Founded in 1983, Property Vision provides impartial advice on every aspect of property purchasing throughout the UK. Quite simply, Property Vision sees more properties than anyone else; if it exists, they will not only find the property that hits the mark but also help you secure it.
From financial professionals and tech entrepreneurs to stockbrokers, media moguls and world-famous artists, Property Vision advises all types of buyers with their infinitely varied requirements.
“We are a close-knit team of experts looking in every corner of the prime UK market, across all tenures of real estate, from farmland and country estates to London’s golden postcodes. Every client has the full team available to them, so we can accommodate any change of requirements seamlessly,” says Philip Harvey.
“We also see the importance of nurturing the next generation of Property Vision buying advisors. We stand out as advisors rather than mere finders or agents through our depth of knowledge, and it is important that our successors build the same foundations Young talented professionals are out and about searching for the next areas of opportunity in emerging locations outside of Prime Central London such as Hackney, Acton and the North West.”
Property Vision works with trusted intermediaries, from accountants and family offices to interior designers, lawyers, surveyors and specialist organisations, including English Heritage. They will even use environmental companies in certain cases, such as searching the boundaries of a property with sniffer dogs that may have the invasive Japanese Knotweed growing which damages structures. It is critical to ensure its clients receive the most sage advice, whatever their requirement or remit.
Philip’s early career was in commercial property and portfolio management. He moved to high-value London residential sales in the 90s and joined Property Vision in 2001, building the team and business throughout the Southeast of England.
During this time he has been involved in some of the UK’s finest properties and estate purchases, including the now-famous Nyetimber vineyard in Sussex. “In London or the country, we specialise in finding and acquiring property that consistently meets the lifestyle or investment needs of our clients. Our role is to ensure that our clients receive the best advice in an environment where many properties come to the open market, but best in class rarely do,” he says.
To find and acquire the ideal house or flat, clients need expert help in the form of discreet, actionable and superbly well-informed advice. It goes without saying that they are paying for privileged early access to the best properties, but it is the advice element that keeps clients coming back and referring their friends. Philip defines success not as finding the right property, or negotiating the best possible price, this is a given. Success is the first time a recent client recommends Property Vision.
One client has now bought fourteen properties with us over a thirty five year period. We know we need to understand their emotional and practical needs in order to set the right search criteria. We’ve personally visited just about every high-end property to be sold in the UK over the last 40 years and we have the inside track on what’s about to come to market, as well as what’s already listed,” Philip adds.
Philip now helps clients with significant budgets identify opportunities across all Property Vision’s competencies. His current passion is to ensure that clients are au fait with ESG and sustainability issues. “Climate change isn’t going away, and pressure will mount on governments to ramp up legislation. As this happens, we are all going to be forced into action but the availability of the necessary kit, along with technicians and builders to install it, are all going to become more expensive and harder to find. Whichever way you look at it, the early adopters are going to come out as winners”, he said.
Rob Fanshawe is a stalwart of the business and has been key to Property Vision’s success since 2011. As managing partner heading up the country business, he commented: “There is a diverse supply of lifestyle properties in the English countryside, ranging from classical old rectories, farms and estates to cutting-edge contemporary homes, and everything in between. They share one thing in common, however. The finest and most outstanding properties only rarely become available; and even when they do, they hardly ever reach the open market.
“Our clients need more than patience if they’re to find and acquire the ideal property. They need specialist help: informed experts who have the contacts to create opportunities and the skills to make transactions happen.”
Each member of the team focuses on a specific region and most live in that local area. “We don’t just wait for the ripe plum to fall; we’re pro-active in shaking the tree. To avoid conflicts of interest, we don’t work simultaneously for two clients with the same brief in the same area,” adds Fanshawe.
As a private company, Property Vision does not have to deal with the conflicting needs of clients and shareholders. They are free to provide impartial advice with the client’s best interests at heart.
With deep expertise across residential as well as commercial asset classes, Property Vision is able to offer a whole-market view on where money is best invested. Private clients, family trusts and their advisors looking to take a position in the UK property market may find that some commercial property assets provide good income streams, often superior to residential property income returns.
Property Vision’s longevity and experience in the market means they are adept at interpreting clients’ needs and finding the best possible solution.
“One thing that’s been consistent over the past 40 years is the fact our advice is never compromised,” concludes Harvey.
