House Hunting

[wobs]

So now the house is pretty much sorted, the inevitable has happened, and we need to move to have more space. Hmmm.

We've just started looking, but there are some fabulous houses around here, with great character (others with a distinct loss of character).

Basically, are there any tips for looking for signs of problems. Aside from the obvious things like a hole in the roof.

We're hoping this is the last move, but would like to spend time with our gorgeous daughter, and not spend too much time renovating.

One house we have seen looks to be rather big, but just about affordable. But we would probably struggle to afford to do it up if/when major work was needed. Talk us out of it!.

 

[Feltwell]

Don't do it Wobs! House hunting is a monumental pain in the @rse, moving is an even bigger pain in the @rse, and think of all the money you'll have to give to estate agents. They don't deserve it.

Seriously, it's a tough one if you're running out of space. But do you really need more space, or just a damn good ruthless clear out?

I've yet to find any old building that doesn't end up costing more and taking longer to put right than I think it will when I first see it!

 

[MatthewC]

We ... would like to .... not spend too much time renovating.

Somehow that statement seems a bit out of line with the experience of most people on this forum, although we all might have started with that intention!
:lol: :lol:

 

[jocelyn plummer]

If you have to sell in order to buy, just don't go there at the moment!
Take a step back, spend time with your daughter for a while then maybe the urge to move will diminish-- it really is a hugely costly business with all the conveyancing fees, removal companys as well as the Estate Agents--all too easy to end up out of pocket--

 

[Moo]

This is really just an echo of what Joss and Feltwell have said, but I'd like to add a couple of nuggets based on our (very) recent experience:

1. Selling our house and buying another will have cost us well over £20,000. That's Estate Agent and legal fees, removal costs, and the hideous Stamp Duty.

2. Having what my late mother used to call "a good clear-out" is a very liberating experience. I realise that our situation is the opposite of yours (we're downsizing), but it's made us realise just how much 'stuff' we've squirrelled away since we've been here. I suspect that you'd be surprised at how much space you actually have.

 

[Lime]

Oh, I think it is much too late to try and put off wobs from moving.
Once the feeling is there, it stays until a move happens.

My tip? Listen to your gut feelings first and last.

One house we have seen looks to be rather big, but just about affordable. But we would probably struggle to afford to do it up if/when major work was needed. Talk us out of it!.

You'll regret not buying it if you really like it.

 

[AMc]

One house we have seen looks to be rather big, but just about affordable. But we would probably struggle to afford to do it up if/when major work was needed. Talk us out of it!.

You'll regret not buying it if you really like it.

And at some points you'll regret it if you do

As well as getting a sensible survey from someone with period property experience I would now insist on spending several hours poking around myself and probably get a builder to estimate on anything obvious. We bought this house with our heart and because (at the time) I fancied "a project" as they say on Grand Designs. In the end we bought the proverbial "pig in a poke" and while I love the house I can't honestly say I'd do the same thing again. I think it's fair to say I only spent a hour here before we signed the paperwork - as I've been reminded in the subsequent years - I've spent longer choosing TVs.

If you're seriously considering moving I would start by talking to your mortgage lender (and probably another couple) to make sure you can get the money you need and the money to do any work. I've read some horror stories about lending criteria, lifestyle assessments etc. used to refuse people remortgages and extensions. When we attempted to extend our mortgage to complete things here the lender were simply unwilling to move despite having significant equity and showing we could easily afford it.

 

[wobs]

Thank you for the advice so far.

Regarding space: We are currently decluttering anyway. Partly to make the house a bit more appealling, but also so we have less stuff to move. Mrs Wobs has discovered Ebay, and is selling many things that are not nailed down.

We currently only have two bedrooms, and would really like more. We like the idea of having a room for: computer, guests sleeping, Mrs Wobs doing some of her craft stuff. One room that combines these would be fine.

Having just a through lounge makes this problematic.

Saying that, the house next to us has two parents and four boys (ages 1 to 13), and the same number of bedrooms.

