advice on how to buy my neighbours house

mustlia

Hi,
My wife and I currently live with our parents and we want to buy a house down the lane.

My parents are elderly and we wish to stay as close as possible to the family home. Unfortunetly, house prices where we live are high and I think the house we are targetting is about the only thing we can afford nearby.

The house is not advertised as for sale and I do not know the occupant owner of the house personally.

I wanted some advice on how to give myself the best possible chance of getting this house.

First approach? (knock on door, letter?)

Are there any companies (estate agents?) which can help with buying houses which are not for sale?

Let's say the occupant is willing to consider selling, how do I value/negotiate?

Any help would be really appreciated.
Thanks

kingstreet

You have received absolutely no indication whatsoever that the owner of this property is interested in selling it?

I suggest you stick a polite note through the door, inviting them to contact you if they are interested in selling.

If you hear nothing within a couple of weeks, get on with your life as they aren't interested.

If you do, by some miracle, get a response, come back to this thread for further advice.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I think if you are wanting to buy a house that is not yet on the market, and no idea if the owner wants to sell, then you would need to make them an offer that they just couldn't refuse, which methinks, would need to be well over market value, to tempt them.

Alter_ego

mustlia wrote: »

Are there any companies (estate agents?) which can help with buying houses which are not for sale?

The minute you involve such a company they will want their 2 pounds of flesh.

mlz1413

If it is not on the market the most you can do is register your interest to buy it IF they ever want to sell.

If your parents know them then get chatting to them, if they are strangers to you and your family then I'd put a hand written letter through the door stating why you are interested and giving your contact details.

If you don't hear back don't hound them, just accept the owners are currently happy there.

Blobby8_2

A friend of mine had a polite note through his door a few years ago, when he did want a move (couple of years later) he had a couple of valuations done and rang the guy up. The guy gave him the telephone number of his solicitor and the deal was finalized very quickly at the asking price, it was a very nice house though.

hermanmunster_3

I had a note through from a neighbour asking about buying a flat I had (holiday area ) and asking to be contacted if we considered selling anytime - 18 months later I did contact him to give him first refusal but did not hear back from him -

Marvel1

If I was asked, they would have to offer me above the market value to enable to afford to move elsewhere.