Coastal Property Search: Testimonials

Testimonials

In early 2007, Hilary and I had decided to relocate to the south coast from Berkshire. After some investigation, we soon decided that we wanted to live in Lyme Regis and we wanted a more modern home. That was the easy part.

We spent several months registering with estate agents and scouring the internet, all to no avail. It seemed to us that good properties in Lyme were hard to come by, and were snapped up before we even had a chance to register an interest. During one of our evenings huddled around the computer screen, we happened upon the Coastal Property Search web site and thought why not give it a go; we weren’t getting anywhere as it was. So, we arranged to meet Hannah and Helen in Lyme Regis.

From the very first meeting we liked H&H. We were impressed by the way they quizzed us; they really tried to find out, not only what kind of property we wanted, but what drove and inspired us. They were also great fun to chat with.

Within a short time, Hannah showed us a number of properties including the home that we now live in. We had seen this house on the internet and, from the details, discounted it; besides it was already under offer. Hannah had heard that the house had come back onto the market and, because she had correctly assessed our needs, thought we should view it. We loved it, Hannah was tenacious in her efforts to get us to the front of the queue, and we bought it.

We were particularly impressed with the way Hannah made sure that we would be happy with the house. She didn’t want to find us just any house; she wanted to find us the right house. There is absolutely no doubt that we would not be living here now if it wasn’t for Coastal Property Search.

Thank you Hannah and Helen.

Bob Brooker and Hilary Buckley

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Having enjoyed many happy holidays in Beer and Branscombe over the years, we decided to buy a more permanent home there. Living in London, and both leading very busy lives, we just didn’t have the time to do the searching ourselves. Impressed by their great website and sensible and fair fee structure, we got in touch with Coastal Property Search.

We asked Helen & Hannah to try and find us somewhere with a sea view, preferably in Beer – and they exceeded our expectations, very speedily and efficiently. In September 2007 we took possession of our new home and we couldn’t be more delighted! Our cottage stands in a unique position and enjoys stunning sea views from every room.

Both Helen & Hannah were really helpful and great to work with, and proved to be a fountain of local knowledge which was extremely useful. They were able to recommend services locally which was also very helpful. Today, three months after we bought our cottage, they still keep in touch and are always ready to offer further help and advice.

We have no hesitation in recommending Coastal Property Search – the service they offer is professional with a very personal touch.

Jenny & Lawrence Stolzenberg (November 07)

We had been searching for a property in Dorset for about a year. Living in Gloucestershire we realised it was taking a great deal of time to view properties. Adding in travelling time it was a tiring, often time-consuming and costly experience.

On one of these many trips, we were staying at Combe House Hotel and read a profile about Coastal Property Search in Devon Life. I said to my husband “let’s phone them”, and as a result, the next day we met up with Helen and Hannah to discuss our property needs and requirements. What we liked about them both was their ability to actually listen to what we wanted, not just the proposed location, but detailed wishes, for instance good dog walking, ancillary accommodation for Mother who may need to move with us at some time in the future, plus architectural preferences, (in our case Georgian) and many more important details. They were also very clear about their search area and what they could and could not do.

We had seen our new house advertised in Country Life, and within a short space of time, we had two houses to visit from their short list, not forgetting the many others they had seen on our behalf but had ruled out as negatives. Our new house is 1 mile from the sea, of Georgian architecture, within 10 minutes from a local town, with good dog walking, a challenging garden plus a separate coach house – a positive search. So, that’s the history and now we own it! It proved a pretty painless experience.

Despite their contrasts, Helen and Hannah complement each other which helps provide Coastal Property Search with a strong base as a highly professional organisation and a proven company with a personal touch. Since our purchase they have recommended excellent tradesmen, food outlets and much more.

On a financial note we thought their fee for the amount of work carried out was very reasonable and have no hesitation in recommending Coastal Property Search and wish it well.

Dr D and Mrs S Layton

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My partner Chris and I both work for ourselves and seem to spend our lives eternally rushing around from client to client so when we decided to look for a property to escape to on the south coast, we knew that we didn't really have enough spare weekends or local knowledge to go hunting for ourselves, without wasting a lot of time seeing properties that wouldn't be right for us.

