Clueless first time buyer - timescales?

[Albrecht]

We are looking to buy (first) house in a totally different area to where we live. Two that we have been interested in so far have been sold before we could even view them.

House 1. New listing on website, phoned estate agent and was told there had been a lot of interest so they had set the closing date for noon Tuesday (the next day!)

House 2. New listing on website, phoned EA and told they had been made a good offer that was only on the table til Wednesday evening (2 days after listing went online)

Is this normal? Or just unlucky with really nice bargain houses?

Is it unrealistic to try and buy somewhere if you aren't on site to go into EA and view things immediately they come up? My brother lives in the area but needs more than 1 days notice to view something.

Thing is this is the north of Scotland we are looking at, I didn't think it would move that fast. Am I being niave?

the scottish system is different tho isn't it?
tbh i do find that a bit unusual given the current market conditions but i had a similar problem when i was a 1st time buyer
it may be that these bargains are attracting property developers/cash buyers
if you haven't already done so go back to all the EA's that you've spoken to and stress what a strong position you're in taking along written proof from your mortgage provider and keep in constant contact with them

Def get your mortgage and other finances lined up to make you really appealing to sellers. Plus you can make an offer straight away if you see something. Could you move and rent, so you're able to view straight away (or try a 'holiday' to blitz some viewings). When we moved from London to Cardiff, I used sites like fish4homes and rightmove rather than one EA so you see as many homes for sale as poss.

Alternatively could an auction work for you as it'll have a definite closing date you can work around?

Thanks for the replies. (I'm Scottish so know even less about the English system!)

Can't really rent or holiday yet as I'm due to give birth in a couple of months and want to stay in my job for as long as poss. Looks like it might be the way tho.

We aren't seriously looking yet, just keeping an eye out to get an idea of the local market. But will def get the finances clear.

From what we have seen so far things don't come up often and then they either hang around forever or get snapped up immediately.

Just wondered how this compares to others experiences? Houses were both in really nice condition so don't think it would be developers?