FTB - Freaking out... plus opinion on houses sought

pinkteapot

NewShadow wrote: »

I can move anytime, but it would be easiest, work wise, for me to move over the Summer, so I'm trying to work back and guess that means I need to make an offer somewhere by April/May to move June or later?

Don't assume that if you offer in April you'll be moving in June. Even if you find a chain-free house it can still be 8-12 weeks unless both solicitors and you and the vendor are highly organised. If there's an onward chain, it could be anywhere from 8 weeks to months to a year.

If you need a quick process then you need to find out the position of the chain above. Ask the people you're buying from whether they've found somewhere to buy yet. If they have, has their vendor found somewhere? You want a complete chain - which means there's a chain of people from you up to someone who's selling with no onward chain who have all agreed to buy/sell. If you're waiting for someone further to find a house then it could be days or it could be months. There's no point starting mortgage applications or getting your solicitor working until the chain above is complete, as you'll be waiting for the last person to do these things anyway.

We offered on a new-build in July that was due for completion in September. We didn't get the keys until the end of November.

There are absolutely no fixed timescales with house buying so don't go in expecting a certain timescale or you'll only stress yourself. You just have to go with it and as soon as you get the keys, all the waiting is forgotten.

markin

LandyAndy wrote: »

Given what the OP has already said then yes, much too far.

10 min walk to the Glan Conwy station, And as working from Home or by train, 2 miles in a taxi 2/3 times a week is not totally unaffordable, but it would be good if the was a bus available.

• Glan Conwy (0.2 mi)
• Llandudno Junction (1.4 mi)
• Conwy (1.7 mi)

itmakessense

Advice - find a good solicitor and do the following.
Speak with your solicitor and only believe what they tell you.
They act in your best interest. No one else is acting in your best interest.

I am pretty sure that you will listen to Estate Agents who seem to be qualified with bending the truth to speed up matters with all clients up and down a chain because they need to hit their monthly targets and their only concern is to get the cash in the bank. This by the way is the only qualification they need.

There are only 2 types of solicitors in conveyancing. Those that pay a bung to the Estate agent to buy work (conveniently called a referral fee) the ones that pay are supposed to tell you and be transparent, but they never do. If they do not they can be reported to the SRA.

The other solicitors (who are the now rare breed) refuse to pay the Estate Agent for work and rely on doing a thorough and professional job for their client. These firms have their ethics and moral compass firmly set as it should be.
When employing the services of a solicitor / conveyancer ALWAYS ask if they pay a referral fee to the agent. If they do then change your solicitor as they will be in the agents pocket during the whole transaction and in conflict with your best interest.
As a seller your agent (most need the bung so ask them if they receive a referral fee) will often refuse to show a buyer your property unless they use their preferred solicitor who will give them £250 - £300 for every transaction.
This means you are limiting contact with all buyers in the market place.
Some solicitors who pay referral fees actually copy in the estate agents with all emails between solicitors and their clients infringing your private data rights.
If you want to be in control of your sale or purchase then choose your lawyer carefully, make sure they are LOCAL and ask the right questions regarding referral fees. After that just listen to them as they guide you through the process. Do not let the agent take over and make you anxious and stressed as that is their aim.
As for complaining about solicitors on behalf of the buyer raising enquiries and causing delays, that is what they are paid to do. They are acting in their clients interest and are entitled to make all the enquiries they wish at any stage it is their job to act in their clients interest. After all they are not buying a bike!
Oh and if you want to sack an agent or solicitor, if they have not told you about the referral fee you can sack them for that!

davidmcn

markin wrote: »

10 min walk to the Glan Conwy station, And as working from Home or by train, 2 miles in a taxi 2/3 times a week is not totally unaffordable, but it would be good if the was a bus available.

• Glan Conwy (0.2 mi)
• Llandudno Junction (1.4 mi)
• Conwy (1.7 mi)

Bear in mind the Ffestiniog branch line only has about six trains a day...aiming for somewhere on the main line to the east (e.g. Colwyn Bay) makes commuting a bit more sensible.

NewShadow

markin wrote: »

Would this be to far from work? 1 Downstairs bedroom perfect for an office.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-74922589.html

Added on Rightmove: 21 October 2019, Slow market or 10K over priced?

Thank you kindly - it's a nice looking property but it's a bit further away than I'd ideally like: I don't/can't drive and dislike public transport so would prefer to avoid a daily commute if I have a choice the matter.

OP, are you literally just wanting a house within walking distance of work or prepared to look further e.g. near railway stations further to the east? (which would also be handier for when travelling towards civilisation)

I'm looking at a roughly one mile radius from the office weighted for direct routes. Ideally somewhere between the office and the LLJ train station - given I have to travel a fair bit for work and the trains towards South Wales/England almost all run through LLJ.

Many weeks I'm going to probably be office based two days a week; working 'Away' two days a week and either taking flexi due to hours worked or working from home the 5th day.

Plus some of the 'away' work may be accompanying VIPs/stakeholders on trips that start from the office, and having to be in the office at short notice is a real possibility.

I'm not entirely sure how my job will transfer to 150+ miles away from my current location but that's what I'm seeing as the most likely long term working pattern.

This is basically my search area: [image removed]

Houses are fairly slow in general - though I'm sure they'd sell if they were cheap enough

markin wrote: »

10 min walk to the Glan Conwy station, And as working from Home or by train, 2 miles in a taxi 2/3 times a week is not totally unaffordable, but it would be good if the was a bus available.

