to those buying in these difficult times! AKA buyers support network

PasseySam

Hi everyone - officially a buyer now (well hopefully if all goes to plan!) so very excited although also very scared that we will lose the purchase as it all seems very fragile!

In answer to your query Goldbyron, we had our offer accepted over the weekend and I am trying to get hold of our mortgage lender today to inform them and get the wheels in motion - our mortgage is all set subject to survey and I want to get it done as soon as possible to show our vendors that we're serious. So we're trying to get it done really quick which I think a lot of other people would want to do. As a vendor too I think it looks better if your buyer books their survey quickly to put their money where their mouth is so-to-speak....

However, we are holding off slightly waiting to hear about the survey on our sale as it will be 3 weeks since agreeing the sale at the end of this week and still no survey booked. The buyer did say his mortgage has been sorted so just chasing the EA to find out what's going on. We agreed to try for a quick exchange as we're moving for relocation so although I know 2-3 weeks isn't long I feel it should be going quicker if trying to exchange by May!

Maybe your buyers need to get their mortgage in place first or something before the survey is done?

<sebb>

I had my offer accepted on the Friday lunchtime. I had my survey booked that afternoon and the appointment was scheduled for a week and a half later.

goldbyron

Thanks for this - It seems to depend on the how quickly and efficient the buyers are maybe. I know they have a mortgage in place as this was done through the agents advisor.... I might give it until tomorrow and chase this up...

surreybased

Hi,

Am waiting to see if our sealed bid has been successful, if not we go with plan B and bid on another house we've seen. This would be our 3rd house buying attempt, 1st was seller pulled out, 2nd was structural problem (which vendors knew about and choose not to tell us), hoping this will be our final house purchase..

Doshwaster

Had the second viewing and got the HIP... now I'm just pondering over an offer.

Part of me tells me to go in with a cheeky low offer as an opening gambit - even if they laugh at it and reject the offer. Part of me says go in with a more sensible offer to be taken more seriously as a buyer.

The full asking price is within budget and I have no chain behind me so I in a fairly strong position - but I'd rather not have to spend (or borrow) an extra £10k if I don't need to.

Any advice? I hate negotiating - the last two cars I've had I've paid the sticker price!

goldbyron

doshwaster - just remember it is easier to negotiate when it comes to houses as opposed to goods on a forecourt/shop. The estate agent is the go between and so you don't have to negotiate with the seller direct. Start low and go up - most likely the seller will meet you halfway. Even if you can get a grand off its worth it.

Hauzen

I've just transferred the deposit money and solicitors fees to my solicitors office, so all that remains to be done now is to wait for the home insurance documents to come in and then pass on the basic information to my solicitor to confirm I have the cover in place.

Sixteen days now until I get the keys and everything is (almost) wrapped up nicely regarding the purchase. If only I was this organised with regard to the packing I've got to do!

Doshwaster

Offer accepted!!! :j

Had to go up £2000 more than I was planning but the market around here is warming up by the week (the house had more viewing in the past week than in the past 6 weeks) and I really didn't want to go back to square one and start searching again. Got the sellers to throw in a few extras to sweeten the deal.

Trying not to celebrate too much as I still have to confirm the mortgage, get surveyors report, etc, etc and I'm aware that many things can still go wrong.

starfly83

Chris_Quartly wrote: »

We've had our mortgage approved now, thankfully, subject to their own valuation of the house. There was a bit of a delay because my wife is American so they just needed proof of residency (why can't they have a section for that on the application?).

I'm American too and will be buying a house later on this year, have just started to look with my husband. What would I need to show? Is it just my passport with Indefinite Leave to remain visa? I'll make sure I look into this, wouldn't want any delays.

Fingers_Crossed_3

I've had my house up for sale for 34 week and don't intend to view properties until I've had an offer for mine. This of course doesn't stop me from spending hours on Rightmove, and yesterday I drove down a street which I liked the look of so I put the 3 houses that are currently for sale on the street (Valebrook Ave, Sunderland) in my saved list, but then I came across this;

The controversial Sunderland sheltered accommodation for vulnerable young people has been given a year-long stay of execution.
In the past six months, the Ingleside residency – which houses 13 homeless young gay men – has been the subject of a 63-signature petition by local residents, 29 letters of appeal, and 21 reported incidents to the police.
But now the temporary home for some of Sunderland’s most vulnerable young people has been allowed to remain open for another year.

This property is at the top of the street, the houses for sale are nearer the bottom, though it isn't a particularly long street. I'm interested in what you all would do, in the same situation