Eccord marks 20 years at the forefront of prime London property
LPF Member Eccord occupies an unusual position in prime central London, an independent, buy-side only agency that represents purchasers alone at a time when few such firms remain. Founded in 2006 by Jo Eccles and run from its Sloane Square headquarters, the firm was established to redress a persistent imbalance in the market, in which sellers were professionally represented while buyers acted for themselves. Two decades on, Eccord has acted on more than 400 homes, from pieds-à-terre to £60m trophy houses, secures its clients' properties in ninety-five per cent of searches, and ranks consistently among the Spear's 500 Top Flight buying agencies.
As Eccord reaches its twentieth year, founder and managing director Jo Eccles considers how the London market has shifted since 2006, why off-market transactions now account for the greater part of the firm's acquisitions, and what sustained, buy-side representation offers clients at a moment when the market has rarely been more complex to navigate. Alongside acquisition, the firm has broadened into award-winning rental search and relocation, and the management of more than 150 private homes and rental investments, an expansion that speaks to the same principle it began with: representing the buyer's interest, and holding it for the long term.
Buying agency Eccord is marking its 20-year anniversary, celebrating two decades of helping clients find, acquire and manage some of London’s most sought-after homes.
Founded by Jo Eccles in 2006, Eccord was originally established to address the significant imbalance in the property market, which saw sellers professionally represented by estate agents, while buyers acted solo. Having witnessed her colleagues’ frustration with the property search and negotiation process whilst working in banking, Jo launched a buying agency dedicated to representing buyers’ interests in prime central London. Since then, Eccord has grown from a boutique start-up into one of London’s best-known buying agencies.
The firm has acted on more than 400 properties ranging from £2m pied-a-terres to £60m trophy homes and is one of only a few truly remaining independent, buy-side only agencies in London, representing a range of clients from industry leaders to entrepreneurs and household names in music and entertainment. It has an exceptional track record, with a 95% success rate finding and securing clients’ properties, as well as winning 85% of competitive bids, when in two thirds of those cases their clients weren’t the highest or the strongest bidder. The team also consistently ranks as one of Spear’s highest-ranking Top Flight buying agencies in the Spear’s 500 Index.
“When I founded Eccord, my vision was to ensure London buyers also had expert representation, entirely focused on achieving better outcomes and protecting their interests. I clearly remember our first client searches – I’m still in contact with them today – and the trust our clients continue to place in us during such pivotal milestones in their lives is never lost on me.
“Twenty years on and the need for expert guidance and competitive advantage is greater than it’s ever been. The market has become increasingly difficult to navigate with the growing number of new selling agents and hybrid brokers, and off market properties now accounting for more than 60% of our acquisitions.”
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London’s property market has weathered incredible change over the past two decades, and the team has successfully helped clients navigate uncertainty, identify opportunities and make informed long-term decisions in sometimes highly complex and fragmented market cycles.
When the 2008 global financial crisis hit just 18 months after Eccord launched, it pivoted to meet the changing needs of clients by creating an award-winning rental search and relocation service, which remains highly sought after by individuals, families and senior executives relocating to London.
Over the past decade, Eccord’s services have expanded into property management, overseeing more than 150 rental properties and private homes for landlords and homeowners from its Sloane Square headquarters.
“Expanding into property management was a natural move for us. Over the years, as our clients upsized or moved abroad, many turned to us to rent out their properties, relying on our team to carefully vet tenants, maximise yields and ensure their landlord obligations are met. Today, half of our landlords are unrelated to the property search side of our business, choosing us solely for the personal service, expertise and peace of mind we provide, particularly when they are former homes.
We are now also privileged to work with central London homeowners who want the comfort of knowing their homes are immaculately cared for, whether they are in residence or overseas. Owning a home to live in or rent out requires expertise and trusted contractors, and we are able to provide a seamless experience which is hugely sought after by landlords and homeowners, as well as international family offices requiring local experts.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey over the past 20 years and here’s to the chapter ahead!”
About Eccord
Established in 2006, Eccord is a leading residential property search and property management company, specialising in prime central London.
The award-winning Search & Acquisition team represents individuals and families buying prime and super prime properties for themselves or investment. In addition, Eccord’s in-house Property Management team oversees £1.5bn of rental investments and private homes for landlords and homeowners.
Founder and Managing Director, Jo Eccles, has been described as a “superstar woman in property” and is a leading authority on luxury residential property. She is a property columnist in a national broadsheet newspaper and is consistently recognised in the Spear’s 500 as one of the UK’s Top Ten Property Advisors.
get in touch
To find out more about Eccord, please contact the team using the details below:
T: +44 (0)20 7244 4485
Visit their website: www.eccord.com