Page 2 | Moving back to Scotland

SnappyOP · 2024-10-21T13:59:21+00:00

I Live in the south east of England and I've been away from Scotland for 30+ years. I now want to move back prefererably to the Creiff/Comrie area. My question; Has anyone bought a house without seeing it other than estate agent pictures? I have seen a few houses I like but a 14hr round trip means I cant just pop along and view them. Has anyone done this? Is there a specialist lawyer that deals in this sort of purchase? Also I don't want to sell my house down here and find myself homeless while I try to buy a house in Scotland. What is the procedure now for buying a house even if it was a cash purchase/ short term loan till I sell mine

PrimalLass · 25/10/2024 23:30

RainbowWife · 25/10/2024 21:23

I got through my first Fife summer and it was fine, I don't like the heat really anyway but it was bright and sunny most of the time. I'm freezing now though!

There's only going to be a couple of degrees between Fife and London tomorrow.

Goldrill · 25/10/2024 23:44

I think maybe it might be an idea to spend some time in Crieff before moving back here, if you haven't done recently. We've only been here a few years and not wildly keen. Much muttering from the older generation about the state of literally everything eg the high street etc etc.
As soon as the kids are finished school we'll be off.

We bought from England during covid, so after one brief viewing. Not straightforward, and we were lucky our sellers were such nice people.

Original poster

SnappyOP · 27/10/2024 18:58

Thanks for all the lovely answers I think I will sell and rent. It sounds so much easier if I'm there ready to move with cash in hand. I grew up in Edinburgh, I lived there for 20 years before moving to Bathgate so yes I know the weather can be bad. I'm old now and not so keen on the really hot english summers we've been getting so I thought I would be happier in a cooler place. In summer I have the blinds closed to keep the house cool and winter theyr'e closed to keep the house warm I feel a bit like a mole or a mushroom lol. My brother has 4 sones that live in the Comrie Creiff area which is why I've chosen to look in that area. He plans to move back when he retires in 2.5 years not that he's counting months. I'm planning to come up for a holiday this summer and have a drive arround to see if I think I will like the area. It's Scotland whats not to like lol

OP posts:

stargirl1701 · 28/10/2024 10:46

Comrie is still just lovely.

hillsiderunner · 29/10/2024 11:40

I would strongly advise against doing this. I've recently bought myself in Edinburgh and viewed directly as I live here. Found out a couple of undiscovered issues with my apartment block after moving in, but will live with it.

However, some friends who bought a couple of years ago found themselves in bigger trouble. They did a fairly light (in person) viewing of a property and somehow the sellers had managed to cover up smoke smells/impacts of heavy smoking over many years. When they got the keys they were horrified about the state of the property and how much needed to be ripped out. They had to do a lot before they could move into the property.

I guess what I am saying is two things - you need to view in-person, and also to be thorough about that, look at everything, suspect everything. And secondly, the Home report is Scotland will only report/notice very obvious things. If you want a more detailed, broader assessment of the property, get a Level 3 survey done as well.

Catgotthecreamandthesalmon · 30/10/2024 00:08

hillsiderunner · 29/10/2024 11:40

I would strongly advise against doing this. I've recently bought myself in Edinburgh and viewed directly as I live here. Found out a couple of undiscovered issues with my apartment block after moving in, but will live with it.

However, some friends who bought a couple of years ago found themselves in bigger trouble. They did a fairly light (in person) viewing of a property and somehow the sellers had managed to cover up smoke smells/impacts of heavy smoking over many years. When they got the keys they were horrified about the state of the property and how much needed to be ripped out. They had to do a lot before they could move into the property.

I guess what I am saying is two things - you need to view in-person, and also to be thorough about that, look at everything, suspect everything. And secondly, the Home report is Scotland will only report/notice very obvious things. If you want a more detailed, broader assessment of the property, get a Level 3 survey done as well.

Edited

Agree with this!

Anisty · 30/10/2024 00:39

SnappyOP · 27/10/2024 18:58

Thanks for all the lovely answers I think I will sell and rent. It sounds so much easier if I'm there ready to move with cash in hand. I grew up in Edinburgh, I lived there for 20 years before moving to Bathgate so yes I know the weather can be bad. I'm old now and not so keen on the really hot english summers we've been getting so I thought I would be happier in a cooler place. In summer I have the blinds closed to keep the house cool and winter theyr'e closed to keep the house warm I feel a bit like a mole or a mushroom lol. My brother has 4 sones that live in the Comrie Creiff area which is why I've chosen to look in that area. He plans to move back when he retires in 2.5 years not that he's counting months. I'm planning to come up for a holiday this summer and have a drive arround to see if I think I will like the area. It's Scotland whats not to like lol

You'll be fine, weather-wise! Especially as you're originally from Scotland. Crieff isn't bad at all. You'll probably find it milder and wetter than in Winters of old. I can't remember a really bad winter since 2010 for snow.

Yes, it rains. But it's Scotland! I'd sooner it rained every day than suffer that oppressive Southern English humid heat.

October actually is the driest month. (that might not be factual - it's just that i have kept a diary for many years and have found july and august almost always contain a good 20 rainy days. Whereas it isn't unusual to get a dry fortnight in October)

Good luck with finding a lovely home!

Why not book a month's stay at a holiday accomodation and do an intensive property search then?

Or hire a motorhome?