Has anyone got a recommendation for a buying agent/property finder for Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire?

[Misby007]

We are hoping to buy a house in the next year or so, but we live abroad and are thinking it could be helpful to have a buying agent to get access to off market properties and do some viewing on our behalf. The main estate agents like Savills and Knight Frank have subsidiaries who operate as buying agents and then there are the 'independent' ones like Garrington. Does anyone have any recommendations or personal experience of using these, as I have never done this before! Any help much appreciated

There is no such thing as 'off market property'. A property is either for sale or it isn't.

The normal estate agents do all have potential sellers who are 'thinking about selling but will only will show the house if the agent finds the right buyer'.

Frankly these kind of sellers will mess you about and will only really sell if the agent a) brings a stupid buyer who will massively overpay and b) they can use that massively over the market bid to then go and find their dream home to buy once they have an offer secured.

You may as well look on Rightmove or Primelocation.

Try Property Vision, they cover London and Home Counties

www.chilternrelocation.com/ I have heard good things about this company - they cover the Bucks & Oxf

...and yes they do also have access to properties that are not on the open market. These types of sales happen a lot around here (I have been approached myself several times) - houses are scarce as people stay for a long time in the area due to the grammar schools - then they are happy for a chain free sale with a motivated buyer.

Would get your skates on now as this area is experiencing the ripple from central London - buying now might save you £100-200K - depending on your budget (assuming £1m+)

Thank you all for your replies, that's great. I grew up near Princes Risborough so know that area well. We would ideally be in between there and Oxfordshire, so Great Milton, The Haseleys etc. plus north Buckinghamshire, e.g. Brill. I agree Kitttty, I think in this area a lot of sales do happen genuinely off market, and also that now would be a good time to buy. Can I ask if you used Chiltern relocation yourself, or is it reputation? Thank you as well to blue sky will definitely look at Property Vision too.

Does anyone else have any first hand experience in this area? Thank you!

Hi Misby - I have not used them - but I when I have been discussing the sale of my own property over the past few years with various estate agents - they have all mentioned them at some stage - which I took to mean they were credible and valued.

I agree that many houses don’t reach RM - many don't even go through an estate agent. I have known loads of houses in my village that families and friends connect to a buyer. Not sure if that happens in the towns. Most people stay for the duration of kids education, then the boomerang stage when they return from uni to start careers in London - which means they finally downsize after 20-30 years. So not a lot of churn in houses. Sellers very happy to sell chain free and estate agent fee free. Not sure how you would tap into that network without being on the ground. I know EA who have these downsizers in their books (we get called regularly) and sometimes the stars align. I would expect that with Brexit looming anyone wanting to shift in the next 5 years would be motivated to do so sooner rather than later.

What are your criteria? Do you have school catchment or commutes to consider.

I agree with the London ripple - houses selling quickly for near asking if they are anywhere half decent location - as if you are long for a 10-20 year home you can work on it over time once you are in.

My advice is always to rent first - will save you money in the longer term as you will be on the ground and get to hear of the best properties and be ready to move quickly.

henrypryor.com/buying-advice/

My advice is to get in there and rent first so you hear about what's becoming available and have more of an opportunity to narrow down your search area (or broaden it as the case may be). In some areas it can also be an advantage as locals view you as dedicated to the area (which can open up a lot of doors), rather than someone just breezing in from London with a wad of cash.

Knight franks service, I think they are called the buying solution, isn’t subcontracted out it’s just a separate department. I think as big agents go they are by far and away the best.

I know of two houses in North Oxon and one in West Sussex in the last few months which have sold before going to market.

Agents who viewed have lists of people on their books just waiting for the right place.

If you register with agents in the local areas they will be happy to sell to you.

PurpleField are recommended.
Alternatively you could use a property website. They have information on properties for sale in the area. What about the local newspapers sold in the shops?
Often times they also list details of local properties that are currently being advertised on the market. It’s worth looking. My high street estate agent has lists of relevant properties in the area that may fit your needs and lifestyle.
Plus they can help you figure out what you want.