Chris found the Coastal Property Search website and within a few days we were sitting down for coffee with Helen and Hannah in Lyme Regis. They cleverly helped us describe exactly what we were looking for... ground floor flat, coastal view, luxurious, not too expensive, oh and a bit funky too. What we really liked was the way H&H asked us so many questions and made sense of what we were saying by talking to each other about what they were hearing while we were all together and then checking back with us there and then

A few days later Helen called... "We've found something a bit special... a newly renovated ground floor flat in a Georgian house set on a hillside above the town overlooking the sea. It is in your price bracket and did I mention that it has ten foot ceilings, original fireplaces and French windows opening out onto the garden...."

Within the week, we visited the property with Helen and Hannah in tow, fell in love with it on the spot and marched straight off to the estate agent to close the deal. All went smoothly and we are looking forward to spending as much time there as possible this spring and summer.

Huge thanks to the delightful and professional H and H without whom we would never have found this "once in a lifetime" property.

Geoff Mead and Chris Seeley (May 2006)

We initially approached Helen and Hannah regarding a property search in the Lyme Regis region with some trepidation. Our concern was that the process would be a waste of money particularly as there is a wealth of information about available properties.

We need not have worried. Helen and Hannah were fantastic. Not only did they find our ideal home but their enthusiasm, local knowledge, friendliness and experience made the buying experience an absolute pleasure and in fact increased our desire to live in the area.

They have now extended their services to provide help on property improvements, cleaning, gardening and all those many things you forget to think about when buying. They also know all the good restaurants and pubs!

We would have never found what we were looking for without their help. Many thanks!

Nicola & Dominic de Lorenzo (April 2006)

We found this substantial family home for clients in early 2006. This property, situated near Beer, has stunning sea views and stands in grounds of one acre.

Our clients completed in February 2006, and are now settled in and blissfully happy!

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A Close Encounter with Coastal Property Search

It went like this: we had been seriously searching for a house in the Lyme Regis area without success for some considerable time…..and when we did find something, we were either “pipped to the post”, gazumped or gazundered!

When househunting, we always stayed at an excellent Bed & Breakfast in Lyme, and one weekend Dympna (our lovely landlady) suggested we contact Coastal Property Search. So we rang Helen FitzGerald and later that morning, we were sitting down with Helen having coffee and the most delicious almond biscuits finding out how Coastal Property Search could help…and having eaten all the biscuits, we went through a searching “interview” (far worse than immigration into the USA!)…even questions about our dog Gertie.

Well, to start with Helen gave us very valuable local information about the towns and villages ….especially interesting as now that we live here, we understand completely why Helen spent so much time helping us to “get to know the area” …..from a locals point of view! Buying a property when you live a long way away is difficult enough, …… buying it in the right place, now that’s the real challenge!

After a number of visits to see houses that Helen had short-listed, we suddenly got a phone call which went something like this:

“A lovely house has just come on the market in a pretty village near Sidmouth. I have already viewed it on your behalf, but feel that as it doesn’t fulfil some of your basic requirements, it probably isn’t worth seeing…………oh, and it has the most fantastic views and the location is perfect!!.....”.

Helen is as much a psychologist as a search agent, and she knew (rightly as it turned out!) what sort of house would suit us!! Anyway, to cut a long story short, we saw the property the very next day……….we bought it,…. we love it and we are very happy living here……especially in such a wonderful location!!

Our first Christmas Day was spent on nearby Branscombe beach with a hamper, complete with a good bottle of wine – what could be better?

The proof of the Coastal Property Search pudding is that if we had been searching on our own, we would have never come across Harcombe House………so as long as Helen has a supply of almond biscuits that I can dip into when we call in from time to time, I can thoroughly recommend Coastal Property Search!!

Frank & Ann Eul, Devon

"We came to East Devon for just two days looking for a second home. During that time, Helen FitzGerald showed us six short listed properties. We have just had our offer accepted on a delightful cottage near the coast and are thrilled.

Helen FitzGerald went out of her way to help us, even taking us to the best pub for lunch! The service we received from Coastal Property Search was excellent - highly recommended!"

Mr & Mrs. N. Dodson

"With the help of Helen and Hannah I have found the most wonderful home near Sidmouth, East Devon. Their local knowledge, good humour and ability to dig out the best eating establishment made the search enjoyable and highly productive.

After two months working with Coastal Property Search, and having already viewed six really good properties, Helen encouraged me to come down to see a house just coming on to the market….and I just loved it! I move in very soon and I can’t thank Helen and Hannah enough...."

Mr. B. Sharland

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Coastal Property Search is the trading name of Coastal Property Search Limited. Registered Office: Combe Bank, Combpyne, Axminster, Devon, EX13 8SX. Registered in England No 5852707. Directors Helen FitzGerald & Hannah Harling.