Sussex


<p>If you think that using&nbsp;a property finder service is the preserve of the uber rich, seriously posh, or possibly just those who are lazy, think again.</p>



<p>The use of a property search expert – professionals like Jen and Maranda at Surrey homesearch consultancy <a href="https://propertypotentialsurrey.co.uk/">Property </a><a href="https://propertypotentialsurrey.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Potential</a> who work exclusively for the buyers of property, not sellers – has gone mainstream. And as more and more people are discovering, it could be just the answer you are looking for. Here’s why.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/1-15.jpg" alt="Property search women with binoculars " class="wp-image-66479" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/1-15.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/1-15-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/1-15-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/1-15-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/1-15-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-time">1. Time</h3>



<p>A property search expert will save you time on wasted journeys to houses that are not suitable.</p>



<p>Jen co-founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://surrey.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/property-potential-surrey/">Property Potential</a>, says photographs are good, but they will often give an idealised version of the house. Angles and lighting can be clever, so you can still get that sinking feeling when you turn up to a house that looked so much better in the photos than it does in real life.</p>



<p>Often even if you have done your Google map street view, Jen says, it doesn’t show things that would be an obvious turn off. A property finder will either know what these are if they know the road well, or they’ll view the house and filter it for you so you don’t have to travel to it just to say it’s a ‘no’.</p>



<p>“Our service is a lifesaver for people who live abroad,” says Maranda. “We’ve searched for and bought properties for overseas clients to save them having to fly backwards and forwards incurring huge costs and often to see unsuitable properties.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-negotiations">2. Negotiations</h3>



<p>Even if you do negotiations as part of your job when it’s personal it can be trickier, says Property Potential co-founder Maranda. A property finder will not only have a good relationship with the local estate agents but because because it’s not an emotional process for them, they’ll remain cool-headed and impartial. They’ll be able to offer advice based on experiences, market value (which is very important if you’ve had to re-sell in a hurry), and they add the all important clout to your offer. A buyer who has engaged a search professional is seen to be in a much stronger buying position.</p>



<p>The buying process in the UK means that until you exchange contracts, both the buyer and seller can pull out of the deal. A property search agent will smooth issues that arise on both ends – keeping a chain together by actively working with estate agents.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-connections-connections-connections">3. Connections, connections, connections</h3>



<p>If you wonder how some people seem to have all the luck at finding their perfect property? No, it’s not just juicy good luck! It’s probably because they were using a property search agent who had some insider knowledge.</p>



<p>“Really critical to our service is that we get a heads up on houses from the agents before they hit the open market,” says Jen. “Long before they appear on Rightmove and the other property portals. We are always first through the door and give our clients an opportunity to view and purchase properties before any other buyers.”</p>



<p>Search agents also do private deals. They are often approached by people who want to sell privately which means they have access to houses that are not publicly for sale. And if they have a buyer they can match to the house, they’ll manage both ends of the deal which makes for a very smooth process.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/2-17.jpg" alt="Property search" class="wp-image-66480" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/2-17.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/2-17-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/2-17-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/2-17-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/2-17-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-property-search-agents-do-much-more-than-find-the-house">4. Property search agents do much more than find the house</h3>



<p>While a property search agents will more often than not find your perfect house – the service doesn’t end there. They’ll help engage all the professional services that are needed to make the sale happen including solicitors and surveyors.</p>



<p>Often, of course, a buyer may want to make changes to the house their buying so they’ll have questions about what’s permitted and about the costs.</p>



<p>A property search expert can get these answers to you, sometimes even before the offer is made. They’ll have relationships with planning officials who can tell you how much you can extend, or what changes you’ll be allowed to make. And they also have a little black book of contacts that includes architects, builders, electricians, plumbers, interior designers and landscapers who can tell you approximately how much it’s going to cost.  This means they can get any planned work can be priced up, so you know how much the total spend will be. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-the-extras">5. The extras</h3>



<p>If you work full time, live abroad, are moving back from afar and have no contacts, or simply have young children and need the help, a property finder can sort unpackers. And by this we mean someone who unpacks your boxes – you can even have your bed made and your clothes in the wardrobe if you’d like!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/3-11.jpg" alt="property search new home keys" class="wp-image-66482" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/3-11.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/3-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/3-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/3-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2023/10/3-11-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-local-knowledge">6. Local knowledge</h3>



<p>Property finders will know the local are like the back of their hand. They can advise on which area will suit a young family, and which will be best for those who are downsizing. As well as that, they’ll have a the inside line on the best schools, commute times, childcare, local infrastructure, GPs, dentists and babysitters,</p>



<p>Says Maranda: “We have been operating in the area for nearly 10 years, and what we don’t know about the various villages isn’t worth knowing. We know people who live in most of them, from our children’s classmates to past clients.” This means they’ve got the most up-to-date knowledge to hand, and their intel on each area remains constantly refreshed so they’re able to give you the insider’s guide.</p>



<p>If you’re unsure of where you’d like to move, Property Potential offer an orientation tour so you can dip your toe into each area and find out what it’s like. It’s a five-hour tour of the areas you want to get to know better or that Jen and Maranda think you’ll like based on information you’ve shared. This can help to open your eyes to places you may not have considered, or help you eliminate areas that don’t work in reality.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-insider-knowledge-of-schools">7. Insider knowledge of schools</h3>



<p>If you are moving with young children, schools are often a driving force around where you’re going to move to. A property finder knows pretty much all of the schools in the area, and can probably put you in touch with a current parent at most of them. These school gate connections are invaluable, says Jen.</p>



<p>If you want to take it up another level, they also have great connections with education consultants who can hand-hold the process even more personally. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-a-property-search-expert-will-save-you-money">8. A property search expert will save you money</h3>



<p>Whilst a property search expert does cost you, they’ll often ‘pay for themselves’ by negotiating a good discount on your new home to cover our fee. Win-win!</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-9-reduces-stress">9. Reduces stress</h3>



<p>It’s no secret that the stress involved in buying house and moving is up there with divorce, bankruptcy or coping with a serious illness. But if you engage a property finder, it takes a big layer of stress of out the process. They’re there to hold your hand, listen to you and give valuable advice.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://propertypotentialsurrey.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Property Potential</a> have worked across the most desirable areas in Surrey and bordering North Hampshire and West Sussex for more than 10 years. They know the locations personally and have built up excellent working relationships with local estate agents.  </em></strong></p>



<p><em>Check out Muddy&#8217;s <a href="https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/sussex/best-places-to-live/sussex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Best Places to Live 2023</a> and our <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/school-reviews/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School Reviews</a>. </em></p>


Why you need a property search expert

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