House search drawing a blank

GDB2222

We want to downsize, but stay in the same area, and we can't find anywhere to move to.

Our RM search shows 34 houses in the area, excluding SSTC. We have viewed 15 of them and considered the rest on RM. Not one of them comes close to the house we currently have. Nowhere near!

Our house has been on the market a week, and we've had a few viewings, one of the viewers has been 3 times, including with an architect. I think we will be able to sell. But, we want to move, not just become homeless. so what's the point?

/rant

ManuelG

It'll happen, have faith!

lookstraightahead

Why will you become homeless? You can rent while you look, if you want to sell to this prospective buyer.

i think you need to take a leap of faith, or sit down again and decide if you really want to move.

can you push your circumference out a couple of miles?

SandyN21

ManuelG said:

It'll happen, have faith!

That's what I believe too...due to divorce sold 4bed house last March (currently renting) to downsize to 2bed/2bath first floor only forever flat (for me only) that I can lock up and leave when I go on holiday and not worry about security....and as of today I've viewed 43 flats (will be 44 tomorrow) 😒

ProDave

What is the motivation to downsize?  If you need a cheaper house, it will never be as good.  Don't be in a hurry, perhaps downsizing is not really what you are needing?

housebuyer143

The problem is you clearly love your house and so finding something comparable but smaller is going to be a challenge. We had the problem in reverse, wanting to upsize and trying to find a house we liked better than what we had.
Took a while and some luck but we did it and you will too, you might just be waiting a long while. 

If you need to downsize you will probably need to go into rented while you look. If you want to downsize but only for the right place, then I wouldn't move until I had found it.

We had people looking at our 2 bed when they are downsizing to be met with comments such as "it's very small". It was a large 2 bed but they were coming from 4 beds and so you might need to adjust your expectations if this is you.

diystarter7

Hi OP

You sure you want to move now as your heart does appear to be in it?

Not finding what you want/afford/location does not help

Good luck either way!

RelievedSheff

You need to not compare your current property with your potential purchase. 

You are downsizing so it will never be the same.

comeandgo

Are there any houses you want to buy in the area?  You could leave a leaflet or letter with those houses asking if they were to sell you would be interested.

silvercar

Presumably the houses you look at are all smaller and will be easier to heat. They also may be more modern, allowing you to move without having to face building work.

You did say you were moving to not only reduce size, but also to have more affordable heating and less maintenance.

Putting notes through the door is a good idea, given you are restrictive on area.

Eldi_Dos

This may sound a bit morbid but keep a eye on the local obit's to see what may soon become available in your area.

We rightsized nine years ago and have never regretted it, you can get to a age where too large a property can be a millstone round  the neck.

Many plus points,smaller fuel bills, decorating easier, more disposable income to enjoy. One thing we value is it is easier to secure the property if we decide on a whim to have couple of days away, although not been able to do as much of that as would like to  recently for obvious reasons.

Keep looking it will be out there for you.