OXFORD Property Consulting is now the county’s fastest growing independent search agency, thanks to what it calls its ‘Phil and Kirsty’ style personal service.

Founded by Ben Procter in 2016, the Oxford-based company helps people find new homes to buy or rent, and sources residential and commercial properties or land for investors.

The service has proved particularly popular with people moving into Oxfordshire from London, who require support from an expert to help them find their dream home.

It has helped numerous families and individuals make the big move and sourced investment properties for investors. The company finds properties and negotiates prices.

The service echoes the popular television programme Location, Location, Location, in which Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp help people buy new homes.

Mr Procter said: “We are very aware of the time pressures most of us face in our daily lives, which makes it difficult to invest the time required to find a new home, office, or investment opportunity.

“It can be a minefield and stressful process scouring the internet, speaking to multiple estate agents, viewing properties and negotiating on price, even more so if it is in a new area.

“Our personal search agent service is proving popular with time-starved clients who value our professional service and expertise in helping them find the property that is right for them, at the right price.”

He said honesty, expertise and client service were key to the company’s success.

“Providing honest, clear advice and a first-class service is critical as the bedrock of our beliefs,” added |Mr Procter.

“We always sit down with our clients to work out their objectives and then devise a plan to ensure we deliver.

“The team cuts through estate agency jargon and works hard to genuinely find clients the right properties and save them time and money.

“The beauty of Oxford Property Consulting is we are totally independent and are not tied to individual estate agents - this means we can take a broad view, look at the whole market and deliver results.”

Mr Procter was born in Oxford and has spent more than a decade working in property, in London and in Oxford.

He added: “I am passionate about the sector and about helping people find the right property for them.

“That’s why I set up Oxford Property Consulting and there’s no better feeling than when you find a client their dream home.”

He added: “Working at an estate agency I was constricted by only being able to offer clients what was on the books at any one time. Additionally, clients often commented it was a difficult juggling act managing various agents and viewings alongside work and family commitments.

“That’s when I hit on the idea that an independent agency would be a valuable service for people and I’ve never looked back.

“Purchasing a house is one of the biggest decisions and most expensive purchases one makes in a lifetime, so it’s important people get the right support to help them get the best possible outcome.”

Mr Procter said Summertown was the area of choice for families moving for schools and looking to stay inside the ring road.

Villages with rail links, including Islip, Long Hanborough and Radley are popular for families looking for more space, but wanting to commute back into the capital on a part-time basis.

Earlier this year Mark Charter, a partner at Oxford-based Carter Jonas estate agents, warned of a difficult 12 months ahead for estates agents due to a ‘stalled’ housing market.

His concerns were prompted by a profit warning from Countrywide, which owns high street brands including John D Wood in Oxford and London.

The Countrywide chain said last year that the Brexit vote had had a ‘sustained impact’ on the property market with fewer people looking to buy or sell.

In February Oxford was labelled the ‘least affordable city’ after a study revealed the average property price is 11.5 times the average wage.

Lloyds Bank Affordable Cities Review released the figures showing Oxford as the worst city for affordability in the UK - with just five others also at least 10 times the average earnings of its residents.

Cities alongside Oxford for being the least affordable in comparison to average earnings included were Cambridge, London, Brighton and Hove, Bath and Winchester.

The average house price in Oxford last year was an estimated £414,000.