Buying a property can often be stressful and time consuming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area you are looking to buy in, are time poor, buying from overseas, or are unsure or nervous about the purchase process and would benefit from expert guidance and support.
By working with a buying agent you can help remove this stress and uncertainty, giving you confidence in your search. At Bradbourne, we understand buying a new home is likely to be one of the most significant investments you ever make which is why we’re here to help you every step of the way.
In this blog, we explain the benefits of working with a buying agent and how it could help you secure your perfect property.
What is a buying agent?
In simple terms, a buying agent, also known as a property finder, is the opposite of an estate agent. Unlike estate agents who represent homeowners when selling a property, a buying agent solely represents the interests of a buyer.
It’s a buying agent’s job to understand the wants and needs of a client and provide tailored advice and support at every stage from initial viewings through to negotiation and completion. Critically, retaining the services of a buying agent shows intent and commitment, which will resonate with sellers and agents alike.
Working closely with a buying agent comes with significant advantages and can offer unrivalled access to properties that never reach the open market.
What does a buying agent do?
Buying agents offer a complete end-to-end service covering every step of the buying process.
The best buying agents come with extensive market experience and a comprehensive network of contacts that combine to give you a competitive edge.
They will take time to fully discuss your needs, budget, finances, and unique preferences such as location, school catchment area, public transport links and proximity to amenities, building a brief tailored around your individual requirements.
Through strong relationships, often nurtured over decades, buying agents can gain priority access to properties for their clients, as well as receiving advance notice when properties are likely to enter the market, thereby providing clients with unique purchasing opportunities.
When previewing properties on your behalf a buying agent will assess a property’s condition, asking price, and potential issues, highlighting the negatives as well as the positives before suggesting you view the property yourself. This can save significant time and money, and if a buying agent doesn’t think a property is right for you, they will say.
Once you’ve identified a suitable property, they will undertake significant due diligence and use their market expertise and negotiation skills to advocate on your behalf to secure the best possible terms and price. Acting as a communication anchor, a buying agent will work as the main point of contact, liaising with all parties to ensure every aspect of a transaction is handled efficiently.
Indeed, most buying agents have established relationships with all of the professionals and specialists you may require. From solicitors, surveyors and architects, to drainage experts and Japanese Knotweed specialists. These relationships can be extremely important to facilitate a smooth transaction and be the difference between a positive and negative outcome.
Why choose Bradbourne?
As an independent, family run business, we develop close relationships with our clients, enabling us to deliver the key components of purchasing property in the prime markets – knowledge, trust, diligence and discretion.
With decades of experience in the property sector, the Bradbourne team has a deep understanding of the markets across all of the areas we cover, ideally positioning us to advise you on finding your dream home.
We are skilled negotiators, working tirelessly to secure the best possible price and terms for your chosen property, on average, saving clients in excess of three times our fee.
Clients benefit from our strong network of partnerships with other industry professionals, enabling us to consistently deliver more than 70% of the properties we source each year, off-market.
Kick off your property search today by clicking here to get in touch with our dedicated team of advisors.