Buying with Portland

Our office is open until 6pm during the week and until 2pm on Saturdays. Most viewings are arranged during these hours as this allows us to coordinate properly with the seller and ensure a member of our team can accompany the appointment.

If you require a viewing outside of these hours, we will always do our best to accommodate where possible by prior appointment. This can sometimes depend on the seller’s availability, particularly if they live in the property or if tenants are in occupation.

In most cases we ask for at least 24 hours notice so the property can be prepared and access arranged. However, on vacant properties we can often be more flexible and occasionally same day viewings can be arranged depending on availability.

For certain properties we may organise block viewing times, which can help buyers see the property sooner and allows us to manage interest efficiently.

Yes, we have a small panel of trusted solicitors that we regularly recommend to buyers.

These are firms we have worked with on previous transactions where we have seen first hand how they communicate, advise their clients and progress matters efficiently. Good communication and timely advice from a solicitor can make a significant difference to how smoothly a purchase proceeds.

We never push buyers to use a particular solicitor. Our role is simply to provide recommendations if helpful. Buyers are always free to choose whichever solicitor they feel most comfortable with. Many clients find it useful to have an initial conversation with a recommended solicitor before deciding who to instruct.

Ultimately, the goal for everyone involved is to ensure the transaction progresses smoothly while the buyer remains fully protected from a legal perspective.

Once an offer is agreed, our role becomes very hands on to help guide the transaction through to completion.

We issue the Memorandum of Sale as soon as compliance checks are completed and both the buyer and seller solicitor details are confirmed. From that point onward we stay closely involved with all parties throughout the process.

We regularly liaise with both solicitors to ensure the legal work is progressing, work with mortgage brokers to confirm applications and valuations are moving forward, and arrange access for surveyors where required. If any issues arise from surveys or negotiations, we work carefully with both sides to find practical solutions and keep the transaction together.

If the purchase forms part of a chain, we also communicate with other agents and solicitors involved so that everyone remains aligned and aware of progress. Property transactions can become complex, particularly in chains, so strong communication between all parties is essential.

Where appropriate, we can provide video tours or virtual viewings to help buyers get a better feel for a property before visiting in person.

Some properties include professionally produced video tours as part of the marketing. In other situations, our negotiators can arrange live video viewings via platforms such as WhatsApp or FaceTime.

This is particularly helpful for buyers relocating to North West London or investors who may not be able to attend the initial viewing in person. While we always recommend visiting the property physically before committing to a purchase, virtual viewings can be a useful first step when narrowing down options.

Yes, from time to time we are instructed on properties where sellers prefer a more discreet approach to marketing.

In these situations we often introduce the property to suitable buyers from our registered database before it is publicly advertised. Buyers who have registered their requirements with us in areas such as NW2, NW6 and NW10 are often the first to hear about these opportunities.

We also regularly handle sales on behalf of corporate clients, which can sometimes be introduced to buyers through our existing network before being widely promoted.

Registering your details with us ensures we can contact you directly when a suitable property becomes available.

Our relationship with buyers does not end on completion day.

Many of our buyers stay in touch with us afterwards for advice on the local property market, future selling plans or letting opportunities. As we are also active across Lettings and Property Management, we are able to assist buyers who may later decide to rent out their property.

We see many buyers become future sellers, landlords or investors with us over time. For that reason we always aim to build long term relationships and remain available whenever our clients need advice.

Once a purchase is agreed, communication becomes very important.

We stay in regular contact with buyers throughout the transaction to ensure they understand what is happening at each stage and when actions are required from their side. Buyers often need to liaise with their solicitor, mortgage broker or surveyor, so keeping everyone informed helps avoid delays.

Where appropriate we also use WhatsApp for quick updates or confirmations, alongside regular phone calls when more detailed discussions are needed. We are proactive in chasing solicitors and communicating with other agents if the purchase forms part of a chain.

Our aim is to make sure buyers always know where things stand and what the next step will be.

In most cases you will have one main point of contact within our sales team who takes ownership of your search and your purchase.

When you register your requirements with us, a negotiator will usually work closely with you to understand exactly what you are looking for and help identify suitable properties. If you go on to purchase a property through us, that same negotiator will typically remain involved throughout the transaction until exchange and completion.

At the same time, we very much operate as a team. Our negotiators regularly discuss properties, buyers and ongoing sales together, which means you benefit from the collective experience and support of the whole office rather than just one individual. Management are also closely involved to ensure everything progresses smoothly.

This approach allows us to maintain continuity for our clients while also ensuring there is always someone available to help if needed.

The negotiator who agrees the sale will usually manage the progression of the transaction, supported by management.

We stay in regular contact with both solicitors, monitor key milestones in the process and help resolve any issues that may arise along the way. This can include coordinating surveys, discussing valuation results or assisting with negotiations if matters need to be revisited.

By remaining actively involved, we help ensure communication stays clear between all parties and that the transaction continues moving forward.

Once contracts are exchanged, we continue coordinating the final stages leading up to completion.

We liaise with both solicitors to confirm completion arrangements, ensure all keys have been collected from the seller and make sure everyone understands the timeline for the moving day itself.

On completion day, once the funds have been transferred and the solicitors confirm completion, we release the keys to the buyer so they can collect them and move into their new home. It is always a great moment for everyone involved and we are pleased to be part of that final step in the journey.

The best place to start is by browsing the properties currently available on our website. This gives you a clear idea of the homes we are actively marketing across North West London, including areas such as NW2, NW6 and NW10.

If you do not see something suitable straight away, you can easily register your details on our website and provide as much information as possible about what you are looking for. Once your enquiry is received, a member of our team will be in touch to discuss your requirements in more detail.

You are also very welcome to contact us directly by phone or email, or even pop into our office opposite Willesden Green Tube Station for a face to face conversation. Many buyers find this helpful as it allows us to understand exactly what they are looking for.

Once registered, you will receive automatic property alerts whenever a new property matching your criteria becomes available. In addition to this, our team proactively reviews new instructions and will often contact suitable buyers directly if a property may be of interest.

In many cases we also notify registered buyers before a property is publicly launched online, which means registering with us can sometimes give you early access to opportunities before they appear on the major property portals.