Capstone Property Solutions LLP is a fully independent property consulting business. The company is privately owned and provides impartial and expert advice to private and retained clients on a variety of property matters. Founded in 2009, the company is based in London and has a network of partners across the globe all working to the same ethic of exceptional advice and service. The founders are property professionals with impressive track records who have a combined experience of 50 years in the industry.
Capstone is dedicated to providing the very best service and advice to private clients looking to locate and acquire the finest property in both the UK and overseas. In addition to our core business as property buying advisors we also have a range of further services to create a true one stop shop for our clients. From full property design and build projects to serviced apartment booking, we have the expertise and network of contacts to cater for all our clients' needs. We also advise on and seek equity partners for major residential projects in London.
The services we provide are tailored to the requirements of each individual client. Our philosophy, gained from our wide experience in the industry, is that no two clients are the same and should therefore not be treated as such.
Our independence is crucial to providing impartial and expert advice. We have no ownership by any estate agencies or banking organisations. We are passionate about what we do and aim to be as flexible as possible by recognizing that each project is unique.
Our clients range from those looking for their prime family residence to those that are looking for a pied a terre in London or a second home overseas. Our services are specifically designed to assist clients that are unsure of current market conditions, don’t have the time to conduct a search project themselves or are looking for those off market opportunities that only a company with our contacts and knowledge can unearth. Our clients include high net worth professional individuals, entrepreneurs and overseas investors. We also have a successful history of assisting clients in the public eye looking to ensure complete confidentiality and anonymity. This includes clients from the sports and entertainment sectors and leading figures from industry and politics.
Capstone offers a range of services to cater for our clients' needs, whatever they may be. Our principle services are listed, however there is rarely a situation where we can’t assist or offer some form of advice, so please feel free to get in touch.
The common theme with all of our services is a complete dedication to ensuring that our clients are represented in the most professional and ethical way possible. This is the founding principle of the business.
Prime London is a central focus for Capstone, each partner having many years of experience in this market and we have traditionally represented buyers seeking not only a prime family residence, but also those looking for more modest investment acquisitions.
Through our associations, we have excellent resources in a number of other areas both in the UK and overseas. Having worked with our Associates for considerable amounts of time, we know that they represent the best of the industry in their respective regions.
Our fee for purchase search and acquisition consists of an initial retaining fee followed by a success fee payable on completion of the purchase. Each search contract is six months in length and is renewed on expiry, unless other arrangements have been agreed.
The retaining fee is crucial to the success of any search project, it shows commitment which in turn allows us to gain access to opportunities which would not normally be accessible. All retaining fees are deducted from any final success fees that we charge.
We are able to give indications on fees following an initial discussion of requirements. However, it is only after we have discussed the brief in full that we can tailor a fee structure to suit each individual client. Our commitment is to be flexible and hence, we work closely with any potential clients to agree on a structure which recognises their prime requirements and gives us the best chance of success.
Phil Martin
UK-North West & Midlands
Simon Moorman
UK-South West
Mike Topham
Gulf Region
Fredrik Lilloe
South of France
Stuart Jones
Australia
Simon Tinley
European Alps and Switzerland
For all enquiries whether UK or overseas, please contact Tim Johnston.
Phone: +44 (0)20 7384 9020
Email: info@capstone-property.co.uk
We’re always delighted to have an initial discussion with you about your current situation and future requirements. We’re more than happy to come to your office or home for an initial discussion or potential clients are welcome to visit us.
Our London office address is:
6 Chelsea Gate Studios,
Harwood Road,
London SW6 4QL
Purchase Search and Acquisition
We focus our many years of property search experience and knowledge into satisfying our clients' individual requirements in terms of location, price, architecture and internal configuration.
Our service comprises of the following elements, but can of course be tailored to suit any circumstance.
1. Initial discussion – A no-obligation meeting to discuss requirements and put a brief together. The discussions are wide ranging and include market conditions and offering advice on other areas to consider, if appropriate.
2. Search brief – We put together a search brief based on our initial meeting to summarise areas discussed. It is this document that will form the basis for the property search to begin.
3. Area orientation tours – Many clients find that a tour of preferred areas can help to focus their requirements before a search begins in earnest. It is at this point that we can explore any further areas that Capstone may have suggested for consideration.
4. Full research and previews – We carry out various initial research and previews before the first, client attended, property tour. Subsequent tours become increasingly targeted and continue until the right property is found.
5. Convenient tours - Capstone arranges all viewings that are convenient and relevant. We accompany clients on all tours advising on the negatives as well as the positives of each property.
