Sold but unable to find anything to buy - search company or private approach

[Flyingsouthwiththeswallows]

Having tried to sell earlier in the year, I have now been made a cash offer for my property, from a buyer seeking a very fast completion.

I have taken a 10% drop from asking price to agree the sale, so my budget is tight and I really don't want to end up in rental for a long period.

The problem is that I can find nothing to purchase. I have spent hours on Rightmove, viewed all the few properties that might have been suitable and am now just 6 weeks from completion.

I am wondering if anyone has experience of using a private search company? Were they expensive and did they find the property you wanted?

Alternatively has anyone had any success from writing to the owners of properties you might be interested in?

Bumping.

I guess this might be unusual but assumed I wouldn't be the only one.

I'd try and see this as a positive. We were incredibly lucky as we managed to sell and buy at the same time but it's becoming increasingly obvious that now if you want the first choice of your ideal property you also have to be the ideal buyer. And that's someone in rented/no chain.

Sorry that wasn't what you asked but you'll be top of the pecking order for your ideal property when it does turn up.

If youve seen properties you like but theyre not on the market i would definitely drop them a note - there are lots of people looking for property to buy but refusing to out their own on the market until they find. They might be happy to sell to you if you wait for them to find.

What Treacletoots said. I cannot see anything a property search company could do that you can't. Nobody is trying to sell their house but has it hidden away so only those in the know find out; not unless you are dealing in millions.

It is worth contacting all local EAs and explaining your needs, but honestly I think it's either go into rental or hold out for a higher price.

I'm very sceptical about putting notes through people's door being worthwhile.

I’d contact the local EAs. Sometimes people want to sell, but for a variety of reasons take their houses off the market ( for a rest period). The EA handing the property might know when the house will go back on the market, or know of houses due to come onto the market shortly.

Sympathies OP, in a similar position here. Should complete on our sale to a FTB in Dec, and can't find anything. We are already in rented but the place we rent is nicer than we could afford to buy, so I think that's partly to blame in our case.
Feeling a slight panic as the market is dying off here and EAs report it doesn't really get going again until Dec.

I mean mid-Feb!

contact the local EAs, have you seen anything you like even out of budget?
This was in the 80s but my parents looked at their dream house but couldn’t afford it & sellers were not too sure about moving anyway. My parents bought a smaller house on the next road. 2 yrs later in came back on the market & they contacted my mum first & parents got it.

Thank you all for the suggestions.

I have spoken to all the local agents and they know exactly what I am looking for.

I am getting similar feedback TiddleTaddleTat I have now been told by two agents that the market is dying and both have said they are surprised at their lack of instructions.

I am beginning to wonder if I have been foolish accepting the offer on mine. I wasn't on the market but was approached by an agent who had valued it back in the Summer asking if I would accept an off market viewing.

@Flyingsouthwiththeswallows
Are you happy with the price that you have agreed to on your sale?
If you are wanting to move within the next 3 years I think it is a good time to buy. There are some deals to be had. The problem we have here is that the slowdown has not decreased the supply of buyers so there is more competition for few properties.
It's a gamble deciding whether it's better to go with one where there feel like a lot of compromises or to hold out and hope something better will get advertised.
In the meantime our rent is extortionate and we will struggle to manage that for long without eating in to the proceeds of our sale.

I would advise calling agents really regularly for an update- maybe once or twice a week v briefly but just reminding them that you are looking and you are good to go. It's important to be top of mind.
On the occasions when I made myself do this we were able to see some properties before they went to market. We wouldn't have won a bargain- as they knew I was keen, but we did have first dibs.

Be honest with your buyers for a start op.
I was in your position my buyer was pregnant so I felt huge pressure to find something I was very pro active-I sent letters to houses/areas I liked, was in touch with numerous estate agents on a daily basis.
We were shown a house that was perfect a few days before it went on the market made an asking price offer but they wanted to go on the market and see how much more they could get.
Anyway at that point my buyer pulled out. Tbh I felt relieved as I was so stressed about finding anything quickly.
A week after that we had another buyer (who paid more!) and was in rented so was more flexible about giving us time to move.
You need to find the right place so be pro active but don’t settle make sure it suits you if not lose the buyer you’ll get another one l

If you want the offer to go through I would go into rental rather than buy something you feel half-hearted about.

You'll then be a cash buyer - or at least a buyer with nothing to sell - so in a stronger position to negiotiate a good deal. Six weeks is pushing it to get another house sale through.