Wondering what a property buying agent is? So are lots of people! As our services grow ever more popular and in demand, we’re starting to hear this term being used more frequently. A property buying agent is simply someone who helps you buy a property. They do so by taking a detailed brief, viewing multiple properties on your behalf, creating a final shortlist and providing you with extensive feedback. Once you’ve decided on your favourite property, they will assist in the tricky matter of negotiation, looking to secure you the best deal they can.
The easiest way to understand our service is to think about Kirstie and Phil on Channel 4’s ‘Location, Location, Location’. They perform a very similar role to Buying Agent Partnership property buying agents, guiding individuals, couples or families through the complex process of buying a house. If need be, however, we can certainly show you more than 3 properties. We can even meet in the pub if you want!
How does a property buying agent work?
When it comes to buying a house, it is all too easy to waste time on properties that were never going to be right for you. Marketing material will obviously seek to ensure that a property is presented in the best light possible. When you actually arrive at a property, having potentially travelled hundreds of miles, you don’t want to be faced with something that you weren’t expecting. Rather than waste your money and efforts on such fruitless trips, invest in a property buying agent’s time. They will view properties on your behalf, weeding out the promising from the unsuitable. Following each visit, they will write up their considered thoughts in a detailed report, complete with photos that show the whole picture.
Once you’ve had chance to review this more thorough bank of information, you can select which property or properties you would like to see in person. A property buying agent can accompany you on these visits to offer their professional advice and offer an assessment of the property’s potential. Choosing to use a property buying agent at this initial stage of the house hunting process can actually save you money in the long run, particularly if you currently live overseas. You won’t need to spend as much on flights, car rental or overnight accommodation.
As well as acting on your behalf, a property buying agent can also offer valuable insight into the local area. At Buying Agent Partnership, our property buying agents live in the regions in which they work. This is absolutely vital for ensuring that they can build up a wealth of local knowledge on everything from school catchment areas to the quality of local public transport. They are perfectly placed to answer your questions on what it is actually like to live in a specific area.
In addition, living in the local area means that our property buying agents are perfectly placed to hear about so-called ‘off-market’ properties. These are properties that the general public never hear about, either because the owner wishes to keep the sale private or because the property is highly sought after. Equestrian properties, for example, often change hands within the community.
Who does the property buying agent work for?
Property buying agents act on behalf of a buyer in the same way that an estate agent acts for a seller. They’re there to offer their professional advice in what can often be an emotional situation, ensuring that lines of communication remain open and nothing gets confused if there are unanticipated delays. Estate agents tend to like working with property buying agents because they know we only accept clients who are serious about finding and purchasing a property. As a result of this they often offer property to us before it is released on the open market giving our clients a real advantage
Once you’re at the point of wanting to make an offer on a property, you can rely on your property buying agent to provide advice that is based on years of experience. They know exactly how to get the most out of a negotiation. In fact, at Buying Agent Partnership our fee structure is set up in a way that encourages property buying agents to secure you the best price possible.
At Buying Agent Partnership, we offer a complete end-to-end property finding service as well as the option to just select elements. For example, you may only require an area familiarisation visit or assistance in settling into your new home.
If you have any further questions about what a property buying agent is and how we can help, get in touch with us or call 0330 223 6339.
