Where are all the houses for sale in Milton Keynes?? FTB despairing

[DrAston]

My husband and I are finally in a position to buy a house (yay!) and have our deposit and mortgage in principle all ready to go but we can't find anywhere to buy! In all fairness we've only been looking for just over a month but there seems to be a distinct lack of supply where we live (Milton Keynes). It's not as if we're being fussy or have a low budget-there's just no houses out there. The estate agents websites have lots of listings but every one has 'sold' or 'under offer' written on it. I'm listed with practically every agent and property website and nothing comes up or if it does then by the time I call, usually within minutes of it appearing on rightmove, it's already been sold! My husband thinks it's just a winter slump and things will pick up in spring but I'm beginning to worry we'll never find anything. Is this just how the property market is now or am I worrying for nothing?? Any advice greatly appreciated.

[wowfudge]

Have you a mortgage in principle or agreement in principle from a mortgage lender? I would go into the EA's offices and introduce yourselves face to face, tell them you can proceed quickly, etc and take it from there. That's if you haven't already done this.

[DrAston]

Unfortunately already done that and still nothing. Just keep being told they'll email when something comes up...

[wowfudge]

Ask them to call you when they get a new instruction instead?

[Quoteunquote]

I live in an area where you have to be a ninja buyer to get a house,

Put all your ducks in a row, have everything in place to act really fast,

Get a large scale OS map of the area, work out carefully where you want to live,

Make a detailed list of preferences , acceptable compromises and complete no no. This really helps you focus when you do come across available property, and helps avoid panic buying.

In our area because there are far more buyers than there are properties, a lot(most) go word of mouth (put the word out to everyone you know in the area that you are looking and any tip offs welcome), our village shop notice board sells more houses than the local agents, we have a lot of people put up cards asking to buy, with pull off contact details, it really works, and some put their own houses up on the board.

we also get a lot of cards through the door, people write a polite friend note and usually print on nice bright card, asking if you ever consider selling to contact them, with email, and phone contact details, I have a lot of these cards on my fridge,

The last two houses to sell in my road were bought by people who put a card through everyones doors every month until someone gave in and sold.

So get the OS map out, print some cards, drive round and put a card through any house you would like to live in, that matches your critiria .

[pud1]

have you been keeping up to date with the housing market before you were in a position to buy.

we are looking to buy int he next 2 months and i have been keeping a close eye on the market in my area. there was alot of houses on the market leading up to xmas but since there has been very few. i spoke to a local estate agent by chance last week and he told me that they have the lowest housing stock they have ever had before. i am wondering if this will improve come spring.

i am in lancashire BTW

[DrAston]

Thanks for all the tips so far! Might give the leaflet drop thing a go. I'm hoping it will also improve come spring. Unfortunatley Milton Keynes is becoming more popular as its commutable to London. All the other nearby towns have the same problem though so no luck there either.

[DrAston]

Good luck with the search pud1! I'm originally from Lancashire. Whereabouts are you looking?

[pud1]

we are lookung round rossendale. its at a bloody standstill

[MsRinky]

What's your budget? I'm putting my house in Wavendon Gate up for sale next month...

[SansaClegane]

Really? But there are shit tons of houses for sale in MK! Which area are you looking at, and what's your budget?

[Allbymyselfagain]

It's the similar where I am looking. It's hard as Houses selling in less than 24 hours. I'm getting calls daily from EAs about properties that then sell before they've even hit right move, so if your not on the "special" list you don't hear about them but with a full time job any that I do like I can't even go and see. I called about one last week, first one since Christmas I have really liked the look of to be told no more viewings we are full and then phoned back an hour later with purchased on a drive by, the buyer hadn't even stepped through the door.

Market slowed end of November here and For what I am looking for has yet to pick up back to Autumn levels. Plus prices have gone up by 10% in the last three months. I doubt I'll ever manage it at this rate.