Buying from abroad

panam

I'm spending a good part of 2019 travelling abroad. Ideally I'd be looking to buy when I get back in the Autumn. However there is a house that is very well suited, and I'm strongly tempted to make an offer.

How hard would it be to buy while out of the country? I should always be able to respond to email within 2/3 days. Does a contract require an actual signature, or could I appoint someone to sign any documents on my behalf? Would I need to actually meet my solicitor, or could it be done on phone/email? If I am super organised, I could find a solicitor and show passport etc before I leave, but if it looks very problematic, I'll let this one pass and start looking again on my return.

In terms of actually taking possession, I have relatives living nearby, who should be able to look after the property until I get back.

If all goes smoothly I should get the house I want, albeit a 3/4 month earlier than I'd have liked. But what could possibly go wrong?

davidmcn

panam wrote: »

I should always be able to respond to email within 2/3 days.

It would be useful to make yourself more contactable than that - are you expecting to be out of range for phones?

Does a contract require an actual signature, or could I appoint someone to sign any documents on my behalf?

You can grant power of attorney to your solicitor to sign everything.

Would I need to actually meet my solicitor, or could it be done on phone/email?

No need for a real-life meeting, it's perfectly commonplace for clients to be at the other end of the country, so being in a different country isn't really much different.

If I am super organised, I could find a solicitor and show passport etc before I leave

Yes, you could that today if you wanted and then your solicitor can await further instructions.

But what could possibly go wrong?

Do you want a list?