• Glan Conwy (0.2 mi)
• Llandudno Junction (1.4 mi)
• Conwy (1.7 mi)

I do get that - and if I can't find something 'right' within my area I'll definitely consider expanding - but I really hate the idea of daily commuting...

I did if for three years previously and was only 20 minutes each way but it honestly impacted on my quality of life - I turned into a clock-watcher - which isn't me and doesn't work with the job I do

If needs must, then of course - but I don't think I'm there yet

NewShadow

itmakessense wrote: »

Advice - find a good solicitor and do the following. Speak with your solicitor and only believe what they tell you.
They act in your best interest. No one else is acting in your best interest.

I am pretty sure that you will listen to Estate Agents who seem to be qualified with bending the truth to speed up matters with all clients up and down a chain because they need to hit their monthly targets and their only concern is to get the cash in the bank. This by the way is the only qualification they need.

Do not let the agent take over and make you anxious and stressed as that is their aim.

:rotfl::rotfl:

Can I pay you a fee and you be my agent...?

I don't need an agent to make me feel anxious and stressed - I just need to feel like I don't know what I'm doing/what I should expect... which you are all wonderfully helping me with

The only conversation I've had so far is with the seller of the house I - so far - like most: [link removed]

I think it's got good bones but Cakeguts suggested it might be non-standard construction. I know I won't know for sure until after a survey, but I thought it was worth asking.

Hi [Seller] - Happy New Year

I've seen your house (Marl Drive) on Right Move and I was wondering if you could let me know if it's non-standard construction?

I think it would be worth me viewing as it ticks a lot of my boxes, but I'd need a mortgage and I wouldn't want to waste both of our time if I wouldn't be 'proceedable'.

Thanks for your time,

Kind Regards,

[NewShadow]

Hello [NewShadow],

Happy New Year to you to.

The house is standard construction. It belonged to my Mother and Father, in fact my father and I were born there and it has been in the family since it was built, sadly it is in need of tlc but it is a great family home with a huge garden which would give plenty of space for an extension if required. Enjoy your viewing.

Best regards [Seller]

I'm working to arrange a short trip up there - I've preexisting commitments so won't be able to make it until at least the 16th - and am feeling positive about this property

ETA: don't worry - I'm planing on visiting more than one possibility - with an open mind - while I'm in the area

pinkteapot wrote: »

Don't assume that if you offer in April you'll be moving in June. Even if you find a chain-free house it can still be 8-12 weeks unless both solicitors and you and the vendor are highly organised. If there's an onward chain, it could be anywhere from 8 weeks to months to a year.

It would be easiest for me to move any time between early July and - pushing it - the first week of September; hence aiming for July.

I can book a 10 week period off from work to pack, move and unpack.

Any other time of the year and I'll be moving while also planning/ running the events schedule as well as trying to meat the usual deadlines for any briefings or correspondence - not impossible, just less than ideal

I fully understand that if I fall in love with something in a couple of weeks I could very well be moving during a week at Easter...

DCFC79

Visit properties that don't quite fir the criteria as you could find something you like about a property.



The more you view the more you may realise whats most important.



Im moving in the summer or supposed to be, I wanted a garage but came to realise I could do without 1 and I do have the option of the next property I buy could come with a garage.

DCFC79

You mentioned solicitor costs, I was quoted various prices for example £1196, £2896 and £1639.40 for a property priced at £200k. I was expecting more to be honest.


Speak to a handful of firms and make sure they do conveyancing.

NewShadow

DCFC79 wrote: »

You mentioned costs, I was quoted various prices for example £1196, £2896 and £1639.40 for a property priced at £200k. I was expecting more to be honest.


Speak to a handful of firms and make sure they do conveyancing.

Thanks - That's for the solicitor, yes?

I've got a broker - all of market and charges £100 to make recommendations, but I then pick the actual product after doing my own research. I've repeatedly emailed him a series of stupid FTB questions - about mortgages, but also more generally about house buying and what's involved - which he's responded to promptly and fully. It seemed worth the fee/the easiest way to make sure all my papers will be in order and he's really good at explaining things in a way which makes me feel confident there's 'a process'.

I'm speaking to him on the phone on Friday to get the ball rolling for an AIP, then I'm arranging to view three or four properties on the 17th/18th...

I'm googling for local solicitors so I can email asking for quotes, but I wanted to have the conversation/viewing first so I'm a little more confident that I'm actually 'doing this', if you know what I mean?

I've been planning buying a house for around 4 years now, but it's all started to happen rather suddenly...

DCFC79

NewShadow wrote: »

Thanks - That's for the solicitor, yes?

I've got a broker - all of market and charges £100 to make recommendations, but I then pick the actual product after doing my own research. I've repeatedly emailed him a series of stupid FTB questions - about mortgages, but also more generally about house buying and what's involved - which he's responded to promptly and fully. It seemed worth the fee/the easiest way to make sure all my papers will be in order and he's really good at explaining things in a way which makes me feel confident there's 'a process'.

I'm speaking to him on the phone on Friday to get the ball rolling for an AIP, then I'm arranging to view three or four properties on the 17th/18th...

I'm googling for local solicitors so I can email asking for quotes, but I wanted to have the conversation/viewing first so I'm a little more confident that I'm actually 'doing this', if you know what I mean?

I've been planning buying a house for around 4 years now, but it's all started to happen rather suddenly...

Yes that was for the solicitor to do whats needed.