How do you get viewings as soon as properties come on the market, before they hit Rightmove?

[wildflow]

We're currently looking to buy a flat in London. I'm basically addicted to checking Rightmove - I have instant alerts set up and also refresh the website multiple times a day just in case something was missed.

However, there doesn't seem to be much being added on there. The new properties being listed are then immediately (as in within 30 minutes) marked as sold subject to contract. I assume they're being sold before they're marketed and the agents are putting them on retrospectively.

I've rung around various agents in the area, let them know what we're looking for and asked them to call as soon as they get anything suitable. We can't really justify paying for a buyers agent. Is there anything else we can do so that we get to see properties as soon as possible?

Go into Estate agents and talk to them in person.

Being known to the estate agents.

Go in person to register with them, always turn up to viewings on time, basically get them on 'side'.

If a property is about to be listed and the EA knows it's roughly your budget/type of house, they'll call you before it hits Rightmove.

Bought two houses this way!

You have to call them two or three times a week. By the time a house goes on Rightmove they've checked it out, had contracts signed, done photos and agreed copy - so they've known about it for a week or more and during that time have also been calling their regulars.
So go in person, make sure the agent knows you are a 'hot' client (have all your finances ready to go), and then keep calling them.
I once worked with an agent, bought a couple properties through him. Called him to say I'd come in to some cash and was looking for a rental investment and had the funds ready to go. His response? 'Ok you know where I am if you see something'!!!!! No buddy the whole point is YOU know where I am!
Hopefully you will find agents a bit more proactive!

Make friends with estate agents, we get sent properties 24-48 hours before they appear on Rightmove.

Thanks all, we'll plan a tour of the local estate agents and make sure they know who we are!

I bought a house like this, the agent had valued mine and knew what I was looking for. She rang me to say they were listing it and would I like to view. Offer accepted prior to it hitting RM.

You could be even more proactive. We just completed on a house through a completely private sale- we leafleted the road we wanted to live on and somebody agreed to sell to us!

Flats are definitely not flying off the shelve at the moment in London, no need to bother with the above since most sellers will still want their flats to go on Rightmove before they consider your offer.

We’d viewed a lot and estate agent knew we were serious and clear about what we wanted it just wasn’t out there. He rang to say he’d just valued a house, looked up our street did we want to see it. We were first through door and offered. This was just before covid mind.