Great estate agency for buyers (Foxtons)

Member Name: Ghostkov

Product:	Foxtons
Date:	12/09/09 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very good communication, large selection of properties, always updating you

Disadvantages: Properties for which they are sole agent overvalued, initially will show you stuff you can't afford

This review will probably not endear me with the people who thoroughly hate Foxtons, but I figure I'll share my experience with them anyway.

Note that I only used their services as a buyer, not as someone looking to rent, so this is an entirely different department.

From what I gather, Foxtons properties tend to come on slightly overvalued than what they actually are worth, but you can usually negotiate the price down quite a bit too if you are daring and press the agent for it. Foxtons, like all the other agents, do not ask the buyer to pay for anything though they will encourage you to use their mortgage lender, Alexander Hall, who from my experience isn't too great compared to several others.

They will generally also show you properties that are probably outside your price range, but if you are firm and tell them your absolute maximum, they will actually listen and do just that without looking down at you.

The sales agents that I have come across from 5 of their offices (Fulham, Notting Hill, South Kensington, Chiswick, St John's Wood, Battersea) are all very courteous and really do make you think they are one of your average buddies. Only one of the agents who wasn't the main agent I was dealing with, but his manager, just oozed fakeness, and I was glad I didn't have to deal with him much. Other than that, they were all very honest and though of course they did try to sell their properties. If asked for their personal opinion, they'd also give it, though noting of course that it is their personal, not professional opinion.

In terms of appointments, the agents tends to be on time, but during busy times, i.e. past 5pm, they sometimes run late. If they do, they almost always give you a call to tell you. Only twice in over 40 appointments did they not, so that's overall good communication. Note that like most agents, they reply most readily to their phones and less readily to emails, with only one agent I dealt with answering his emails religiously.

The only downside to Foxtons I have experienced was that they do have a high staff turnover, so when towards the end of July, many of their agents left, noone told me they did and I only found out because I called the office wondering why they haven't replied to calls, texts and emails.
I was then however immediately referred to a colleague of theirs respectively, who were no less courteous than the former!

Overall, if you are a buyer and looking for properties in London, you really should register with Foxtons to get a good selection of properties - some of which you will only get to see if you are a registered member, as they get the details up to 3 weeks before people who just check the website.

Nevertheless, don't forget to register with other agents as well of course as you otherwise will be missing out on some good properties. Foxtons is just one of many good estate agencies for buyers.

Summary: If you are looking to buy property, register with Foxtons (and others)!