Is anyone moving now?
Discussion
Petrus1983 said:
C70R said:
Given that they have likely got a book full of people who are more ready to move, why would they prioritise you? Their business is to sell property as quickly as possible.
They obviously don’t have a book full of people in a better position. 
C70R said:
Petrus1983 said:
That house would be ringing alarm bells very loudly for me. This may be why nobody is viewing it.ETA - no ones viewing it as you can’t without having accepted an offer on your current property - estate agents rules - but I don’t want to do that as I don’t want to commit to a sale nor waste someone’s time without knowing what I’m aiming for.
Petrus1983 said:
I’m finding it impossible to view properties - the agents won’t allow me to view a certain property until I’ve accepted an offer on my place. They’re saying it’s because of Covid restrictions but I’m calling bs on that as they won’t even do a FaceTime viewing. I’ve had to resort to posting a note through a door today asking if the vendor could contact me - it’s been on the market for a while (considering the booming market) and has been reduced by £75k so far.
you're not proceedable. This isn't a COVID thing it's a been the case forever thing.Blown2CV said:
you're not proceedable. This isn't a COVID thing it's a been the case forever thing.
Spot on.We didn't entertain the thought of looking at houses until we had a firm offer on our old house.
If nothing else it stops you getting too keen about the house you'd like to buy if the one you have to sell is slow to shift.
Proceedable buyers will always be worth more of the EA and vendors time, those hoping to be procedable less so.
I must say I was surprised at the lack of qualification that I was subjected to when buying this time around. All I was asked was what position I was in (sold to a couple in rented - I didn’t view before I was sold), but had to provide no proof of this as they just took my word for it. Also didn’t ask if I could actually afford what I was viewing / had a mortgage offer etc. Same treatment from 4 or 5 different local agents.
Only once I’d had an offer accepted did they start anything more rigorous. Different approach to what I’d told my selling agents to do - i.e. I’m only interested in people who can actually buy today; I’m not cleaning, tidying and then leaving the house for someone having a day out.
Only once I’d had an offer accepted did they start anything more rigorous. Different approach to what I’d told my selling agents to do - i.e. I’m only interested in people who can actually buy today; I’m not cleaning, tidying and then leaving the house for someone having a day out.
I practically had to do a mortage application as part of the vetting process for a big high street agent 
Yet the previous offer we placed with a different agent involved zero checks.
But then after all that, they haven't even confirmed if our offer has been accepted after 3 weeks and 10+ phone calls.
Yet the previous offer we placed with a different agent involved zero checks.But then after all that, they haven't even confirmed if our offer has been accepted after 3 weeks and 10+ phone calls.
Just had our house valued today, marginally under two years since we moved in. Was going to be our "forever house" but it's two miles from the sea so if we could get a bit closer . . .
Got quite excited by the valuation - offers over £450k, since we bought for 365k and have a tiny mortgage with cash in the bank.
But . . . just been looking on Rightmove and there is quite literally nothing attractive under 650 that isn't Under Offer or Sold STC. Makes me think our 450k valuation is too low, but even so it looks as if selling would be pointless.
Got quite excited by the valuation - offers over £450k, since we bought for 365k and have a tiny mortgage with cash in the bank.
But . . . just been looking on Rightmove and there is quite literally nothing attractive under 650 that isn't Under Offer or Sold STC. Makes me think our 450k valuation is too low, but even so it looks as if selling would be pointless.
Frik said:
Our buyer initially offered with the condition of meeting the deadline which was a) tight time-wise and b) completely out of our hands. We refused and they came back with an offer of asking with no conditions, which we accepted.
We then heard via their solicitor that they were keen to get going (despite previously saying they weren't in a rush because they were in rented) and would like a discount for meeting the deadline. We politely suggested what they could do with this plan...
It's been a few months since and we just can't find anything suitable (or even close to suitable) so looking forward to them asking for a discount again tomorrow. Their problem is there isn't anything else for them to buy either so I guess we're stuck like this for the time being.
You’ll either find something, or they’ll just stope waiting and find another property unless yours is unique.We then heard via their solicitor that they were keen to get going (despite previously saying they weren't in a rush because they were in rented) and would like a discount for meeting the deadline. We politely suggested what they could do with this plan...
It's been a few months since and we just can't find anything suitable (or even close to suitable) so looking forward to them asking for a discount again tomorrow. Their problem is there isn't anything else for them to buy either so I guess we're stuck like this for the time being.
Octoposse said:
Just had our house valued today, marginally under two years since we moved in. Was going to be our "forever house" but it's two miles from the sea so if we could get a bit closer . . .
Got quite excited by the valuation - offers over £450k, since we bought for 365k and have a tiny mortgage with cash in the bank.
But . . . just been looking on Rightmove and there is quite literally nothing attractive under 650 that isn't Under Offer or Sold STC. Makes me think our 450k valuation is too low, but even so it looks as if selling would be pointless.
