Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I subscribe to Sigma's monthly newsletter?

   If you would like to receive our monthly newsletters containing up-to-date property market news, please click here to complete our contact form and we will send our newsletters directly to your inbox as they are published.

2. Who is Sigma Investment Property?

   We are one of the UK's leading independent commercial and residential property acquisition consultancies specialising in offshore portfolio diversification.

3. What do we do?

   We offer informed, objective advice on every aspect of the purchase, whether you are looking for a home, a second home or an investment. Sigma's expertise, customer service and pragmatic approach guarantees you will secure the best possible property at the best possible price.

4. How confidential is your service?

   Information about our clients is always treated with the utmost confidentiality and is not divulged to other third parties unless we are required to do so by law.

5. Where do Sigma source property?

   Founded in February 2006, we have established a solid track record of success, acquiring over £500 million of properties for our clients during this time.

   On average, a quarter of the properties that we source for our clients never appear on the open market, because of our relationships with large financial institutions, private banks, Trustees and private individuals around the world.

6. How long does it take for Sigma to source a property?

   On average it can take 8 weeks from understanding the client’s initial brief to exchanging contracts. Searches can take anything from a few days through to 6 months or more, depending upon current market conditions and the client's specific requirements.

7. Which are the best areas to consider for investment property?

   With over 80 years combined knowledge and experience in the London and South east of England commercial and residential property markets, our team are best placed to understand your requirements, advise you on the most suitable investment areas for rental yields and capital appreciation; we are truly independent; therefore, our clients can be sure of receiving impartial, professional advice and excellent customer service from our team of highly experienced individuals.

   Our case study section displays a wide variety of examples which indicates the depth and breadth of our ability to source and acquire property on behalf of clients, each with differing requirements and budget.

8. Are you able to source properties which I couldn’t find myself?

   Sigma's residential and commercial teams all have large networks of contacts which include, private bankers and large financial institutions managing properties for their clients, property developers all over the UK, individuals wishing to dispose of property privately; solicitors handling probate sales, distressed sales as well as other contacts such as those managing large apartment blocks who may be aware of owners wishing to sell who have not yet engaged with an estate agent. All of these contacts mean that we are able to source property before it even reaches the open market and acquire them for our clients.

9. How does Sigma earn its fees?

   Our clients pay our fees, we are truly independent so do not accept fees from any other party. Sigma stands for integrity, transparency, diligence and its pragmatic approach delivers the highest levels of service. It is these values that have kept usas a leading independent search and acquisition property services consultancy.

10. Why should I use Sigma?

    We are fully independent; therefore, our clients can be sure of receiving impartial, professional advice and excellent customer service from our team of highly experienced individuals.

    Our teams are based in London, Cape Town and Buckinghamshire. We have over 80 years’ experience in the residential and commercial property markets. The quality of our team enables us to deliver exceptional customer service focussed solely on you, our client.

    Providing excellent customer service lies at the very heart of everything we do. We believe that listening and understanding is critical to building an effective working relationship and implementing the best solutions, whether your interests are in buying a home, second home or an investment property.

    Sigma stands for integrity, transparency, diligence and its pragmatic approach to deliver the highest level of service.

11. What happens if I want to let out my investment property?

    Sigma are able to provide comprehensive letting services on your behalf through long established partnerships with companies based in London and the South East of England to source and manage the on-going tenancy of your property.

Sigma News

• UK PRIME PROPERTY PRICES SET TO GROW BY ALMOST 30% BY 2017, IT IS CLAIMED…Prime property prices in the UK are set to accelerate nearly 30% over the next five years with growth of 5.5% expected in 2013.The latest mid year forecast from agents Chesterton Humber is upbeat although it points out that there will be regional differences.
  Overall it predicts total growth of 28.7% over the next five years. Prime central London price growth is set to average 8% per annum growth between 2013 and 2017 but East Anglia is expected to be a strong performer, outdoing London and the south of the country.
  
  Despite the extended winter and concerns about the economy lurching back into a triple dip recession, the sector saw an increase in transaction numbers and house prices as well as a significant improvement in consumer confidence due to banks offering record low fixed rate deals and the introduction and extension of various Government initiatives.
  
  The combination of these factors has helped boost activity in the market, acting as the much needed catalyst to release the pent up sales demand from aspiring buyers who have been waiting to seize the right opportunity.
  'There has been a notable uptick in market activity so far this year, in no small measure due to the greater availability of record low mortgage deals,' said Nick Barnes, head of Chesterton Humberts' research department.
  ‘We have seen green shoots flatter to deceive before, however, this time around the level of consumer confidence appears more robust and if favourable mortgage finance remains available, the long awaited recovery may at last be sustained. What we need in tandem with this upswing, however, is an increase in housing supply to mitigate any potential price bubble,' he added.
  Chesterton Humberts' is predicting that East Anglia will outperform London for the first time since August 2005, enjoying average increases of 6.3% per annum between 2013 and 2017, compared to London's 6.2%.
  
  (source www.propertywire.com) Tues, 11 June 2013

Sigma Testimonials

• "I heard about Sigma Investment Property through friends as I wanted to invest in the UK but didn't know where to start. They helped me through each step – it's an enormously risky undertaking without the right professional guidance. I am extremely pleased with the help they gave me and would recommend them with confidence."
  Business owner, Johannesburg
• “Great working with you guys!”
  E, Cape Town, 2013
• "Sigma provided the opportunity to offer overseas property investments to our clients. It is a complete solution including sourcing, facilitating, financing, conveyancing, letting and ongoing management. I am delighted with the level of service and so are our clients. We are very happy to recommend Sigma Investment Property."
  Principle, estate agency group, Cape Town, 2011