Easier way to buy home?

Flugelhorn

Keep_pedalling said:

Apart from your issue of communicating on the phone you come across as a very capable person, so I would contact a few local solicitors via their contact page and explain the situation exactly as you have done to us. I am sure that you will find one will be more than happy to accommodate you. 

We are currently buying and selling. Our initial contact with our solicitor was via Zoom and every thing else has been via email. Had we just been buying I don’t think we would have needed the Zoom session.

@Keep_pedalling just out of interest, how did you get on with the ID checks? We used a solicitor in Yorkshire and saw her F2F, when we wanted to do another transaction a couple of years later we sent certified copies of ID but I got the feeling that was because they already had details on record and if we hadn't then we would have needed F2F appointment?? or is there an easier way ?

Keep_pedalling

Flugelhorn said:

Keep_pedalling said:

Apart from your issue of communicating on the phone you come across as a very capable person, so I would contact a few local solicitors via their contact page and explain the situation exactly as you have done to us. I am sure that you will find one will be more than happy to accommodate you. 

We are currently buying and selling. Our initial contact with our solicitor was via Zoom and every thing else has been via email. Had we just been buying I don’t think we would have needed the Zoom session.

@Keep_pedalling just out of interest, how did you get on with the ID checks? We used a solicitor in Yorkshire and saw her F2F, when we wanted to do another transaction a couple of years later we sent certified copies of ID but I got the feeling that was because they already had details on record and if we hadn't then we would have needed F2F appointment?? or is there an easier way ?

No problem, they are using an app called Thirdfort that you scan and upload your documents (you also need to video yourself). It was trickier for my wife who does not have a driving licence and her passport expired a few months ago. But that was still done using scanned documents sent by email.

housebuyer143

confusedfreelancer said:

housebuyer143 said:

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.

There is but I'm not eligible because I'm "in work" (have found ways to make money online) and currently housed (my ex kindly agreed not to tell the letting agents when he moved out two years ago).

That's a shame they don't have similar and it's short sighted. Ours is specifically for housed people to help them stay housed and for employed too. 

Hopefully you find the support you need.

MEM62

@confusedfreelancer There is no magic bullet here that will allow you to just handover the cash and move in. (And once you have purchased the property you will need to deal with owing it - bills, maintenance etc)  Regrettably, some things in life just cannot be avoided.  The process might be made easier by finding a solicitor that you are comfortable with to do the conveyancing in a way that is sympathetic to your autism.  Meet with a couple and explain your situation.      

timehastoldme

I don't know if this is any use to you, but my mum bought a residential park home. She pays site rent (£160 a month) but in terms of buying the property, it was a case of view, then transfer money to site management who then transfer it to the previous owner. 

It's not for everyone, but has been perfect for her. Mum's dyslexic and anxious and this cut admin, gave her financial freedom because she bought outright, and it's detached so she feels like she has her own space. She also struggled with keeping up maintenance of a house, park home much easier to manage.

confusedfreelancer

timehastoldme said:

I don't know if this is any use to you, but my mum bought a residential park home. She pays site rent (£160 a month) but in terms of buying the property, it was a case of view, then transfer money to site management who then transfer it to the previous owner. 

It's not for everyone, but has been perfect for her. Mum's dyslexic and anxious and this cut admin, gave her financial freedom because she bought outright, and it's detached so she feels like she has her own space. She also struggled with keeping up maintenance of a house, park home much easier to manage.

That's an interesting idea. All the results that are coming up on Google are for over 50s but it could be a good long term plan for 15 years time. I'm terrified of the idea of privately renting as I get older.

timehastoldme

Loads are over 50's but not all, don't think this one is

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137205809#/?channel=RES_BUY

Also, the sites sometimes make exceptions, mums is over 50 but there's a couple of park homes occupied by younger, one was inherited and one I think plead their case. It's usually so that retirement folk have a quiet life.

dander

I think your first port of call should be an austism charity such as the National Autistic Society. Post a question on their forums and you might find people with direct experience of this issue and certainly people who will know what resources might be available for you to use to help. 

Herzlos

Even if you're not eligible for funded support, there will be some autism charity or group in the area that may be able to recommend someone to do the work and suitable areas if you're not already in Yorkshire.

If you can find a fixed price property, that'll take a bit of the negotiating hassle out of it, but ideally you want to at least inspect the property first (or hire a surveyor to inspect on your behalf).

For our sale, most of the estate agent interaction (except the viewing) was done via email. Instructing the solicitor to make the offer was via email and I think we only had to go to the solicitor in person to sign the paperwork and give them copies of ID. They should be able to accomodate a more suitable way for you to do that though, but I'm not entirely sure what that would entail.

confusedfreelancer

dander said:

I think your first port of call should be an austism charity such as the National Autistic Society. Post a question on their forums and you might find people with direct experience of this issue and certainly people who will know what resources might be available for you to use to help./

I tried their forum before this one. People suggested various services but when I looked into them they either didn't exist or weren't designed for this.