Search from abroad

Our clients, based in Switzerland, had no preference for areas, other than being within a certain distance of London. We undertook extensive area familiarisation, across a wide search area, eventually settling on a stunning house in the heart of the beautiful village of Adderbury, nr Banbury. 

The seller had recently been granted an increase in their mortgage and as part of that process the Lenders surveyor had placed a value on the property of £1,140,000. Therefore the home owner and Agent, expected to achieve a selling price close to that figure. With over 80 offices in the UK and 500 associated offices throughout the World, the agents are well respected. However, using over 30years expertise we negotiated a purchase price of £902,000, a direct saving of £238,000 for our client.

Commercial Premises Search
The brief was an office, however, within the permitted use they needed approximately 30% of clean warehouse facility; a certain look, for when clients visited and good transport links to Central London were essential. 

Because of the indications given by our connections within the commercial property sector, we were able to offer premium prospects, the client had previously considered beyond their budget. As with many businesses, there were a number of key decision makers, the videos allowed them to review and discuss each prospect simultaneously at their various locations. 

We completed on a modern, bright, open plan unit, in an exclusive, secure development with ‘Blue Chip’ neighbours, close to Gatwick Airport and the Express train to London Victoria. On a five year lease we negotiated a 2 year rent free period, reducing the effective price per square foot by 40%. Further, we secured five additional parking spaces and capped the maintenance payments. 

What the client said:

We retained Property Finder to locate, identify and negotiate on our corporate head office. We were delighted with the level of service we received at all times but we were particularly pleased with the result. Our property was found quickly and in our preferred location. Most importantly for us it was under budget thanks to some strong negotiating by the Property Finder. Thanks to the team for all their hard work

Relentless Search
For a CEO of a large communications company and a busy mum with two small children, it was a practical and cost effective decision for this family to retain us for their search. The essential criteria was a family house in liveable condition, with potential to extended, with some land, close to the Corporate head office, and good transport links both to London and further afield. 

From an extensive search we sourced numerous prospects which the clients explored from the filming we undertook for each. This allowed the clients to see all the prospects, review them individually and discuss the merits of each, when the chance arose on whatever technology they had to hand at that moment.

We located a property with great potential in the house and started negotiations. However, as with all our searches, we continued to look right up to exchange, for something better. Whilst negotiations were ongoing we found a property for £205,000 less, further we were able to show staggering potential on every element, not just the house, but extensive barns and outbuildings and even the land. They moved in within a few weeks. 

What the client said:

Gary and his team took away all the hassle, the negotiation was brilliant but best of all, they kept going, finding a better property despite us being in negotiations on another property.

Investments of all sizes
We were approached by a client wanting to start a small property business. After extensive discussions we formulated a strategy for getting him where he wants to be in 5years. The first step was a simple refurbishment project, which would increase his capital for the next, larger step. Through our contacts we located and secured for a property at £173,000. Refurbishment cost, on a 4 week turnaround was approximately £10,000. When the finished property went back onto the market, an offer of £229,950 was accepted within 2 days. 

What the client said:

I work in the city with a small buy to let portfolio and had a strategy in mind already when I approach Gary at The Property Finder. We discussed in detail what I wanted, then explored various scenarios and impacts which was great for me as it showed me some paths that I had not considered and perhaps overlooked. 

Gary brought to the table not only his contacts but great negotiation skills and years of knowledge and experience in property all of which was extremely useful in helping me pick the right strategy (property type, area, exit routes, exit time etc) for where I eventually want to get to, financial freedom. 

Needless to say we are now well on our way and have two deals which Gary found and negotiated (hard) for us. One of which we sold at the asking price (after refurbishment) two days after it going on the market and the other one is predicted by the Estate Agent to do just as well. Sounds cheesy but it is a pleasure to work with Gary and I excited to do the next deal with him.

In the Zone
Having unsuccessfully looked for a property himself, for a number of months, if not longer, he came to us. He wanted a two double bed flat, hoping against expectation that we could find him something matching his specific criteria within Zone 2 and his budget. 

With such a fast moving market, intensified by the search being within one of the ‘hottest’ parts of the capital, speed was essential. Further, competition meant many properties were going under offer within hours of coming on the market, we had to get ahead of everyone else. 

