What is a Buying Agent & How Can We Help?

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

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

Read the article in Il Sole 24 Ore here

Celebrating 20 Years of The Buying Solution

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

Luxury Cotswolds: Must-Visit Lifestyle Destinations This Autumn

From indulgent Japanese cocktails in Cheltenham, to the very latest in luxury wellness in Tetbury; The Buying Solution Partner Harry Gladwin, who heads up our Cotswolds team, shares his favourite lifestyle destinations in the region.

The Grain Store at Calcot
The Grain Store at Calcot Manor, Tetbury

Tetbury is the definition of the quintessential country village, and Calcot Manor, nestled amongst the Cotswold greenery, is an idyllic Manor House, lovingly modernised, with a minimalist nod to its medieval past. When you think of the Cotswolds, this is what you imagine.

Built by Henry of Kingswood in the 1300s as the tithe barn annexe of Kingswood Abbey, Calcot belonged to the church until the 16th century when King Henry VIII dissolved England’s monasteries and gave the estate to one of his courtiers. Calcot has remained in private ownership ever since, belonging to the Estcourt family for several centuries and expanded to include a 16th-century manor house and several outbuildings.

As of February 2024, Calcot launched the Grain Store, a £5m wellness and fitness suite. The gym includes Technogym equipment, bikes, treadmills, cross trainers, rowing machines, free weights, Olympic squat racks, resistance kits as well as a six-piece Kompan outdoor gym.

New studios also offer an extensive timetable of classes including holistic Yoga and Pilates, Spin and HIIT. And if you’d rather exercise outside, you can borrow Calcot bikes and explore the nature trails around the manor gardens. There are four tiers of membership for the Grain Store, each including a bespoke fitness programme.

Estelle Manor, Eynsham

An award-winning country house hotel and private members’ club set in a Grade-II listed landmark house on 85-acres of Oxfordshire estate and surrounded by over 3,000 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens, Estelle Manor remains a favourite haunt of mine.

Transformed by New York Design Studio Roman and Williams, known for The British Galleries at the Met, NoMad London (and designing Gwyneth Paltrow’s homes), the once neo-Jacobean mansion now features grand patterned hallways, heavy drapes, and contemporary art.

Newly opened last year, the hotel offers three restaurants. The Billiards Room which serves traditional Chinese dishes and Sunday dim sum brunches, The Brasserie which offers a seasonal all-day menu, and (my favourite) The Glasshouse serving family-style sharing plates.

There’s also a Roman inspired spa with five pools, a lounge, ten treatment areas, a clubhouse gym, and padel courts. The only question really is how long can you stay?

Pit Kitchen, Moreton-in-Marsh

Bringing East London’s eclectic food scene to Todenham Manor Farm, this passion project, from Worcestershire-born brothers Adam and James, is soon to be closing for winter. With one final hurrah on 25th and 26th October, however, there’s still time to experience this for yourselves.

Located in the suitably rustic old piggery, Pit Kitchen promises the best quality local ingredients cooked over an open fire, bringing Dalston’s famous Middle Eastern influence to the Cotswolds. One piece of advice: bring a jumper. The open barn makes for beautiful views, but can be a little brisk.

Yoku, Cheltenham

Hidden inside an unassuming townhouse, YOKU’s gold-leaf vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, yellow suede chairs, bonsai trees and hand-painted vases make for an unexpectedly decadent interior.

Taking its name from the Japanese art of doing things exceptionally well, YOKU is top of many a ‘best restaurant’ lists, and for very good reason.

Within the No.131 hotel, helmed by fashion designer Jade Holland Cooper, alongside husband, Julian Dunkerton, founder of clothing brand, Superdry, Yoku offers a ‘Tokyo-vogue’ Japanese Sushi and Asian dining experience.

The restaurant also recently opened its Yoku Garden, a luxurious hot spot for indulgent cocktails, spectacular food, and all-out elegance.

The Lodge at Thyme
Thyme Hotel, Southrop

Formed of a cluster of honey-stone properties, this family-run hotel is a sybarite delight. The 31-room ‘village in a village’ is home to a spa, outdoor pool, boutique shop, cookery school, exhibition space, and its own pub, all housed in barns, cottages, and farmhouses that have occupied the surrounding land for centuries. With a botanic theme running throughout, the kitchen operates a zero-waste, reuse and recycle mantra.

