John Horton
‘Horton and Garton made the process of selling my house smooth. No games, no nonsense – just hard work and efficient communication.’ – Alan Webborn
Over the past 18 years, Horton and Garton has become a familiar, much respected fixture on the business landscape, with offices on King Street and Chiswick High Road. The independent estate agency has now been recognised by the judges of the 2026 Hammersmith & Fulham Business Awards: it has been shortlisted as a Finalist in the category of High Street Business of the Year.
This year 160 applications were received for the Awards and the entrants have been judged to a high standard. ‘Even reaching the Finalist stage is a significant achievement, and it means a great deal to me and my team,’ says John Horton.
‘The High Street Business of the Year award celebrates those who endure through good and tough times, employing local people, contributing to the community and supporting neighbours. We have built wonderful relationships with clients who have become friends and other companies that have grown alongside us. Being recognised for how we have contributed rather than simply for the business that we have done is what matters most.’(Horton and Garton is sponsoring the 2026 Awards and John is a judge in two other categories. He will play no part in judging the High Street Business of the Year.)
Agreeing the sale is only half the job. The real result is exchange and completion . . .
Many sellers assume that once they have accepted an offer, their estate agent’s job is over. ‘That’s simply not true,’ explains John. ‘According to industry data, one in three UK sales “fall through” between acceptance and completion. That’s why sales progression is so crucial: I tell sellers that the hard work starts when the deal is agreed. That’s really when an agent’s experience and expertise, or lack of it, can be the deciding factor in the outcome.
‘From the moment an offer is accepted, we are pro-active behind the scenes, managing and overseeing every part of the chain and coordinating solicitors, mortgage brokers, surveyors and other agents. The work often goes unnoticed, until things go wrong.’
The most common causes of delays include incomplete paperwork, slow responses from solicitors, unexpected survey results and mortgage issues. If your buyer is in a chain, problems with another transaction can bring the whole process to a halt. Efficient sales progression means that risks are mitigated and early solutions found.
‘At Horton and Garton we always provide our clients with regular progress reports,’says John. ‘They will include warnings about potential problems and constructive advice on how to keep everything on track.
‘Of course, buyers and sellers have an important role to play in moving the transaction forward. For sellers, instructing a solicitor even before an offer is accepted can shave precious weeks off the timeline. Also, make sure property information forms are completed and gather supporting documents (planning permissions, warranties, building regulation certificates) in advance.
‘For their part, buyers can help by having a mortgage agreement in principle in place, booking a survey promptly and being available to answer any legal or financial questions. When everyone is aligned and responsive, the sales progression journey is much less stressful and completion smooth.
‘If you are buying, selling or letting in Hammersmith, Shepherd’s Bush, Chiswick or elsewhere in West London, choosing the right estate agent can make all the difference. Do get in touch to discuss your plans: our team will be happy to advise and discuss all the options.’
Horton and Garton
172 King Street
Hammersmith W6 0QU
020 8819 0510 (Sales)
020 8819 0511 (Lettings)
sales@hortonandgarton.co.uk
lettings@hortonandgarton.co.uk
https://www.hortonandgarton.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/hortonandgarton