Anyone not being picky - and STILL can't find anything?

[PessimisticOptimist]

We've been on the hunt for 18 months. In that time, we've expanded our search area and budget. We've offered on four houses - three times we were outbid by developers and one time they decided not to sell. But nothing has come on for us to view in the last couple of months.

I guess I'm looking for a support group on here to commiserate with me 😂

Everyone we talk to says:

• The market is crazy right now
• It will settle down
• More will become available eventually
• Just be patient

But I worry about getting priced out of the market if we wait too long. How long do we wait for the "right" house?

I joined boomin months ago that have never phoned me and just emailed me the odd property, which wasn't right for me

@BennyBean

I joined boomin months ago that have never phoned me and just emailed me the odd property, which wasn't right for me

Thanks Benny

Are things slowing down? Certainly less coming onto the market now. I guess it is that time of year. I thought I would be in my new house by Xmas (planned where I was going to be putting the berluddy xmas tree)....Until I pulled out of the purchase. Still telling myself I did the right thing by walking away. My house is out there, somewhere.

@areyouhavingagiraffe

Are things slowing down? Certainly less coming onto the market now. I guess it is that time of year. I thought I would be in my new house by Xmas (planned where I was going to be putting the berluddy xmas tree)....Until I pulled out of the purchase. Still telling myself I did the right thing by walking away. My house is out there, somewhere.

you did right pulling out i wish we had done that in the house we have lived in now for the past 4 years as i am not comfortable here at all it's not home but we have made a good profit and so we are off as soon as we can so i hope the market picks up your house is out there somewhere, it will be worth waiting for good luck

@DaisyNGO

I hope this is the right place to ask as we've only seen three places and due to do a second viewing tomorrow - I have been waffling away and realised the title doesn't really apply to us...yet...!

Is anyone having to do a long trip to view properties and do you think you'd ever offer without a second viewing?

Last week we stayed in the area
tonight just I'm going back to stay with a local relative and do the second viewing

I feel a bit guilty because I've gone from thinking "oh this is a good option" to being unhappy about the particular location. DP doesn't mind at all but I think it's a busy junction. (compared to London, it's not a busy junction to be fair). I even had a moment this morning when I thought, urgh, am I going to bother...when thinking about train times to return tomorrow.

Sorry, that was a brain dump.

it's more a case of ....I think we can do better. But having said I will stay with my rellie, it's good to go and look around the area in the morning anyway and then perhaps when more comes up, I'll be better placed to say "okay, that particular spot is wrong".

this is a big block of flats, so if the flat had been at the rear of the block, facing the car park, that actually would be fine.

I also feel I'm wasting the vendor's time a bit but then the first viewing is such a rush, you almost feel you haven't seen anything!

I think the EA did rush us actually because the vendor was waiting outside. In future I might say "we need 30 mins to look around properly".

As someone who just did a 6 hour round trip to see one house... hi! I'd definitely offer without a second viewing, but only if there's a virtual video to do the final checks on. I'm being very thorough with looking at photos, and using the visit to check road noise / feel of the area / really test room size / look at the rooms not photographed etc.

Also I take my sweet time with viewings, to "get my money's worth" as it were. To heck with the EA. I tend to lean on the "I'm going to need to slow down so I can really appreciate this property" because they can't really argue with that when they're trying to sell. Tough tits if the vendor is waiting outside imho. That's on them!

@onanadventure

AAH we have an absolute dillema here...

On Thursday we had an offer accepted on a house we like, but in an area we like less. It was a slow couple of weeks on RM, and we desperately need to move by spring, so we thought we'd offer as we can definitely make the house / area work, but it's in a village outskirts rather than the main town we want to move to.
Not actioned solicitors yet- but proprty under offer.

On saturday, a different EA called us about a property a couple of doors away from one we LOVED, but didnt get offer accepted on, has come onto market and do we want to view / offer. We went for a drive round today and it's definitely in a much better area, and about £50k cheaper (asking price)...
Is this a huge no-no to view and probably offer on it?

I don't want to screw over the vendors of the hosue we've an offer accepted on, but equally, it was only a 'good' option when this other one seems to work better for us.

What a dilemma to have! Have you viewed it yet? If you're still deliberating then count my vote for "view it"!

Momniscient

Thank you. I think we were a bit too conscious of the vendor who was waiting outside. Also, with the distance, the first time we rushed home but probably should have stated around for twenty minutes or so to see what the road was like.

