Lost a house, AGAIN!!!

[AnaKi]

What a bummer!
A couple months ago we put a bid on a house we thought it was perfect for us, me, my DH and LO (almost 6 mo). The same day someone else put a bid on it too and because they had the cash we lost it.
A month ago we put a bid on another house, this time a beautiful little one. Top of our range but we were willing to sacrifice on other things, they accepted it!!!!. Anyway, everything sorted, searches were going ok, ...ok, ...ok, We got a phone call today saying that the owner found a private buyer with more cash!!!! ah!!!! We are in such a good position ie. first time buyers, no chain, full flexibility.... sigh
We just want a house were our LO can run around in the next few months.
Anyone knows of other ways of finding houses other than the common ones ie. rightmove, estate agencies.
Or anyone selling a house 1 mile radious from Tonbridge Station, 3bed, garden...
sigh again.
I guess we'll keep looking...
(I just needed to get this out of my chest, thanks everyone)

so sorry - i can sympathise
we were about 2 days from exchange when the person we were buying from pulled out unexpectedly (on Friday 13th)
fingers crossed you find somewhere

Thanks girls,
You made my grey Monday a little bit brighter.
We'll keep our hopes high and keep searching for our LO.

That's awful. In Holland where we bought a house, even the verbal agreement is binding. So if you say to the vendor/estate agent, I offer xxx for this house, you cannot legally pull out unless you cannot get the mortgage from the bank or other serious circumstances like one of you dies! You can't just change your mind and the vendor cannot accept a higher offer. Okay, so you don't get the huge property price rises and profits like in UK but this way seems much fairer.

I sympathise. We lost two houses after having an offer accepted - both times they accepted a higher offer from a cash buyer. We are also chain free, have a substantial cash deposit, we're in a great position...but were fucked around massively. We are about to (fingers crossed!) exchange on a house we love now and its been a long road (not that long really, I spose - since the beginning of the year...but stressful and feels like a lifetime, literally...). I wont believe that house is oiurs until we've completed...cant get burnt like that again!

Just keep looking, stay positive but suspicious, dont fall in love with a house until you've exchanged contracts...and good luck! xx

Wow, I see I'm not the only unlucky person. Thanks again for your messages!
This coming sat we are going down to tonbridge again we'll see if we find one we like (though there aren't many at to see ATM)
Hope things would be like in Holland.
LoveAngel, all the best with that house!