There is a difference between looking at a property and really seeing it. Our Independent Property Search Agent (IPSA) members have that knack – the quiet ability to sense when a detail is off, even before the paperwork catches up.

This sixth sense is not magic, although it can feel like it. It comes from years spent reading property titles, cross-checking planning history, and walking into hundreds of homes with eyes tuned to the smallest inconsistency. They know how to spot the faintest signal that something in the story does not quite add up.

Sometimes it is as subtle as a floor plan that does not match the space you are standing in. Other times it is a boundary line on a Land Registry map that takes an odd turn. An IPSA does not shrug and move on. They take that moment of doubt and dig deeper. That is how a casual “hmm” can lead to the discovery of a restrictive covenant, an unapproved extension, or a long-forgotten planning condition that could have caused major issues later on.

We have seen plenty of examples where clients were saved from costly mistakes because their search agent noticed the little things. A front wall rebuilt in a slightly different brick colour may not sound like much, yet it could be covering damp damage. A mismatch in a planning description might mean that consent was never granted. A map that does not match the fence line is not just a quirk of old drawings, it could be the start of a boundary dispute.

Buyers are naturally drawn to location, price, and style. Those are the elements they can see and imagine living with. The IPSA focus is on the less glamorous side of property buying, the checks and questions that work quietly in the background to protect the purchase. When carried out by someone with deep experience and local knowledge, these checks can make or break a deal.

Part of what makes IPSA members so effective is the blend of hard fact and intuition. Years of working with property documents, maps, and council records means they know the normal patterns. They also know what falls outside those patterns, even when the difference is almost invisible to the untrained eye. That is where instinct takes over and points them towards the right questions to ask next.

Many of these moments come from paying attention to small details. A property that has undergone recent improvements might look pristine, yet if a certain element does not match the rest of the work, it could be a sign of hidden problems. Planning histories that contain vague or inconsistent wording can hide important restrictions. Even the way a property is described in sales literature can give clues about what is being emphasised and what is being left unsaid.

On Wednesday 13th August at 1pm, Spilling The Proper-Tea will take a closer look at this unique skillset. Hosted by Gareth Wax and joined by Hamish McLay, Heather Poole-Gleed and Jackie Dyson, we will explore what gives an experienced search agent their edge, and how their instincts have steered clients away from disaster.

It will be a conversation about more than just property searches. It will be about the value of having someone in your corner who can read between the lines, join the dots, and act before an issue becomes a crisis. This is not about chance. It is about the kind of professional awareness that only comes with years of focused work in the field.

Whether you are buying your first home, looking for an investment, or working in property yourself, this episode will show why “knowing when something does not add up” is one of the most important skills in the business. It is a safeguard for buyers and one that is well worth having on your side.

Never miss an episode of Spilling the Proper-Tea again. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to catch up or watch live: https://www.youtube.com/@SpillingTheProper-Tea

For content enquiries: hamish@ipsa-uk.org
For podcast/media info: gareth@mphats.com