Tag: Buying agent

As 2025 comes to a close, The Buying Solution team looks back on the standout property deals of the year that we achieved for our clients. Each transaction showcases how unmatched local knowledge, strategic connections and expert negotiation consistently delivered exceptional results in London and the country’s competitive property markets. If you have ever questioned what a buying agent does and how they add value to the process of buying a property in London or the country, read on…

“This year has been defined by steady progress and a renewed sense of cohesion across The Buying Solution’s team,” says Will Watson, Head of The Buying Solution and specialist buying agent in Prime Central London. “We are now working more seamlessly between London and the country than ever before, supporting clients whose lives and property needs span both.  

Notably, South West London has been a standout area for The Buying Solution. “Activity in the £3m–£10m bracket outpacing even Prime Central London, reflecting a more grounded domestic market and buyers’ growing appetite for space and value,” Will adds. 

The Country team has seen a more considered pace of activity, shaped largely by limited stock, yet the underlying demand has remained remarkably resilient. “We end the year with a strong and engaged client list, many of whom are increasingly optimistic about 2026 as value improves and the prospect of greater choice returns,” says Will.  

“Across both the London and country markets, the appetite for best-in-class, generational homes remains undimmed, and we’ve been fortunate to guide clients towards some truly exceptional properties.”

London

This year’s standout deal reminded me why deep local knowledge and relationships matter so much. A Belgian family moving back to London after 12 years in Singapore were put in contact with me. Initially, they weren’t really sure what a buying agent was or the services we provide. I suggested a driving tour of their preferred area, and we turned into a tiny street by Primrose Hill – their favourite road, as it happened. I know it inside out: 13 buildings, only five or six still whole houses, one recently sold, and another recently let.

Within 24 hours, I had lined up viewings on two of the houses. They trusted me to handle the negotiations, and thanks to a personal connection with a vendor I had worked with years ago, we secured one of the rare houses that never reaches the open market. They chose it not just for space, but for layout, light, garden, location, views and architecture. From start to finish – guiding them, recommending every service provider, and securing the best deal – it felt like one of the best jobs I’ve ever done, adding real value to their whole life, not just the purchase. 

Despite the obvious headwinds over the last 12 months, we’ve still been able to acquire some very special homes for our clients. One highlight is the purchase of a beautifully refurbished house in Chelsea for a lovely couple who divide their time between London and the countryside and were looking for a pied-à-terre. 

They initially set out to find an apartment, but after taking the time to listen and understand how they live, it became clear that a house would suit them far better. While they knew the area socially, we were able to add real value by guiding them through the nuances of particular pockets and architectural styles, keeping the search focused on a small number of preferred streets and saving them a great deal of time and energy. 

Within only a couple of months, we agreed terms on a property that had recently fallen through, securing it for over £500,000 less than it achieved in 2023. We introduced a trusted surveyor, worked seamlessly with their interior designer, and brought the whole purchase together smoothly. 

Looking ahead, I’m genuinely excited for 2026, with wonderful clients and some excellent opportunities on the horizon. 

2025 has been busy, particularly in South West London, where the market has been more active. We acquired five “best in class” houses – most of them substantial projects – for our clients. One was a lovely family house in Clapham Old Town which had not sold for over 40 years. In another transaction, we went to sealed bids with nine other parties. We were not the highest party, but the vendor took comfort from the fact that The Buying Solution being instructed gave our clients extra credibility.  

At the other end of the spectrum, we secured a Knightsbridge flat for a client we’ve been working with for over five years. We paid significantly less than it was marketed for having bided our time for not months but years.

It hasn’t been an easy year: the lack of best-in-class stock has been the biggest frustration. But by focussing on keeping clients grounded, not overpaying and being patient, we’ve managed to access opportunities others wouldn’t find. 

One of the more gratifying moments of my year came from an unabashedly old-school approach. A client and I had narrowed our search to a particular street in Kensington, so I sat down with a fountain pen and wrote to every owner.

It felt almost quaint, but it worked: a lady who had lived in her house for 35 years opened the handwritten envelope, rang me directly, and allowed us to buy her home discreetly, at a fair price, without it ever touching the open market. 

