without an agent, you risk being pushed to the back of the queue, simply because you aren’t seen as a “ready” buyer.

Navigating a Complex Market

The property market has evolved drastically in recent years. The amount of information available online, while helpful, has also made the market more complicated. Today’s buyers need to be armed with detailed knowledge not only about the property but also about the surrounding area. A decade ago, the level of research a buyer needed to conduct was relatively basic, relying heavily on local knowledge and in-person enquiries.

However, the rise of online resources has shifted this dynamic. Now, extensive research is required to understand everything from planning applications in the surrounding area to infrastructure changes, environmental risks, and local development projects. Buying agents conduct this research thoroughly, providing clients with comprehensive purchase reports that leave no stone unturned, ensuring you are fully informed before making any decisions.

STOCK View of historic manor house from across a walled garden with path and lavender ©Getty

Market Insight and Pricing Expertise

Another critical reason to work with a buying agent is pricing. In markets where stock is scarce and many properties are overpriced, having a dedicated trusted advisor ensures you pay a fair price. Buying agents have access to exclusive market data, and know how much similar properties have recently sold for. We understand the nuances of local markets and can advise when a property is over or underpriced, giving you the knowledge you need to make a smart investment. Without this insight, it is easy to overpay – especially in a market with inflated listings.

The Importance of a Team

The size and experience of a buying agent’s team can also be invaluable. At The Buying Solution, we have the benefit of a large team covering both London and the Country, enabling us to share insights and opportunities across our regions. This kind of information sharing means our clients have access to a far wider pool of potential properties and off-market deals. For example, a buying agent working on a deal in London might hear of an estate coming to market in the Country, providing an early lead before the property is even listed.

For 20 years, The Buying Solution has established a trusted reputation, drawing on decades of collective experience from our expert team. This has enabled us to develop an extensive network of invaluable contacts. We provide our clients with exclusive access to our “Little Black Book” of trusted professionals – local planning consultants, rural experts, architects, interior designers, and more. From the smallest architectural details to the broader lifestyle considerations, we ensure that every element of your purchase is managed under one umbrella.

Buying Is Exciting, Selling Is Emotional

Unlike selling a property, which often involves emotions tied to leaving a home, buying represents the start of an exciting journey. Working with a buying agent makes that journey smoother, more efficient, and ultimately more rewarding. They save you time, keep you competitive, ensure you don’t overpay, and provide invaluable insights into both the property and the market.

In an increasingly competitive and complex market, especially at the higher end, appointing a buying agent is a smart, strategic move. Whether you are purchasing a country house, a rural estate or a London townhouse, a buying agent will make sure the process is as seamless and successful as possible. As one of our clients wrote after the successful purchase of their home: “We wouldn’t have got the house without the seamless service from The Buying Solution and would highly recommend them.”

Will Watson, Head of The Buying Solution

Will Watson is Head of The Buying Solution

If you wish to discuss your property requirements, we’d be delighted to assist you. Contact the team here.

In the Press: The Buying Solution in Il Sole 24 Ore

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

Harry Gladwin, The Buying Solution Partner and Head of the Cotswolds Region, speaks to Nicol Degli Innocenti of Italian broadsheet Il Sole 24 Ore about why the Cotswolds are seeing an increase in demand from European buyers.

Pretty detached Cotswold cottage, Mickleton near Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, England country

The demand for houses in the Cotswolds by Europeans has increased by 20% in the last year – says Harry Gladwin, Head of The Cotswolds for The Buying Solution – “It is becoming more and more international and many foreigners come to live here, attracted not only by the beauty of the area but also by the fact that there are excellent schools and also clubs and restaurants up to the best in London.”

Read the article here

Celebrating 20 Years of The Buying Solution

Posted on by Jessica Jonzen

2024 marks our 20th anniversary. Here, The Buying Solution Partner Mark Lawson MRICS, who was part of the founding team, reflects on two decades of transformation.

Regency Georgian terraced town houses in London Kensington, England
Georgian houses are still a perennial favourite with our clients

This year marks a significant milestone for The Buying Solution. On 1 September 2004, we opened the doors to our offices in London and Newbury to offer what was then a pioneering service: acting as dedicated representatives and trusted advisors for those seeking to acquire – rather than sell – a property.

