FAQs

In short very little if anything! Since setting up Jane Wood & Associates in 2001 it has been fascinating to see how the terminology has changed over the years. From the outset, we called ourselves property finders, but we were also referred to as home or house finders.

Around 10 years ago, the term buying agent started to be used, I suppose in contrast to selling agent (universally termed an estate agent). It plainly explained what we did, and it has been broadly adopted across the industry.

Of late, the term property consultant is now also used. This is because many buying agents also function as selling agents. At Jane Wood and Associates our focus is solely on buying. Whilst we do offer advice and support to past clients looking to sell, we do not actively sell properties, we feel this would affect our ability to be wholly independent, a factor that ensures that we do have access to all off-market properties.

• To gain a thorough understanding of the London property market.
• To understand what different areas have to offer in terms of stock, architecture, and affordability.
• To understand the complexities of the London leasehold/freehold market.
• To save time, only seeing shortlisted properties that meet a buyers’ criteria.
• To access off-market property not available to the general public.
• To save money, with 25 years’ experience we know what properties are worth and how best to negotiate with the selling agents involved.
• To raise the buyers’ profile when it comes to the bidding process.
• To hold the deal together once an offer has been accepted – liaising with lawyers, surveyors, and lenders during the conveyancing process.
• To remove much of the stress from the process.
• To avoid making an expensive mistake!

• We are one of the longest-established buying agents, we started in 2001.
• We are completely independent which ensures access to the broadest range of properties.
• We focus on buying and do not offer a comprehensive sales service. This means we are NOT seen as competitors by estate agents, again ensuring access to the broadest range of properties.
• We do not dilute our services by adding property management and renovation services. We can recommend experts in those areas.
• Our longevity means we have an extremely broad knowledge of London.
• Both partners, Jane and Olivier, are chartered accountants – we believe the only buying agents in London that are. Our professional training means we are extremely analytical and numerate, we are problem-solving property professionals who have excellent communication and organisational skills.
• We are the only buying agent to have over 220 names client testimonials on their website!

It varies depending on the complexity of searches that we have going on at any one time and the stage the search is at (active looking, conveyancing stage pre-exchange, post-exchange of contracts). We would typically only have three active searches each in the active looking stage. We never take on new clients that have the same requirements as an ongoing search.

Absolutely! We understand that discretion is paramount. All information shared with us and all aspects of the property search are managed with the utmost confidentiality, ensuring your privacy at every step.

Yes, a significant advantage of working with Jane Wood & Associates is access to off-market properties. We maintain close relationships with agents, developers, and private owners, allowing us to source exclusive properties that are not available to the general public.

Unlike estate agents who represent the seller, our priority is you—the buyer. We provide unbiased advice, impartial property recommendations, and expert negotiation, ensuring your interests are always at the forefront of the transaction.

Yes, negotiation is a core part of our service. With years of market experience, we know what individual properties are worth. We use this to good effect to secure your chosen property at the best possible price.

We cater to a wide range of clients and property types – from family homes, to pied a terres, assisting parents buying for their children and investment properties.

Jane Wood & Associates provides a professional property search in London, we are proud to cover all of central London. Working across the area for 25 years means we know it like the back of our hand! In addition to prime Central London (PCL), we also stretch from Hammersmith and Chiswick in the west, to Hampstead and Highgate in the north, Hackney, Islington & Farringdon in the east. South of the river we cover from Borough in the east to Richmond in the west. Of course, many of our searches are focused on PCL. Reach out to us to discuss your ideal property location.

The duration varies depending on your requirements and market conditions. While some clients find their ideal property within weeks, others may require several months.

We make sure we thoroughly understand the parameters of a brief before starting the search. Once we start looking it is usually a very efficient process with over 65% of our clients finding a property they want to buy on their first day out with us. There is no rush to find a property and it can on occasion take several months for the right property to become available.

Once we have found the property and negotiated the price, the conveyancing process begins. The time it takes to complete the transaction will vary according to:

• Is the property freehold or Leasehold? Leasehold properties take longer because there is more information to collate and review. On a freehold cash purchase with, good lawyers, we could be in a position to exchange contracts within two weeks.
• Solicitors – we will ensure that you are working with effective solicitors, and we will also try to influence who the vendor uses. There is enormous variation between solicitors, and it is particularly important to use a good one, not only in in terms of efficiency but also in picking up on points that could come back to bite you when you come to sell the property.
• Funding – are you buying for with a mortgage or cash? The mortgage application does typically slow the process down, with many lenders taking up to six weeks to process and application. The turnaround for private banks is much quicker than high-street lenders.
• The location of the property – As part of the conveyancing process, your solicitor will need to apply to the local authority for various searches. The time it takes them to reply can vary from ten days to several weeks. Some lenders will accept personal searches which only take a few days.

Once we have exchanged contracts, completion can be simultaneous (not if a mortgage is involved) or it can be several weeks depending on what has been agreed with the vendor. In short, it varies enormously from transaction to transaction!

During the initial consultation, we will discuss your property preferences, budget, desired location, and any specific requirements. This meeting helps us understand your goals and develop a tailored search strategy. We will also be interested to hear if you have already been out looking at properties and your experience to date.

We begin with an in-depth consultation to understand your preferences and goals. From there, we handpick properties based on specific criteria, including location, amenities, lifestyle, and budget, presenting only the options that align with your requirements.

Absolutely. We arrange property viewings, valuations, and any necessary surveys to ensure a thorough assessment of the property.

As experienced home finders in London, we offer post-purchase support to assist with the transition, including property management recommendations, renovation contacts, or introductions to local services. We are here to make settling into your new property as seamless as possible.

Our fees are transparent and structured around the complexity and scope of your search. Typically, we charge a retainer to commence the search and a success fee upon completion. We would be happy to discuss our fee structure in more detail during our consultation.

Our sole commitment is to you as the buyer. We are independent of selling agents in London, meaning our advice and recommendations are unbiased and tailored solely to your goals, allowing us to act with complete transparency and integrity.