Alternative ways to fine property for sale...?

uksuperstore

Hi all I'm looking to buy a home in the North West (Salford/Manchester) area.

I'm curious to hear about any alternative ways to find property for sale...

So far my efforts have really just been to search on rightmove.co.uk however I'm sure there are other options that I should be considering?

I'm not afraid of doing some work on a house and have a budget of £250k to spend.

I've heard about probate houses, is there anyway to find these easily or a way to find property's that are being sold via the mortgage providers due to the owner not paying. Or any good auctions sites in the Manchester area?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks.

asp1969

I can put you in touch with a property finding firm that specialises in the North West. I will speak to them first if ok with you?

uksuperstore

Sure, what kind of property's do they source?

princessamy86

Just be wary uksuperstore, these kind of companies usually charge a large fee and don't have access to anything you can't find by yourself. There's lots of NW auctions (I'm an EA in Preston), I would google Manchester auctions and see what comes up, try Edward Mellor, Countrywide and Pugh's although there are loads more. A good strategy is to go and have a look at one first to get a feel for it and beware of hidden fees.

Repossessions and probate will normally be sold through local agents, although they won't be advertised as repossessions etc. Dead giveaway is the toilet and taps being taped up, and a notice re chattels in the front window. Best way to find these is to drive round looking for notices, and scour websites of agents and rightmove. Trick is to just keep looking! If you can get a good rapport going with an agent, they will ring you as soon as things come on and you can get out to see them early.

The_Plush_Doormat

Here is a link to the on-line version of the Salford Advertiser, Property Classified section. I am in Essex so am not familiar with your area, but all my local papers are on-line.

http://www.salfordadvertiser.co.uk/property/

uksuperstore

Thanks for the advice chaps and the words of caution.

Can I ask what you mean by this? "the toilet and taps being taped up, and a notice re chattels in the front window." I'm not to sure as to why and what?

I plan to visit a couple of the local auction house's within the next few weeks... Is there any particular hidden fees that I should be aware of or any genral tips as to what to look out for and avoid?

Is there anyway to get probate information out of the town hall? I seem to recall someone mentioning something along those lines...

Any further info would be great.

Cheers for your time. :beer:

princessamy86

It's normal for auction houses to charge a buyer's fee, but these vary! Toilet and taps with tape on them (normally saying do not use) are a sign the property has been drained down, so no water left in the system, and quite common with repossessions. The notice about chattels is normally in the front window and says something like, "On the X of X month, possession was taken by X Lender. The previous owners should contact X agent within 14 days to remove chattels."
It just means the previous owners have to contact the owner to get their stuff back if they hadn't cleared the house-but it does say the agent who will be selling it, so you may be able to get in there quick if you spot one.