Easier way to buy home?

confusedfreelancer

I have around £150,000 in cash savings and would like to buy a small home (just for me) in Yorkshire to have more security than renting. I'm autistic and cannot manage phone calls and get confused and triggered into meltdowns by admin. I don't have relationships so no one to help. I'm not classed as having high enough support needs to get any professional help. Is there any easier way to buy a home than the standard one? I've spent a couple of years reading about the process and know that I cannot handle it. Like is there any way you can just hand over money and get a property, perhaps buying directly from the company that built it? I don't care if it's overpriced.

Not looking for yet another explanation of the standard process.

marcia_

confusedfreelancer said:

I have around £150,000 in cash savings and would like to buy a small home (just for me) in Yorkshire to have more security than renting. I'm autistic and cannot manage phone calls and get confused and triggered into meltdowns by admin. I don't have relationships so no one to help. I'm not classed as having high enough support needs to get any professional help. Is there any easier way to buy a home than the standard one? I've spent a couple of years reading about the process and know that I cannot handle it. Like is there any way you can just hand over money and get a property, perhaps buying directly from the company that built it? I don't care if it's overpriced.

Not looking for yet another explanation of the standard process.

 There is no magic way to get around the admin, practicalities and legal requirements of buying a home 

Flugelhorn

confusedfreelancer said:

I have around £150,000 in cash savings and would like to buy a small home (just for me) in Yorkshire to have more security than renting. I'm autistic and cannot manage phone calls and get confused and triggered into meltdowns by admin. I don't have relationships so no one to help. I'm not classed as having high enough support needs to get any professional help. Is there any easier way to buy a home than the standard one? I've spent a couple of years reading about the process and know that I cannot handle it. Like is there any way you can just hand over money and get a property, perhaps buying directly from the company that built it? I don't care if it's overpriced.

Not looking for yet another explanation of the standard process.

No there is only one way to buy a house and yes it is stressful for everyone but if you find a good local solicitor they will probably minimise the admin by giving you what you need to read etc and will go through the key bits face to face - though they won't organise surveys, utilities etc for you 

Just thinking about it though 150K is not going to get you a lot, certainly not a new or problem free house -maybe a flat but that has far more admin involved with it. 

confusedfreelancer

Would you say that getting a solicitor is the first thing to do? Do you know of any in the UK that will communicate with me purely through written communication? Or is it better to find a property first? There seem to be a lot of new blocks going up nearby.

I'm looking for something along the lines of a one-bed flat. I'm not sure if it's possible for me to supplement my savings with a mortgage, as my income isn't in GBP and I'm classed as self-employed (I basically work in the gig economy for several American companies).

RelievedSheff

You would generally find the property first and have an offer accepted before employing a solicitor.

Buying property can be stressful but if you break it down step by step into manageable chunks and take it one step at a time anyone can get there. Just take your time and don't be rushed into anything.

Flugelhorn

confusedfreelancer said:

Would you say that getting a solicitor is the first thing to do? Do you know of any in the UK that will communicate with me purely through written communication? Or is it better to find a property first? There seem to be a lot of new blocks going up nearby.

I'm looking for something along the lines of a one-bed flat. I'm not sure if it's possible for me to supplement my savings with a mortgage, as my income isn't in GBP and I'm classed as self-employed (I basically work in the gig economy for several American companies).

You can scope out solicitors ie get quotes and see how they respond to you - always better to get someone local you can  see face to face and makes you feel as though it is OK to ask questions.

THen  you would need to find a property and formally appoint solictors   and if it if a new property then DON'T go for any solicitor that the developers recommend - you need someone working for you and not just for them! It may cost a bit more but is worth it. 

New one bed flats come with complex leases, management companies etc etc there is going to be a lot of communication whatever - much of it will be on paper.

bobster2

confusedfreelancer said:

Would you say that getting a solicitor is the first thing to do? Do you know of any in the UK that will communicate with me purely through written communication? Or is it better to find a property first? There seem to be a lot of new blocks going up nearby.

I'm looking for something along the lines of a one-bed flat. I'm not sure if it's possible for me to supplement my savings with a mortgage, as my income isn't in GBP and I'm classed as self-employed (I basically work in the gig economy for several American companies).

The solicitor I've used communicates pretty much entirely via email - and through a special app/website with forms to complete and documents to download.

eddddy

confusedfreelancer said:

Would you say that getting a solicitor is the first thing to do? Do you know of any in the UK that will communicate with me purely through written communication? Or is it better to find a property first? There seem to be a lot of new blocks going up nearby.

Find a property first - before instructing a solicitor.

There are a number of 'online' solicitors and conveyancers who do everything through their online portals with no personal contact.

To be honest, a lot of people dislike those firms, because you never speak to anyone, so you sometimes don't now what's happening behind the scenes, etc - but maybe that would be ok for you.

If you're looking at new property developments, the developers often employ salespeople who often like to have  'face-to-face' discussions and negotiations with you - because they want to persuade you to buy, etc. But if you tell them at the outset that you only want email communication, I expect they'll respect that.

I expect you'd want to look around a development, and look around show homes before deciding. A developer might prefer one of their people to be with you when you do that. But again, if you explain the situation at the outset, maybe they'll keep their distance.

 

housebuyer143

Is there a service near you that provides support for things like this? 
Near me all councils have funding to provide in property support and you don't need to be renting etc. They help with forms, reading mail, setting up utilities - anything really. Your autism would make you eligible as they class you as more vulnerable.

It's not widely known or advertised but you might find your council does something similar. Maybe give them an email and ask if they know of a similar scheme they can direct you to.

Keep_pedalling

Do you have a trusted friend or relative who could act as your power of attorney for your purchase?

confusedfreelancer

Keep_pedalling said:

Do you have a trusted friend or relative who could act as your power of attorney for your purchase?

I don't have friends or relatives.