This is the place to find all of the most frequently asked questions we get from our clients. If you don’t see the particular answer your looking for, or have any further questions, do give us a call or pop in!

Whether you’re planning to sell, rent or are undecided, we’ll ensure a smooth process at every stage. We make sure your property gets in front of the right buyer, and we have over 30 years of experience of doing so. With thousands of potential buyers and tenants on our database to do this.

We will work with you to reveal hidden value and bring solutions that are creative and practical. From using the latest technology to sharing our market insights, we work as your team, transforming your property journey. From sales and lettings to property management, our joined up, multi-disciplinary team and purposeful approach is focused on creating and delivering value for you!

1: Why should I instruct Heathgate? What do you offer over and above another agent?
2: Tell me in a nutshell why your service is better than other agents.
3: How does Heathgate bring the right people to my door?
4: How does Heathgate reach an International clientele?
5: How do you achieve this?
6: Where do you advertise?
7: If I want to rent my property and/or have it managed why would I choose Heathgate?
8: What fees do you charge?
9: How do you operate your website?
10: Do I have to be at home for viewings?
11. How do you create our brochure?
12. What is next at Heathgate?

Heathgate is a  member of the The Property Ombudsman redress scheme, www.tpos.co.uk, and Tenancy Deposit Solutions Limited (TDSL) also known as My Deposits, www.mydeposits.co.uk.

1: Why should I instruct Heathgate? What do you offer over and above another agent?

The answer has remained the same since Heathgate opened in 1990. We give a personal service over and above our competitors. As an independent “boutique” agency, we care. We care about our clients, we care about getting you the best price, we care about the presentation of your property, we care about the way your transaction is handled and most of all we care that the service you receive and the eventual sale or rental price that you get, is right for you.

2: Tell me in a nutshell why your service is better than other agents.

Many of the larger companies use a “conveyor belt” style of selling, whereby your property comes onto the market, goes through a process of advertising and hopefully gets sold or let on the way through.

But if your property is not sold, it’s usually forgotten, as the agent is busy with the next new instruction.

Heathgate does not work that way, we don’t treat our clients as products or their properties as goods. We understand individuality, we appreciate that your property deserves to be treated as special. It should be handled with thought, and marketed to generate the best opportunities with a strategy that enables maximum coverage.  We offer tailor made marketing campaigns, each unique and each exclusive. There are no formulas and templates, but a mixture of well placed advertising, editorial and a very experienced team of staff, all of whom are approachable, sensitive to your needs and want to get the job done, your way and to your timetable.

3: How does Heathgate bring the right people to my door?

As we all know, nothing beats getting a buyer or a tenant into your property, so we employ our own specialist approach to qualifying our applicants to ensure that you get only suitable people viewing. We are thorough in our research to ensure that applicants whose criteria do not match, or those who have no serious interest in buying or renting do not waste your time. We actually talk to our purchasers and prospective tenants and establish not only their requirements but whether they have the ability to buy or rent, as well as, their time frame for executing a transaction. These methods are tried and tested and have proved very effective. Naturally, we can’t guarantee that the first viewer will buy or rent, but we can be sure that their requirements “fit the bill”.

Much of our business is recommended. This is not due to luck but because we earn it. We try to give all our clients at all price levels, the same individual service and we “go the extra mile” to ensure that we have covered all the bases. There is no more sincere form of flattery than those people who come back to us time after time and/or endorse us to their friends.  Often these clients are loyal to Heathgate as they know they will get excellent and efficient service.

4: How does Heathgate reach an International clientele?

Vivienne Harris the owner and managing director, has developed a vast network of international contacts over 41 years and since 1990 when Heathgate began trading, she has played an active role in the day-to-day running of the Company and increasing the Company’s links. Heathgate invests heavily in all the International websites that attract high calibre, overseas buyers and tenants. We may be a “boutique” or “niche” estate agency but we have a significant and loyal worldwide database due to the trust we have established over this long period , many of whom solely use the services of Heathgate.

5: How do you achieve this?

Heathgate will conceive and utilise a thorough marketing strategy to promote your property both globally and locally. We appear on all the relevant national and worldwide property portals and our methods have proved very successful in giving Heathgate a huge international presence which in turn translates to effective sales and lettings. We investigate all avenues including advertising, media coverage, editorial, social media, our already large database of contacts and we consistently expose your property to a worldwide audience, whether based in the UK or elsewhere, we can target the right buyer or tenant for your property.