I can't really imagine offering on a place without a second viewing though tbh.

Our current home was empty when we saw it, so much easier.

@DaisyNGO I think you have to be able to hold your ground with how quickly things are moving. Nobody wants you to pull out later, so being sure of what you think is crucial.

We try to set aside at least an hour for a viewing - to check the area, see the house and check the town. We try to set aside three, because although if we don't like the house we don't need that much time, if we do like the house then we need to be certain of the area. It seems extreme, but it's also a good acid test of whether we're trying to see something too far away (if we can't get back home in time) or if we're seeing too many properties (and therefore the focus is slipping).

Momniscient
Yes, we have to be more strict. I guess it feels like the vendor has the power but actually it's not enough time.

I don't know what to do. I had a slightly crazy vendor (all explained in full on a separate thread) who accepted my offer then added 100k(!) to the asking price and relisted with another EA. This was because her neighbour's house went up for sale with this other EA for significantly more than her house and she was convinced her property had been undervalued.

I obviously stepped away from it all.

Now she has apparently seen sense and the original EA has come back to me saying she wants to sell with them and will accept my original offer. DP says forget it - she's unbalanced and the sale will never happen. Which I think is true but...EA says he is now dealing with her daughter and son-in-law, normal, sane people who have been trying to make her see sense and sell from the start and they are managing everything. I love the house. It is well under budget. I've said if I offer another few ££k will she commit to moving out by x date, payment to be made when she leaves, and apparently she has agreed and will sign a legal agreement stating the same (I don't know if there's any point though as doubt it would actually be legally binding). DIL and SIL have said they will take her in.

DP maintains I need to let it go and walk but part of me thinks I should give it one more chance? I haven't see any other properties I like half as much as hers in the past two months..

Eastie "I've said if I offer another few ££k will she commit to moving out by x date, payment to be made when she leaves, and apparently she has agreed and will sign a legal agreement stating the same (I don't know if there's any point though as doubt it would actually be legally binding)"

If you've already said it, .i'm not sure you can go back
But I'd have put that as a condition of sale

Is the original buyer selling or are the adult in laws dealing with the sale as power of attorney? If so, I'd have more confidence it will get done.

We viewed the other house... It's ok but there was SO MUCH STUFF it was hard to gage what it was actually like. By clutter I mean you could barely get up the stairs because of a wardrobe, the walls were COVERED in pictures / paintings and each room is cluttered. The kitchen also had 2 x dishwasher (one unplugged and just stored) and 3 x washing machines (all unplugged) so couldn't really check the walls / floor corners as I usuaally do. EA says it'll be cleaned before viewing tomorrow.

It looked like an ok space which we can make work and is in a better location, and a better budget for us - but having done some more reesearch into the road it's VERY social housing dominated (41 / 60 properties), which kind of puts me off, tho I know it shouldn't.

They've also turned a cupboard into a gym which I've no idea if ok to have done regarding building regs - they had some extention lead set up for a lamp and I'm guessing 100 pairs of shoes in the hallway which we had to step over.

We're viewing again tomorrow afternoon - the EA is keen to get us to offer, but without images, EPC or floorplan, I'm not sure. I can barely remember the rooms, just all the STUFF everywhere

The area is better for us logistically - not a village near the main town, but in the town near the station and equidistant from our workplaces so DH thinks we should go for that one. I think however I prefer the other house in the village (that we've already got, and EA there wants us to get solicitor going etc). That might be cause the house was tidy , and we saw it in daylight so don't want to let emotion sway such a big decision.

I feel bad for letting someone down, or stringing along, so need to make a decision soon and pull out of the village house as I don't want to make them wait too long for the next viewings etc.

Tempted to pull out of both as it's so overwhelming but no idea when the next house will come up.

@DaisyNGO

Eastie "I've said if I offer another few ££k will she commit to moving out by x date, payment to be made when she leaves, and apparently she has agreed and will sign a legal agreement stating the same (I don't know if there's any point though as doubt it would actually be legally binding)"

If you've already said it, .i'm not sure you can go back
But I'd have put that as a condition of sale

Is the original buyer selling or are the adult in laws dealing with the sale as power of attorney? If so, I'd have more confidence it will get done.