6. Negotiation on best price and terms - Once a property of interest has been identified, we assess the comparable price evidence, discuss bidding tactics and handle the negotiation. Everything we do at this point is designed to protect our clients and give them clear advantages over other buyers.
7. Full property reporting - Clients receive monthly reports enabling them to review the work undertaken to date. Once a property is agreed we produce a comprehensive Property Report which includes comparable sales figures, evaluation of market data and local area information.
8. Oversee of conveyancing - Capstone proactively co-ordinates all parties and oversees the entire process of conveyancing. The aim is to ensure the purchase proceeds as swiftly and efficiently as possible.
Purchase Negotiation
Our negotiation service is designed to assist clients that have already located a suitable property but are then looking for professional advice and assistance with negotiations. These negotiations can be as much about price as about securing the best terms for the purchase or investigating a planning issue which is unclear. For example, a client may require an extended completion period or a property may have had work carried out for which there was no clear planning permission.
At this point of the buying process it is crucial to be absolutely clear that the right decisions are being made and Capstone is here to make sure clients are fully aware of what they are doing at every stage in the process. Our impartiality means we are never afraid to advise clients to walk away from a negotiation, if we feel it is in their best interests to do so.
Overseas Property Search
Capstone has an extensive partner and affiliate network that stretches right across the globe. This includes partners in France, Mallorca and the UAE, to further afield in the US and Australia. We ensure that all our partners work to the same exacting standards as we do and we are in constant contact with them to monitor this. The buying process can vary quite markedly from region to region in Europe and further afield, therefore it is usually imperative to have assistance from a consultant with local knowledge and contacts.
We are committed to giving our clients confidence in any recommendations that we make, as we know our partners’ services will reflect on us. This is why we only work with the best people in their field.
Serviced Apartments
Working closely with one of the most established and accomplished brokers of short term accommodation in London allows us to offer clients even greater flexibility. All areas of Prime Central London are covered in addition to some of the world’s most recognisable cities. A broad range of fine fully fitted and serviced apartments and townhouses can be booked from as little as one night and up to 6 months providing exceptional accommodation tailored to client requirements. Whether it is during extensive refurbishment or to facilitate a chain-free purchase, the flexibility of this type of accommodation can offer valuable convenience and even a competitive edge in the purchase process. Please contact us directly for further information.
Design and Build
The Capstone brokered Design and Build service is available to any of our clients to support them in the creation of their ideal new environment. We recognise that each Design and Build project is unique and therefore we have a panel of suppliers that we can recommend depending on each individual client’s requirements.
Working with a Capstone approved builder, designer or architect is an assurance of quality. As with all of our partnerships, we fully appreciate that their level of service will reflect on us therefore we constantly monitor standards and encourage feedback from clients.
Tim Johnston - Partner
Tim has nearly 10 years experience in the Central London property market beginning his career with one of the leading agents in Knightsbridge and Chelsea. More recently he has spent 4 years at a leading independent property consulting firm where he was responsible for overseeing all client services and a successful international division.
He firmly believes that flexibility is the key to providing a service that is successful. He remains in contact with every Capstone client to ensure that each search stays focused and is able to anticipate situations before they arise.
Tim’s wide network of international contacts means he is able to offer advice and guidance to those looking to purchase in overseas markets. His contacts span the globe so he is nearly always in a position to make recommendations.
Tim’s background is client services and before he began his career in property he was managing director of a telecoms business and also a marketing consultant at one of London’s leading advertising agencies.
A keen golfer, skier and big rugby fan, Tim has a passion for world travel and also spends a lot of time in Ireland where he was brought up and educated.
James Rawes - Partner
James started out in residential agency in 1988. Primarily based in the leafy corners of Surrey and Berkshire, James moved to London in 1994, where he has since been working in many of central London’s prime areas, such as Notting Hill, St Johns Wood, South Kensington and Chelsea.
Having been Senior Consultant for one of the country’s leading Property Search agencies, James’s search experience extends to most if not all of the most sought after locations in the capital.
James’s level headed attitude brings a mature and reasoned approach to the search process and with over 20 years experience in the industry, his knowledge and tenacity gives his clients the upper hand in both sourcing the ideal property as well as negotiating the best price.
A family man living close to Richmond Park, James has 3 small children who enjoy looking at the details of some of the fine properties James visits on a daily basis.
Scot Griffin - Partner
Scot has been in the property industry for over 15 years, beginning in acquisitions for a commercial development firm before moving into commercial investment and agency.
In the mid 1990’s he moved to London and cut his teeth in residential agency in South Kensington and subsequently a private development company. Since then Scot has specialised in Business Development for a group of notable property companies.
