“An off-market house in the perfect location.
We could never have done it without you.”
Mr and Mrs S from the USA
“Gavin’s insight, relationships, and enthusiasm delivered us our perfect home, with a remarkable saving.”
Mr H from Islington
”At our first meeting with Gavin, he showed us three properties which ticked nearly all our boxes. We had no idea they were even available.”
Mrs J from Wandsworth
“Gavin was very friendly, professional and easy to work with. Oh, and he delivered a great house in the Ashdown Forest.”
Mr W from London
“Gavin did a great job of negotiating a discount to the asking price. He dealt with all of the ups and downs of the transaction process.”
Mr D from Kent
Sussex Grade II Country house for a family
House Hunting in Sussex - Helping a London Family
Our Brief : Budget £1.7m - £2m
Haywards Heath Area - good prep and senior schools, fast commute, lovely countryside
The Challenge
Mrs and Mrs K with 3 children under 10 years old. This is a competitive search - having sold, moved down and renting locally while settling the children into Prep School, the family found themselves competing with many similar parents, all hunting for a 'forever' home. After a few months of searching unsuccessfully, we were asked to help.
With Eversby engaged, and following our initial meeting, detailed discussions and several viewings of possible houses, we were quickly able to help frame and narrow their requirements more accurately and agree precisely where they would be willing to compromise.
Importantly the family were truly 'proceed-able' - so chain-free, living in rented , finances banked, and ready to react quickly and decisively to opportunities.
The Search
We adopted a two prong approach - focusing on those off-market and discretely marketed properties we are often made aware of. Our well established and close relationships with agents gave our clients an advantage. We accessed several potential properties which suited their needs, which our clients were able to view prior to launch. Some were pre-launch properties and others discretely marketed, never appearing on the internet.
Our second tactic was a long shot no stone left unturned approach. Given the prevailing conditions in the property market, we forensically reviewed those properties well above their £2m budget budget, carefully exploring the potential suitability of each property for the family, and the vendors situation and price flexibility.
The Outcome
A truly delighted family. Our long shot tactics paid off. With some lengthy negotiation, fortitude and perfect timing - we able to agree terms on a stunning Grade II listed property which ticked nearly all their boxes. It was hiding in plain sight, yet no-one else had explored quite how motivated of the vendor was to sell.
Initially launched above £2.5m, we secured terms on behalf of our clients at just under £2m. A remarkable result.
CASE STUDIES ACROSS KENT AND SUSSEX
Compact Estate in the Ashdown Forest
Our Brief: A compact estate for circa £2m, ideally set in the heart of at least 10 acres, with character, far-reaching views, and a long drive. Ideally to include a guest cottage, pool and tennis court.
Searching across Sussex and Kent, the vast area from Goudhurst, Wadhurst, the Ashdown Forest, Danehill and Horsted Keynes sits the perfect ‘Goldilocks’ distance from London. Breath taking countryside, yet accessible to London. Country houses close to the handful of great Prep schools and lovely villages are always in demand, and are exactly the houses we source, for our clients. On and Off-market, we track the best houses across the region.
the Challenge
Our London-based client had already spent months looking for his ‘perfect property’ without success. Initially skeptical of buying agents, we soon got to work helping him re-calibrate his search brief. With that clarity, it was easier to identify opportunities and reject those properties that just weren’t right. Our insight and local knowledge sourced several off-market properties while our guidance gave him the confidence which has been missing previously.
The Search
Several months of collaborative searching yielded a shortlist of target properties. Compact estates, tucked away down long drives are a rarity. Having shared many off-market houses, our search narrowed to one property, hiding in plain sight. Despite being above our clients budget and needing refurbishment the compact estate had potential to be his perfect home.
Our role then switched to negotiation - all we needed to deliver was the property at the right price.
The OUTcome
Despite a tricky negotiation we were able eventually to reach a successful conclusion, under budget. The vendors appreciated having a proceed-able buyer, committed to a tight 14 day exchange of contracts.
Our client was delighted - a great result. Life in the countryside, with London still just a short train ride away.
Grand Villa in Tunbridge Wells
House Hunting in Tunbridge Wells for a London family
Our Brief : Budget £1.85m
'Must have's' - A character townhouse with high ceilings, large rooms, privacy,
large garden, walking distance to the station
The Challenge
Mr and Mrs H, both busy professionals, with small children were making the move from London. With Prep school places secured, a London property to sell, we focused on finding their future family home.
Tunbridge Wells, with its outstanding schools, character houses, easy commute and lovely surrounding countryside, has always been popular.
Large Georgian houses tucked in private parks and grand Victorian houses a stroll from the station are always in demand.
Rather than renting for a year, busy relocating families often ask for our help.
The Search
A search brief is rarely this narrow or this urgent, in time for the start of school in September.
With the stock of properties on the usual portals often flawed, we focused our efforts on sourcing properties off-market.
Often we'll advise when 'not' to buy a certain property.
Occasionally, great houses do hit the open market. New buyers rarely are able to recognise quality when they see it or react in time to secure a purchase.
Remarkably, within 1 month, terms were agreed with the owners of an imposing Victorian townhouse with far-reaching views.
However, it’s was never going to be that simple. Soon the sellers decided NOT to sell. Then, Mr and Mrs H's London sale became bogged down into a unstable chain-ridden mess.
The Outcome
Time for Plan B!
We soon arranged for Mr & Mrs H to be first through the door on a grand Victorian villa on a quiet residential road, thanks to our close relationships with local agents.
Their perfect house - spacious, private and with a huge undeveloped loft.
With pricing tactics agreed with Mr and Mrs H, our carefully drafted offer letter then secured an agreement with the vendors. Any other potential buyers had little chance to react.
Our efforts then turned to keeping the deal on track over the following 3 months, serenely reassuring the vendors whilst hand-holding a volatile London chain.
Ultimately, a successful outcome as we welcomed Mr and Mrs H to their new home just in time for the first day of school!
PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY BUYING A HOUSE IS ONE OF THE MOST STRESSFUL THINGS YOU WILL DO IN YOUR LIFE. THIS EXPERIENCE HAS OBVIOUSLY COME FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT MET GAVIN BEFORE! HE HAS HELPED US FIND OUR DREAM HOME, USING HIS EXPERT KNOWLEDGE OF THE LOCAL MARKET, NAVIGATING US THROUGH ALL STAGES OF THE PROCESS.
People always say buying a house is one of the most stressful things you will do in your life. This experience has obviously come from people who have not met Gavin before! He has helped us find our dream home, using his expert knowledge of the local market, navigating us through all stages of the process.
FROM FINDING GREAT MORTGAGE PROVIDERS, TO GREAT SURVEYORS TO EXCHANGING AND FINALLY COMPLETING, GAVIN HAS BEEN FIRST RATE IN COMMUNICATING WHERE WE ARE DURING EACH STAGE, ESPECIALLY GUIDING A TRICKY NEGOTIATION. HE ENSURED EACH STAGE WENT AS SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE.”
From finding great mortgage providers, to great surveyors to exchanging and finally completing, Gavin has been first rate in communicating where we are during each stage, especially guiding a tricky negotiation. He ensured each stage went as smoothly as possible.”
Mr and Mrs M, Schools at Somerhill