Thread 3: "Anyone not being picky - and STILL can't find anything?"

[RidingMyBike]

Thread 3 ready to go.
Link to thread 2:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/4450168-Thread-2-Anyone-not-being-picky-and-STILL-cant-find-anything?pg=1

Ring the agent and tell them what your offer is. It's that simple! They will ask a few questions about your position etc, might want to see proof of funds etc. The last two times I've offered I just rang up and stated my offer, reiterated my position (in rented, have agreement in principle, decent deposit etc) and that was that. They then put your offer to the vendor (or add it to the list, as seems to be the way at the moment) and you drum your fingers anxiously until a) they accept; b) they reject and come back with a counter offer or c) it goes to best and final and you ugly cry at the shitty state of the English housing market.

@blibblibs We offered through the estate agent. As for solicitor we picked one who is a big dog in our small town. They were recommended by an acquaintance and we’d at least heard of them. The sols need to be into conveyancing. If you google you’ll probably see a firm you’ve walked past on the high street.

I re-read this once a week hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/the-hoa-step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-home/

Thank you both, so proof of funds - AIP? Savings bank statement?
Both are higher than we need and we were planning on offering below asking (house has been on for nearly seven weeks, which is a long time here atm) and don't really want them to know we can afford more so how do I get around that if they want proof after the initial conversation.

@blibblibs

Proof of funds is for the mortgage lender and the solicitor only, so they know you’re in a position to move forward. They’ll want three months’s statements, and will do money laundering checks for this too.

The estate agent doesn’t need to know anything other than what you tell them, so you having loads of money doesn’t feed into what you are offering 👍🏼

Hope that helps! I was in your position when I started looking in November. am delighted to be corrected on any advice I try to give now 😬

Sorry - the estate agent would want to know you’re in a ‘proceedable position’ with a mortgage agreed or arranged. The market is busy and I believe there are lots of EA saying that they don’t show to buyers who are not ready to go go go! So, they’ll be interested in your position but not the details e.g. that you’re only using £80k for a deposit out of the £121k you have available etc.

Thank you, have an AIP so hopefully that is enough for them to start talking to us at least.

Hope so! Good luck with the offer 😎

I've started looking again. Currently living at parents about 2 hours drive away from where I'm buying. It hasn't been an issue due to working from home but we've been told to prepare to go back in 3 days per week.

Sold one last year. Found trying to buy at the same time very stressful. Was hoping being a no chain buyer would help but it seems there are a lot of no chain buyers, plus a lot of foreign cash buyers who seem to have an infinite amount of money.

Decided I'm going to buy a doer upper and just live in the 1979s for the several years it will take to do it up 😁

Ugh. Don’t know what to do. We offered on a house we saw at the weekend and it’s going to best and final offers over the guide price. We can afford to increase our offer but neither of us love the house. We don’t hate it either, it’s just bland and more of a box-ticker. We have been looking for a long time now and really starting to feel like time is running out for us (we are renting and we are not young). Also scared we will be priced out very soon even on these bland houses in average roads.

any advice?

Argh, so hard but I think you just need to decide what your willing to go over by and offer that.
We're the same, renters and won't be too many years till I'm 50 so time is ticking on.
We tried to make an offer on a box ticker today but the office was shut so we've discussed it and DH will make the call tomorrow. I can't take calls at work so we've decided our top price and he'll stop at that and we'll keep looking.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Thank you! And good luck to you!

Well our increased offer was accepted!😳

We've accepted an offer on our house from ftb and our offer on a house has been accepted. We're buying from a retired couple who are moving to another part of the UK to be close to family. We're now in a chain, I hope our vendors buy a chain free property to keep it short. I tried very hard to buy a chain free property but there's not much available atm.

Paddingttonthebear fantastic news!
Our offer was accepted too!!!

Congratulations! How do you feel? 😁

Honestly, a bit overwhelmed! Only enquired with a mortgage broker last Tuesday!
Market here is moving so fast and to get something (albeit something that needs work!) under asking, and they're seemingly ready to go feels very very lucky.

We're getting really disheartened that we'll find anything.

Our options currently within budget - need a 2 or 3 bed (as have a baby and WFH). Would love a house with a garden and to not need to do any major works for a few years.

-a 2 bed house that needs imminent new windows, 1900 build, EPC E, needs new doors, a new small conservatory construction and has some damp, but has lovely rooms and an INCREDIBLE garden. booked viewing on friday, saw today, want best and finals tomorrow.

-An ok ground floor flat with 2 bedrooms and a 'lifestyle room' (kitchen, diner, lounge). Very bland, but decent bedroom sizes (slightly overpriced). On a main road.

-A top floor 2 bed flat that has lots of mould in the ensuite (but current owner is fixing) andc communal garden. Ok space, but needs a lot of love aesthetically (and lease isn't brilliant).been on market since Feb, can't work out why but makes us reluctant to offer over.

We LOVED a house which came online last Tuesday. Called wednesday morning, got final viewing on Thursday. Wanted best and final offers by today and we didn't get it even tho we maxxed ourselves to offer £15k over.

It's MENTAL - but, hey ho. We have to drive 30 mins to view houses too, which is difficult, (and costing us ££ in petrol).

May just go for one of the flats - but kinda want a house if we can cause of DS

I keep wondering how many more we should see before we just buy something 'ok'.

Yay, congratulations to you all! I received confirmation that my offer has been sent to the vendor, but no news so far, which is a bit frustrating because I was told that they were discussing it over the weekend. Oh well. I know they have a second viewing booked tomorrow so perhaps they're waiting for that - I expect I'll be outbid.

13 long months of house hunting for us!

Congratulations @Paddingtonthebear and @blibblibs!

I'm viewing 3 on Saturday. Just pleased that I've managed to actually get some viewings.

What price bracket / types of houses are the HKers buying in Trafford?

The HK cash buyers in my area which is SE are buying mid to high end family homes. This has created a property boom and a shortage because sellers can name theie price cutting out the locals. Property is expensive in my area anyway and this fast market has made it worse.

What price bracket / types of houses are the HKers buying in Trafford?

They are buying up the 3 bed semis in my area. Used to be around 320k, now are 400k.

Does anyone know about solciitors fees? Last year we paid the fee for an I.D check but the purchase fell though. We’ve gone back to the same solicitor for this next purchase (hopefully!) and they’ve asked for another I.D fee. We are going to wait until the mortgage valuation is done before we pay out any money for anything. But I just wanted to check if that’s right about paying the I.D check fee again? I assume it’s because it’s a new “case” rather than on the same purchase?