The experience proved, yet again, that personal service is something you show rather than say. While I was having coffee with her, an agent happened to be delivering standard printed leaflets, which she binned instantly. By contrast, a simple handwritten note cut through the impersonal noise of emails and WhatsApps and led not only to the purchase, but to her instruction to help her buy her next home as well. It was a small gesture, but it made all the difference. 

Country

I worked with an international family who knew broadly what they wanted in the UK, but lacked the time, local knowledge and contacts to find it. We showed them 17 properties in their preferred area, advising them on schools, commutability, value and the nuances between more and less desirable pockets. 

They narrowed the search to two properties in Berkshire, both entirely off-market and shown only to us. We coordinated every detail, collecting them from the airport and managing the viewings, before advising on value, negotiation strategy and likely outcomes. 

Once they made their choice, we secured the house at a sensible price, supported by clear comparable evidence. From there, we worked intensively to exchange within two weeks ahead of the November Budget – a process that typically takes a month or more, and often several months without a buying agent and a good lawyer. 

Acting as the “conductor of the orchestra,” we secured the very best surveyors, planners and lawyers to ensure a seamless, successful purchase. It was a textbook illustration of the value of our service. 

One of the most satisfying moments of the past year was completing a privately arranged purchase in one of the Cotswolds’ most sought-after locations – a property that never reached the open market, for the second time.

I had originally acquired the house privately four years ago through a long-standing contact who owns a significant local estate. By maintaining close relationships with former clients, I became aware that they were considering a move and was able to introduce a new buyer of mine before the wider market had any knowledge that the property might become available.

Given that the house requires substantial work, we had to move quickly to assemble the right professional team – architects, planners, ecologists and solicitors – all at pace. Long-standing personal relationships were critical. People answered the phone, reshuffled diaries and prioritised the project because we have worked together for many years. That collective experience allowed us to structure a transaction that worked well for all parties.

It was a full-circle moment and a clear reminder of what deep local knowledge and a trusted network can genuinely deliver – access, discretion and results that no portal or newcomer could hope to replicate.

This year, I worked with British clients who had been living in the US for over two decades and were looking for a base back in the UK. With an eight-hour time difference and demanding work schedules, I became their eyes and ears on the ground, offering flexible support and clear, consistent communication throughout. 

I previewed properties, shared detailed video feedback, and shortlisted only the strongest contenders – saving them time and helping them make confident decisions from overseas.  

I guided them through every stage of the UK buying process and represented them firmly in negotiations. Beyond the search itself, I coordinated seamlessly with agents, surveyors, their solicitor, and a full roster of contractors, a house manager and interior designers. My proactive approach meant we kept momentum throughout, and the clients felt fully supported despite being thousands of miles away. We completed successfully in August. 

Looking back over the year, what stands out most is the trust clients continue to place in me. I was fortunate to act for two different clients for the second time – something I never take for granted, particularly when we’re dealing with decisions that genuinely shape their lives. 

It’s also been a year of movement: I’ve helped families relocate from five different countries into the Home Counties, guiding them not just on property but on how to build a life here. Revisiting homes I originally acquired – now mid-transformation, with the vision we mapped out together coming to life – has been especially rewarding. 

I’ve increasingly become the “go-to” buying agent for the North Home Counties for a circle of highly respected professionals who value honesty, integrity, pragmatism and, importantly, a sense of fun. We’re privileged to work with clients often at the top of their game; it’s endlessly fascinating to spending time with them and find out about their worlds. This year alone I’ve learned about housing markets in five countries, the secret to the best plane seats, and – slightly alarmingly – how rapidly AI is reshaping almost everything we do. 

One of my most memorable moments this year came from a referral in the summer: a client seeking an equestrian property in West Sussex, though her demanding travel schedule between two houses in Europe meant she expected to begin the search in September. She was keen to move quickly, but time was not on her side – or so it seemed. 

Fortunately, I was already aware of an exceptional off-market property that I had acquired for the current owner nearly two decades earlier. With long-standing relationships in place, I was able to arrange immediate access. What followed was a remarkably swift and seamless process: we agreed terms, exchanged and completed before she had even expected to start looking.  

It was a satisfying reminder of the value of deep market knowledge, trusted networks and being ready to act the moment an opportunity appears. 

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