First time buyer in Scotland- stressful!

PrettyFlower90

So after going to a mortgage broker my husband and I are now ready to start looking to buy our first house! It's exciting but so stressful lol We're viewing a house for the first time this week, and it definitely looks hopeful. We've driven out to the area to look around, been researching everything I can and trolling mse about house buying etc (we're in Scotland). I've read that you should have multiple viewings on a place if you really like it and are serious about making an offer. However, how thorough would we need to be on a first visit? Not really sure whether I need to go flushing all the toilets yet on our first visit? Lol

One thing we're trying to get lined up atm is a conveyancer. Googled for local solicitors etc and used a few comparison sites to get quotes. Anyone who's sold a house recently who could recommend a good solicitor? We've got a very cheap quote from conveyancer direct based in Glasgow, they cover the whole of Scotland as they're mostly online rather than local or face to face- just don't know if this is a bad thing as I've read few reviews that mass online conveyancers can take ages to get back to you etc etc..

Not that I didn't think house buying wouldn't be stressful, but I thought the stressful bit would just be paying for it!

glasgowdan

You should try buying in England if you want stress! Good luck with it. You should view a house as many times as YOU feel. We saw ours only once.

I would pick a conveyancer that comes recommended. I'm happy to message who we used if you like.

Once you get the keys the excitement will make it all worthwhile!

PrettyFlower90

glasgowdan wrote: »

You should try buying in England if you want stress! Good luck with it. You should view a house as many times as YOU feel. We saw ours only once.

I would pick a conveyancer that comes recommended. I'm happy to message who we used if you like.

Once you get the keys the excitement will make it all worthwhile!

Thanks for the reply, if you could message me with your conveyancer I'd appreciate it, thanks!

scottishblondie

Also remember that some lenders require you to use a solicitor who is on their approved list, otherwise you might have to pay extra for another solicitor to act on their behalf, so it would be best to check that they are OK with the lender before engaging their services.

agrinnall

I would be careful about buying the first place you see as you have nothing to compare it to. Perhaps try to see a few in one day then if you like any of them arrange to go back to view them again. If you don't like any of them enough then keep looking. And I wouldn't make an offer on anywhere without viewing at least twice, it's amazing what you miss the first time (and indeed second, third, a year after moving in, etc.!).

tootiemac

We bought our first house in Scotland 3 years ago this may.
my advice is try and visit the area at all times, evening, later at night, Weekends etc.
We bought the 5th house we seen after 2 visits but the owners weren't completely honest about the neighbours and we only visited to look at the area before viewing and the 2 viewings.
If we had visited on a friday night around 9ish we would have known one of the neighbours liked to play extremely loud music most of the night. So depending on where it is try and find out as much as you can.
if like us your street is a starting point for the ladder i would maybe recommend asking the police for some statistics on it.
Oh and if its a flat in a block confirm the assignment of the others, we were told that the block was 1/2 owners and 1/2 council and it turned out they were all council which means we get basically no say on the repairs to be done.

bruich76

Just make sure that it is the right house that's my advice. When we bought ours we liked it but weren't in love and we are now moving again 2 years later.

googler

Pick a solicitor who is active in the area in which you are buying, and has some experience in that area. Clarify their terms of business before hiring them

View property.
If you like it, have solicitor note your interest with selling agent
Optionally, view others
If you like any, have solicitor note your interest with selling agent

When you find the one you like best, or when someone declares a closing date for one of the above, have your sol put in your offer.

If in doubt, ask your solicitor for advice. It's what you're paying them for.

PrettyFlower90

The issue I'm getting atm is I can't seem to find a local solicitor in it area we're looking at that isn't attached or in the same company as an estate agent.. read that I should generally not go with solicitors that are with the agents. Wouldn't go to the ones that were selling the house we'd buy, but not keen on going to one that's with an estate agent as well, would they not be more costly as well?

davidmcn

PrettyFlower90 wrote: »

not keen on going to one that's with an estate agent as well

Why not, if their agency isn't connected to the house you're buying? It's normal for Scottish solicitors to have an estate agency side so you're restricting your options somewhat if you're going to exclude them.

would they not be more costly as well?

What makes you think that? I don't see why it would be relevant to the fees they'll charge you for conveyancing. Ask them for quotes anyway and you'll find out.

googler

PrettyFlower90 wrote: »

The issue I'm getting atm is I can't seem to find a local solicitor in it area we're looking at that isn't attached or in the same company as an estate agent.. read that I should generally not go with solicitors that are with the agents. Wouldn't go to the ones that were selling the house we'd buy, but not keen on going to one that's with an estate agent as well, would they not be more costly as well?

You shouldn't go with a solicitor linked with the agent that's selling the house you're looking at.

A solicitor who also does EA work shouldn't be any more expensive, for a purchase-only transaction than a standalone one.