Why can't I find the sold price?

[harrowgreen]

We're looking to buy a house but can't find its previous sold price anywhere.

We've tried all the usual websites (including the Land registry) and can find the prices of the other houses on the development, but not this one.

We would be the second buyers of the house: the current owners bought it directly from the developers. The developers' own website includes sale prices for some of the other houses, but not for this one.

The sale price seems reasonable when comparing the spec of the house with the others on the development and the price they went for, but not being able to find the sale price makes me nervous.

Any ideas why this price remains hidden and how we can find it out (other than asking the vendors...)??

How old is the property?

2013. New - but sold before some of the other properties whose prices are listed.

Was it part exchange? Don't know if that makes a difference.

Don't know to be honest.

The only thing I can think of is that it was offered as leasehold and they negotiated to buy the freehold: not sure if that'd make a difference??

It is possible that it has been subject to an 'internal' transfer, ie originally bought by Mr X, then during period of ownership he transfered it for no money into joint names of Mr and Mrs X, in which case the most recent 'sold' price would be £0, therefore not necessarily shown by Land Registry.

It is also possible to get the Land Registry not to display the details, such as for reasons of confidentiality. Cant remember what the grounds are for getting it though.

Rightmove etc take most of their data from the Land Registry, so if the LR dont have it, the rest of the websites can't get it.

You could order an official copy of the register from Land Registry and see if the price paid is on there. If it wasn't sold for full market value, there may be a value stated entry instead.

The price paid will be excluded from the house price data under some circumstances, if it is deemed to not represent the full market value, so could well be a part exchange. That would explain it's absence from Rightmove and the like.

We've noticed that some random sold houses near us still (2 years later) do not appear on sold prices. Including our (old) house which we sold well over a year ago. No idea how our buyer managed to avoid having the price registered.

I could probably find out if it was part exchange, and they are a married couple, so it could be the name thing.

The LR only charge £3 for the title deeds, which are probably worth getting hold of. Otherwise I think I'll just ask the estate agents outright: don't want any nasty surprises.

If the house was bought in a company name, you will only find it out once you can see the title deeds. It won't appear on Rightmove.

Ended up calling the Land Registry who have the details. They didn't know why it wasn't showing on the system....

I'd be more interested in why they are selling so quickly. Unless it is a job move or a divorce, I'd want to know what is wrong with the house.