But like I said, we also want a garden for daughter to play in, and room for a shed.

 

[Lime]

I would now insist on spending several hours poking around myself and probably get a builder to estimate on anything obvious.

I would agree with that.
Time spent in and around the house you intend to spend your fortune on is a very sensible idea.
Try and imagine the house in it's bare-bone state discounting the decor and furniture.

So many people buy a house after they got sucked into the image of the new kitchen or bathroom so much so that they didn't notice anything else.
Personally I have never thought or dreamed of buying someone elses expensive kitchen or bathroom.
Why would I want to do that?

I have a mother in law who has gone through several down-sizings.
All she ever talked about were "the oak kitchen cabinets; lovely curtains; pretty little bedroom suit; I'd be able to put my cabinet there; didn't like the carpet etc.
Then she wonders why it isn't quite what she wanted after she bought them.
The latest "desire" is to buy a bungalow "because of the stairs".
so far she has seen at least 5 and all have had loft extensions.

:roll:

 

[Moo]

PS

The family accountant (aka OH) tells me that our costs are nearer £30,000 than £20,000.

Just think what that would pay for - a new shed; an extension; a loft conversion......

xxx
M

 

[another_richard]

Try this place:

http://www.boligsiden.dk/salg/585272052/

Two houses for the price of one and all for 15k.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Yes our costs to downsize in 2007 were £25K, plus £8K removals ( 2,700 sq ft) plus 3 months rental at £ 800.00 per month while we tried to find a house, plus storage of said sq footage at £800.00 per month for 4 months as we eased stuff into the purchased house . Nightmare! and whilst I find myself making similar comments to Wobs about needing a dedicated room or garden building in which to do my creative art work and a more practical kitchen with proper storage for stuff, these moving costs are enough to put me RIGHT OFF moving for the sake of a couple of tweaks. That said when our mortgage package finishes in 18 months time, then maybe we might consider it. Still I enjoy trawling the houses for sale sites but always manage to find something to put me off doing it all over again!!!!

These days it seems that one has to be pragmatic about moving house--- the big downsize, or upsize or a lottery win, but no longer solely for the sheer indulgence of taking on an unloved property and bringing it back to life!!

 

[wobs]

Quick up date.
We've accepted an offer on our house, and now we have the small matter of finding somewhere to buy. We have an area in mind, and of course, not many houses are coming up that we can afford etc. So we're thinking at doing a mail drop, where we post letters to houses we think we could afford. How does this sound?:

"Dear owner(s) of no. xxx
We are [insert name]. We are looking to move from [our street name] to a family home [in specified area] to provide more space and a garden for our young daughter. If you think you might be interested in selling your property in the near future we would love to hear from you.
Our home number is _______.
Best wishes for 2013,
Wobs, Mrs Wobs, Daughter"

Obviously, worded with proper names and locations included.
If you were toying with the idea of selling, would this entice you? Or would a different wording work better?

 

[Feltwell]

It's innovative, but it would arouse the suspicious nature in me if any note like that came through my door!

Have you thought about going into rented for a while? We did last time - we were lucky enough to find a boring 1980's small box of a house which had an inexplicably large garage, perfect for storing all our stuff - the interest (at the time ) on the equity from our house sale paid for the bulk of the rent whilst we looked for a new place as a cash buyer.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Renting is a good idea, it buys you time and you can pounce quickly knowing you have the cash sitting and waiting, however rental costs need to be carefully managed with a rough idea of how long you can afford to rent and or store your possessions. Whilst you probably feel it too early to involve Estate Agents, and would prefer to open up your own line of enquirys as you are suggesting, a good Estate Agent will note your preferred streets/houses etc and ring you immediately something is likely to come onto the market. Trouble is you are then in their ssticky clutches. Maybe an ad in your local shop/s or chatting amongst neighbours might lead to something .

Have a lovely Christmas, and good luck with the house search!

