The other problem - sold but nowhere to go!

kiddy_guy

Hi all

We put our house on the market late November and within 2 weeks :dance: we'd accepted an offer! Didn't expect that! However....

We knew we had to move house - 1 year old with another on the way, but we've struggled to find what we want. There is a minor element of us being picky and not wanting to go into rented, but fundamentally we cannot see (through the usual channels), a house that really makes us think Wow! We're prepared to do work, so budget in Warwickshire goes from £150-£325k, and within that we think we should be able to find something ! Given our buyers want to kick us out sooner rather than later - they have been patient - I've tried everywhere and anywhere, from registering with the local EA's, to Rightmove, Homesandproperty, propertygazette,vebra, primelocation, zoopla, propertytoday, fish4homes, propertylive, mouseprice, to reading the local rag each week.

We don't know an exact house, or location we want, so we can't target an EA with flyering a specific street.

It's sounds like we're being really picky, but we're reasonably flexible in terms of location, but have a few basic needs - character, garden, 3 beds.

Can anyone suggest anything we could do to help improve our searching - auction houses, repos, other websites - anything and everything would be much appreciated! I'm just at the end of my tether with this one!

Cheers:money:

AnnaV

Some people on here have done flyer drops to targeted houses (with varying success, but 1% response rate was bandied about).

Worth a try...

hazyjo

Could always use the however many miles radius on RM... that might help if you can narrow down a central search area.

We couldn't find anything either as the house we were buying there fell through. Once we decided to look in a different area, we found something perfect

Any maybes? Or everything out there a no?

Jx

kiddy_guy

Hi both

Thanks for the replies.

We can't flyer drop as we actually are relatively unfussed on location - anywhere from Warwick, Leamington, Stratford, Southam or outlying villages. The search is a 10 mile radius so covers 10 miles north, south, east, west from a central point. I'm relatively confident we've covered any search areas.

There is 1 maybe, but it's a point of last resort to some degree.

I'm hoping that somebody might be able to point me to a search engine/website for houses I don't know about already, or how I can find about repos/auctions or anything else that doesn't come to the "normal" places, like Rightmove etc...

JQ.

Nothing to improve your searching options - by why not move into rented? When that perfect house does turn up you will be in a brilliant position to snap it up. By renting you will also reduce your stress levels, as suddenly there's no rush and you can wait however long it takes for the perfect house to come to the market. Don't worry about the cost of renting - in the current market when house prices are not rising, it's not really costing you anything.

Rent and remove the stress from the housesearch.

sonastin

Have you looked just outside your search area? I was focussed on the villages on the north side of town and couldn't find anything I liked. On a whim I took a look at what was available in the villages on the south side of the next town north and bingo - there was the perfect place. Its maybe an extra mile out from my central location but its a mile down a good road and closer to other major trunk roads so actually the extra distance makes very little difference. I'd just never really thought about crossing the border.

Beyond that, I don't know what to suggest. If the right property isn't for sale, no amount of searching will find it. You could try getting Kirsty & Phil involved and getting yourself on the telly - let them (well their researchers!) do the leg work. Better still, renting might be the best shot. I know that moving and moving again is a pain but it will take the pressure off and you've got a better chance of being open-minded without the stress of must-find-perfect-house-right-now.

kiddy_guy

Guys -thanks again for the replies

I have sort of tried looking outside of the area, but to the North is Coventry and Rugby, to the East Daventry, the West Brum and South is Cotswolds. All to a degree problematic for various reasons. Increasing search area by 1 mile doesn't help, especially when Rightmove now allows you stipulate specific map drawn areas.

I could go into rented, but 2 problems:

Firstly increased costs, hassle and having a little one means it is something you don't want to do twice in 1 year.

Secondly I'm on a SVR mortgage at the mo which means my rate is tracking slightly above BOE rate - fantastic deal, but no house means I would have to go to a different product - vastly more expensive. I can hold my mortgage for a couple of months, but not for a vast time.

So ultimately along with mortgage costs, rent, 2 x moving costs and the hassle, it's something I want to avoid!

hcb42

You have just got to keep trying, eventually the right house will be on the market....! Personally i would take the rent option too, if the sale is right, as strengthens the future purchase power with no chain, although I understand your need to keep the mortgage on same product.

dehydrato

Kirsty & Phil?????

shedifice

To be honest I think you want the moon on a stick.

I just rightmoved your requirements and I got 1000+ properties and some nice looking places.

Your plus points

• you have a buyer - a good thing right now.
• You are in a flexible position.
• you have a huge search area
• a good amount to spend

Your neg points

• your probably being far more picky than you think you are.
• you have many factors that you need to prioritize.

I am in rented with 3 kids between selling our flat and buying a house. We have found our house, its not ideal but it ticks most of the boxes. But we have enjoyed being able to house hunt with no chain and cash in the bank. In 3 years we have moved twice and will again in the next 3 months and the kids were fine with it.

I think you need to think about what your key priorities are

• location? (you say this is not)
• price
• keeping you SVR
• not renting
• Wow factor

When you know what are your keepers I think you will have to compromise on the others.

Hope this helps (from some one in a simolar position, just not quite so much funds )

L>

delmar39

If you're against renting then really only three options - find a place and quick; stay where you are; move in with relatives and perhaps lose your current SVR. I do know what you mean about the SVR and them not applying anymore, but it's the price you'll have to pay if you want to sell now. There are some semi reasonable deals out there - buy no decent SVR deals is just the way of the world these days (once upon a time SVRs where the worst deal to be on and I guess they will be again one day).

Question. How would you feel if you lost your current buyer? You could find the perfect place, but not be in a position to proceed, so you'll have a different problem. There's nothing worse than finding a house you love and not being able to move. Perhaps you're position is too good.

I really wouldn't make the SVR the deal breaker though - you could move in with relatives and sell and take your time looking for a place you'll love. Perhaps you'll find somewhere soon, so best of luck.