Can you approach owners with a view to buying?

[Babybeargrylls]

Finding a house in some villages around here is quite hard and although we are registered with all local agents and check Rightmove we wondered if it was OK to write letters to owners who live in houses we really like to ask them if they were thinking of selling? I'm not sure how to word any letters and I'm really not sure if this is a good idea or not? Has anyone had any success with this method? Is it wrong? thanks

doesn't hurt. Write a letter, stick it through the door or post it, and if they are interested they will get back to you.

on the lines of: 'we are looking to move to this area - if you are thinking of selling, we would like to hear from you'

Agree with special.

I know two people for whom this has worked. It is a good idea.

thanks toomuchtea. I don't want to be too nosey but how did you negotiate price? Did the owners get estate agents valuations? I have a rough idea of how much certain houses are 'worth' according to Zoopla but that's not mad reliable sometimes.

Baby look at right move sold prices. If there are recently sold houses that are comparable in that street/similar you can get a good idea from that.

If you want help I am happy to.

We had had our house valued by various estate agents (ddin't sign up) but then a month later someone knocked on our door and asked to buy. Took ages but we both got a better price as a result

Definitely try - we sold our last house this way and saved estate agents' fees. I get letters through our door asking if we would be interested in a private sale and if I wanted to sell I would definitely explore this option.