The Initial Enquiry
We received as call from a retired couple who had recently moved back to the UK from Johannesburg. They were renting in London and were keen to find a suitable retirement home for an active couple who wished to regularly visit their daughter in Hampstead. Recognising how much more they would get for their budget by moving out of London, they researched towns within easy commuting distance and started viewing houses. However, they didn’t feel that they were finding the right towns or properties. They didn’t know which were the good roads and the roads to avoid and they knew very little about the various locations. Properties they liked were appearing on Rightmove and then almost instantly being marked as Under Offer giving them no chance to view. They found Chiltern Relocation on the internet and called for our help, our inside track on properties coming to the market and vast local knowledge.
How we helped
We met the couple via Skype to establish their needs, likes and dislikes. They had been very focused on Gerrards Cross given its super-fast commute time into London Marylebone, however there was only a handful of houses available at their price point. We encouraged the couple to widen their search. At Chiltern Relocation we meet our clients either via Skype (or in person) and we ask them to complete a detailed questionnaire and then we hit the road for a Viewing Day. On our Viewing Day with the couple, we visited Gerrards Cross (showing them the best roads for their budget), Beaconsfield and Amersham. They appreciated learning more about Gerrards Cross, they enjoyed discovering Beaconsfield and whilst they liked Amersham, they preferred the Old Town which is not within walking distance of the train station and found the new town to be a little more geared to the younger generation. On the initial Viewing Day, we always aim to get a good understanding of areas, client’s needs and properties available within budget in the various locations. This way we can start to narrow down areas before the house hunting starts in earnest.
On our second Viewing Day with the couple, Chiltern Relocation were advised about a probate sale coming on to the market in central Beaconsfield just steps from Waitrose. We were able to view this house and four other ‘off market’ properties on our second Viewing Day. The couple fell in love with the probate house despite the fact that it needed a lot of internal cosmetic work. An offer was submitted, the sale was agreed and it was handed over to the solicitors.
The problems we faced
After a few weeks into the conveyancing period, we received a call from the estate agent to say that probate had not yet been applied for. Having probate granted can be a lengthy process – usually 6-8 weeks once all the documentation has been submitted. However, given the large number of conveyancing requests due to the Stamp Duty holiday there was quite a backlog and sadly due to higher number of deaths due to Covid the backlog was greater than usual. Appreciating that the delay to the sale could be considerable, we kept our ear to the ground regarding any other potential houses.
A stunning new build house came to our attention before going onto the open market. It was located withing walking distance to the shops between Beaconsfield Old Town and the New Town. The Old Town boasts a weekly market which is very popular and a Farmers Market once a month. The house had recently been completed to a very high standard. Tastefully decorated with brand new appliances, a wonderful open plan living space and good-sized garden. It was located down a little private road with ample parking which was perfect for their visitors. However, the couple were on holiday abroad so were unable to join Sharon for a viewing prior to the property being listed on the open market.
Conclusion
The house was simply stunning. It required no work and there was no chain as it was being sold by a developer. The space was perfect for their needs and the location spot on. The couple then had to make the difficult decision of whether to switch horses – to pull out of the initial purchase and put an offer in on this house before it came to the market. Chiltern Relocation have got the knack of conducting a good video tour and often we carry them out ‘live’ with our clients joining us on Facetime. However, the couple’s remote holiday location did not make this possible. They relied on Chiltern Relocation’s video to make a huge life decision. They submitted an offer on the new house, got it accepted and the couple were elated. They explained to the agents and owners of the original house that regretfully the probate issue had been a big drawback for them and that the lure of a house which was ready to go was too good an opportunity to turn down. The couple keenly awaited seeing the new house in person when they returned from their trip. Before the suitcases were even unpacked the couple had viewed the house and it far exceeded their expectations. They admitted that they had watched the video clip many multiple of times when making their decision to offer on the property and to see it in the flesh was just fantastic. Accompanying the couple to see it for the first time and witnessing their delight has to be one of the best parts of our job. They cannot wait to move in and start their next chapter in Beaconsfield.
Sharon provided an excellent service in helping us locate and acquire a superb property that best suited our needs. Engaging her services saved us time, money and effort and provided the assurance that we were paying a fair price for our delightful property. We could not have done this without Sharon’s help! She is a consummate professional in her field, both in terms of identifying the client’s need and matching those with the right properties. Sharon has a network of solicitors, estate agents and other professionals in the property sphere, that enables her to identify properties, sometimes before they even come to the market. Moreover, her reputation and relationships in the market facilitate the entire negotiation process for the client. Her outstanding insight into what constitutes fair value, market trends and the added advantage of a strategic approach to acquiring property, ultimately serves her client. You definitely get the feeling that Sharon is acting in your best interests at all times. No request or question is considered too much trouble. Her honest communication, at every step of the process, is excellent and refreshing. She has a lovely warm manner and her user friendly approach made her easily accessible. It was an absolute pleasure dealing with Sharon.
