idiots guide to buying and selling please?

[meconiumhappens]

Hello :)
We are hoping to sell our first home this summer and buy something bigger. Have seen a financial advisor and finance wise we are sorted.
Howev, last time we were first time buyers and just poodled about with viewing etc and I just cant imagine how you go about finding your dream house whilst also selling simultaneously! The whole thing seems impossible. What if u dont find anything u like but you have an offer on yours etc

so, could anyone give me an idiots guide to what order things are supposed to happen in?
tia

As you are selling too, most EA like you to have an offer before putting an offer in on something else, so I would get yours marketed ASAP. Also though do start looking at what is out there for you an maybe view.

Depending on where you are it might not take long to sell. Round here (SE) most are sold within 5/7 days.

If you get more than 1 offer at similar prices I would find out the position of the people who offered. A cash buyer is fab, but a first time buyer with no chain is prob better than someone else in a chain.

Once you have accepted an offer and had an offer accepted keep jumping on EA's and solicitor as they are slow if not pushed

Another silly question, but how do you know what to offer, whethr you can offer below the asking and how much by, is that something the ea can advise on?

yes maybe the EA can advise but remember it pays for them to get higher prices!

I did comparisons to what was about locally, then look at what work would be essential make sure its budgeted for.

Oh and always start low, I was told if your first offer does not embarrass you its too high.

You can always offer more if no, but you might just get a bargain.

We completed 3 weeks ago, and I got 15k off asking price

Thats very helpful, thank you

good luck!

No advice, just good luck to you.
Last year I marketed my house for the first time; found a buyer within day 1, but could not find anything to buy.
In the same way found 3 more buyers, all within day 1 and offers over asking price (London maddness), but again could not find anything to buy (I was looking in very narrow area).

Pulled out altogether last month with the few to stay where I am for few more years. And, within last 2 weeks, bang on, 3 houses came up on the market where I was looking.

Now I would love to have a buyer but cannot go through this anymore - not now at least.
Maybe it is a fate!!

I would have a look on rightmove at the kind of properties that you'd like to buy to see if what you'd like is realistic for your budget (also ask EA). Don't actually look at properties until you have accepted an offer on your property as a lot of EA's and sellers won't accept an offer unless you're in a position to proceed and if you fall in love with a new house you won't be as rational about selling/getting the best price for your property.

Get your property on the market, choose EA carefully get three different ones in and expect differing valuations. Be sensible when deciding which valuation to go with, see what similar properties sell for. Some EA's value high to get you to sign up with them only to reduce the price a few weeks down the line. Don't accept any EA's ratecArd fees, get them to reduce their fees as much as possible. If you like one EA more than another but prefer a different ones valuation or fees or approach ask them to match it if you agree to sell with them.

Once you've accepted an offer on your property (the first offer is often an opening gambit so you can usually decline it) then you start to look for a new house. Your buyers position may have a baring here, if they're ftb's they might be able to be flexible on timing so you might not have a massive time pressure, alternatively they might want a quick move - you need to take it all into consideration when you accept an offer.

When you find a place you like you needed to be guided by how busy your local market is and how high demand is for that type of property. For example around here there's a huge demand for three bed semi's and they're going at asking price or higher within a day or two. Have a look at Zoopla for sold prices in your area and get to know all the local EA's, if you're nice they'll be able to help.

Very helpful, thanks for that x