BUYAre you considering packing up your life in the city and moving to the country? If so, you’re not alone. A growing number of people are swapping the hustle and bustle of towns and cities for a more sedate lifestyle among green rolling hills. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? We had a chat with Richard Waters, Founder of Waters Property Search, to find out.
What’s Richard’s background?
Richard has been in the property industry all his working life. He explains, “from life as a busy London estate agent in the early ’90s, to setting up my own property finding business in 2004, I now use my experience to help clients find their perfect properties across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset.”
Richard provides a bespoke home finding service for clients relocating to the country. From private family homes and country estates to holiday homes and investments, he helps clients find the best properties - often before they appear on the open market - and secures them on the very best terms.
What's happened in terms of demand for moving to the country in recent years?
“Demand has definitely grown year on year. I’m consistently working with clients who are looking to move out from London. Recently, there has been a noticeable shift from people wanting larger country houses with land and outbuildings within 5-10 miles of the nearest town/city, to a more convenient and practical lifestyle in the heart of the good quality towns and cities, close to the schools and amenities. People seem to be opting more and more for convenience and an easier way of life.”
And what about property prices in the country? Have you seen any trends?
Richard points out that in more recent years, towns and cities like Bath and Oxford have been outperforming the surrounding countryside. But, he adds, “activity in the country market - in terms of the number of sales - has improved and it would seem that the country market is getting stronger.”
What’s behind this growing demand for country living?
Richard says “firstly, you can get a lot more for your money in the country than the city. But there’s also a better quality of life, some great schools, both private and state, beautiful countryside, sports, culture, and easy access to London, if required. It’s all out here - there really is something for everyone regardless of what your ‘thing’ is.”
Why should people use a buying agency to find their perfect country home?
Richard explains that the country housing market is subject to a lot of the same issues as the urban market. “As in the cities, good quality houses are hard to find.
Stock levels are consistently low and people struggle to find what they’re looking for simply by relying on the usual property portals. This is because many of the best properties - in any price range - often change hands before reaching the internet.
People also become quickly frustrated spending large amounts of time - and ultimately money - looking at unsuitable houses so more and more people are reaching out to agents like myself to help them find their next property.”
Can you help people relocate to any part of the country?
Richard explains that his area of expertise is Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset. He adds, “in this business, you can’t spread yourself too thinly otherwise you
risk becoming ineffective. It’s better to know a smaller patch very well rather than trying to cover a much wider area badly. As I said before Bath - and within 20 miles of Bath - is a very popular destination with a lot of Londoners and because I live there, it’s where I do a large proportion of my work, but by no means exclusively. There are also other property search agents, like myself, covering most areas of the country”
What's unique about your business?
Richard explains that he’s completely independent and not tied to any one estate agency, which allows him to deal with every agent on a level playing field. He says, “a very high percentage of the houses I buy for clients are not on the open market. My role is to unearth properties through the various means I have available to me. My clients benefit from the contacts and knowledge I have to not only find their next house but to also find it in the right area and for the right price. It’s all too easy to overpay for a house and settle for somewhere in completely the wrong area and this can be a very costly mistake.”
What do you find rewarding about your work?
“Being allowed access to some of the area’s best properties. Working with
some wonderful and diverse range of people and still getting a buzz when you find the right property for a client, showing them round and and negotiating the purchase for them … it’s a very satisfying feeling.”
And what are your future plans for the business?
Richard wants to continue to provide the highest possible levels of service to his clients and make the relocation process as pleasurable and as stress free as possible. He says, “I love what I do and I feel very lucky to work in such a beautiful party of the country.”
Waters Property Search: Winsford, Wellow, Bath, BA2 8PU 01225 830930 enquiries@waterspropertysearch.co.uk waterspropertysearch.co.uk
