Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between Surrey HomeSearchers and an estate agent?

A: An estate agent works solely for the vendor or landlord. We work independently for YOU – the prospective purchaser or tenant.

Q: Why don’t more people use a Property Finder?

A: Hiring a property finder, or home searcher, is not yet part of the house buying culture in the UK. Buyers often simply just don’t know that we exist and it is perceived to be an additional cost rather than saving you money. The negotiation that we do on your behalf can sometimes lead to significant savings to yourself – possibly well in excess of our fee.

Q: How many clients do you take on at any one time?

A: Our policy is to ensure that we do not have a conflict of interest between any clients. We will not act for another client where the search parameters of cost and location overlap.

Q: What’s the process?

A:

1: After a non-obligation meeting to discuss your brief, an initial registration fee is payable. We ask for a registration fee up front to cover expenses incurred during the property search. The registration fee is deducted from the final fee and upon exchange of contracts. Ideally, we like to meet with you in your current home to get an idea of your style and tastes.

1. We then carry out a comprehensive search of the market to identify all suitable properties currently available matching your brief. We constantly speak to all the local estate agents, source newspapers and speak to private sellers. Often, vendors favour ‘discreet marketing’ – e.g. minimal advertising such as not wishing to have a ‘For Sale’ board on their property. Our strong relationships with the local agents mean that we find out about properties such as this long before most of the buying public do.
2. After viewing the properties ourselves, we will then give you a short-list of potential properties with our comments and recommendations. We will then arrange accompanied viewings for you at your convenience.
3. We then negotiate a price with vendors/landlords or their agents on your behalf. When the offer is accepted we will continue to oversee the process to exchange of contracts and finally to completion.

Q: What happens if after paying my registration fee, I decide not to move?

A: The registration fee, deducted from the final fee, is not refundable. You should therefore be certain that you want to buy/rent a property and ideally be in a strong position to proceed.

Q: What are your terms and conditions?

A: These are available upon application.