Even 2 miles is great. I thought Bath was my forever home - but it’s 2 hours from my boat in Weymouth so I’m moving myself and the boat closer to the water - hopefully much closer. Got quite excited by the valuation - offers over £450k, since we bought for 365k and have a tiny mortgage with cash in the bank.
But . . . just been looking on Rightmove and there is quite literally nothing attractive under 650 that isn't Under Offer or Sold STC. Makes me think our 450k valuation is too low, but even so it looks as if selling would be pointless.
David87 said:
I must say I was surprised at the lack of qualification that I was subjected to when buying this time around. All I was asked was what position I was in (sold to a couple in rented - I didn’t view before I was sold), but had to provide no proof of this as they just took my word for it. Also didn’t ask if I could actually afford what I was viewing / had a mortgage offer etc. Same treatment from 4 or 5 different local agents.
Only once I’d had an offer accepted did they start anything more rigorous. Different approach to what I’d told my selling agents to do - i.e. I’m only interested in people who can actually buy today; I’m not cleaning, tidying and then leaving the house for someone having a day out.
Likewise, I didn't have to show any estate agents any proof at any point. Even after I'd had my offer accepted, the agent didn't ask for proof, but having the the mortgage offer in my hand within 48 hours was probably enough!Only once I’d had an offer accepted did they start anything more rigorous. Different approach to what I’d told my selling agents to do - i.e. I’m only interested in people who can actually buy today; I’m not cleaning, tidying and then leaving the house for someone having a day out.
Octoposse said:
But . . . just been looking on Rightmove and there is quite literally nothing attractive under 650 that isn't Under Offer or Sold STC. Makes me think our 450k valuation is too low, but even so it looks as if selling would be pointless.
And therein lies the issue: no supply. You can't move if there's nothing to move to. Hence our situation. It's also why EAs can be extremely picky with who they let through the door. Having said that, Rightmove is not the oracle it once was. Lots of vendors steering clear of it or, like one of our local EAs, leaving properties showing as For Sale right up to the day of completion.
bennno said:
You’ll either find something, or they’ll just stope waiting and find another property unless yours is unique.
That's about the size of it. It's just a case of who loses patience first, then or us. No word from their solicitor though...Petrus1983 said:
I’m finding it impossible to view properties - the agents won’t allow me to view a certain property until I’ve accepted an offer on my place. They’re saying it’s because of Covid restrictions but I’m calling bs on that as they won’t even do a FaceTime viewing. I’ve had to resort to posting a note through a door today asking if the vendor could contact me - it’s been on the market for a while (considering the booming market) and has been reduced by £75k so far.
They have been probably instructed by the vendor. Last time, I've instructed agents to arrange viewings only for potential buyers with min. 50% deposit, and ready to go (no chain). It annoys a few a potential buyers first, works like a charm later TBH.ooid said:
Petrus1983 said:
I’m finding it impossible to view properties - the agents won’t allow me to view a certain property until I’ve accepted an offer on my place. They’re saying it’s because of Covid restrictions but I’m calling bs on that as they won’t even do a FaceTime viewing. I’ve had to resort to posting a note through a door today asking if the vendor could contact me - it’s been on the market for a while (considering the booming market) and has been reduced by £75k so far.
They have been probably instructed by the vendor. Last time, I've instructed agents to arrange viewings only for potential buyers with min. 50% deposit, and ready to go (no chain). It annoys a few a potential buyers first, works like a charm later TBH.Petrus1983 said:
Even 2 miles is great. I thought Bath was my forever home - but it’s 2 hours from my boat in Weymouth so I’m moving myself and the boat closer to the water - hopefully much closer.
Dorchester’s lovely, although I bet there are the same problems of bare shelves in the local estate agents that we’re noticing further down the coast. We’re probably staying put - no point cashing in on the “race for space” unless there’s something better to move to!Portland? Strange place, but you used to be able to pick up superb stone houses with the best views in England for peanuts! Some nice bits to Weymouth as well.
Blown2CV said:
Petrus1983 said:
I’m finding it impossible to view properties - the agents won’t allow me to view a certain property until I’ve accepted an offer on my place. They’re saying it’s because of Covid restrictions but I’m calling bs on that as they won’t even do a FaceTime viewing. I’ve had to resort to posting a note through a door today asking if the vendor could contact me - it’s been on the market for a while (considering the booming market) and has been reduced by £75k so far.
you're not proceedable. This isn't a COVID thing it's a been the case forever thing.ooid said:
They have been probably instructed by the vendor. Last time, I've instructed agents to arrange viewings only for potential buyers with min. 50% deposit, and ready to go (no chain). It annoys a few a potential buyers first, works like a charm later TBH.
I managed to see one property by being at the right place at the right time and the vendor - again who’d been on the market for ages - had no idea that that was the estate agents rules. She happily let me in herself. Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff