Finding the right property.

[HomingPigeon]

Will estate agents let you view properties if you have not yet put yours on the market? I don't want to sell my house unless I am sure that I can find the right property for me. I am thinking along the lines of finding the right one, then putting mine on the market at a good price for a quick sale. But I wonder how sellers would feel about this.

I know it is very hit and miss, and a fraught time, but I do not want to be in the situation that I found myself in when I bought my current house - I had to find somewhere quickly and I rushed into a property that I now feel is not the right one. I know one possibility is to move into rented until you find the right property, but my partner is not keen on doing this, he says that the housing market might change and you could be left losing money and not being able to get the same standard of house for your money. Also, I would rather stay where I am if I can't find the right place.

Any thoughts please?

[buildersmate]

Its a personal view but I think you gain nothing by doing this and just slow the whole process down.
Sure, Estate Agents will let you do it, but what sort of impression does it give when you say that you haven't even put your own property on the market? That you are not fussed whether you move or not?
Although it is shame to find a buyer, then not be able to find yourself a new place, its a much stronger position to be in when discussing terms with a potential seller.
Personally, when faced with a buyer who has a doubtful end to their chain I've said "thanks for the offer but I'm not in a position to proceed with it until you come back with a buyer for your own property"

[HomingPigeon]

Hi buildersmate and thank you for your reply. I did not mean to give the impression that I am not fussed whether I move or not - in fact, I would very much like to move to a more suitable house, but am worried about making the wrong choice again (as I have done with the house I am in at the moment) and having the stress and upheaval of another house-move. I don't think my nerves can stand the strain!

I asked the question because it happened to me - an estate agent sent round a "buyer" whose house wasn't even on the market, and I was well miffed with both the viewer and the agent. I wondered if the agent was aware that this lady had not even put her property up for sale.

However, finding myself in the situation I am now in (I rushed into this property and feel that I made a mistake) I can see the sense in someone deciding they are not going to move unless they are 100 per cent sure they have found the right property. It honestly is not a case of not being bothered whether I move or not, it is more that I am scared to risk making a huge mistake again.

I have spoken to an estate agent who tells me that I am in an area that usually sells quickly providing the price is right - a catchment area for a good school and low crime statistics etc., he tells me that properties round here don't come up for sale very often and usually don't stick on the market, although of course no-one knows for sure.

[rabbitygirl]

As a vendor who personally did between 40 - 50 viewings on the house she was trying to sell (and took 5 months doing so) I, and others in my position may safely say that some of those looking haven't sold their houses, haven't got them on the market and don't intend to as they are just looking around to see what is out there. I treated them all with enthusiasm on the viewing (it kept my performance bright) and great indifference afterwards. Eventually 'the one' - sold and ready to act - does turn up.

[HomingPigeon]

Thank you for replying. I wouldn't put an offer in before selling my own house - you can't if you haven't got the money from the sale of your house - what I am thinking is, once I see the house that is "the one", then put my own place on the market at a low price and try as hard as I can for a quick sale, and when I have accepted an offer on my own house, then put an offer in if the house I have chosen to buy is still available (a long shot, I know, that is why I am asking if anyone has done it this way).

At this moment I am thinking that I would rather accept a low offer on my house for a quick sale, to enable me to move forward if I have found the house that I want - rather than be forced into a situation where I am rushed into buying a house that I am not sure of, because the people who want to buy my house want me out. I personally feel that the way to go is to sell your own place and rent somewhere, giving you plenty of time to look for the right property, but my partner feels differently.

I know there aren't any any concrete answers to this dilemma - but it is interesting to hear of other people's views.

[rabbitygirl]

I did exactly that HomingPigeon. It was part of our plan to cash in on London area house prices, move out and buy 2 properties for cash.
We rented for 7 months and the only drawback is packing twice, living with unpacked stuff, the sense of being unsettled, and waiting a month before the landlord authorised my deposit to be repaid. Also sorting out address changes, settling bills etc twice is a chore that should not be overlooked.
When I go to our refurb property and pinch myself what I paid for it, thanks to the bargaining power of cash, I think it was worth it. Not for everyone tho.

