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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

Buying a house in skye and lochaber

31 replies

Firefightress1 · 05/05/2022 12:22

Hi everyone, change of plan for me.

I've been promoted to a training role with my work in the fire service and we are looking to relocate to the skye or lochaber area. I'm going to be training the on call and volunteer firefighters in the area and working at the training centre. I'm really excited, its a dream job and I'm looking forward to moving too.

I know its notoriously hard to buy in these areas, I just wonderd if anyone could tell me about the market up there. I was lucky to buy my house in Glasgow through a post on here and it was a private sale.

What percentage are people paying up there, I'm hoping we will be in a good position with the equity in our house to afford something up to 300k.

Any suggestions of other places to look for houses other than rightmove and estate agents to would be fantastic too.

Thanks

OP posts:
GenderAtheist · 23/05/2022 23:13

I’m sorry I don’t know the answer to your question. But I just wanted to offer my congratulations on your new job, it sounds great. And excellent to see that SFR are finally promoting women 🎉🚒

MagnoliaTaint · 24/05/2022 09:36

Congrats on the job!

It's utter madness on the property market right now. I've been looking for a while, things are going so fast I don't get a chance to even view them. I believe prices have gone up by about 10% in past year and most are going for over the asking price. I'm hoping it slows down soon!

My advice is to contact estate agents and let them know what you're looking for and that you're serious, maybe post on social media groups for local area and ask about.

Good luck.

TheFoxAndTheStar · 25/05/2022 21:32

I would suggest to drop notes through the doors of properties you think you would be interested in. Literally 100 houses. Someone will bite.

tolerable · 26/05/2022 03:55

congratualtions! is rental plausible?..even meantime?
what are youre needs/wants/no ways: www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/61514510/?search_identifier=8773ca64950719a4fb5e03cf75af1a28
best bet=go.get local listings?

Original poster
Firefightress1 · 29/05/2022 01:33

Thank you for the replies! I currently have offers in on 3 properties but we aren't hopeful. Apparently the Americans are now interested in buying in Scotland and they have massive funds so I think we may be priced out.
There is NO rentals in the areas we need due to airbnbs and holiday lets, the houses sit empty for 6 months of the year, its heartbreaking!
How do any locals manage to stay in their home town .

OP posts:
GenderAtheist · 29/05/2022 03:10

Er, how can you have offers in on three houses at once ? What if they all accept your offer ? Does your solicitor know you are doing this?

caringcarer · 29/05/2022 05:06

It is a beautiful area to move to OP. In Scotland I think they have sealed bids and offers over. Hope you find somewhere nice soon.

Original poster
Firefightress1 · 29/05/2022 09:38

GenderAtheist · 29/05/2022 03:10

Er, how can you have offers in on three houses at once ? What if they all accept your offer ? Does your solicitor know you are doing this?

Sorry, I meant notes of interest. We have no offers in at the moment but are hopeful with one of the places we have fell in love with.
Hoping to get up for a few days next week to view them all before they probably go to a closing date.
Thanks for the ideas folks!

OP posts:
ElegantlyTouched · 29/05/2022 09:43

Try Isle of Skye Estate Agents, Remax Skye and Skye Property Centre.

Houses are getting snapped up ridiculously quickly here. So many AirBnBs, and yes, I also know an American who wants to buy a family home to run a business from. Am not impressed with her!

Good luck finding somewhere!

MagnoliaTaint · 29/05/2022 10:43

caringcarer · 29/05/2022 05:06

It is a beautiful area to move to OP. In Scotland I think they have sealed bids and offers over. Hope you find somewhere nice soon.

It varies. At the moment most things are probably going to closing date and yes, offers over. But you can put in an offer with a time limit for the owner accepting or declining. I don't know if this is likely to work right now as the market is mad.

MagnoliaTaint · 29/05/2022 10:44

Also houses are not staying on the market for a week at the moment. A day or two and they're gone.

MagnoliaTaint · 29/05/2022 10:46

In fact, thinking about it, no closing dates, either, for the most part. They come on and get sold, almost instantly. Sorry, OP, I don't want to discourage you, but I would get everything set up to move really quickly if you want to buy. Otherwise you might be better looking to rent until the market slows down, which should happen later this year.

GenderAtheist · 29/05/2022 17:42

Firefightress1 · 29/05/2022 09:38

Sorry, I meant notes of interest. We have no offers in at the moment but are hopeful with one of the places we have fell in love with.
Hoping to get up for a few days next week to view them all before they probably go to a closing date.
Thanks for the ideas folks!

Show quote history

Ah I was just checking. I know you have moved up from Glasgow but some people who are NOT familiar with Scots Law have actually put in offers on 3 properties at once. This of course is pretty poor show and will get you banned or at least not seen as legitimate buyers by all the local estate agents. Which would be a Bad Thing in an area where everyone knows everyone.

Good luck with the three closing dates and fingers crossed they are on different days.

Original poster
Firefightress1 · 29/05/2022 20:48

Thanks so much, we will be up this week to view them, I think we may be priced out on these ones as we can go offers over but they are at the higher end of our budget but we are going to try.
I'll let you know how we get on.

OP posts:
Calmdown14 · 30/05/2022 07:56

I would put a post on the local Facebook page setting out exactly what you have here.
I'm not that area but similarly rural and round here a lot isn't making it to estate agents but is going on word of mouth.
I think that many locals, especially those moving up the ladder in the same area, would prefer to sell to someone who will be a proper part of the community. And saving estate agent fees is always a positive. Good luck.

There definitely needs to be regulation of air b and b. It's much more damaging than the bed and breakfast type trade where at least someone lives full time and it tends to be in a more expensive property. There have to be limits to stop all the starter homes being snapped up

GenderAtheist · 30/05/2022 09:39

I think that many locals, especially those moving up the ladder in the same area, would prefer to sell to someone who will be a proper part of the community

This is a very good point. Make sure that the estate agents know of your situation, that you already have a job with SFR and you and your partner / family will living there FT. If you are second/ third highest price at closing and there’s not much difference it might just swing it . It won’t do any harm.

MagnoliaTaint · 30/05/2022 09:52

Yep. Far rather welcome a family who'll be working in the area than selling off to yet another second-home/Air BNB.

katnyps · 30/05/2022 09:57

Look in Fort William - some decent properties there at exactly that price have been on the market for a while in the less touristy bits

Lifewithusthree · 30/05/2022 09:57

Hi

Lifewithusthree · 30/05/2022 09:58

Lifewithusthree · 30/05/2022 09:57

Hi

Whoops that was an accidental reply!

Karatema · 30/05/2022 12:12

My son's friend had a job in Skye but had to leave because he couldn't find a place to rent in the summer and couldn't afford to buy even a tiny house. Transferred to another area of Scotland (NHS occupation).

tolerable · 31/05/2022 01:36

never say never- investigate-how do-able is (temporary as pos?motorhome,?once youre "in"even rentl more likely hit you...or is there a trailer park..like tempory home praps.you gotta get there,then get feels..eh..plus ,advert every place lets you-"wqanted" take whatchu need for now

Original poster
Firefightress1 · 31/05/2022 23:31

Just a wee update, we are viewing 4 houses this week in skye and on the mainland close by. Our house is now on the market so fingers crossed it all works out. Being part of a community is so important to us, I know it will take time to find find house but it will be worth it x

OP posts:
StellaAndCrow · 31/05/2022 23:44

That is so exciting - good luck!

MagnoliaTaint · 01/06/2022 08:53

Good luck!

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