Addressing a Market Imbalance

Twenty years ago, buying agents were a rarity. At the upper end of the market, there was an unusual imbalance: sellers had professional representation, while buyers were left without a dedicated advocate. This left buyers – often time-poor and making the largest financial commitment of their lives – without expert guidance through the complexities of the process. It was clear there was a significant gap in the market, and a growing need for independent specialists who could act solely in the interests of the buyer.

As a founding member of The Buying Solution, I embraced the chance to shape a new approach to securing exceptional properties while building lasting client relationships – still core to our ethos today. My background as a Land Agent coupled with a decade in Knight Frank’s Country department gave me a unique understanding of the intricacies involved in acquiring prestigious houses, farms and estates.
We started with a small but focused team – five in the country and three in London, each with unrivalled networks and expertise in their areas. That team has grown to 18 specialists, each as committed to providing discreet, unparalleled service to our clients today as they were in 2004.

TBS vintage brochures
A selection of our vintage brochures from the past 20 years

Then and Now: Technological Advancements

The technological advancements over the past two decades have dramatically transformed how we live and work. In 2004, most of our communication was conducted via phone calls, letters, emails, and even faxes. Today, platforms like WhatsApp have become the preferred communication tool for many of our clients, reflecting the rapid shift toward instant, more convenient forms of interaction.

In 2004, broadband was still in its infancy and hardly a consideration for clients. Now, one of the very first questions we’re asked is about the broadband speed and mobile phone reception at a property. With many clients now working flexibly from home, connectivity has become a top priority, significantly influencing their property decisions in ways unimaginable two decades ago. This shift has also enabled buyers to consider living further from London, in locations they may not have previously entertained, as strong digital infrastructure now allows them to work seamlessly from virtually anywhere.

Our clients have also become noticeably younger. In 2004, the average client was in their 60s; today, most are in their 50s, with some even in their 30s. They are extremely well-informed and arrive with clear expectations for their property. Leisure amenities such as gyms, home cinemas, indoor pools, spas, and state-of-the-art audiovisual systems are now considered essential for many. Even air conditioning is a key requirement for some overseas clients, reflecting a shift in preferences that we rarely encountered two decades ago.

With people increasingly time poor, there is less appetite for taking on a project – something which buyers were willing to take a view on two decades ago. We see that in both London and the country, many of our clients favour a turnkey property which is ready for them to move straight in to.

Shifting Priorities

In 2004, our clients leaned towards more formal entertaining, placing a premium on expansive reception rooms. Today, the kitchen is the true hub of the home – whether in London or the countryside – functioning as a versatile space for cooking, dining, homework, and family gatherings. If a client’s ideal kitchen isn’t found in their desired property, our exceptional network enables us to connect them with leading professionals – ranging from quantity surveyors and builders to planning advisors, architects, and interior designers – to turn their vision into reality.

In the country, we find that our clients now are more sensitive to noise than they were previously. Often, they are moving to the countryside to escape noise and are very wary of it. A significant part of our role during property previews has always been to advise clients on potential issues such as road noise, planned house building, solar farms and new roads, and how these might impact their enjoyment of the property. We carefully assess factors that could worsen over time.

By thoroughly researching these issues before our clients commit to a purchase, we ensure there are no unexpected surprises down the line. While our extensive networks and local knowledge have always been crucial in this process, the internet has greatly amplified our ability to gather information, eliminating the need to spend hours in council offices searching for answers.

Sunset over English countryside in Dorset
Clients buying in the country are more aware of noise than ever

Timeless Desires and Unchanging Values

But some things don’t change. In both the country and in London, our clients still yearn for a beautifully symmetrical Georgian home. Period properties built from brick or stone are always in favour. We still encourage face to face meetings with our clients to help us truly understand their requirements and build that trusted relationship. And we are still always available. In 2004, I would have been on the phone to clients in the evenings and on weekends, and that is still the case now.

For the past two decades, we have set the benchmark for bespoke property buying services, providing expert guidance to help our clients make informed and confident decisions. While the market, technology, and communication have evolved rapidly in that time, the core values that The Buying Solution was founded on remain unchanged. Our team continues to offer a bespoke, discreet service, building lasting relationships and securing exceptional homes for our clients.

And as my colleague Jennifer Hudson, who has also been at The Buying Solution since day one, puts it: “We were a family then and we are a family now.” Here’s to the next 20 years.

Mark Lawson The Buying Solution

Mark Lawson MRICS is Partner, High Value Residential & Rural Estates

Explore more of The Buying Solution’s Insights