New house search - not easy!

Panda78

Also been looking all year so far as a FTB. There's been a couple of houses that i liked, but i was almost trying to convince myself to buy, which i thought was a bad sign. Honestly, i am shocked at the state some people let their houses get into and don't even do a basic tidy up and clean when they have viewings! I really don't want to settle for somewhere just to get out of my renting hell, but i am losing patience.

murphydog999

Well fingers crossed for a viewing we have on saturday then as we are a month in. You didn't get too near Pompey then if you are in Wiltshire now? We are in Wilts but as far west as you can go, but would prefer to be as far east as you can go! It's either Wilts or Worc!

Sorry, that was aimed at Phoebe not Panda. Although I've been in Panda's situation as well, trying to be positive and find reasons to like somewhere rather than be negative. It is about feelings, the last 2 houses we bought we knew, without hesitation, they were right - haven't had that yet.

Good_Money

Have been looking since last November and just found the one i like last Saturday.

phoebe1989seb

murphydog999 wrote: »

Well fingers crossed for a viewing we have on saturday then as we are a month in. You didn't get too near Pompey then if you are in Wiltshire now? We are in Wilts but as far west as you can go, but would prefer to be as far east as you can go! It's either Wilts or Worc!

Sorry, that was aimed at Phoebe not Panda. Although I've been in Panda's situation as well, trying to be positive and find reasons to like somewhere rather than be negative. It is about feelings, the last 2 houses we bought we knew, without hesitation, they were right - haven't had that yet.

We're an hour and a half's drive away, which is just about ok - especially considering in our last house it took three hours to get back to visit family and this is a much more pleasant drive, through the New Forest etc We're on the Wilts/Dorset border, on the Wilts side but actually very close to Shaftesbury which is of course in Dorset!

Hope you find your dream home on Saturday - they are out there, but it is very dispiriting trying to find *the one* in the current market and I completely agree that it needs to *feel right* Will keep everything crossed for you!

Littleweedj

spadoosh wrote: »

1.

check how long the property has been on the market, if its been on 12+mths these people are very unlikely to negotiate

Sometimes properties have been on the market for a year or more which includes my own area. The owners have dropped prices quite dramatically but because of depressed market in some places there are hardly any viewers. All the sellers I know are prepared to negotiate, as they know if they don't they will be sitting in their houses for some time to come.

cottonhead

I made sure to visit places I didnt intially thik I would like if they sounded OK on paper.A large 2 bed might actually be better than a small 3 bed or perhaps look for potential - you could convert the garage or loft etc etc . My current home looked quite plane and small on rightmove so I nearly cancelled the appointment but 9 years later I am still here ! If its in the right area and for the right price go and look.
I would also have a look at the crime statistics. We nearly moved into an area we thought was OK - I used to live nearby. Anyway it had changed quite a lot since then and we found out its now not a good place to live so I would say dont just focus on the house but the area too.

Woodyrocks

Same position and it is just so frustrating...been looking since April or was it end of March. Tried to keep an open mind about area and property to start off but then realised viewing horrible properties in horrible areas just because they were affordable was silly. Then on May 12th (yes, I remember the date!) came home to a Rightmove notice of a new property in my drawn search area. It was love at first sight, went and viewed 2 days after it came on the market and even though it was 'offers over...' I put in what I thought was a very reasonable offer below. I got a no. And decided to leave it for a while. Nothing else has happened with it since then, and I don't even think they have had another viewing. It is in a fairly secluded spot and for the price it would be a family target needing more space than there is. I could go back and up the offer a bit but it still would not be an offer over the price they are wanting. Feel absolutely torn as the location is perfect and even though the house is small, there is possibility to extend, in the future. If only the location wasn't perfect for my requirements I could move on

I was even 'interviewed' by the vendor prior to putting in an offer as the EA said it was a pre-requisite and can't help thinking maybe they just didn't want to sell to me and that there is no point in going in with another low offer.

Ames

I've been keeping an eye on the market for over a year now, as I'm due an inheritance. We're getting ready to put mum's house on the market so I could be looking for something in a few months.

I've got a small 'need' list (has to be in my GP catchment area and have a bath not just shower room and needs some form of heating), and a few wants (two bed, over no more than two floors, enough room for a cooker, fridge freezer, washng machine and dishwasher, a corner somewhere to park my mobility equipment out of the way), then a couple of 'in my dreams' (third bedroom, cellar, small yard or garden).

Things in my price range seem to be dring up, but based on the last 18 months seem to crop up more in autumn/winter.

I'm starting to dread actually having to look and make a decision! Especially since I'll be limited to having to buy within 6 months.

juliebunny

Woodyrocks wrote: »

Same position and it is just so frustrating...been looking since April or was it end of March. Tried to keep an open mind about area and property to start off but then realised viewing horrible properties in horrible areas just because they were affordable was silly. Then on May 12th (yes, I remember the date!) came home to a Rightmove notice of a new property in my drawn search area. It was love at first sight, went and viewed 2 days after it came on the market and even though it was 'offers over...' I put in what I thought was a very reasonable offer below. I got a no. And decided to leave it for a while. Nothing else has happened with it since then, and I don't even think they have had another viewing. It is in a fairly secluded spot and for the price it would be a family target needing more space than there is. I could go back and up the offer a bit but it still would not be an offer over the price they are wanting. Feel absolutely torn as the location is perfect and even though the house is small, there is possibility to extend, in the future. If only the location wasn't perfect for my requirements I could move on

I was even 'interviewed' by the vendor prior to putting in an offer as the EA said it was a pre-requisite and can't help thinking maybe they just didn't want to sell to me and that there is no point in going in with another low offer.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-34261153.html?premiumA=true

That's a nice house but I would have your solicitor look carefully at the boundary if you do go ahead with it! Looks like they've just grabbed part of the edge of the field! But wow to having so few neighbours....

What is everyones wish list then? Mine is:

- 2 bedrooms, ideally 3
- Not near main road (for the pets )
- Not terraced - pref detached but that's a bit of a dream - after many years of annoying neighbours....I'll settle for a semi with an old couple next door!
- Nice garden, not too big or small....and hopefully not too overlooked...
- Areas - to be decided....tricky one this.

Woodyrocks

juliebunny wrote: »

That's a nice house but I would have your solicitor look carefully at the boundary if you do go ahead with it! Looks like they've just grabbed part of the edge of the field! But wow to having so few neighbours....

What is everyones wish list then? Mine is:

- 2 bedrooms, ideally 3
- Not near main road (for the pets )
- Not terraced - pref detached but that's a bit of a dream - after many years of annoying neighbours....I'll settle for a semi with an old couple next door!
- Nice garden, not too big or small....and hopefully not too overlooked...
- Areas - to be decided....tricky one this.

I hadn't thought of that so thanks for pointing it out. As I said, it really is top of the list right now so will be keeping the boundary inquiry in mind.

I remember writing my want list on here a few months ago, and now see that reality has set in lol! The only thing I can't budge on though is a sense of isolation but close enough to a station to get DD to school of a morning Oh, and affordable :eek: How long you been looking?