At what point can i start to view, (cash buying)

Mozza001

My situation is i will have the cash in bank to buy a property at the end of march, partly pension lump sum and partly cashed in company shares scheme matured, i can prove this with the accounts online etc.

I wont be requiring/applying for a mortgage.

At what point is it practical to start looking at properties?

I have, admittedly probably wrongly,  started looking online etc and there are a few around which tick all the boxes, however i wouldn't be in a position to move any deposit etc until March.

Should i be waiting until i physically have the money in bank?

lincroft1710

No harm in looking online at any time, but for physical viewing probably better to wait until money actually in the bank

MikeJXE

Just be aware March is the start of the home buying/selling season 

Prices could be higher too

Bare in mind a sale takes around 6 weeks plus, so start viewing in January 

Mozza001

MikeJXE said:

Just be aware March is the start of the home buying/selling season 

Prices could be higher too

Bare in mind a sale takes around 6 weeks plus, so start viewing in January 

So a cash buy will take approx 6 weeks?

Albermarle

The problem is that people tell estate agents they are cash buyers when they are not, or the promised cash never arrives for some reason.
So it could depend on how much the EA will trust you, without seeing the hard evidence.
Probably be worth ( as already said ) starting to push for viewings in January.

Also be aware that being a cash buyer is not much of an advantage in itself, compared to someone with an approved mortgage. The real advantage is not being in a chain/being able to move quickly whether with a mortgage or not.

MikeJXE

Mozza001 said:

MikeJXE said:

Just be aware March is the start of the home buying/selling season 

Prices could be higher too

Bare in mind a sale takes around 6 weeks plus, so start viewing in January 

So a cash buy will take approx 6 weeks?

It all depends on the chain 

The fastest I have ever bought is 2 weeks with cash and no upward chain, minimum searches 

Cash my solicitor was aware of as I had sold, exchanged  and completion date was fixed 

theartfullodger

Today.

Could exchange & complete in a couple of days.  Some vendors might find a quiche cash purchase very attractive.

But get a survey.  Not the cheapest. 

What's holding you back?  I would have started a few days ago 

lincroft1710

theartfullodger said:

Today.

Could exchange & complete in a couple of days.  Some vendors might find a quiche cash purchase very attractive.

But get a survey.  Not the cheapest. 

What's holding you back?  I would have started a few days ago 

But the OP doesn't get the money to buy a property until March!

Voyager2002

I suggest you go into an Estate Agent when they are fairly quiet, bring your documents, and have a chat with the agent. Since they are not busy at the moment they would probably be happy to arrange viewings of their hard-to-sell properties. And you would be building up a business relationship that is likely to prove very important.

Northern_Wanderer

There is no harm in looking now, you will get a feel for what you are looking for, what you don't want and what sort of price is good value.

Herzlos

With an upwards chain it could easily take you past March anyway. If the money is safe, or within a suitable margin of error since most of it's in some kind of fund currently, then there's no reason you can't start talking to estate agents now and do viewings as long as your up front about when you're able to proceed.