13th February 2026
Expat relocation to the UK can feel overwhelming, particularly when returning home after many years living abroad. At Surrey HomeSearch, we regularly support clients relocating from overseas who want a seamless, well-informed return to the UK property market.
In this case, our clients had previously lived in the UK before spending several years as expats in both Bangkok and Singapore. When the time came to return, they were looking to purchase their forever family home and were focused on moving to Surrey while maintaining easy access to London.
Although our clients were familiar with the UK, relocating after a long absence — particularly from overseas — meant they needed trusted local guidance to navigate current market conditions, school catchments, and competitive buying environments.
Without a dedicated Property Search Agent on the ground, our clients would not have been able to source, view, or secure their chosen home. Surrey remains a fast-moving and competitive market, where acting quickly and decisively is essential. Local networks and contacts are a crucial part of finding thr right property.
Using a Property Search Agent ensures:
This is particularly important for expats navigating UK property purchases from afar.
Having lived abroad for a number of years, our clients were accustomed to a lifestyle where amenities, schools, and transport links were all within easy reach. Like many families navigating expat relocation to the UK, they wanted to retain that convenience while benefiting from space, greenery, and strong schooling options.
Trust and Expertise in your Buying Agent is crucial when considering a relocation: Surrey HomeSearch pride ourselves on building strong, long-term relationships with our clients and providing honest, informed advice at every stage of the process. Our experience of supporting expat relocation to Surrey means our clients can move forward with confidence, knowing their interests are fully represented on the ground.
Our clients understood that a Property Search Agent would be invaluable to finding their forever home in Surrey. After an initial chat, our clients chose to instruct Surrey HomeSearch. They later told us:
"From the initial chat, we felt that Catherine and Helen at Surrey HomeSearch understood us and our search requirements. They knew Surrey inside out - and seemed to know exactly which areas would work for us. Aside from this, and their years of experience as Property Buyers, Catherine had lived as an expat abroad and both Helen and Catherine had made the move from London to Surrey. We gelled instantly".
On instruction, we met our clients via Zoom to discuss their search in greater depth. From these intial chats we knew that proximity to the train station and excellent schools, as well as being within easy reach to the shops and local amenities was really important for our clients.
We soon ascertained that Guildford was a good fit for our clients, and that their perfect property would be within walking distance to the train station for an easier commute into London. Clear, consistent communication was absolutely key, as our clients were based in Bankgkok during their property search. This is where using a search agent becomes invaluable. Surrey HomeSearch immediately activated our trusted network of local estate agents in Guildford, sourcing a range of suitable properties — including both on-market and off-market opportunities.
Surrey HomeSearch hit the ground running, and reached out to our tight network of estate agents in Guildford, and sourced a number of properties in the area - both on and off market properties. We were able to feedback to our clients in the best way that would suit them, and in this case, it was live video tours of the property and areas. Due to the tight area that our clients were searching, we knew as soon as we sourced their chosen property that this would be the one!
We were able to obtain a 'one off' viewing via the agent before the property came to the open market, and agree an offer for our clients, all while our clients were still in Bangkok! Our clients would never have been able to source, or view, the property, had they not been working with Surrey HomeSearch. It is imperative to be able to view a property quickly, and act fast once a decision has been made, and this is why it is so important to have a search agent who is working full time to source the perfect property for you.
To ensure our clients could make informed decisions from abroad, we conducted detailed live video tours of shortlisted properties and surrounding areas. This allowed our clients to fully understand the layout, condition, and location of each home without being physically present.
How can I buy a property in Surrey while living overseas?
With the right search agent, expats or those looking to move to the UK can successfully find property in Surrey without being present, using video viewings and local representation.
Why should expats use a search agent when relocating to the UK?
Using a search agent provides expert local knowledge, access to off-market properties, and the ability to act quickly — all essential when buying from abroad.
Is Surrey a good option for families relocating to London?
Absolutely. Surrey offers excellent schools, green space, and strong commuter links, making it ideal for families relocating to London.
How do school catchment areas affect moving to Surrey?
Catchment areas are highly competitive and can change regularly. Local expertise is vital to ensure accurate advice when buying with schooling in mind.
We're moving back to the UK but want to rent first - can Surrey HomeSearch assist?
Yes, at Surrey HomeSearch we can assist with finding you a rental property in Surrey or a property to buy.
If you are looking to move to Surrey, please do call us on 01483 905160 or get in touch with Surrey HomeSearch - we'd be delighted to help make your dreams of the perfect home a reality!
Read more recent case studies here or visit our testimonials page to read what our clients say about Surrey HomeSearch and how we helped with their search.