Buying a property
Property search tactics
When registering with estate agents, one of your main aims is to ensure that if a suitable property becomes available that your name is at the top of the list of buyers they are going to call in the future.
Showing you are a serious buyer is very important, as is constructive and positive feedback after properties you have seen - especially if they weren't quite what you were after.
If they don't call you, chase them!
Viewing property
The Internet has made searching for a new home much more convenient as wasted viewings are less likely while more information about properties are presented online.
As estate agents start to open later during weekdays, on Saturdays and even on Sundays, it's easier to arrange property viewings. If buying with a partner, this can be a lot faster as you can make decisions together without the need of a repeat viewing.
If you see a property you like, arrange to view it as soon as you can - if you snooze, you lose!
People generally make a decision whether they like a property very quickly when viewing a property for the first time - often based on little else but the current decor. Try to look past this and see the space and how your furniture would fit.
A second viewing of the property is often required, this time with a more objective mindset. Don't be afraid to sneak a look under carpets, or in cupboards and watch out for signs of superficial home improvements which may have been done to mask a more serious problem.
Putting in an offer
When you're hoping to buy a property you like you have two options. Either, to reduce the chance of being gazumped and to speed up the buying process, offer the asking price, or if you think the property has been over-priced or is just out of your price range, place a lower offer with the estate agent.
Offers are typically between 5-10% lower than the asking price but, depending on the vendors situation and the state of the property market, even lower offers are sometimes accepted.
All offers when buying property should be made Subject to Contact (STC) and with a request to remove the property from the market (to reduce the chance of being gazumped).