News & insights
Thames Water Property Searches help London leavers make sensible choices
Over the course of the last year the Covid
pandemic has prompted an exodus from cities with many people looking to take
full advantage of the working from home opportunity and move out to more rural
areas.
According to recent research from Hamptons
Estate Agents, 2020 saw the biggest London exodus in four years with London
leavers purchasing 73,950 homes, worth £27.6bn, outside the capital. Figures for other cities across the country
showed a similar trend.
The appeal of moving in search of an idyllic
countryside lifestyle, more bang for your buck and a better work/life balance
is clear to see, but it is not without its risks and pitfalls. Which is where
the property search experts, Thames Water Property Searches, can help.
Planning and neighbourhood searches are
invaluable when it comes to giving solicitors and home buyers an idea of
anything to watch out for in a brand new, unfamiliar area. They provide home
buyers with an insight into the area’s local development framework and planning
applications. In addition, useful information about the neighbourhood, such as
demographics, education and crime, is also included.
So, whether it’s news of a housing development
in the pipeline that could block the perfect view from your kitchen window,
worrying levels of crime or a shortage of school places - forewarned is
forearmed.
Solicitor Martin McCabe, a partner in the
property department at Kidd Rapinet solicitors agrees that the comprehensive
and reliable information contained within the planning and neighbourhood
searches is essential reading for solicitors whose clients are moving to an
unfamiliar area.
‘They are an important part of the search
process and enable us to provide significant amounts of information to clients
in a clear, concise and accessible format,’ says McCabe. ‘With many property
viewings now taking place remotely it is an invaluable tool to enable both
solicitors and their clients to understand the location and surrounding
infrastructure.’
He adds: ‘for clients moving to a new area
they can be extremely useful, highlighting factors that might only be apparent
to those that have lived and worked in the area for some time. They give
clients the information they need to raise relevant queries and make informed
decisions.’
Says McCabe: ‘The planning elements are often
most relevant for clients in showing potential development sites and planning
history in the surrounding area that just isn’t available on the narrowly
focused Local Authority search. These are important factors to highlight to
clients so they appreciate they aren’t guaranteed a view and need to be aware
of what changes may be happening in the surrounding area.’
While rocketing demand has led to increased
workloads for property professionals, rest assured Thames Water Property
Searches prioritise customer service. We continue to provide an efficient and
professional service for all your search needs to help lighten the load at this
busy time.
Says McCabe: ‘I’ve been using Thames Water Property Searches for a number of years and find them easy to deal with and very helpful. Having a dedicated Customer Care Manager is a great support in resolving queries.
