Advice buying in Scotland

Steerpike88

Hi! We've decided to move back up Scotland. We're first time buyers and we've got a mortgage in principle for about £400k. We have a 10% deposit on this as well, so up to £440k. Now, I really want to move to Glasgow, my absolute dream is Bearsden, but I don't fancy getting outbid all the time. We're just looking for an area with nice sized homes and good schools. A four bed with a decent sized garden ideally as we have three kids but it's mainly a nice area with decent schools I'm looking for. Most nice areas are just flats. Can anyone recommend an area to look? 

[Deleted User]

Have you considered an area slightly outside Glasgow, such as East Renfrewshire (Giffnock, Newton Mearns, Clarkston)? Some good schools in Newton Mearns, for example (where I went to school) and possibly a bit cheaper than Bearsden, though still 'upmarket'. I can't really advise much re: schools but was brought up in Glasgow so know of some good areas and some to avoid. If you're looking within Glasgow itself, I'd recommend the South and West though you may get better deals in the South (Pollokshields, for example, is likely cheaper than Hyndland). Good luck!

Steerpike88

Thank you Deleted_User! I actually had an ex from Clarkston and it was a lovely area. Completely forgot about it tbh. I just want to avoid rough areas really, most of where my friends lived are places like Anniesland but that was mostly flats. I grew up on an estate and my parents bought a very pokey council house in a rough area so I'm just extra paranoid! 

[Deleted User]

Yes, I totally understand that! Where are you currently living? I grew up in Glasgow South and returned to Scotland in 2019 after almost a decade in England/ Wales so I was in a similar situation. Currently living near Lanark and there are some lovely areas around here too, but it depends on what you are looking for in terms of amenities and how close you want to be to the city. I imagine you will get a lot for your budget but house prices around here have risen in recent months and the current crazy demand is something you might have to contend with! Feel free to ask me about any specific areas you're considering

zagubov

Don't ignore the rest of East Dunbartonshire, like Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch or Lenzie.

Steerpike88

Deleted_User said:

Yes, I totally understand that! Where are you currently living? I grew up in Glasgow South and returned to Scotland in 2019 after almost a decade in England/ Wales so I was in a similar situation. Currently living near Lanark and there are some lovely areas around here too, but it depends on what you are looking for in terms of amenities and how close you want to be to the city. I imagine you will get a lot for your budget but house prices around here have risen in recent months and the current crazy demand is something you might have to contend with! Feel free to ask me about any specific areas you're considering

Thanks! We're just in London atm. We retrained and had to find work. My husband was actually looking for work in Edinburgh before the virus and we've managed to save some money for a deposit since then. Luckily it looks like he can still work at home for a few months so that gives us some breathing room to move and then find work up here. I agree it's definitely more expensive than when I was looking last year! Looks like a lot of people want to move up. Oh well, better to have a place than rent. Especially when you have small kids and the landlord won't fix anything. 

[Deleted User]

Steerpike88 said:

Deleted_User said:

Yes, I totally understand that! Where are you currently living? I grew up in Glasgow South and returned to Scotland in 2019 after almost a decade in England/ Wales so I was in a similar situation. Currently living near Lanark and there are some lovely areas around here too, but it depends on what you are looking for in terms of amenities and how close you want to be to the city. I imagine you will get a lot for your budget but house prices around here have risen in recent months and the current crazy demand is something you might have to contend with! Feel free to ask me about any specific areas you're considering

Thanks! We're just in London atm. We retrained and had to find work. My husband was actually looking for work in Edinburgh before the virus and we've managed to save some money for a deposit since then. Luckily it looks like he can still work at home for a few months so that gives us some breathing room to move and then find work up here. I agree it's definitely more expensive than when I was looking last year! Looks like a lot of people want to move up. Oh well, better to have a place than rent. Especially when you have small kids and the landlord won't fix anything. 

I hear you! I am looking to buy too but it has been difficult when people throw money at the available houses and they sell for a lot more than asking. I also looked last year and decided to put my plans on hold...it seems the rest of Britain did the same  Really hoping things will settle down soon. It's interesting to know lots of people want to move up - the pace of life is definitely more balanced in the North so maybe lockdown has shifted priorities for some people. As you say though, renting can be a challenge and although buying your own place comes with its own difficulties, at least you're not reliant on someone else! Best of luck in finding somewhere suitable up here!

Steerpike88

Yeah there's definitely pros and cons to both renting and buying, it makes financial sense for us now to settle. The landlord isn't terrible don't get me wrong. They just will ignore anything that isn't an emergency and when you have small kids you just want stuff done. Sorry to hear about your struggles in buying! It sounds very frustrating. 

Steerpike88

zagubov said:

Don't ignore the rest of East Dunbartonshire, like Bishopbriggs, Kirkintilloch or Lenzie.

Thank you! I'm googling frantically as we speak. 

jennifernil

We are in Bearsden, there are 4 bed houses available within your budget.  Look at G61 on Rightmove, also Milngavie, G62.  

Newton Mearns will not be any less expensive these days.

For the best school you need Jordanhill, G13, but that is expensive, and you need to be sure the houses you look at are a "List 1"  address.      Not all in the area near the school are in List1.

[Deleted User]

Don't forget that your 10% deposit is based on the lower of the home report value and purchase price you agree.