A stone house with a sloped roof and chimney, surrounded by green trees and a well-maintained lawn, with a clear blue sky above.

Find the Right Property. Buy with Confidence

Buying Agent in West Sussex

I’m Emily Herington, a buying agent and ARB-registered architect with over 20 years of experience in residential property.

I help buyers across West Sussex, including Horsham, Haywards Heath, Lindfield, Arundel, Chichester, Petworth, Midhurst, Pulborough and the surrounding towns and villages.

Whether you’re relocating from London, moving within West Sussex, searching for a family home, looking for a period property or seeking a renovation opportunity, I provide a personal buying agent service tailored to your needs.

I help my clients find the right property, negotiate the right price and navigate the entire buying process with confidence.

Why I’m Different

A successful property purchase is about more than finding a beautiful home. It is about choosing the right property, paying the right price and understanding exactly what you are buying.

As a buying agent and architect, I combine property search and negotiation expertise with a deeper understanding of buildings, renovation potential and long-term value.

My architectural expertise allows me to assess properties in a way that most buying agents cannot — looking beyond cosmetic details to understand a home's potential, constraints, likely costs and future suitability.

I assess:

• Renovation and extension potential

• Planning and listed building constraints

• Layout opportunities and practical improvements

• Likely refurbishment costs and hidden risks

• Long-term suitability and future value

This means you can move forward with confidence, knowing not only whether a property works today, but whether it can support your future plans.

This expertise also provides a powerful advantage during negotiations. By understanding the true cost of alterations, repairs, planning constraints and potential limitations, we can negotiate from an informed position — helping you secure the right property at the right price.

Local Knowledge

Based in Arundel, I have a strong understanding of the West Sussex property market.

From schools and commuting to village character, lifestyle and housing stock, I help buyers focus their search on locations that genuinely suit their needs.

Independent Buyer Representation

Estate agents work for the seller. I work exclusively for you.

My role is simple: to help you find the right property and secure it on the best possible terms.

View of a large tree branch with no leaves above a brick house with a red-tiled roof, several chimneys, and white-framed windows, surrounded by greenery and shrubs.

Behind The Potential House

I founded The Potential House to offer a more informed and strategic approach to buying property.

For more than 20 years, I have worked in residential property as an architect, helping homeowners, developers and private clients understand buildings, improve homes and make informed property decisions.

Alongside my professional work, I have personally renovated and developed several residential properties, giving me first-hand experience of planning, construction, budgeting and creating value.

I live in Arundel with my husband and two primary school-aged children in a Grade II listed home. Having relocated and renovated myself, I understand many of the challenges buyers face when searching for a home in West Sussex.

I am passionate about property and genuinely enjoy helping clients discover opportunities, avoid costly mistakes and find homes that will work for them for years to come.

Services

Whether you are relocating from London, searching for a family home, looking for a period property or seeking a renovation opportunity, I can support you throughout the entire buying process.

Brick house facade with a white front door, two windows with white frames, and manicured bushes in front of the house.

Property Search

I take time to understand your brief, priorities, lifestyle and future plans before searching the market on your behalf.

Rather than spending hours scrolling through property portals, you receive a carefully considered shortlist of properties genuinely worth viewing.

Off-Market Access

I maintain strong relationships with local estate agents across West Sussex and can often identify suitable opportunities before they reach the wider market.

I also provide local insight into areas, housing stock and market conditions to help shape a successful search.

Architectural Appraisal

Every shortlisted property is assessed not just for its appearance and location, but for its potential, limitations and long-term suitability.

I consider:

• Renovation and extension opportunities

• Planning constraints and listed building considerations

• Layout improvements and practical changes

• Potential hidden costs and likely investment required

• The viability of future plans

This independent assessment helps you make a confident and informed buying decision.

Negotiation

Once you have found the right property, I negotiate on your behalf to secure the best possible outcome.

My understanding of property values, building constraints and refurbishment costs provides valuable evidence during negotiations.

Support to Completion

I remain involved throughout the purchase, helping you navigate surveys, planning questions, listed building considerations and wider property due diligence.

I can also work alongside your solicitor and other professional advisers to help keep the purchase moving smoothly.

Fees

Most clients engage me on a combination of:

• An initial retainer

• A success fee payable on completion

Fees vary depending on your budget, search area and the level of support required.

Please get in touch for a tailored proposal.

How it Works

Simple, transparent steps from the first conversation to collecting the keys.

1. Initial Conversation

We begin with a free, no-obligation conversation to discuss your requirements, priorities and property goals.

2. Search & Shortlist

I create a tailored search strategy, monitor the market and identify suitable opportunities both on and off market.

3. Viewings & Assessment

I view and assess suitable properties, providing honest advice on value, potential and suitability.

4. Secure Your Property

Once the right property has been identified, I negotiate on your behalf and remain involved through to exchange and completion.

Speak to Me First

Buying a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make.

A free discovery call gives you the opportunity to discuss your search, ask questions and understand how a buying agent can support you.

Whether you are relocating from London, searching for a family home or looking for a property with renovation potential, I would be delighted to hear from you.

Kind Words…

Emily helped us see the true potential of our home. Her advice was so helpful - she wasn’t simply recommending more space or expensive works, but focused on what would genuinely add value and improve the way we lived. Her ideas transformed a dark, cramped house into a bright and beautiful family home.

Victoria, Mid Sussex
I viewed several properties with Emily while searching for our home, and her clarity and confidence were invaluable throughout the process. One property initially appeared to have huge potential, but Emily quickly identified that the necessary repairs and essential works would turn it into a money pit, pushing the total investment beyond what the property would realistically be worth. Her expert understanding of property, renovation costs and long-term value helped us assess each opportunity with confidence and make informed decisions about what to offer. Thanks to her guidance, we avoided costly mistakes, made the right offers at the right time, and ultimately secured the perfect home for our family.”

James, Mid Sussex
Having Emily with us throughout the purchase process gave us real peace of mind. When unexpected issues came up during conveyancing (particularly around building regulation consent) she helped us understand what they actually meant and what questions we needed to ask. Her knowledge of buildings, planning and regulations meant we could make decisions with confidence rather than feeling overwhelmed by technical jargon. She was calm, practical and always there to offer a clear opinion, which made a stressful part of buying a house feel much more manageable.

Private client, W.Sussex