Sorry I was unclear, it is a condition of sale. Legal document has been drawn up and she is apparently signing it this week.

The in-laws are managing all aspects of the sale as in they are the primary contacts with the EA. They don't have POA (although someone should as I don't think she is well). They have already found a property she can move into, it is a new build she is apparently happy with. They have said she can move in with them for now. They just want her to sell.

I'm writing 'apparently' a lot because I have absolutely no idea if any of this will come to fruition. If there were other suitable properties in the area I'd cut her loose but very few family homes I like as much as this one are coming up and even the dire "in need of modernisation" ones are snapped up immediately.

onanadventure I'd need a floorplan, I can't figure stuff out without one, though maybe it's different with houses rather than flats.

That's some cupboard if they fitted a gym in there, wow!

Eastie that's a tough call
If they seem like they are in charge...
Grr again at our bizarre conveyancing system.

@onanadventure

We viewed the other house... It's ok but there was SO MUCH STUFF it was hard to gage what it was actually like. By clutter I mean you could barely get up the stairs because of a wardrobe, the walls were COVERED in pictures / paintings and each room is cluttered. The kitchen also had 2 x dishwasher (one unplugged and just stored) and 3 x washing machines (all unplugged) so couldn't really check the walls / floor corners as I usuaally do. EA says it'll be cleaned before viewing tomorrow.

It looked like an ok space which we can make work and is in a better location, and a better budget for us - but having done some more reesearch into the road it's VERY social housing dominated (41 / 60 properties), which kind of puts me off, tho I know it shouldn't.

They've also turned a cupboard into a gym which I've no idea if ok to have done regarding building regs - they had some extention lead set up for a lamp and I'm guessing 100 pairs of shoes in the hallway which we had to step over.

We're viewing again tomorrow afternoon - the EA is keen to get us to offer, but without images, EPC or floorplan, I'm not sure. I can barely remember the rooms, just all the STUFF everywhere

The area is better for us logistically - not a village near the main town, but in the town near the station and equidistant from our workplaces so DH thinks we should go for that one. I think however I prefer the other house in the village (that we've already got, and EA there wants us to get solicitor going etc). That might be cause the house was tidy , and we saw it in daylight so don't want to let emotion sway such a big decision.

I feel bad for letting someone down, or stringing along, so need to make a decision soon and pull out of the village house as I don't want to make them wait too long for the next viewings etc.

Tempted to pull out of both as it's so overwhelming but no idea when the next house will come up.

please make sure you are 100% sure when you decide, my bad decision on the house we have been in for 5 years has made me ill as it doesn't feel like home no matter how hard i have tried but i feel a bit better now it's on the market and will check everything on the next so please make sure it's right for you i thought this was right when we moved in and was busy renovating but this year i realised it was a mistake and not our forever home

@DaisyNGO

onanadventure I'd need a floorplan, I can't figure stuff out without one, though maybe it's different with houses rather than flats.

That's some cupboard if they fitted a gym in there, wow!

the cupboard is the size of at least a single bedroom had a exercise bike and a benchpress thing in there.

I was genuinely amazed.

going tomorrow with tape measure and gonna sketch it out myself I think... the EA says 'it's coming soon'

Can I join you please? I bring wine and cake 😂

Currently in rented in a city that’s getting more and more expensive. Both older than the average FTB. The fates decided that we can’t afford to buy where we are now so we are looking further afield. In the summer we viewed one house twice which ticked most boxes but was in the most amazing location. Been on the market for a few months, not many viewings and no offers. We offered and suddenly another offer had been made and it went to best and final. We kind of lost our bottle a little bit and withdrew our offer as it was likely that we are actually just bidding against ourselves. Since then, barely anything has come up. We live about half an hour away from where we want to buy so can’t just nip out during lunch breaks for viewings, which makes it more difficult as estate agents don’t seem to do viewings on evenings or weekends.

Bloody right move have been playing games with me today! Showing a higher number on the page but no extra houses! I’ve made a list now of the houses so I can keep up with any that have been relisted

We don’t want much! Just a big standard 3 bedroom house with parking. We are happy with something between doer upper and ready to go but not a complete doer upper. It shouldn’t be this difficult 🙁

I feel for you all. I'm a bit pissed off that we've put ourselves in this stupid position too.

