Finding ‘paradise’ in the Southern Counties – our ‘Winning Edge’ in action

As our Southern Counties expert, the team and I had a busy 2023, especially the summer in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset – including four successful acquisitions, all now completed, totalling over £18.5m. All of these properties were off-market, with an average saving of 4.5% on the asking price.

I am often asked how The Buying Solution offers our clients ‘the winning edge’ with their property search. So, I’d like to share an example of how we offer clients a competitive advantage on my patch.

Being a buying agent is all about being proactive, tenacious and on the front foot. We can’t sit still and wait for the opportunities to come to us. It’s so true that ingenuity and tenacity open doors, and without these attributes, it makes finding a dream home for our clients extremely hard.

I recently had a client looking for a very specific property on the South Coast between Poole and Chichester, where prime waterfront properties are notoriously scarce. Each year, only a few come to the market.

These clients had already been looking for two years and were introduced by friends whom I had successfully bought a waterfront property for the year before. Their brief was for a 4,500 sq ft + house with an extensive sea view and swimming pool.

Having dismissed all properties that were being offered by selling agents both on and off-market, we set about a more targeted strategy. All other properties that met the criteria and had appropriate sea views were identified from our database and Google Earth. I then investigated and researched each house individually to ensure their suitability and targeted the owners directly to see if they were potential sellers.

Of the properties approached, we got a handful of positive responses, from which two became opportunities. Thankfully, their preferred option was buyable at a realistic price following sensible negotiations.

Our clients’ feedback demonstrated how impressed they were with our creativity, discretion, and market intelligence.  This was echoed by the text message I got from our client at Christmas, saying: ‘It’s paradise, we thank you every time we come here.”

If you need help with your search, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me here, and I’ll be delighted to discuss your requirements.

The Buying Solution in The Sunday Telegraph

Will Watson of The Buying Solution speaks to Alexandra Goss of The Sunday Telegraph on the rise of “gazundering”.

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The Buying Solution in The Telegraph

Jemma Scott of The Buying Solution speaks to Ruth Bloomfield of The Telegraph about the pros and cons when refurbishing or extending your home.

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The Buying Solution in The Times

Harry Gladwin of The Buying Solution speaks to Cathy Hawker of The Times on why entrepreneurs are moving to the Cotswolds.

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The Buying Solution in The Times

James Burridge of The Buying Solution speaks to David Byers of The Times on why London is luring property buyers back to the capital.

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The Buying Solution in The Times

Harry Gladwin of The Buying Solution speaks to Melissa York of The Times on the consideration of new build properties v’s older properties.

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Buying for children – still a smart London property play?

According to Legal & General, the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ will contribute to 47% of house purchases this year. But does this really reflect what is happening in the prime London buying market?

As a London buying agent, many of my clients are parents investing in property for their children. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting dozens of families over the years, and parental-led purchases have always formed a large part of the prime London market. In my role, circa 20% of active requirements come from clients buying for their children.

From my experience, buying real estate for children remains a wise decision. It sits at the intersection of securing a comfortable future for the next generation, economic foresight, emotional attachment, and a desire to provide safety and stability.

Typically, the parents drive the decision to start a property search, often as part of their tax planning. I have had clients whose children are very young and properties were being ‘bought for them’, but when you get to know the client, other reasons for the purchase emerge. Examples include wanting a rental investment in the immediate term that is tax efficient, protecting assets from Capital Gains or Inheritance Tax if it is structured correctly, or simply using the rent to pay the school fees. The children are rarely involved in the early stages of the search.

In some instances, I have parents looking to buy as many as three or four London properties for their children of equal size and budget so that there is no favouritism shown. Siblings tend not to share individual properties as this can cause complications if one party decides to move at a later stage.

On my patch, I tend to see families searching for properties within the £2 – £5 million price range. However, parents buying multiple properties need to factor in paying multiple sets of legal fees and stamp duties. Most of the properties we have sourced for children this year have been houses with a freehold, as this reduced the parents’ exposure to service charges and other costs.

These variables form part of the initial consultation with clients at the start of the process to understand their needs and advise on which London areas would best suit them and their budget.

I recently advised an Australian family on the merits of London postcodes and property options for their daughter, most of which were off-market. The reality is that a two bedroom flat in Notting Hill is great, but moving further to a location like Battersea, Putney or Clapham will secure a house for the same budget. Many of these areas are excellent locations but have been hampered by the lack of quality housing, transport links and amenities in the past. Consequently, they are more affordable than some of their more affluent neighbours.

I have seen a spike in demand for parents seeking properties in Fulham, South West London, where there are more options for Victorian houses and prices can range from £1.5 – £2.5 million for a good-sized house on the best streets. These properties are also easily resellable should circumstances change.

Nostalgia also plays a significant role in choosing a location. Many parents have a deep-seated attachment to an area whether due to personal experiences, cultural ties, or professional opportunities. This emotional connection often drives the decision to invest in property to preserve familial roots and ensure that future generations have a tangible link to the family’s history and heritage.

In conclusion, London, as a global financial and cultural hub, has long been an attractive destination for property investment. Parents keen on ensuring the financial well-being of their offspring recognise the potential long-term gains and liquidity that London’s real estate market can offer. The city’s property values have historically shown a consistent upward trajectory, making real estate an appealing asset for wealth accumulation. By purchasing property for their children, parents essentially provide them with a valuable asset that is likely to appreciate over time, potentially serving as a foundation for future financial security.

For more information, please get in touch with me here.

The Buying Solution in The Telegraph

Jonathan Bramwell of The Buying Solution speaks to Anna White of The Telegraph on Britain’s 50 best streets and the sought-after addresses to know about.

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The Buying Solution in The Telegraph

Jemma Scott of The Buying Solution speaks to Arabella Youens on tech hubs driving the property markets in the Oxford / Boars Hill area.

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The Buying Solution in Bloomberg

Will Watson of The Buying Solution speaks to Sarah Rappaport of Bloomberg on historic office properties being turned into luxury apartments.

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