Searchwells - Relocation Services - Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk - Home search services

How are you different from Estate Agents? Aren't they there to help me as the buyer?
Are you in competition with Estate Agents who have in-house home search departments?
Do Estate Agents like working with you?
So what do I get for the fee I pay?
Why should I pay a retainer?
I can see how you can save me time, but how can you save me money?
What type of properties do you look for?
Who are your clients?
Do you advise anyone of who your clients actually are?
Do you offer any after sales services?

Question: How are you different from Estate Agents? Aren't they there to help me as the buyer?

The Estate Agent is contracted to achieve the highest possible price for the seller (vendor) of a property. They will therefore work in the best interests of their clients. As your 'Home Buying Agents' our core aim is to search and find the best property at the best price for you and efficiently manage the home buying process through to a successful completion. More information...

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Question: Are you in competition with Estate Agents who have in-house home search departments?

This is an understandable assumption to make however, as we are a completely independent home search company, we are able to communicate with all local agents thereby enabling us to ensure that we have completely covered all available properties that fit your ‘search’ brief. More Information...

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Question: Do Estate Agents like working with you?

Absolutely! They know that our clients are committed to moving to the area and that we will work hard to find the property that our client(s) will really want! Therefore, if a property is viewed by us and we add it to a short list, there is a strong likelihood it will sell and that the sale will proceed smoothly and in a good time frame. Estate Agents will then definitely advise us prior to properties hitting the open market.

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Question: So what do I get for the fee I pay?

Good, old fashioned service with a friendly smile!

We’ll get to know you and your requirements and search well and consistently until we find your next property. We’ll communicate with you as you wish and arrange all viewings to fit in with you – sifting all of those properties that are poorly located or not in the condition or the size you need.

Then, when the ideal property is found we’ll advise on the value, the implications of the purchase and recommend the best local lawyers, surveyors, planners and builders as required – to ensure the sale proceeds quickly and without worry. Our relocation services can manage the sale through for you as our priority rather than you have to fit it all in with your normal daily life. We’ll even advise about local schools and the best amenities available locally and give you the details as you need them.

And, best of all, we work with a strictly limited number of clients at any one time, so we have the resource and time to really make your priorities matter and get sorted. Finally, even though we charge a fee for our services, you'll often find that this will more than 'self-fund' against the house purchase price and that you'll also see properties that you otherwise may have missed. More information on fees...

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Question: Why should I pay a retainer?
A retainer is paid once we are all clear as to what our homesearch instructions are and when all parties are happy with the resulting brief. Our homesearch service is such that we will not take on conflicting briefs (although this rarely happens as everyone’s needs can be so different!) and that we will commit time and resource to using all of our contacts to find your ideal property efficiently and as quickly as possible. It confirms your commitment to us and us to you. It also covers our initial search costs.

As we work hard for you from the moment the search instruction is confirmed, the retainer is non-refundable should you decide not to proceed with a purchase. However, the best bit is that we refund it against our success fee on completion! More information...

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Question: I can see how you can save me time, but how can you save me money?

In today’s marketplace it is often difficult to get a property at a bargain price as demand so often outstrips supply. However, with careful negotiation and if all elements of the sale are considered, we may be able to achieve a price below the set asking price for a property. This is not guaranteed and you should be wary of ‘finders’ who state that they can get properties for less than the market value.

Additionally, as your home buying agent, with us aggressively looking for your ideal property we may be able to save you the cost, time and hassle of renting, putting your belongings in to storage as well as the cost of taking time off and the general countless trips to the your chosen area to view unsuitable properties.

Finally, we will often be able to advise you on the best quality and value local artisans, craftsmen and professional advisors – contacts that can sometimes take you a great deal of time to accumulate yourselves.

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Question: What type of properties do you look for?

Old, new, immaculate or not, in towns, cities, the countryside, by the sea but generally over £750,000* in value. We look for houses, cottages, farms, vicarages, barns, flats, town houses with or without gardens, river frontages, equestrian facilities, outbuildings, pools. We also look for holiday or second homes and have experience in helping those looking to downsize for whatever reason.

*Dependent on brief and location we do sometimes search for properties valued at £400,000+

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Question: Who are your clients?

Our clients are generally people who lead increasingly busy lives! They may not live in our region, so require our relocation services to give ‘inside advice’ from those who do know about where to live and what to expect etc. They may live in 'Essex' but want to have a weekend retreat in 'Suffolk' or 'Norfolk' or work in the City and want to commute from the South East (and many do!). Or they may even live overseas and wish to return to 'East Anglia' but cannot keep up to date with all the properties on the market and then see them before they go under offer.

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Question: Do you advise anyone of who your clients actually are?

Client privacy is paramount. We do not divulge your name or details when we are home searching for you as this could perhaps negatively influence a transaction (especially if you are known to the public). And, we certainly do not pass on our client details to list brokers or other interested parties.

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Question: Do you offer any after sales services?

Yes!

Let us know what it is you need and we’ll do our best to help. If you wish us to oversee alterations to the property or planning applications; no problem. Help with finding help around the house and garden – again, no problem. Or you wish to ask us for help in finding the ‘finer things in life’ then our sister company 'Searchwells Etc.' can advise you on where to go for the finest art, antiques, vintage and new marque cars, clocks, wines and books.