Should you use a buying agent for your next house move – or are they still the

Most Britons rely solely on their own judgement when it comes to buying property, despite it often being the biggest financial decision of their life.

It’s not to be underestimated. The home someone buys typically sets the direction of both their financial and personal life.

While buyers will usually get mortgage and legal advice, very few get expert advice when it comes to finding a home, negotiating over price or managing the process for them.

This is in stark contrast to sellers that typically have estate agents representing their interests both in terms of negotiation and getting the sale to completion.

For buyers, the equivalent comes in the form of buying agents – professionals that are meant to represent their interests, help to find them the right property, negotiate the best possible price and then help them navigate through the legal process.

But most Britons won’t consider using a buying agent, likely because they think the home they are buying isn’t expensive enough or because the fees are too high.

We decided to speak to a number of buying agents to find out whether normal people can use them or whether they are just the preserve of the mega-rich.

Nobody wants to end up buying the wrong house for the wrong price, and yet very few will likely consider using a buying agent to help them

Why should you use a buying agent?

Jo Eccles, founder of London buying agency, Eccord, likens not having a buying agent to going to court without a lawyer and says it’s normal practice in the US.

‘The UK buying and selling process has always been skewed in favour of the seller who has an estate agent advising them, whereas buyers are left to search and negotiate themselves with no professional advice – despite the fact that a property purchase is such a significant financial and emotional investment,’ says Eccles.

‘Just as you wouldn’t go to court without a lawyer, buyers benefit enormously from having professional representation throughout.

‘We work with lots of American clients buying in London and interestingly, in the States it’s standard to have professional representation on both sides. Most Americans wouldn’t dream of buying independently.’

Access to off-market deals 

It is no secret that there are plenty of homes on the market at the moment with Zoopla reporting there are 10 per more properties for sale than this time last year. 

However, the best homes always tend to sell quickly – and many of these will be snapped up before they reach the online portals.

Good buying agents tend to have relationships with local estate agents and this often gives them access to homes before they come on the market.  

Almost half of the properties acquired by buying agency Eccord in the last year have been off market, the firm claims.

‘One client came to us having shortlisted two houses on his own, uncertain which one to go for,’ explains Eccles.

‘We arranged viewings of both alongside five additional off market options for context. 

‘Afterwards, he told us that every single one of the off market properties far surpassed anything he had found independently.’

Jo Eccles, founder of London buying agency, Eccord

The role of matchmaker 

While some buyers know exactly what they want, many are a lot more vague or confused about what it is they are really after, according to Bishop.

He describes the role of a buying agent as something akin to a matchmaker. 

‘What we add is the objective, practical advice to the inevitable emotional aspirations of a buyer,’ says Bishop.

‘A property search is an extremely personal event in someone’s life so we want to really understand what makes our clients ‘tick’ but also introduce properties that they would not have considered. 

‘Often, house hunters are surprised that properties they would disregard can sometimes hold great potential and actually suit their current and future lifestyle.’

Eccles says that as much as being a matchmaker, it’s also about trying to help couples agree on a property.

‘We regularly work with couples who aren’t entirely aligned – often they can’t agree on the location for example, or whether they’re willing to take on refurbishment work,’ she says.

‘Having a neutral third party can make all the difference, helping them weigh up the options objectively and guiding them towards common ground to enable them to move forward with a purchase.’

Someone in your corner 

Buying agent, Jonathan Hopper, chief executive of Garrington Property Finders argues that a buying agent is about levelling the playing field. 

‘While anyone can scroll through property portals and set up viewings, many would-be homebuyers don’t realise that the friendly estate agent showing them round isn’t working for them,’ says Hopper.

‘Instead the estate agent is working for the seller, and their aim is to sell you…