Should you find a buyer before you look at houses

2bFrank

Hopefully a quick one, but we are a little unsure. We have just put our house on the market (awaiting it to go on right move etc). We have also received our Mortgage in principle certificate.

What is the norm, do we wait until we have a buyer before we start to view houses or should we start viewing and offering now if we see a house we want. We have been looking at the market and found a few houses we like, but we were waiting to find a buyer first.

However a colleague has had a offer accepted on a house and has only just started to put his house on the market. I am a little unsure now on what is done.

Thanks

Dan-Dan

I wouldnt accept offers from someone who was not in a position to proceed , but some would

smallholdingsister

I am not having viewers who aren't on the market yet.
I would not accept an offer from someone not in a position to proceed.

2bFrank

What would you class as proceed-able,

Someone who has found a buyer or someone who has the house on the market

jamei305

Depends on the market where your buyer is. In some places you could put a house on the market and get several offers within a week. There would be no point putting it on the market if they haven't found somewhere to move to yet.

Sedge123

Proceedable means that you have accepted an offer on your property.

smallholdingsister

As above.
Lots of people around here on the market for months/years.

ellie27

You could have a buyer tomorrow who wants in the house within 8 weeks so you need to have a good idea of whats out there.

We started viewing the day our house went on the market.

We did not make an offer on any house until we were able to proceed ie had a buyer on our own place. We wouldnt have considered an offer from someone who had not accepted an offer on the sale of theirs.

Good luck

[Deleted User]

yes.......

Bonfire_Bride

definitely start looking around (don't get too attached though). You will get an idea of what you like/don't like and what is important to you.

I doubt you would have an offer accepted...but I regularly check house marketing websites to keep up with the houses around.

We have been on the market for 16 months, but that is another story.

AdrianC

Depends ENTIRELY on the market in your area.

If it's somewhere that houses sell in minutes flat, then you might want to find the right house first, but equally you may find sellers can pick and choose, so would go for somebody with their chain in order.

If it's somewhere that houses linger on the market for months or years, then DEFINITELY find your buyer first.