…But what people can say is that buying agencies can be expensive. With the odd exception perhaps, such as London Property Match…

They charge only a £587.50 signing-on deposit, plus one percent of the purchase price. “They’re these motherly figures who talk total common sense and cut through all the rubbish from the estate agents” says Mr H a Chelsea art dealer. “They held our hands the whole way when we bought our house in Battersea.” So perhaps it is time for the ladies to put their prices up?” “I think one per cent is quite enough, don’t you” replied Sarah Snow.