6: Where do you advertise?

For printed media we utilise:

The Hampstead and Highgate Express on an ad hoc basis and Fabric Magazine.

For digital media we utilise:

the world- wide web,  via Primelocation.com, Rightmove.co.uk, Zoopla.co.uk, Onthemarket.com, Homes24.co.uk and Fabric.co.uk, as well as a number of other magazine related portals. We also have our own website at Heathgate.com or if you prefer Heathgate.co.uk

For passing trade:

we are the only agent to have installed a large animated video wall in the window of our newly modernised office.

For everything else:

we have established a presence on the social networks that is proving very popular, regularly posting relevant items onto Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, adding another dimension to our already expansive coverage  and increasing our following almost daily.

Where applicable and allowed, For Sale or To Let boards provide another string to our bow.

Vivienne Harris also regularly features in editorials for the glossy magazines, websites and various news articles. She  has also been interviewed and asked for comment in property magazines, national press, news related pieces and has appeared on Breakfast TV as well as a French News channel. She has been on LBC radio as a property expert and a news TV channel in the Midlands for the same reason.

7: If I want to rent my property and/or have it managed why would I choose Heathgate?

We specialise in property management and letting forms part of that process. We pride ourselves on our customer service and attention to detail, so that when you let your property you can be certain that proposed tenants credentials, finances and employment are all thoroughly checked. If we have any doubts about suitability we will advise Landlords accordingly, even to the extent of suggesting that we find an alternative tenant. Not many agents can own up to that!  Property Management is skilled and we have a designated department that is not an add on to our existing business,  it is one that we have sought to perfect, so that you know you are in the very best hands, if you are unable to deal with the property yourself or just prefer a hassle free scenario. You don’t have to worry as we will handle it all and treat your property as if it were our own.

8: What fees do you charge?

Heathgate offers competitive rates depending on the type of instruction such as, sole agency, joint sole agency or multiple agency. We are always available to discuss the different rates. Our priority is your priority:  to get your property sold or let at the best price and in the most convenient way.

9: How do you operate your website?

We are consistently updating our website to ensure that you get the best possible tools to advertise your property. We maintain full control over the content of our website and can usually arrange for a property to be uploaded within 24 hours (depending on the timing for the photographs). Almost simultaneously it uploads to all the property search portals, so that you get maximum coverage in rapid time. Our site incorporates maps and Street View, floorplans and photographs plus interactive e-mail addresses so that you can communicate directly with any member of staff or ask any questions before you view. You can register and receive updates of all our new instructions, meet the team online, set your parameters for your choice of home, contact us via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn and if all else fails, naturally, you can telephone or write to us too.

Plus you can always see what’s happening at Heathgate on your smart phone.

10: Do I have to be at home for viewings?

You do not have to be at home when viewings take place, in fact, many of our clients prefer to be elsewhere and not involved in the process at all. Our team, are very experienced and they will always have all the information about your property to hand, so any questions from a buyer can be answered. We will always leave your property as we find it, so no need to worry about security. If you do wish to be present during appointments, we are delighted to have your assistance, as no one knows more about your home than you.

11. How do you create our brochure?

We have taken time and effort to ensure that our marketing material is sophisticated and stylish. We will ensure that professional floorplans are produced and a range of high quality photographs. We have introduced a new style brochure in a booklet design that incorporates all the necessary information, maps and details a purchaser or tenant may require.

12. What is next at Heathgate?

At Heathgate we have always been the first to look at new ideas and methods and we were one of the initial agents to be part of Primelocation.com when it was originally started by the agents, for the agents. We can also say the same for Fabric magazine, in which we still retain our interests. We are the first agent locally to embrace the video wall to display your property and to have ensured that our smart and fully refurbished office has been fitted with the latest telephone system and technology to give our clients seamless and high quality service. We are one of the leaders in social media and are continually growing our following as this area goes from strength to strength. Our website has been specifically designed to ensure ease of navigation and is smart phone friendly.

Over the coming year a number of new initiatives are on the way including our involvement in an exciting new range of services including a designated new homes department and a block management division. We are always looking to see if we can enhance your property experience and equally happy to receive your feedback if you feel we have done a great job or if you have any constructive criticism. We promise to listen.