 

[tycarregydwr]

The letter drop could work, might be worth a shot. We used to get them from estate agents in our old house, the day one came through the door just so happened to be the day we finally put it on the market, we went with that agency in the end (not just because of the letter).

I would look into renting. Especially if you are planning on moving area - not sure if that's the case or not? - as then it gives you more of a chance to get to know a place before committing to it. We were going to do this, as we didn't think we'd find a place by our must-move-by date. And the position of being a cash buyer is not to be underestimated. but of course it only makes sense if you can afford to do it and store your stuff.

Best of luck with the process!

 

[LadyArowana]

Honestly, I would be very very unlikely to respond to something like this, I would suspect it was a scam of some sort.

 

[El Greyo]

But like I said, we also want ... room for a shed.

OK, say no more, I fully understand why you want, no need, to move urgently. I'm sure it's in the European Conventions on Human Rights to have a shed.

I do know someone who bought a house after doing mail shot to a few streets in an area in which they were interested. They found someone who did want to move and it saved them estate agent fees. Yes, many people may think it a scam or simply not relevant to them but in only takes one to respond if the house is right.

 

[tobydog]

As an ex estate agent who enjoyed every minute of it and carries no guilt :twisted: we did use to carry out mail shots regularly. What we weren't allowed to do (at least our company) was to target a specific house with a For Sale board so we simply canvassed the whole road or at least a few houses either side of it.

I think general canvassing of houses as a private buyer is a good idea. You have nothing to lose. If, however, you see a property that you really like, I would make a direct approach in person. Keep the introduction brief (but including positives like having no chain) and use pretty much what you would have put in writing. Have your phone contact details to hand them. Say your thank you's and leave. Unless they are forthcoming, don't put them on the spot by asking questions that they may see as an invasion of privacy or worse. Timing, as with most things, is critical. If you wouldn't want someone knocking on your door at a certain time, the chances are other people won't either. Nothing personal but having Mrs. Wobs and daughter in tow could soften the touch.

I remember all too often having discussions with buyers and sellers about not using an agent. On the face of it this should be fine because the average estate agent wouldnt really know much more about an individual than you would. There is, however, an element of 'comfortable' security when a good agent is involved and proactive.

Another consideration is price versus agent fees. If the seller has already established an asking price though an agent then they can discount the fees and sell to you net. The problem is that you won't be privy to that pricing information so you will need to do your homework. Also, just because agent fees aren't involved, it doesn't necessarily make it a steal. Let's say a house is worth £300,000. With agent fees of 2% that equates to a margin of just £6,000. Given that people could be making offers of up to 10% below asking price on a similar £300,000 house, that's your discount well and truly gone.

Finally, are you up to the job (not you necessarily Wobs)? House sales are all well and good when they gone well. There is nothing more satisfying. When they go wrong they can be a complete nightmare. A good agent should do your dirty work for you particularly when many people don't like this kind of confrontation with the owners, solicitors, surveyors, mortage companies, local authories and particularly with many PPUK's, dealing with unauthorised work.

Just some thoughts from an ex-agent who can now admit that every house he sold in SW London in the late 80's was worth considerably less in the early 90's .

 

[tycarregydwr]

A good agent should do your dirty work for you particularly when many people don't like this kind of confrontation with the owners, solicitors, surveyors, mortage companies, local authories and particularly with many PPUK's, dealing with unauthorised work.
.

Well I guess I've only ever had shit agents then? :shock: Have bought two houses (and sold one), and dealt with 3 agencies, and in both cases, the sale would not have proceeded if I hadn't done all the footwork - I was chasing the solicitors, the surveyors, the utility companies, the planners, the this, the that, the everything. In our last purchase both the sellers' agent and our solicitor commented on how proactive I'd been. Yeah, well, not by bloody choice! A pat on the back is all well and good but I'd much rather have not had to do your jobs thanks very much! If we ever sell again I won't be using an agent - and for that matter I may not use a solicitor either except for the tiny amount of paperwork that only they can do - as my experiences have been comprehensively bad.