wanting to buy the house I am renting. what do I do?

[raggedtrouseredphilanthropist]

I sold my house and moved into rented to give me time to look for somewhere else. I have been renting this place for a couple of months, and just really love it. It is perfect for me, and I have not seen anything else like it available in this area.
So what should I do? I have to ask the landlord, or I will never know. But how do I go about it?
I rent through an agency, but have the landlords name and address from the tenancy agreement. I don't want to go through the agency for various reasons - do you think the landlord would mind me contacting them direct? I was just going to write a letter saying I really like the house, and would like to know if they would be willing to sell it to me. Not to mention any price at the moment. The house does need work doing on it, and I think I could offer a fair price for the house - not top end, but then the market isnt great, and I have no chain etc, and there would be no estate agents fees etc.

What do you think I should do? And can I get a valuation from an estate agents at all to check I am offering a fair price?

I'd write to him direct to see whether he's interested in selling first.

If so, then I'd get 3 valuations and work out a mean average if they're all reasonably close together, and make an offer.

Write to him but, bear in mind, if he has a tenant who is happy there and therefore may be willing to stay some time, there isn't really much motivation for him to sell, especially not in a downturn.

All you can do is ask. I'd not be offended if a tenant asked me. They have and I have sold in the past however, not in the current climate.

Bear in mind that if the owner actually wanted to sell the house would be on the market and not being rented out, so I think it is unlikely that they will want to sell unless you can make a very good offer - but you never know!

Good luck - I hope you get it!

By all means ask (and yes, you can get an estate agent to come and give a valuation but that will cost a reasonable amount of money)

Agree with those who say, though, that if he wanted to sell, it would be on the market.

Also, by telling him you really love it, he's likely to think you'll stay (and continue paying him rent) and then he obviously has the option of putting the rent up - knowing you don't really want to move out.

So, it's not without risks, but you'll never know if you don't try!

(And GOod luck!)

I would write something along the lines of: "As prices have come down a fair bit since we sold our house, I am now planning to buy again. I realise that many people who are renting out properties did so because they were unable to find a buyer. I wondered if this was the case with [address] and, if so, whether you would consider selling now as I definitely like the location and am viewing several other places locally."

There, you've said you're interested but not laid yourself too open to exploitation.

ooh, that is good lalalonglegs!
I AM looking elsewhere anyway, and if they dont want to sell, I will be moving out within a few months anyway...

How does this sound?

"I hope you don?t mind me contacting you direct. I am your current tenant in

As you are probably aware, I sold my house to relocate to and I am now planning to buy again in the very near future. I realise that many people who are renting out properties did so because they were unable to find a buyer. I wondered if this was the case with and, if so, whether you would consider selling now as I definitely like the location and am viewing several other places locally.

Please don?t think I am rude in asking, but I would like to check out all my options before I buy again."

I think it sounds a bit meek. I would start with:-

"I am your current tenant..."

and instead of "Please don't think I am rude.." put "I understand that you may not be willing to sell at the moment but thought I would express an interest as it could be a mutually beneficial arrangement and I would like to check ou all my options before committing myself to one house."

wow you are really good at this! thanks!!

modest - let us know what happens.