Most people pay 3.7% less than the asking price – in 2012 my clients typically paid 20% less!
According to Rightmove.co.uk sellers have been accepting on average 3.7% less than their asking price but with average asking prices rising whilst sale prices fall it is not surprising that some people have achieved much larger discounts. Of course many people start off asking too much for their home and a third of sellers have reduced the price at least once according to rival website Zoopla.co.uk. My clients like to pay as little as possible.
I buy houses for people, for the rich or famous, often for celebrities but I work for mere mortals too! There are different demands from clients so I offer two levels of service – a full, bespoke search for which I charge a retainer and then 2.5% of the purchase price or just recently launched, a more modest ‘pocket agent‘ service – for those unused to buying and selling every day.
I work for people who don’t want who they are to become part of the deal. Many are typical home buyers concerned about how they make the most of their budget but some are busy CEO’s, actors, entertainers, models and sportsmen. They are often self-made, always cautious and invariably discerning. They know what they want but don’t always have the time, the expertise or the connections to get it. All of my work comes by word-of-mouth.
From the very first act of registering with an agent most people will explain why they are moving, how much they have to spend, when they want to move by and who might be able to help if they need a little extra for the right thing. They explain all this to the sellers’ representative – the Estate Agent! Many houses are openly marketed, advertised on the internet or have a ‘for sale’ sign outside but there are some which are only available if the right buyer comes along. You can’t find these on Google or in the local paper.
Once you’ve found the right house most people then negotiate with the selling agent who showed them around, someone who ‘deals’ for a living, someone who already knows about the limits of your budget and your motivations having shown you half a dozen properties and listened as you tell them why you are moving. Just knowing not to make the first bid for example could save you £5,000!
Buying agents seek out properties in London and the country that may not even be on the open market. We review those that are, provide objective advice on each and discretion for people who would rather not have their private business paraded in public. Estate agents are not brokers trying to mediate between two parties – the selling agent wants to sell for the highest price and the buying agent is there to do the best deal for the buyer.
If you think you can find the right house, negotiate the best terms and deal with the inevitable stress that makes moving home one of the top three most traumatic events in your life then you probably don’t need my help. If however you would rather not explain your personal circumstances to complete strangers, if you would like help from people who have been involved in buying and selling houses for over 25 years – acknowledged experts who can guide you through the process and help you make the right move, then please contact me.
0207 193 1599 – hclp@me.com – 07974 230616
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Buying agents are still estate agents in the eyes of the law and as such each one must sign up to a redress scheme. There are two and this is the one that I have joined.
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Introductory commissions.
I pay 33% of my net fee for business introduced by individuals and selling agents. I believe this is the biggest in the business and is deliberately so. For more information or to register an introduction please email hclp@me.com
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Not exactly Phil & Kirsty.
Finally, if you enjoy a laugh and want to see just how good Phil & Kirsty are in Location, Location, Location here’s a clip of me helping a couple look for a home in Sheffield for a BBC MoneyWatch program back in 2010.
