Can’t find a house to buy

[Owlsandeagles]

We had an offer accepted on our house over a month ago and still can’t find a house to buy.

Where we live the pricing gap between 3 bed semi and ‘next size up’ 4 bed detached is nearly £200k, which we just can’t afford.
We’re even considering other 3 bed semi’s, 4 bed semi’s but because the price gap is just so big no one is putting this size house on the market.

It’s just insane, and really depressing! If I’d have known we’d be stuck in this house when we bought it 10 years ago we probably would have stretched ourselves and got something bigger back then!

We can’t rent as we have a low mortgage rate that we need to port.

This is so ridiculous!!!

I don’t get the “over priced probates” comment. We’re selling a house out of probate, it’s not overpriced at all. 6 viewings in 1st week, 4 second viewings booked. There’s a good £100k drop between a fully done up version of the and asking price..

Maybe you’re not being realistic what you can afford ?

On the ‘overpriced probate’ comment, it may help to understand that some local authorities pressure elderly disabled people and their relatives to place their house on the market, for example if they have a fall and the NHS transfers them to a nursing home. The elderly person may have no savings, having spent everything on carers at home. With all their money in the house the LA then pushes for a sale and withholds loaning money for the nursing home fees if the house does not go on the market straight away (remember the relatives may all be working full time with a very sick parent and a family home to clear and can’t magic up 6k per month on nursing home fees).Then, if the person dies, the LA will start charging Council Tax if the house is not marketed within x months of gaining probate.

OP I understand that you want to move but from what you've posted you can't actually afford to move? Why are you even looking at houses you can't afford?

Can you buy a 3 bed 1 bath and do a loft conversion to make it a 4 bed 2 bath?

I too would feel frustrated but when you agreed to his offer you knew you couldn’t rent after you you were due to leave and that there was not much - if anything - that was suitable in your area. It’s an unusual situation to be in, to say the least.

My eldest DD also has a buyer and no where to go!

When i bought my first house i put in a 'speculative' offer. (Think knocking off £20k from £100k.)

It was accepted immediately! The seller was on the verge of repossession. I didn't know, and i was surprised it was accepted. I had to go back again for a more 'serious' look round. Ended up living there for 8 years and it's where i had my first 3 DCs 😊 Always think of it fondly.

Have moved 3 times since then but my point is it's always worth making an offer. The seller can just say no. It's not a personal insult to them or anything! And honestly if the seller is very rigid about their price the agent will tell you.

When you put your house on the market… had you done absolutely no research beforehand?