A lady called me to say that she is in the process of buying a very nice period property in Priests Lane in Shenfield.
The very first thing she said to me was that she was a cash buyer and that I had been recommended to her by one of the local estate agents. She asked me when I could do a survey and how much would it cost? I said early next week and it would cost £600 plus VAT. She then said to me that the agent told her that I would be able to do it for her for a very good price. I replied by saying that he was absolutely right and that the price I had just quoted her was in fact a little less than I would normally charge. I then went on to briefly describe what I would do during the course of my survey. I did add however that she shouldn’t feel obliged to engage my services and that she might like to shop around a bit. Her immediate response was … do you know what Nick? I am not going to do that because I like what you are saying and I’m very confident with the way you’re describing what you can do for me. I want you to do it for me.
I thought that was a nice thing to say to me. But I have to say this is no different to my usual approach with most other enquiries I get for a structural survey on a house. So there we are. That is what I do.
