07 Dec The Private Market – An Unconventional Approach

Buyers approach me to enlist my help for a number of reasons – but more often than not for access to the Private Market.

More sellers than ever are breaking with the age old tradition of instructing an estate agent to put their property in their shop window or onto the internet on their behalf. The digital footprint created by an online listing lasts for years and with programmes such as Rightmove Plus you can track the length of time a house has been on the market and the number and level of price changes, set out in front of you, screaming Desperate Seller.

An increasing number of sellers are recruiting the help of buying agents. Yes – you read it correctly. Buying agents like me acting for discerning cash buyers who are fully committed to finding their next house. I have seen brochures produced “in-house” to rival those created by the marketing departments of the most respected prime agents in the country.

It’s a brave move though that doesn’t come without risk. Buying agents act on our clients behalf and will be looking for opportunities to get the best deal. Sellers who don’t engage an agent on their behalf are jeopardising the price they achieve and the terms they ultimately agree.

Over 50% of the properties acquired for our clients are off market. Often an agent is involved on the other side but the property will have been sourced through the trust developed between parties and a bit of lateral thinking.