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London Buying Agents - A Guide
Why Use a Buying Agent in London?
The role of a buying agent is to secure the right property at the right price while protecting you from overpaying or missing opportunities. In London, where competition is fierce and many of the best homes are sold off-market, having an independent expert on your side can be decisive.
This is where Eccord stands apart. Over nearly two decades, we have acquired more than 400 properties worth over £1.5 billion across prime and super-prime London. Combining a forensic approach to search and negotiation with discretion and independence, our role is to ensure you are positioned as the preferred buyer, with access to opportunities and outcomes that cannot be achieved alone.
What Exactly Is a Buying Agent?
A London property buying agent represents the buyer. This is the opposite of an estate agent. Estate agents (or selling agents) are instructed and paid by the seller, so their duty is to achieve the highest possible price for the vendor. No matter how helpful they appear, they are working for the seller.
A buying agent levels the playing field. We search the whole market, including off-market homes, filter out unsuitable properties, analyse pricing so you do not overpay, and negotiate expertly on your behalf. We also provide clear, objective advice so emotions and sales pressure never cloud your judgment.
Why Work with a Buying Agent in London?
Engaging a buying agent transforms the process from reactive and uncertain into structured, efficient, and strategic.
Tailored to Your Needs
Some clients arrive with a precise brief, others with only broad lifestyle goals. A buying agent adapts to either, executing a meticulous search when the requirements are clear, or refining the brief through expert advice and recommendations when guidance is needed.
Access to Off-Market Properties
Many of London’s finest homes are never publicly listed. Through our long-standing relationships with estate agents, developers, and private contacts, Eccord secures 50% of acquisitions off-market. These are homes our clients would not have discovered without representation.
Forensic Due Diligence
Every detail matters, from ceiling heights and natural light to planning restrictions and service charges. Our forensic approach ensures nothing is overlooked, so clients commit with complete clarity and confidence.
Negotiation Expertise
In London’s competitive market, how you negotiate is often decisive. We assess vendor motivations, gauge competing interest and position our clients as the preferred buyer. This ensures they secure the right home on the right terms.
Time and Stress Reduction
A property search can consume hundreds of hours. We preview and filter options, arrange only meaningful viewings and manage the entire process. This allows clients to focus on making the right decision.
Impartial Advice
Buying a property is as emotional as it is financial. Our role is to be the objective voice at key moments, advising when to move decisively and when to step back.
How the Buying Process Works with Eccord
Every search is unique. We have spent years refining our process in a way to protect and empower the buyer. Here is our 7 step process:
1. Consultation & Brief:
Understanding goals, budget, and lifestyle priorities.
2. Whole-of-Market & Off-Market Search:
Accessing both advertised and discreet, unpublished purchase opportunities.
3. Previewing & Shortlisting:
Filtering and presenting only the best-fit options.
4. Forensic Due Diligence:
Investigating comparables, planning history, charges and risks.
5. Negotiation & Offer Strategy:
Managing negotiations to secure the best outcome.
6. Transaction Management:
Coordinating solicitors, surveyors, and timelines to completion.
7 .Beyond Completion:
Providing ongoing property management and advisory services for long-term peace of mind.
Who Uses a Buying Agent?
Originally, buying agents in London were viewed as a service reserved only for the ultra-wealthy, operating discreetly on off-market transactions. Today the reality is broader. The value of independent representation appeals to a wide range of buyers who share a common goal: making the right decision in one of the world’s most competitive property markets.
At Eccord, we act for both domestic and international clients acquiring homes and investments in the £2 million to 50 million+ range, across prime and super-prime London. While budgets and objectives vary, what unites our clients is their desire for access to the finest properties and the exceptional outcomes that only a dedicated buying agent can secure.
Our clientele includes:
Professionals seeking efficiency and expertise.International buyers navigating the complexities of London remotely.Families relocating or upsizing, balancing schools, commutes and lifestyle priorities. Parents acquiring properties for children studying or working in London.Investors seeking long-term growth or rental returns.Retirees downsizing to homes that suit evolving lifestyles.
Fees & Value: Understanding the Costs
Most buying agents charge in one of three ways:
A fixed fee, agreed in advance, often for properties below a certain threshold. A percentage of the purchase price, typically between 1.5% and 3% (plus VAT). A retainer, which is a smaller upfront payment, usually £2,500 - £5,000, with the balance due on completion.
At Eccord, our fees are transparent and we are paid solely by our clients. We never accept payment from sellers or developers, ensuring our advice is completely independent.
The real question is not cost, but value. The homes we secure are frequently off-market, and our negotiation strategies saves our clients on average double our fee.
How to Choose the Right London Buying Agent
The right buying agent should demonstrate three qualities above all: experience, independence and trust.
At Eccord, we embody each of these. We act exclusively for buyers, with no financial ties to sellers or developers. We deliberately limit the number of clients we represent at any one time, ensuring discretion, focus, and the exceptional service and outcomes for which we are recognised.
Why Eccord?
Eccord is consistently recognised as one of London’s leading buying agencies, combining meticulous attention to detail with discreet, client-first representation.
50% of acquisitions secured off-market, through trusted relationships and private introductions
Recognised with awards including Best Buying Agent (Gold) and Property Advisor of the Year.
A deliberately selective client base, ensuring personal focus and confidentiality.Industry thought leadership: our founder, Jo Eccles, contributes expert insight to The Telegraph, Financial Times, and Prime Resi.Full-service care beyond acquisition, including property management
This combination of forensic due diligence, unrivalled access, and complete independence is what makes us the trusted choice for discerning buyers in London.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a buying agent if I have already found a property?
Finding the right property is only 50% of the process. We provide a ‘Negotiation Only’ service to handle due diligence, pricing advice and negotiation strategy, to ensure you secure the property on the right terms.
How long does the process take?
Every search is different. Some clients find a home in weeks, while others take several months. The process is efficient and focused, never rushed.
Can you support me if I am based overseas and cannot attend viewings?
Yes. Many of our clients are international buyers who cannot always be in London during the search. We preview properties on your behalf, provide detailed reports, video tours, and impartial commentary, so you can make decisions with confidence from abroad. When you are able to visit, we arrange a curated schedule of viewings to maximise your time in London.
Is a buying agent really worth the investment?
Absolutely. Many of our clients save far more through negotiation and due diligence than they pay in fees. We also work hard to present exclusive opportunities that are not available on the public market.
Which areas of London do you cover?
We specialise in prime and super-prime London, acquiring homes and investments in some of the city’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. These include Kensington, Chelsea, Belgravia, Mayfair, Notting Hill, St John’s Wood, and Marylebone, as well as other prestigious postcodes across central London.
Final Thoughts
Buying property in London is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make. In a market where the best opportunities are often hidden and competition is intense, independent representation is not a luxury. It is essential.
A buying agent provides clarity, discretion, and strategy. Eccord takes this further by combining forensic due diligence, unrivalled off-market access, with the trust that comes from acting exclusively for buyers. For our clients, the outcome is clear: the right property at the right price, with complete peace of mind.
If you are considering buying in London, we would be delighted to discuss how we can help.