We used established methods to generate our matching prospects and used our extensive contacts to ensure we were first through the door. We found him a great apartment, within budget, in Zone 1 - before it was offered to the open market. 

What the client said:

Gary & his team at The Property Finder were invaluable in helping my purchase my first property. My job requires me to travel constantly, making it extremely difficult to make viewings. In such a fast moving central London property market, working with The Property Finder team allowed me to view and decide on properties first, often before the rest of the market had information on the property. Additionally Gary's insight and experience gave me the confidence to allow him to handle negotiations and close the purchase. I will certainly work with them again in the future. Thanks!

So much more than just a property search
We were retained by a young couple, with a baby, who just could not find the time to see anywhere near the number of properties needed to make such an important decision . We viewed their top 39 properties over a three week period. The property on which they offered was number 34 on their preferred list. 

However, despite being on their list they may not have chosen to view this property as it had limited kerb appeal. 

From our video they were able to recognise the incredible potential, which was not conveyed by the Estate Agents marketing. The brick built outbuilding to the side effectively doubled the potential size of their home and there was an additional acre to the rear which was not clearly marked out by the Agents. We also highlighted another potential entrance which, once cleared would provide a more impressive first impression of the property. 

What the client said:

Gary at the Property finder changed our lives! We were living in central London with a young family rapidly outgrowing our flat. As we started to search for a new home outside London it became a rapidly growing nightmare; arranging viewings, travelling to viewing every weekend, we we’re constantly missing out on deals and growing more and more frustrated with our search. 

We were then introduced to Gary, at the Property Finder, and everything changed after our first meeting. He quickly established our requirements and in the following 2 weeks he had seen and videoed 40 properties (something that would have taken us over a year!). He organised one day of stress free viewings and we fell in love with our new home, then he swiftly negotiated a great deal! 

Without Gary I don’t think we would ever have found our dream home and would probably still be searching. Thank you for all your help, love the Toor Family!” 

First Time buyers become property experts, overnight
Two first time buyers approached us needing help with the whole buying process. By retaining us, they effectively gained 30 years of experience. 

With their criteria and budget, they had only been able to find two bedroom flats. With our contacts we were able to find a nice mid terraced house, needing a bit of decorating, before it had gone onto the open market. Essentially for first time buyers, we were able to reduce their budgeted monthly outgoings as, being a house, there were no ground rent or maintenance payments. We also managed to cover our fee, and more, by negotiating a reduction on the asking price. 

What the client said:

As a result of using The Property Finder it feels like we took two steps on the property ladder, we now have a house, rather than a flat. Gary was always available to answer our questions, all we had to do was decide which property. Because he negotiated a price below what we would have started at, the service was effectively free.

The Grand Plan
This client had undertaken previous refurbishments but had not achieved margins sufficient to match the efforts they invested. In consultation it became apparent these clients wanted to become financially independent within five years, we felt we could match their ambitions. 

We considering numerous properties, described by the agents as ‘refurbishment projects’, however the sales prices meant margins were too small. We had to ‘think outside the box’. 

Through one of our great connections we found a large one bedroom flat, in a Victorian mid terraced house. It had sufficient space for a second bedroom, but there was no way to get natural light into the middle room. 

With 30years experience we were able to see an alternative to unlock the potential. We provided the client with a sketch of a floorplan for a three bedroom apartment, each having natural light and a beautiful lounge with folding doors opening onto the garden. Structural work and costs would normally preclude such a project however, our plan stayed within existing planning boundaries and required minimal restructuring and subsequently achieved significantly more than the target margin. 

What the client said:

After doing a few buy-to-let deals for five years with various sources we met Gary at a networking event and it changed our lives. Finally we met someone who understood what a good deal means and instead of trying to talk us into doing a "deal" for the sake of it he discussed our requirements and made the effort to understand what we wanted out of a deal. Then we went hunting and didn't stop till he found us two great deals: a big structural refurb. and a quick cosmetic refurb. project. Needless to say that we are absolutely delighted with the profit margins on these projects and absolutely cannot wait for Gary to go out on a hunt for our next one. Our partnership with Gary will certainly be a lifelong one