Finding Your Dream Home in Sussex

What is a buying agent?

Think Kirsty and Phil but without the drama or TV cameras!

A buying agent is a property professional who represents the buyer’s interests during a transaction, guiding them from the initial search to the moment they receive the keys for their new home.

Our clients come to us for a variety of reasons. Maybe they are moving from London to the countryside and don’t know the area, or perhaps they’re already living in the county but are busy with their jobs and kids, or they might be moving from abroad and simply can’t be here to view houses themselves.

The process begins with a detailed conversation about the client’s dream home and budget, as well as key factors like location, commute, house style and schools.

We source properties on the market and off market - it’s whole market access.

We help our clients open the doors that they couldn’t possibly access on their own. We have great local knowledge and intelligence and we receive this because we represent the best buyers in the market.

Houses can be sourced from a variety of places: architects, builders, the school gates or even our hairdressers. A main source of the houses comes from estate agents and so our relationship with them is key. We go through a rigorous process to make sure that we have considered all the available options and we discount many houses so our clients don’t have to.

“We keep an open mind as the house that people describe at the beginning is often not the house that they buy!”

Once we find the dream property, we carry out due diligence on the area and the house. We agree on a strategy with the client and handle the negotiation on their behalf.

We then build a team of trusted professionals - our ‘little black book’ - solicitors, surveyors and other experts, who help to prevent delays or issues during the process. Our experience enables us to foresee any potential hurdles. By removing emotion from the transaction, we can deal with any issues early on ensuring a smooth process.

We are always working very closely with the vendor’s agent - our contact with them is paramount to a successful process and any problem solving required!

Then comes the fun part: exchange and completion - the deal is done and our clients are moving. It’s the greatest feeling to be able to meet our clients at their new home on moving day and walk around the house that they now own!

Why Sussex?

Sussex is a special place! There is an amazing variety of countryside such as the rolling hills of the South Downs and the expanse of the Forest of Ashdown, as well as beautiful coastal areas such as Beachy Head, the Seven Sisters, South Lancing and Hove.

Transport in the area is fantastic, with road links such as the M23 and the A272. Commuting by train is exceptional from either Haywards Heath, Gatwick or Balcombe. You can usually expect to travel to the centre of London in 40-50 minutes. There are lovely villages such as Lindfield, Cuckfield, Ditchling and Hurstpierpoint, Petworth, Midhurst and Chichester - the list goes on! There are also larger towns and cities such as Brighton, Horsham and Lewes.

There is much variety in the style of houses you can buy, from the traditional Sussex farmhouse to gorgeous cottages and a few Georgian gems. There are also some wonderful barn conversions in the area and Horsham stoneroofed beauties.

We are lucky with the education options in the area - there are fantastic local primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges for sixth form such as BHASVIC and Colliers.

Private options include prep schools like Handcross Park, Cottesmore, Brambletye, Cumnor House, Highfield, Amesbury, Westbourne House and Windlesham House School. The Senior schools are amazing with Hurst College, Brighton College, Rodean, Ardingly and Worth.

It’s very rare for a county to have such great prep schools and senior options too - I told you it was special!

What are the best properties in Sussex on the market at the moment?

Marshalls Manor, Cuckfield Jackson Stops & Hamptons

£2.4m

Old Middleton, Westmeston Hamptons

£3.95m

Lindfield Place, Lindfield Jackson Stops

£3.6m

New Hall, Henfield Savills

£2.5m

Coombe House, Balcombe

Strutt & Parker and Hamptons

£3.85m

JM CHASE

SOPHIE HATCHER & HENRY FORBES

JM Chase has been operating for sixteen years. Our reputation has been built by offering trusted and personal advice that our clients can rely on to secure the right property for the right price, ahead of the competition.

SOPHIE HATCHER Property Search Agent www.jmchase.co.uk www.instagram.com/sophie.hatcher. property.search