We originally wanted one of the new builds nearby and to have our name down on the plot we had to have sold our house. It sold in 3 days to a buyer that was keen to complete in 8 weeks and paid over asking so we agreed to break the chain. We ended up pulling out of the new build purchase as it wasn't quite for us but managed to find a better house and all went swimmingly until we'd moved out of our home and our purchase collapsed 😩. Our search parameter is so small that there is so very little that works for us.

We were lucky in that we found one that we originally discounted as it was overpriced but then reduced by £30k, we viewed, offered and accepted. We've changed our solicitors as we felt our previous ones were not proactive enough. Fingers crossed 🤞 it's going through, our mortgage offer has been issued (again!).

It's just so feckin hard to get excited for something that might collapse at any time. The 4 of us are crammed into Mums small home, everything is in storage which makes everything more complicated.

It's a fine line to balance hope with realism. Good luck everyone.

Daisy I hate our conveyancing system, the lack of accountability both buyers and sellers (ie anyone call pull out up until Exchange) and I’m starting to hate the bloody duplicitous Estate Agents who operate in my area.

I viewed two houses over the weekend that were listed as No Forward Chain. In house no.1 the EA let slip that the retired vendor was in fact looking for a house in Essex. When I queried this he backtracked and said oh it is ‘kind of’ NFC because if I offered the right amount the vendor might move in with her sister.

House no.2 was a “straightforward” sale according to the EA as the only occupant was the vendor who was moving into assisted living imminently due to illness. The vendor was present during the viewing, very sadly quite ill but she wanted to meet and talk with people viewing. It transpired that she has left the house but there are three people living there who I discovered are tenants. Queried this with the EA who responded breezily that it will be fine, “the tenants will leave” once the house is sold. Yes of course

Can I join?

Awful situation here which I won’t bore you with, but the latest is that my house has been under offer since the end of June. I haven’t found anywhere and for several reasons I can’t go into rented.

Everything here is going to sealed bids, prices have increased by ££££ even since the summer (desirable area). People are, frankly, paying stupid money for absolute dumps. I’ve offered on three houses and lost all of them.

I am rapidly being priced out of the market, and as my sale price was agreed back in June, what I’m getting for mine isn’t going up. I’m screwed.

I have lovely buyers and they are being very patient, but an EA I viewed a house with the other day said I should be asking for a price review now as my house will have gone up by about 15k (4%) since the summer.

Deep down this feels like a shitty thing to do.

It’s a no-no, isn’t it?

EA are driving me mad. The one we chose to sell with assured us they would do viewings at evenings and weekends but they just seem to cram them in at their convenience - so we've had two Saturday mornings with potential buyers in 15 min slots 'to create competition'. None of whom thought it was quite right for them.

We're now 200 miles away in rented house so that I can start new job so we're haemorrhaging money as the rental is expensive, two lots of council tax etc. Have reduced price by 5% so hopefully will get more interest now - the market is so weird ATM with the stamp duty hol ending. A slightly bigger but worse location/surroundings/condition house just sold at slightly higher than ours is now on at so fingers crossed. I think people have more choice of location now - we're walking distance to a station for London trains in 45 mins but if people are mostly WFH then that may be of less interest now?

re no chain
I don't believe it unless the property is empty
even then I tend to assume the owner might put a tenant in and stretch a potentially chain free transaction to six months.

the poster talking about the 4% increase - does that link up with what you see around you? I thought prices had calmed a bit after the stamp duty holiday?

If they haven't then we really should have sold before, but it's my fault - my mother was very ill and I couldn't get in the right headspace and then thought that prices had gone out of control, especially outside of London, due to the stamp duty holiday.

at this point I think it's sheer luck really. I know it's a privilege to say this but I don't think too much about how the % gains go. It's more about getting out of London for me.

I’ve found my tribe. I’m so over house hunting this week.

Not at all helped by a ‘helpful’ estate agent who offers to try and get ‘off market’ viewings which turn out not to be. And vendors being ridiculous.

@RafaIsTheKingOfClay

I’ve found my tribe. I’m so over house hunting this week.

Not at all helped by a ‘helpful’ estate agent who offers to try and get ‘off market’ viewings which turn out not to be. And vendors being ridiculous.

We had one vendor this week who seems to have got a bidding war going, panicked and removed it from market as they have nowhere to go...if that's true.

So...how much below asking price is taking the piss? Top budget £400k.
How much above is it worth trekking about to see?