The Initial Enquiry
We received a call in July 2022 from a couple living in Portugal who wished to relocate back to England after a period abroad. They decided that they did not want to relocate back to the area where they had lived previously and they needed location advice and guidance on where to settle. After completing our questionnaire, we met the couple over videocall and established the motivation for the move back. They wanted to live close to green open spaces for walks with their dog but within reasonable commuting distance to London for work. The challenge for the purchase was time constrained because the couple needed to be back in the UK by October 2022.
How we helped
Chiltern Relocation pre-viewed and shortlisted potential options over the next few weeks. Chiltern Relocation usually sets up an initial Viewing Day whereby our clients can tour different areas, see different house types and really get a feel for each location and whether it feels right for them. Following the Viewing Day, we then refine the search to really pinpoint our client’s needs. However, on this occasion, the Viewing Day needed to encompass viable purchase options as the couple were only visiting from Portugal for a short window and had a tight timescale within which to move. Having not previously met the couple, we worked hard with their preferences as listed on the questionnaire and our video meeting. We chose areas close to good commuting options and houses where there was no onward purchase in order to fit into the tight timescales.
Problems we faced
Our carefully curated property list, included viewings in a range of locations such as Chalfont St Peter, Wooburn Green, Amersham, Bourne End and Beaconsfield. The locations included smaller villages to larger towns and we pointed out each location’s social amenities, neighbourhood and commutability so that the couple could get the all-important ‘feel’ of each area. This helped to narrow down their preferences in terms of location and house type. Of the viewed locations they quickly narrowed down their preference to the larger towns and also realised that they preferred a certain type of internal decoration and layout. The couple also reviewed their budget after seeing a number of properties. Armed with new information, Chiltern Relocation called one of our trusted Estate Agents during a brief midday break, who had recently taken on a property that could align with our client’s needs. We hastily arranged a viewing.
Conclusion
This final viewing was at 5pm and at the end of our long day but it turned out to be the house for them! The property’s location was stunning – in a rural hideaway just a short drive from Beaconsfield, it had no onward chain, the kitchen and bathrooms had recently been updated and the internal layout and decoration was to their liking. We headed to the Royal Standard of England – the oldest freehouse pub in England at over 900 years old – to discuss an offer strategy and to submit our bid. The joy of working with many estate agents over the years is that they know and trust Chiltern Relocation and they know our clients are pre-qualified by us as serious buyers. We were thrilled that our clients returned to Portugal with a property purchase agreed upon and with recommendations for a solicitor and a surveyor, both of whom were subsequently appointed to support the purchase.
Chiltern Relocation did an amazing job for us not only with the big things but also helping sort the small details that are so important when settling in a new area. We had a hard date for our move and Chiltern Relocation gave us ease of mind resolving quickly and efficiently all problems. With their knowledge and network of contacts they went above and beyond all expectations and even found a removal company for the sellers of our property so that they could meet our required moving date. Sharon and team are efficient and friendly and I have no hesitation in recommending Chiltern
