How using a buying agent will help you source your dream Oxfordshire property in 2023
Buying your forever home is likely to be the single most expensive purchase you will make in your lifetime.
It is therefore essential you prioritise finding a space and location which meet your requirements while agreeing a price that represents the true value of a property.
Paying over the odds is a common pitfall in a competitive housing market and is particularly relevant to Oxfordshire owing to buyers’ ongoing demand for space, good transport links and high levels of education.
Astrid Gibbon and husband David waited decades to purchase their first home in the county. They were determined not to fall victim to the property market’s numbers game and called on Oxford Property Consulting’s help to locate their dream home.
Here is their story.
Competitive market
Astrid and David scoured Oxfordshire’s property market alone for two years.
During that period, they placed offers on several properties advertised by estate agents without success.
When the couple offered 8% over the asking price on one property only to be refused in favour of a cash buyer paying even more, they agreed to enlist the support of a buying agent.
“We were outbid on every house we placed on offer on,” said Astrid. “Since 1999, we had rented in Oxfordshire, and we found buying a home independently very difficult.”
Property wish list
Following an initial meeting, Astrid and David were asked to list all features they would like their dream home to include. They agreed their perfect property would:
- Be south facing
- Have four bedrooms
- Have a large garden
- And include a wood burner, amongst other points
“Jokingly, we wanted a sea view too,” said Astrid. “But even a buying agent would do a good job to tick that box in Oxfordshire!”
READ MORE: Buying in a sellers’ market
Location, location, location
Understanding the brief, the Oxford Property Consulting team started to identify properties which matched the couple’s requirements.
A mix of properties in Oxford city centre and surrounding villages each with their own character were viewed. Crucially, the houses put forward at the time of viewing were off-market – meaning they were not available to view to the public.
Viewing such a diverse range of properties challenged Astrid and David to think differently and develop a true understanding of what they wanted from their new home.
“Some properties really got us thinking,” said Astrid. “We wish the viewing part lasted longer, as we had a lot of fun visiting different homes.
“We feel like using a buying agent should be part of the process of buying a home. It’s not often you buy a house, and Ben and Greg were great exposing us to all these properties.”
“A positive buying experience”
The couple are now happily settled into their new home in Oxford after moving in earlier this year, ending their wait to own a property of their own!
Astrid said: “We agreed to place an offer on a home which we would never have found without Oxford Property Consulting’s support.
“They located the house, helped with negotiation and kept the sale on track when things could’ve fallen through. We’ve built a positive relationship with the seller since and that’s testament to our positive buying experience.”
READ MORE: The three Cs of being a good buying agent!
Living in Oxfordshire
The latest data from the Office of National Statistics show over 48,000 people move to Oxfordshire each year – the majority of those (over 7,000) move from London.
With its deep historical and cultural roots, excellent transport links and access to the countryside, it’s easy to understand why so many people move here.
“It was important we remained connected to Oxford,” said Astrid. “Since moving here, we have fallen in love with the city, its history, culture – everything about it!
“Oxfordshire is a fantastic location to live, and we would thoroughly recommend Oxford Property Consulting to anyone considering a move in 2023.”