[william c]

We put ours on the market then moved into rented for a short while until we found the one we really wanted. Put us in a good bargaining position too and we were then effectively first time buyers.

[HomingPigeon]

I think people that come to view, who have no intention of buying, are the pits, getting the seller's hopes up under false pretences. That's a horrible thing to do.

Now that I am in a predicament over buying the wrong place, I can understand why some people view before they put their house up for sale - prior to me moving into this house, I didn't understand why anyone would go viewing when their property wasn't even on the market.

Although this house is not right for me, I can live with it if need be, rather than move hastily and regret it again. The thing is though, I am worried about making the same mistake twice. I know there is no right or wrong way to do it, but I know I would feel embarrassed telling sellers that I had not yet put my house on the market, but I would have to come clean with them and tell them the truth, although I expect they would be well and truly miffed.

Has it ever worked out for anyone, they found their ideal property, then they put theirs on the market, sold it and managed to get the property they wanted?

[parkesquay]

The odds of finding that your perfect house in the perfect location is still for sale after you decided to put yours on the market are very slim indeed. In my experience there is probably not such a thing as the perfect house unless you build it yourself.
You cannot have your cake and eat it but this is exactly what you want.
I get a strong feeling that neither you or your partner really have the right motivation to move.
Look at the things you have stated that you don't want to do: risk market forces, live in rented accommodation, worry about finding the perfect property(whatever that is)etc.
Sensible, realistic advice has already been given for you to even get close to your dream house.
Sell first and then look.

[parkesquay]

As an additional thought.
Don't forget that if you have sold your house you can invest the proceeds which will increase your money available.
The only downside to renting would be if,say over a period of 6 months, there was a massive increase in house prices. If there was a fall in the market you will be sitting pretty.

[HomingPigeon]

Thanks for replies.

parkesquay, I am not looking for the perfect house as I feel exactly as you do - it doesn't exist unless you plan it yourself, and if you look back at my question, you will see that I have not ever referred to finding the perfect house, only to finding the right house for me (one that ticks most of the boxes).

As I mentioned in one of my replies, I know that there are no right and wrong ways of doing this, some of it is purely luck - the right person viewing your house at the right time etc.

[barb1314]

Hi,just my experience.I was very very lucky with my house.I had seen a cottage I loved 18 months ago which we offered on but were turned down in favour of another buyer in a better position For one reason or another we took our house off the market and decided to stay where we were.A few months later the agent called me to say the sale on the cottage had fallen through and were we still interested.I said no and explained we had decided not to move.I just couldn't forget this house and 6 months later we decided to try to move again.I found out on the grapevine that the cottage was being rented and had never sold.I called the owner and asked if they would still like to sell.She said yes and we put ours on the market again.10 days later we had sold ours and now I'm in my dream cottage.It was meant to be!! This is obviously a slightly different situation because it was a private sale and we had no worries about 'rivals' .Just wanted to add my experience.Good luck with it whatever happens.

[HomingPigeon]

barb, Thanks very much for posting that. It must be a great feeling to end up with the ideal place if you thought you had lost it.

The house I have bought has many lovely features, and if I end up staying here I won't be unhappy. As parkesquay says, I want to have my cake and eat it. If there is a property out there that is more "right" for me, I want to make that move, but I am not so unhappy here that I want to sell up and move on if I cannot find that special place. And as I mentioned before, I am not looking for the "perfect" house, in fact, even if I had one built to my specifications, it would still not be perfect for me, because I am not keen on new builds! Give me an old house with character any time.

I have no doubt that many people would just tell me to put up and shut up, I just can't help but feel a little sad that, had I not rushed into the purchase because of my buyers being in a hurry, I would have found a more suitable place. It is still early days, it doesn't feel like home yet, but hopefully things will get better.

Thanks again for you reply.

[louisj]

you should simple put your house on the market and if a buyer arrives and likes your house inform them of your situation. BUT! do not expect them to wait a ridiculous amount of time and do not expect them to stop looking as they probably wont.
Basically like any investment property investment is a risky business and some people sometimes get hurt.