Property finders-are they any good?

becky2011

I've just accepted an offer on my house and have had to start looking for a house. My requirements are vast and I'm struggling to find time to find a new property and have such a big search area even getting out to have a look isn't easy.
I've looked some proerty finding services up online that will go out and visit potential properties and do a video etc.
Does anyone have experience in using a property finding service? Also does anyone know the costs involved with this service?

Ideally Phil Spencer will turn up haha! Thank you in advance:)

poppysarah

Some make you sign a contract that says even if you buy a house you find YOURSELF you pay them a fee!

What area is it? We might have some people here who might narrow down your list.

Are you after location info/crime etc


Have you done a dream house wishlist?
(full list of EVERYTHING you want, need, desire... your perfect house... with photos of things you like)

sugarwalsh

I've never used one, but house hunting is extremely time consuming and can be quite disheartening. My parents found my first house as we found finding time to look hard. Do you have any family/friends who have lots of spare time? Megan

hazyjo

I'd definitely add some areas/criteria to your post here. Someone on here always knows something about an area that's being mentioned... Might save you a heap of cash.

Also, people are generally on these forms cos they love anything property related. Give them your search criteria and there'll be some who'll happily spend an hour or two on rightmove for you

Jx

ognum

I found my daughters property because she simply did not have time I new her criterea and narrowed it down The problem is when you simply cant afford what you want with everything you want!

In the end my daughter bought a house that was 100 yards outside her small search area that has everything she wanted and was in her budget she loves it and the neighbours are great She wouldnt have looked at it if I hadnt looked first

I believe in spreadsheets with all the criterea you want include the must haves and the would likes and I always have a line for price per square foot and when last bought and for what price

If someone knows you well they will be able to walk in and exclude the definate no properties You will then have a smaller short list At least at the moment properties are not moving so fast you dont have time to look

Phone one of the property search agents there is no cost for an initial meeting

becky2011

Thanks guys! Sorry I've been so busy this week I forgot to come back on here doh!

Right well I've managed to book 2 viewings for Friday and I'm hoping something positive will come from those. If not I'll come back and see if anyone on here would like to help haha!

Problem is, although our search area is big, my current house is a barn conversion which I am totally in love with, it's just that we need to live in a different area due to work. So I'm looking for ideally another barn or at least a house with character, I also need minimum of 5 acres of land and finding the two things together isn't easy. I really don't want to live near a busy road or have any public footpaths through the land and I need an outbuilding that is an office or can be converted as I run my business from home and don't want to have the office inside the house. Phew it's not easy!

The positive way of looking at it is though at least I don't have too much choice haha:)

sugarwalsh

With a list that specific I can't imagine the esate agents having too many on their lists. Therefore contact all the ones within the area you want to move to and surely they will know if there is something which fits the bill.

Good luck with your viewings.

Megan

hazyjo

Would help if you listed some areas...!

How many bedrooms?

Any other must-haves (going from Escape to the Country, everyone seems to want 'a veggie plot', 'a country kitchen', 'a wood burner', 'a boot/utility room'...)

Jx