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Original poster

Scottish buyers/sellers support

417 replies

Sleepybunny · 18/07/2016 13:49

Wondering if there are any Scottish MNers house buying/selling and looking for support?

I was going to join the other buyers/sellers support thread, but realise the Scottish system makes the issues encountered a bit different.

We've just put our home on the market (today!) Seems to be a very quiet market at the moment so it's making me nervous.

No viewings as yet, but I'm thinking (praying) its early days.

Anyone else out there in a similar situation?

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Feefeefs · 04/09/2016 13:23

Congrats trailing!!

That's crap they never let you know sleepy. each of our closing dates the solicitor did keep us updated even if just to say why there was no info. Even when we didn't get it we were still informed really quickly

FinallyARainbow · 05/09/2016 10:28

Did you get hold of your solicitor today at all sleepy?

We're thinking of moving estate agents as we used our current one for a previous flat and they were good (different area) and I get the impression they just don't have a good enough database where we are. Possibly clutching at straws but might be worth a try.

Any recommendations of a good EA in G44 area?

ginghamstarfish · 05/09/2016 11:01

We are in the Borders, house on market for a year now. Told the market is very slow in this area. Agent is crap, not a word of advice etc, and we have reduced the price considerably. Anyone used the cheaper online agents? Looking at House Simple ... had letters from Express Estate Agency but not sure about them. Anyone in the same boat?

TrailingIvy · 05/09/2016 11:28

starfish We are buying in the Borders and have found the market a very odd mix - slow in some areas but in others (especially closer to Edinburgh and around the new railway) very fast. We don't have anything to sell so can't offer advice on that but we found Purple Bricks quite helpful and speedy to respond about viewings etc. Whereabouts in the Borders are you?

usernoidea · 05/09/2016 11:49

Hi sleepy
I've bought and sold a lot of property in the last 10 years in or around Edinburgh and the first thing I'd be doing if I were you is to find a better solicitor! One who follows up and keeps you in the loop all the time.....esp if you've offered. They should be all over the seller
Good luck , when you least expect it something will come up X

deltacrook · 05/09/2016 19:43

If you are in a slow area don't go online. Honestly what will someone at a desk in the sout of England know about living in the Borders? You need a better borders agent.

ginghamstarfish · 05/09/2016 22:41

TrailingIvy - Kelso area, lovely but 50 mins to Edinburgh ring road, not near a station. Only 30 mins to seaside though!
Deltacrook - I thought we had a good agent but apparently not ... am thinking about House something, can't remember the name - as long as they list the house on right move etc I don't think it matters where they're based, does it? All they do, like any agent, is basically take and pass on messages then I do the viewings as usual.

TrailingIvy · 05/09/2016 22:58

starfish Kelso is lovely! I think the market is quite concentrated around the new railway - not surprised that places further away from stations are suffering in comparison but it's a shame. We were looking for somewhere on the railway line for commuting purposes and some places were a real bunfight.

Maybe it would be worth finding an agent who could market your house as a holiday home? Lots of lovely holiday places around there

ginghamstarfish · 06/09/2016 20:28

Thanks Ivy, yes Kelso is a nice town. We might think of renting it if all else fails ( we have already moved).

Original poster
Sleepybunny · 07/09/2016 15:42

Thanks for advice all. I'm in the market for a new solicitor!

Starfish, I've dealt with express estate agency to get a viewing and put in an offer in the past. They were very speedy at arranging things and chased me frequently to check what we thought of the property/negotiate price etc.

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Whisky2014 · 07/09/2016 20:45

I'm so worried that something will go wrong. How often do mortgages not get offered after the full application has been accepted?
Our application went through on sat, the bank need a new home report valuation and whatever else and they said will take roughly 2 weeks. I'm so nervous though argggg

Original poster
Sleepybunny · 07/09/2016 21:46

I haven't heard of a mortgage fall through, unless there was something dodgy about the house.

You have a home report and I'm guessing you've had a mortgage in principle agreed. I'm sure it'll be fine. I know what you mean, it's always a worry until the keys are in your hand!

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Whisky2014 · 07/09/2016 22:52

We had the mortgage in principle and we then had our offer accepted so we had our full mortgage appointment where he put in the offer and put in in system, he said it went through fine and I was all excited but he said anything can happen so not to get too hyper. He said they might need to get a reference from my agency to state rate of pay etc as I'm a contract worker and that he needed to send that down south as they have a new process/center for people to deal with it. So I'm worried they will say no to me. But the application is joint with my partner being main breadwinner. One good thing is the valuation of the house was 40k over what we got it for. Surely that's a good thing for the bank?

Original poster
Sleepybunny · 08/09/2016 14:26

It's true when they say anything can happen, but it all sounds positive in your case. (I'd get hyper anyway!)

It's good that you managed to get it undervaluation, however the banks valuation can differ somewhat from a surveyors. It really depends on the prices of the houses in the area.

No doubt the underwriters will have all sorts of requests for info, I'm sure it'll all go smoothly. Can't imagine them just changing their minds and saying no!

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deltacrook · 08/09/2016 16:13

The home report will likely come back with a lower valuation than originally. The surveyor needs to meet criteria for lending. As an example a HR I had replaced started life at £270 but when under offer at £230 it cam back at £240.

Whisky2014 · 08/09/2016 17:25

Ok thanks you two.
I think the value will likely decrease but not too much. Well, fingers crossed anyway.

Does anyone know how long the help to buy isa government bonus takes to come through? I asked my solicitor but he didn't know.

Original poster
Sleepybunny · 08/09/2016 19:28

I'm not sure about the ISA, I just read in the media that people were grumpy that it didn't pay out until after completing the sale. What a shame!

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Whisky2014 · 08/09/2016 21:06

God that's no use! We need the bonus before otherwise we won't have a house!

Glasgowgal2 · 08/09/2016 21:45

Sold just before brexit...went in 10 days...popular area though...worried that I've paid above the odds for new house as had to go 10K above valuation to be in with a chance ... everything was going go closing dates.....then brexit happened...hoping to ride it out long term

Original poster
Sleepybunny · 08/09/2016 22:15

I don't think Brexit is having a massive effect. Maybe people hesitating putting their houses on the market, but seems everything is still going to closing!
10k over valuation isn't ridiculous, I wouldn't worry. Especially if you're planning on staying there a while.

Whiskey, maybe check out the details of that ISA, I think it was highlighted in the news recently. But of a scandal really, beauty people obviously need those funds before completing!
Banks must surely supply some sort of bridging loan type of finance for these people. Very unfair otherwise.

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Glasgowgal2 · 08/09/2016 22:21

I guess I'm comparing my 10k over with friends who bought a couple of years before me when very little went to a closing date and they bought under the valuation! Good to know that things are still going to closing date and is on the up!

Whisky2014 · 08/09/2016 23:03

I wonder if they just didn't allow themselves enough time. After posting on here I did a but of go googling and found it takes 5 to 15 business days. :)

Original poster
Sleepybunny · 09/09/2016 08:52

Wow, autocorrect has really messed with my post Hmm

That's great news Whiskey. Do you have a move in date yet?

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Whisky2014 · 09/09/2016 17:53

Supposed to be 8th November if we get the mortgage offer. Should be 1 more week. Can't stand it!!

Original poster
Sleepybunny · 09/09/2016 19:57

I know the feeling, I'm just bricking it until the missives are signed and our place is officially sold.

On other amazing news, viewed a house I loved, lots of other viewers there. Felt a pang of disappointment about having to go through the process of waiting for closing etc.
Made and offer today anyway, and it was accepted!!

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