Your Questions Answered

She founded Fiona Penny Bespoke Home Finders 16 years ago and knows both the housing industry and the Kent/Sussex area of the country inside out. So if you’ve decided to make a house move in 2024 then who better to give advice than property guru, Fiona Penny. Notepads at the ready!

Q. My youngest starts uni in September and we are currently planning on selling our family home in Tunbridge Wells and moving near the Faversham / Whitstable area. But all the uncertainty of the UK election worries me – can you advise on what the knock on effects might be for the housing market, especially locally?

A: Fiona says: ‘I would press on with your plans to sell your home in Tunbridge Wells and move to the Faversham / Whitstable area.  Since the announcement of the election date – set to be Thursday 4 July – buyers have remained active, offers are still being made and agents are still busy, being invited out to value houses and subsequently being instructed.’

‘There will be a small group of would-be-sellers who decide to hold fire on marketing their properties until after the election which would mean waiting until September. But the reality of the market locally is that there is no reason to delay your move.’

Q: Please can you explain the basics of your property finding service – how it works and how your services are paid for? I’m assuming that it makes the purchase price higher?

A: Fiona says: ‘Absolutely! Well, there are several aspects of my service as a buying agent that are beneficial to a client and they are as follows:

• I will be able to show you properties that are not on the open market and that you would otherwise never hear about. The aim is to ensure you have first refusal on the property. An initial registration fee secures my services for a 16 week period and my success fee is paid as a percentage of the agreed purchase price at the point of exchange.

• I am an expert negotiator and will always endeavour to save you my fee by negotiating on the sale price, although of course this does depend on market conditions and cannot be guaranteed. I will ensure you do not pay any more than you need to successfully secure a property.

• I try to make the process of moving home as fun and stress free as possible. Clients often come to me when they are exhausted, frustrated and demoralised at trying to find a new home by themselves and it is very important to me that I help them find the excitement again and to fall in love with their new home.

• I will always act with your best interests at heart. I am your eyes and ears on the ground and will be ready to fight your corner and keep the process on track, overcoming any hurdles along the way.

Q: My sister lives in Frant and I’d like to move closer to her and out of London. But my husband is dead set on staying put, even although the schools nearby aren’t so good and independents are out of budget. He also says Kent is too sleepy! How can I persuade him and what areas would you suggest?

‘Firstly, yes, this county – the Garden of England – is full of beautiful rural villages but there is so much more to Kent than that. You’ve got the city of Canterbury with its university and cultural scene, Sevenoaks which is commuter heaven or Tunbridge Wells – a vibrant, busy town that has a great arts and music scene, plenty of exciting restaurants and cafes and a lovely choice of independent shops.’

‘All these towns have easy access to the coast with the lovely beaches of either the east Kent coastline or, if you’re in west Kent, you’ve got Camber Sands and Winchelsea for beaches and quirky coastal towns such as Rye.’

‘It’s also a great choice of excellent Grammar Schools and primary schools for your children and more National Trust properties than you can shake a stick at – with most of them totally geared up for children to enjoy. There’s lots of talented, vibrant folk living around here too – from entrepreneurs to artisans – and anything but sleepy!’