When to start panicking?

[frostyfingers]

We have accepted an offer on our house with a view to exchange in a couple of weeks and then complete 6 weeks later. We are intending to go into rented but on initial looking can find absolutely nothing suitable - our requirements are quite complicated - and I'm slightly, well pretty, worried about finding somewhere in time.

We have been in this position before, just before Christmas, and had found somewhere but then the buyer pulled out, so I'm aware that it may happen again, but on the other hand really do need to find somewhere to live pretty soon.

In your experience do houses come on quite regularly (we are in a rural area, have 3 children, 2 dogs, 2 cats & 1 horse to accommodate), and there is absolutely zilch - not even something which can't take a horse!

I'm not sure about in rural areas but there always seems to be some 'fresh meat' everywhere else. You might need to look into/make arrangments for seperate livery for the horse as that will be the most limiting factor I should think.

Are you registered with all of the local letting agents?

Might be worth putting up some notices in the post office/shop or leaflet dropping saying what you are looking for. Ask in the local pub if they know anyone who is letting out houses.

Also worth registering and looking in any neighbouring towns and villages that you could cope with the distance to work and school. With a view to a short term let there while you continue to look/wait for something in your prefered area.

Generally when the weather turns to spring there is an increase of new homes on the for sale market as its the best time to sell (aiming to get viewings in the easter school hols), so by the same principle there should be some new things on the rental market too.

Funnily enough we've just been notified of a possibility today - it's a bit out of our preferred area, but we're hoping to go and see it on Thursday. We've also made an appt to look at one with a view to buying although I'm not sure we can manage that in the time available now!

We've tried to be really flexible with our area, and have said that the house is most important and can accommodate the horses elsewhere if the house is perfect. Our problem is we're quite a large unit all in, and don't want to rush into the wrong house and then be unhappy. One reason for moving is to be better located for work and schools, another is that this house is too small upstairs - 3 teenage boys and a walk through bedroom do not a happy household make! Onwards and upwards, and fingers crossed tightly!

Fingers crossed indeed, I hope you find somewhere soon.

Just keep plugging away, you will find your house - have faith