Viewing houses when you live far away

Doodles

I'm currently renting in Hampshire, and want to view houses in Harrogate/Knaresborough. 

Given the distance, and the fact I don't drive, I'd need to stay overnight up north.

Probably a silly question, but how have others handled viewing houses when you live a fair distance away?   Are Estate Agents open to you booking a few viewings with them in the same day/weekend?  

Or any other tips please others can give me please?

WoozieSioux_tse

Estate agents will be happy to help, providing you have presented yourself beforehand as a serious prospect. Are you buying a property or looking to rent again?

lady1964

We moved 200 miles North to where we are now and we viewed 7-8 properties in two small towns with agents in one day. They should be happy to do this given the distance involved.

Good luck, Harrogate is lovely.

Linton

Staying for a few days in the area is a good idea.  Amongst other thngs it should give you a better idea as to whether the public transport is adequate and whether the facilities you need are accessible - Knaresborough is rather hilly!

Yes, it would be reasonable to ask an estate agent to organise several viewings that match your requirements to fit in with your schedule provided those requirements aren't too restrictive.

Neil49

We went through a period of viewing houses last year and block booked a few viewings a day given that we were 30 + miles away. 

It wasn't too much of an issue but a couple of properties were doing open days or half days and would vacate the house and leave the agent to coordinate the viewings. Another one was empty so was easier to book a time and view.

The problem is that many agents only have a few staff so it can be difficult to get a time slot when they are free so you need to plan and book well in advance.

Your other problem will be getting from one property to the next given that you don't drive. You could be travelling from west Harrogate to east Knaresborough then back to west Harrogate to fit in with availability of viewings. How do you plan to travel between properties? 

Unless you know the area well then you could be wasting your time travelling around and finding a good property in an area you don't like.

As useful as Rightmove is you can't beat visiting the place. We have viewed countless properties that look really good online but are a major disappointment when you actually get to view them. Use Google maps street view to get a better impression of the area and the surroundings and reduce your search area as much as possible before getting there.

Best of luck.

WoozieSioux_tse

Do you have friends/family in the area? If yes, can they help with getting you around to different appointments and sussing out an area? Do you have a job offer/ a work from home job that is permanent? When agents are looking to make appointments, they are going to market to people they consider most likely to actually complete the transaction (whether that's a rental or a sale), so the more information you can give them, the better.

Doodles

Thanks everyone for ou, that's reassuring.

I am looking to buy.  Decent sized deposit and have had a couple of mortgage in principles so know my budget.

That's a very good point about travelling between properties - was just thinking of getting a cab between them or even asking the EA to give me a lift (or would that be terribly rude to ask?)

I've a friend in Harrogate who might be able to help though.

I've been living up in Dewsbury West Yorkshire for 12 years, but temporarily living down South (due to marriage breakup :-(  )
So I want my next home to be in a nice, safe area and a home for me for the next 20 years. Hence I want to get this right!

I have a couple of weeks off beginning of August so that's when I'd be planning to travel, so how much before that would you recommend me approaching estate agents please?

RedFraggle

Travelling between Harrogate and Knaresborough can be a nightmare despite the short distance so try to avoid going back and forth. 

Doodles

RedFraggle said:

Travelling between Harrogate and Knaresborough can be a nightmare despite the short distance so try to avoid going back and forth. 

Thanks RedFraggle - noted :-)

WoozieSioux_tse

By mid July I think you ought to start contacting the local agents to introduce yourself. Let them know you're in a good position re deposit and mips. Work out exactly what you're looking for and highlight any non-negotiables (for us no new-build estates or terraces for example).

Also start making a note of any of the properties that are currently SSTC and mention to the agents you might be interested in those if the sales fall through. It might just bump you up their lists if they've an 'oven ready' chain that you can link all the pieces back together!  

Skiddaw1

We relocated to Cumbria from Berkshire. We had an ongoing Rightmove shorlist of houses we liked and once we'd accepted an offer on ours we did a swift hit and viewed our shortlised houses over three days. We had transport which made it easier of course (and it was pre-Covid). I'd certainly agree with the above poster about making contact with local EAs. Good luck with your search- I'm sure you'll find the house of your dreams.