Scot has an impressive contact list in both the Financial and Sports & Entertainment industries. He has a reputation for providing a confidential and discrete service to high profile business individuals in addition to personalities in the public eye.
He has 3 children and lives in Berkshire where he regularly plays competitive golf.
London
London presents a huge range of opportunities for all types of buyers, whether owner occupier or investment buyer, prime residence or pied a terre, however the diverse nature of the areas and architecture within the capital can seem daunting. The diversity in price and styles of property means that prices can not only vary from area to area, but also from street to street and even situation within a street.
Expert advice can be crucial and Capstone is here to provide this advice, from identifying areas to include within a search, to guidance on the types of architecture that traditionally hold their value, whatever market conditions may prevail.
Many properties in London are sold privately and Capstone is often able to identify these opportunities before anyone else. In addition we are often made aware of new properties coming to the market well in advance of the competition, giving our clients a major advantage over less well informed buyers.
Our long and diverse experience in the London property market ensures our clients are in safe hands.
South West
When people think of moving to the country perhaps top of their list is the West Country, arguably England's most unspoilt and naturally attractive areas. A highly varied geography combines rolling hills, wilderness moorland, dramatic coastlines and deserted sandy beaches.
Many find more to do outdoors here than anywhere else in the UK with the best of surfing, cycling, walking, golfing, sailing or fishing. The quality of the local food and drink is unsurpassed, being renowned not only for its sea food but for its organic production of vegetables, fruit, dairy products and meat. Culturally these counties abound with opportunity and the region is well resourced with popular schools.
The supply of quality properties is very limited and the most attractive properties are often sold “off market” or within the first few days of official marketing. Vendors of the most prestigious properties often prefer discrete marketing of their property making access to these opportunities extremely difficult for those without local contacts and expertise.
Capstone’s office in the South West is situated in the heart of the territory in the South Hams of Devon. The staff would welcome the opportunity to discuss how they might assist you.
North West and Midlands
Whether it’s luxury city centre living in Manchester or countryside living in rural Cheshire that you are looking for, Capstone has the local knowledge and property expertise to save you time, stress and money. We provide property search services in all the prime North West residential areas, including Alderley Edge, Bowdon, Hale, Lymm, Knutsford, Prestbury, Wilmslow, Stockton Heath, Chester, Tarporley, Birkdale, Caldy and Formby.
Our team in the North West and Midlands has a personable and enthusiastic approach to finding and securing the best properties at the right prices, whilst keeping you fully informed every step of the way. Our focus is to oversee the entire property search and purchase process.
South of France
There is little or nowhere in Europe that is able to offer anything similar in terms of a combination of accessibility, infrastructure, natural beauty and exclusivity than the South of France.
Established areas in the Cote D’Azur such as St Tropez, Cannes and Nice have always seen high demand, subsequently leading to a short supply of quality property. Coupled with this, is a very different buying culture to the UK meaning that finding and securing the perfect French property can prove a challenging and unique experience.
Accessing opportunities in this market can be notoriously difficult. Property at the higher end of the market is often sold privately and discretion is top on the priority list of many sellers. Having a permanent presence in the area is essential to ensuring good opportunities are not missed.
Capstone has a wide network of contacts covering the coastline from Monaco to St Tropez, offering invaluable advice at all stages of the buying process, from initial location guidance through to sourcing those elusive opportunities, and negotiating price and best terms for our clients.
European Alps and Switzerland
The French and Swiss Alps are home to the largest and most popular ski resorts in the world. Hundreds of resorts are linked together by thousands of kilometres of beautifully groomed pistes, serviced by an unsurpassed lift system and accessible via constantly upgraded transport links. The summers see temperatures rising to 30 degrees with lazy days walking in the mountains, lunching or picnicking by one of the hundreds of alpine lakes, with golf, white water rafting, mountain biking and climbing if you are feeling more active.
Access from the UK remains easy, via Geneva, Lyon, Zurich, Chambery and Grenoble and the top end property market continues to perform well.
Purchasing overseas is always daunting, but buying in the Alps can throw up complications for an investor that wouldn’t be relevant closer to sea level. Where and how you want to invest depends greatly on what you want to achieve from your purchase. Are you merely interested in skiing, or looking for capital gain? Are you looking for an investment return, or a permanent move to the Alps? You may even wish to start a business.
Our partners based permanently in the Alps have unrivalled knowledge of both the region and the buying process. They would welcome the opportunity to discuss your requirements, whatever they may be.
UAE
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