Where to look, what to expect and how to spot a fair deal in the capital's busy rental market.
It is easy to forget, in the rush of estate agent jargon and weekend portal scrolling, that buying or selling a home is meant to be a positive thing. Somewhere along the way, the process has become heavier than it needs to be.
The reality is more grounded. Most decisions come down to a small handful of practical questions. What can you actually afford. What do you really need versus what you would like. Which compromises feel acceptable in five years time, not just on the first viewing.
Our advice, after fifteen years of doing this, is to slow down at the points that matter and move quickly when speed counts. Ask the obvious questions out loud. Trust your instincts about a street as much as a survey.
If you take one thing from this piece, take this: a good agent should make the path feel clearer, not more complicated. If that is not happening, ask why.
