Category: Press

The Growing ‘Try Before You Buy’ Trend

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Mark Lawson spoke to Cathy Hawker at the Financial Times about the upsides and potential pitfalls of the growing super-prime property trend to ‘try before you buy’.

This means that some sellers are allowing potential buyers to temporarily move in before committing to buying and Mark comments that it is “an excellent idea for a prospective buyer but requires a leap of faith for vendors.”

He adds: “The buyer gets to live in the house, see how it works, listen to any noises and learn about the area and the neighbours. It gives them excellent insight — while they check out all the negatives. The only upside for the seller, however, is that if the buyer likes it, they tend to commit fully to the purchase.”

Read the article here.

Trump Sends Wealthy Americans Fleeing to the Cotswolds

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Our Head of the Cotswolds Harry Gladwin spoke to Lauren Almeida from The Guardian about why a significant proportion of his clients are now Americans looking to settle in this idyllic pocket of the English Countryside.

period home with trailing greenery in the Cotswolds
Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

“There are multiple draws: it is a safe place to hold properties; young families often want to have a holiday home with a view to spending more time here in the long term; and older couples who want to spend more time in the UK use it as a stepping stone into Europe,” says Harry.

Read article here.

The Rebirth of Iconic Notting Hill

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

As the owners of esteemed Cotswolds members’ club Estelle Manor announce more details about Celeste, its new Notting Hill hotspot planned to open in late 2025, Will Watson spoke to Nicky Rampley-Clarke at The Standard about the rebirth of this iconic postcode.

Unsplash

“We’ve seen firsthand that our clients searching for large family homes at the super-prime level – above £10million – consistently prioritise Notting Hill,” says Will, Head of The Buying Solution. He goes on to talk about the most sought-after streets in the neighbourhood and those that offer greater value.

Read the article here.

The True Value of a Beautiful Country Garden

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Our Partner Mark Lawson spoke to Daisy Dawnay for the Financial Times about the country house market and why a beautiful garden could potentially add up to 20% to the value of a home. He also talks about the growing trend in importing mature trees towering yew hedges, even fully formed parterre gardens. Read the article here.

Swimming pool, sun loungers and sun shade surrounded by flowers
Moor Hatches in Wiltshire, for sale through Blue Book

Why ‘Healing’ your House is now an Open Secret

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Our Head of the Cotswolds region Harry Gladwin spoke to Rebecca Newman at the Financial Times about the rising trend in ‘energy cleansers’ in the housing market, particularly among clients in their thirties and forties buying older houses.

Cotswolds stone house with sage green front door and evergreen hedges
Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

Read the article here.

The Essential Ingredients of a Forever Family Home

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Head of The Buying Solution, Will Watson, speaks to Arabella Youens at The London Magazine about the essential ingredients of a forever family home in London. He discusses our clients’ priorities when looking for a home that will adapt to growing children and shifting priorities for years to come.

Dean Hearne / OWN London

Read the article here (page 45).

In the Press: The Buying Solution in the Financial Times

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

The lengths we go to in order to fully assess the potential for development close to a property has become increasingly complex, our Partner Mark Lawson explains to Lisa Freedman at the Financial Times.

We prepare a very detailed report for our clients that takes into account the area within a 15-mile radius of the property to ensure that their enjoyment of the property won’t be marred by future development. Mark talks in the feature about a recent instance involving a proposed wind farm and how we were able to produce computer-generated imagery to illustrate the impact of this on the property.

Unsplash

Read the article here.

In the Press: The Buying Solution in The Telegraph

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Applications to relocate from America to the UK are at record levels, tempted by many reasons including the climate, world-class education, even tighter gun controls. Our Partner, Harry Gladwin, spoke to Alexandra Goss at The Telegraph about what has led the Cotswolds to become one of the most searched-for locations for those based in the US.

Father and son walking down empty Cotswolds road in front of period honey-coloured stone houses and well-manicured gardens
Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

Read the article here.

In the Press: The Buying Solution recommended in Spear’s

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Head of the Buying Solution, Will Watson, and our Partner in London, Philip Eastwood, are both named in Spear’s list of best buying agents for (super) prime property for 2025. While our Partner in the Southern Home Counties, Katherine Watters, is named in the 2025 Spear’s list of best country property specialists in the UK.

Headshots of two men and one woman from The Buying Solution dressed in work attire

“The best prime property buying agents begin by understanding a client’s specific objectives, whether that means securing a trophy home, a discreet off-market gem or a strategic investment,” writes Spear’s.

“Using their extensive experience and network, they search and assess most suitable options – many of which never even reach the open market. Buying agents don’t just facilitate transactions; they provide strategic counsel, ensuring their clients make informed and advantageous decisions.”

Read the article on best country property specialists here and best buying agents here.

In the Press: The Buying Solution in The Spectator

Posted on by Rosalind Sack

Head of The Buying Solution, Will Watson, spoke to Ruth Bloomfield at The Spectator about how Trump is fuelling London’s prime property boom and what is driving many American clients to look for a permanent or second home in prime London.

Sarah Frances Kelley for The Buying Solution

Read the article here.