Aside from exploring the gardens and water meadows, Thyme, has a well-kept ‘Calendar of Happenings’ filled with history walks, wellness and cookery classes, alongside exhibitions, workshops and talks.

The Farmer’s Dog, Burford

Jeremy Clarkson’s journey into agriculture has been well-documented with his Amazon Prime television series, ‘Clarkson’s Farm’. His latest venture, just a few miles from Diddly Squat farm, is his pub, The Farmer’s Dog.

The Farmer’s Dog is more than just a pub, offering a restaurant, The Farmer’s Puppy – garden kitchen, Hops and Chops butchers and off-license, with everything (bar the much-needed T to go with your G) promising to be the best of British. The menu changes with the seasons and is entirely locally sourced.

Daylesford Organic, Moreton-in-Marsh

It’s fair to say that word has got out about Daylesford Organic; finding space in the car park at the weekend can be a challenge. However, this is undoubtedly still a gem and with a seasonal calendar of experiences, workshops, and even woodland walks, it’s always a good time to visit.

From top-quality artisanal produce from Daylesford’s very own farm, fantastic grocery bundles, stylish farmhouse interiors, homeware and skincare, or extra special back-to-school essentials, or simply to grab a coffee, cocktail, or woodfired pizza on the terrace. There’s a reason Daylesford is so popular.

The Double Red Duke, Clanfield

A Country Creatures Inn, owned by Sam and Georgie Pearman, formerly of the Lucky Onion hotel group, this 17th Century former coaching inn, The Double Red Duke, has been designed in their signature ‘rustic-luxe’ style. With red and white striped umbrellas in the garden, picture-perfect snugs, and wall-to-wall greenery, it’s worth a visit just to admire the style.

If you can stay for a bite, chefs cook over fire, adding a spark of romance to any meal. And, as the weather starts to turn, I’d argue you’d struggle to find a better roast dinner than here (or Sticky Toffee Pudding for that matter). As Jay Rayner said, the simple menu “barely hints at the glories of the food on your plate. It’s a class act.”

Whether relocating or weekending, these are the places we’d recommend adding to your itinerary. Do let us know if you’ve discovered or rediscovered a jaunt to add to our list. If you’d like to find out more about what’s on offer in London or the Cotswolds, don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Buying Solution. We’d be delighted to discuss your needs and share our insight into these areas.

Luxury London: Must-Visit Destinations this Autumn

We make it our business to discover new and revisit acclaimed lifestyle destinations in our regions and London’s ever-evolving offering proves a constant allure. Impeccable hospitality, exquisite dining experiences and restorative luxury; Head of The Buying Solution, Will Watson, shares his latest must-visit lifestyle destinations in the capital.

House 21 at Home House
Home House, Marylebone

Having celebrated its 25th anniversary in September 2023, I was reminded of private members’ club Home House’s salacious history. Built in 1773 for the Countess of Home, nicknamed the ‘Queen of Hell’, Home House was designed by James Wyatt and completed by Robert Adam, who envisaged it as a shrine to hedonism.

The interiors of House 21, the Georgian townhouse adjoined to the main building, were redesigned by Russell Sage in 2020, best known for bringing The Goring to life. Sage’s studio team unearthed accounts of the countess’ most raucous activities during the renovations and filled the space with antiques and artwork designed to leave clues to the room’s epicurean past.

With opulent marble staircases, classic interiors and fine art in the drawing rooms, or the more whimsical modernism of House 21, Home House is not short of reasons to visit.

Having welcomed a new Group Executive Chef, Jeremy Brow, earlier this year, The Restaurant’s brasserie-style seasonal British menu, will not disappoint.

The Pan Pacific London, Bishopsgate

There are few things that The Pan Pacific doesn’t do well. If you’re looking for the ultimate in romantic hospitality, the luxury hotel near Liverpool St offers a spa package complete with 60-minute massage, bottle of champagne, and access to the Sensory wellbeing floor, with your overnight stay.

The Sensory space is a full wellbeing floor with 18.5m infinity pool with enviable views (and child-friendly opening hours), 24-hour gym, and a host of massage and wellbeing treatment options, including treatments suitable for children.

Wanting something more decadent, The Pan Pacific Suite boasts 300-thread count cotton linen, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Gherkin, a late afternoon cocktail turndown service, bespoke cocktail cabinet, and a butler’s pantry.

It’s Bagels, Notting Hill and Primrose Hill

In case you’ve missed it, the humble sandwich has seen a resurgence over recent years with #foodtok trends raving about the biggest, best, and most gourmet.

