Accepted buyers offer, but I can't find anything in my budget

bhindi

I'm probably close to loosing my buyer for my property as I accepted an offer early December.  Due to my tight budget and choosing to move to pricey Cornwall there is not a plethora to choose from, and my partner manages to dismiss those that I do find.  I am thinking I might up the game and employ a property 'Buying Agent', but I have no experience and worried they will also take too much of my funds.  Has anyone here got any experience in using such a service.  Just for info, I'm seeking North Cornwall  (Wadebridge/ Holsworthy/Sutcombe/Launceston etc. for the meagre some of £425'.  (needs a garage, 150' + of garden, need cosmetic work only, be approx min'm 1100 sq. ft, and being the forever home needs to have some kerb appeal along with parking space for 2 cars (side x side).  Seeking the almost impossible in other words!
(retired so no option for a mortgage- cash buyer)

Hoenir

Are you reliant on Rightmove or are you registered with local agents?

Are you physically viewing the properties? 

That's a sparsely populated area of Devon, know Holsworthy well. Will require patience to find a property. 

ChirpyChicken

Redruth is cheap.......

Tucosalamanca

As above, are you visiting the properties, how much local knowledge do you have?

I would be spending a considerable amount of time researching before purchase and know exactly what you're getting into (of course you might be local and have intimate knowledge of the area).

I don't know where you're moving from, but compared to lot of places that you pass on the way to Cornwall, prices are still far cheaper.
It does mean that you're competing with similar buyers from the south west (retirees) who have plenty of cash to spend.
Properties that you 'really' want will be at a premium price (and arguably more than £425k)

Any reason why you're set on Cornwall and those towns in particular?

Have you considered West of Exeter, towards Okehampton and the areas along and around the A30, heading towards Cornwall. Widening your scope might give more options?

I popped on to Rightmove, just to see what's currently available.

Compared to my local area (also south west) these properties are at a large discount to what I could by locally (certainly by a six figure margin and I've only looked at the first few listings)

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/152302676?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendtofriend#/&channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/151203356?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

If partner isn't keen on these (or similar), I fear you're going to struggle to find something within budget.

Is it possible that there's other reasons for the lack of enthusiasm?

horsewithnoname

is this there anywhere down there you rent for a while, which would make viewing easier and keep your buyer?

Dustyevsky

I don't think your budget's impossible, but anything within a few miles of trunk roads is going to carry a premium compared with 'out in the sticks,' where I am. There are reasons for that, in little inconveniences, which don't bother me, but will certainly grate with some people. For example, beaches are about an hour's drive, and reaching Exeter is similar for those in my family who work.

Sapindus

I would second the renting suggestion as it's what I'm doing whilst also seeking my "forever home". You may find the rental market even more restricted though.  And landlords aren't often happy with someone who is intending to up sticks after six months.

FlorayG

Sapindus said:

I would second the renting suggestion as it's what I'm doing whilst also seeking my "forever home". You may find the rental market even more restricted though.  And landlords aren't often happy with someone who is intending to up sticks after six months.

On the other hand, lots of landlords are getting out of the market, you may find your rental could turn into your purchase!

GDB2222

bhindi said:

I'm probably close to loosing my buyer for my property as I accepted an offer early December.  Due to my tight budget and choosing to move to pricey Cornwall there is not a plethora to choose from, and my partner manages to dismiss those that I do find.  I am thinking I might up the game and employ a property 'Buying Agent', but I have no experience and worried they will also take too much of my funds.  Has anyone here got any experience in using such a service.  Just for info, I'm seeking North Cornwall  (Wadebridge/ Holsworthy/Sutcombe/Launceston etc. for the meagre some of £425'.  (needs a garage, 150' + of garden, need cosmetic work only, be approx min'm 1100 sq. ft, and being the forever home needs to have some kerb appeal along with parking space for 2 cars (side x side).  Seeking the almost impossible in other words!
(retired so no option for a mortgage- cash buyer)

Kerb appeal doesn’t matter as much to me. After all, when I am inside the house, I am more concerned with what the neighbours' houses look like, as they are the ones I can see.

Ramouth

What can I property buying agent do that you can’t do yourself?  The market doesn’t seem crazy fast down here now so I would have thought Rightmove etc would be almost as useful.

You haven’t said how familiar you are with Cornwall, but I would strongly recommend renting for a while before buying.  Having the ability to actually look round an area and view properties will make the process so much simpler. Also, I’ve known several people move down and find it just doesn’t suit them.  The winters are long and wet.  Many businesses are closed.  There is a general feeling of shared depression.  Summer can also be very wet and full of tourists.  Most houses are a little damp.  It is also beautiful and can be very community orientated if you find the right place.  I’m not saying don’t do it, just perhaps try before you buy.  (Apologies if you are in fact Cornish Expats returning home in which case you will know all of this already!)

Herzlos

bhindi said:

needs a garage, 150' + of garden, need cosmetic work only, be approx min'm 1100 sq. ft, and being the forever home needs to have some kerb appeal along with parking space for 2 cars (side x side).

How many houses are seeing that meet most of the requirements?

I'm wondering if any of those needs are more like wants. I like a garden, but 150' is a lot (3x mine) and isn't taking into account width, layout, heights, etc. A 100x80' garden has more square feet than a 150x40' garden. One that's terraced or steep has less usable space and so on.


It sounds like you (or more likely your partner) need to be less fussy about something.