How long did it take you to find your home to buy?

AdrianC

GingerLs said:

My partner and I have been searching for a property to buy since January and I'm now getting fed up, as I really invisioned being in our own home by now, or atleast in the conveyancing process.
...
Is it normal to take so long? 😣 

Might we be forgetting one minor detail about 2020?

Davesnave

It took us 3 years to suss-out buying in West Wales, especially where not to buy. We did countless day trips and rented a cottage for 3 weeks, spread over 3 winters.

Then we bought in Devon!

newsgroupmonkey_

About 10 minutes I'd say.

We weren't even looking for a house - we'd decided we weren't buying for a year or so. But like many, I happened to be looking on RightMove one Saturday morning just to see what the market was doing. Found this house. TBH, I think we'd both decided we wanted it before we'd even been round. And absolutely no regrets. I've never seen anything local that I remotely fancied since.

Rambosmum

FinallyStoppedLurking said:

For me the worst part is when you know within 2 minutes that it isn't right but still have to go through the rigmarole of walking round knowing full well you aren't interested. 

We once decided not to do that and politely advised the estate agent that we were sorry but could tell right away it wasn't for us - NEVER AGAIN! The abuse we got for wasting their time and why book a viewing if we weren't interested. The truth was, on paper it was absolutely perfect, we knew the area well and it was perfectly located, but it was just wrong. Had an awful feeling to it - stepped in the hallway and instantly knew it wasn't for us. DH and I looked at each other and knew and both started to say something to the agent (having talked about it prior). We figured that surely it was better to stop the viewing than continue to feign interest, apparently I was wrong!

FinallyStoppedLurking

Rambosmum said:

FinallyStoppedLurking said:

For me the worst part is when you know within 2 minutes that it isn't right but still have to go through the rigmarole of walking round knowing full well you aren't interested. 

We once decided not to do that and politely advised the estate agent that we were sorry but could tell right away it wasn't for us - NEVER AGAIN! The abuse we got for wasting their time and why book a viewing if we weren't interested. The truth was, on paper it was absolutely perfect, we knew the area well and it was perfectly located, but it was just wrong. Had an awful feeling to it - stepped in the hallway and instantly knew it wasn't for us. DH and I looked at each other and knew and both started to say something to the agent (having talked about it prior). We figured that surely it was better to stop the viewing than continue to feign interest, apparently I was wrong!

Yes, that's exactly why I never stopped any and just paid lip service. 

AskAsk

it all depends on how many criteria you have, how much you are willing to compromise and how much money you can afford.  it has always taken me a long time to buy a home.  always a couple of years for us!

Drawingaline

First time, viewed one flat, had parking. Offered and lived therr seven years.

Second time viewed two properties but always knew one would be better than the other. Offered next day.

This time I had a list in Rightmove, talking to one of the agents we had out to value our house, told us about one that they were putting live on Rightmove that day that sounded just right for us. Viewed it and offered, then marketed ours with them. We are ready to exchange, unfortunately lost our buyer, but another one found so hoping it works out.

So three house moves, four properties viewed!!!

badger09

This time, 3 days

We had decided we'd probably go into rented in order to sell our 'marmite' house & without risking a further upward chain. 
27 August - got 2 above asking price offers, so decided to have a quick look around.
27 August 1st viewing (in torrential rain) on house we are now buying, and one other house. 2nd was a definite NO.
29 August 2nd viewing (in sunshine) on house we are now buying. Also viewed 2 others in different area.
Decided we would avoid going into rented if at all possible so negotiated acceptable offer on house we are buying.

12 weeks in, it seems were closer to exchange on our purchase than on our sale .

lincroft1710

It can take years, the less criteria you have usually the easier it is

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster

10-15 viewings isn't many with one failed sale. Although that is quite a wide estimate. 

Have you got a list of list haves would likes and deal breakers? Look at plans and locations online. If layout and road noise is an issue this will help you eliminate properties from your view list.