For example, The Black Pig in Borough Market offers 10-hour slow-roasted Suffolk Pork on fluffy ciabatta. Max’s on Stroud Green Road offers ‘Et to brute? Murdering the Caesar’, home-made focaccia filled with poached chicken, tarragon and pickled grape salsa, chicory and parsley, baby gem, anchovy mayo with croutons. Whilst Dalston’s Dusty Knuckle adorns sourdough with roasted aubergine, peach and kohlrabi amba, tahini, green sauce and chopped salad.

Set to deposition the sourdough, however, is the New York Bagel. Whilst it’s not new to London (Brick Lane Beigel Shop has been around since 1855), the New York Bagel is certainly having a moment.

Its rise in popularity was seemingly initiated by ex-pat American’s seeking a taste of home when travel was restricted due to Covid. Having perfected his recipe during lockdown, New Yorker come Londoner, Dan Martensen, opened ‘It’s Bagels’ in Primrose Hill in September 2023 to queues around the block.

The second store in Notting Hill is now open, and there’s already a rush on Dan’s classic NYC staples, including cream cheese, lox (smoked salmon), and capers, or bacon, egg, and cheese, or even peanut butter and jelly.

Man in chef whites and woman in black top sitting in a restaurant
Photograph by Marcus Cobden
Kitchen Table, Fitzrovia

Boasting two Michelin stars, the Kitchen Table is an intimate chef’s table dining concept offering a Modern British tasting menu, which changes daily based on meticulously sourced and foraged seasonal ingredients. With only 20 diners per evening, you’re guaranteed an intimate experience at the U-shaped dining table that surrounds the ‘kitchen theatre’.

Chef James Knappett has an impressive CV, having worked at Restaurant Gordon Ramsey, The Berkley, The Ledbury, Rick Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant, Thomas Keller’s renowned restaurant Per Se in New York and the world-famous Noma in Copenhagen. He works alongside his wife, awarding-winning sommelier Sandia Chang, to ensure you are in the best possible hands for a uniquely intimate culinary showcase.

ESPA Life at Corinthia, Whitehall Place

A four-floor spa experience in the heart of the city, ESPA Life’s ‘sanctuary of serenity’ is nestled within the Corinthia, offering a convenient escape minus the travel.

The award-winning spa features 17 treatment rooms, a private spa suite, a stunning Thermal Floor with an indoor swimming pool, a vitality pool, an amphitheatre sauna, ice fountain, marble heated loungers and private sleep pods.

For the more active, there’s a fully equipped gym complete with leading equipment and group training classes, or personal trainers.

The Neo-Gothic Airbnb hidden in plain sight, Fulham

A formerly derelict old keeper’s lodge on the outskirts of a cemetery, Fulham Lodge, is a five-bedroom, five-bathroom, strikingly attractive property. It has been lovingly redesigned by Simon Gill Architects and is available for entertaining via AirBnb.

Spread over three floors, this property also boasts a 43-foot spa-like swimming pool and sauna accessed via spiral stone staircase, wine cellar, three reception rooms, private garden, and parking. Start preparing your VIP guest list for your next soirée!

Whether relocating or weekending, these are the places we’d recommend adding to your itinerary. Do let us know if you’ve discovered or rediscovered a jaunt to add to our list.

If you’d like to find out more about what’s on offer in London or the Cotswolds, don’t hesitate to get in touch with The Buying Solution. We’d be delighted to discuss your needs and share our insight into these areas.

The Buying Solution in PrimeResi

Will Watson from The Buying Solution shares insights with PrimeResi on why London remains the top choice for high-net-worth individuals this Autumn.

Read more here.

The Buying Solution in The Telegraph

Mark Lawson from The Buying Solution discusses with Alexandra Goss of The Telegraph the importance of obtaining professional guidance when selling a family member’s property.

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The Buying Solution in the Financial Times

Harry Gladwin of The Buying Solution discusses with Cathy Hawker from the Financial Times the significance of engaging a buying agent in the search for your ideal home.

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The Buying Solution in Country Life

Harry Gladwin of The Buying Solution shares insights with Eleanor Doughty from Country Life about the commutable market town of Moreton-in-Marsh and the surrounding area.

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The Buying Solution in the Financial Times

Will Watson from The Buying Solution discusses the desirability and potential cost of high ceilings when buying a home with Alexandra Goss of the Financial Times.

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