What order to do things in when selling and buying?

[CoconutSty]

What order do people feel is the best way to go about these things?

Get a DIP
Find a solicitor
Find a mortgage broker
Start contacting estate agents about new properties
Put old house on market
Make an offer on new house

The first thing you need to do is get a couple of Estate Agents round to value your current house and tell you their fees. Once you have decided which agent you like best, you can sign their contract and allow them to book a photographer to take photos of your house and put it on their website and on Rightmove.

You should also be researching houses in the area you want to move to to gain an awareness of what is out there and how much it will cost to move. You should be looking at everything that comes up Rightmove at the moment but most people would wait until their house is on the market before actually viewing other people's houses.

Yes, we've had the house valued and have been scouting Rightmove for research purposes. I always thought we would list our house first before starting to view, but our requirements for the new house are so specific I'm worried we would sell our house quickly and then get grumpy buyers (understandably!) if we keep them waiting while we wait for the right property to come up. Going into rented isn't an option. Just dreading this entire process, to be honest!

I know, it's such a stressful process.

It's always the dilemma - sell first or find the new house first. But overall, it seems to work out better to sell first so when the perfect house does come up, you're in a great position to get it. Just have to hope your buyers are patient.

I've never bothered getting a solicitor until I've found a house to buy because I don't want to start racking up any costs before I have to. You could get a DIP online though just to give you a rough idea, that doesn't cost anything.

It's very difficult to make an offer on a house without being proceedable yourself ie SSTC. Most sellers will probably say come back when you've sold, or will go with an offer who is proceedable even if its a bit lower. Any prospective buyer who understands there's a chain and their seller hasn't found a house yet will hang on (obviously not forever)

So my advice is to try and sell first so you're In a good position to buy. Xx

Agree with not instructing a solicitor until you've found a house to buy.