Finding your ideal property is a process that may time some considerable time or you may find the home of your dreams very quickly. Either way, you will be spending time viewing many properties. When you have found a property that may fit your requirements, you should view it immediately.

Viewing Properties

Here are some useful tips to keep in mind when looking for the house of your dreams:

• View the properties as soon as possible. Leave it too long and you could lose out. 
• Make good use of your lunch hours or make appointments on the way to and from work.
• If two of you are buying together, decide who will be the chief viewer an discuss what qustions you are going to ask. 
• Don't be afraid to make than one visit, perhaps with a friend or tradesman if necessary.
• Take your time. Don't leave the property wishing you had spent more time looking or asking questions. 
• Make notes if necessary. This can help when comparing properties.

Putting in an Offer

It is human nature to try to do a deal, but if you do find your ideal home and it seems to be priced correctly, consider offering the full asking price. This means you'll be taken seriously, there won't be any time-wasting and it will lessen the possibility of another party stepping - or gazumping you.

Professional Properties recommend that all offers should be made with the stipulation of taking the property off the market. Getting a 'Sold' board outside is a good way to dissuade others from looking and is a further indication that your offer is a serious one.

Surveys

Before putting in an offer you may decide to have a Building Survey or a Homebuyers Report carried out on the property to highlight any potential problems that thre may be. This may of particular value on older properties. Please see our information on Surveys.

Chains

Property chains are extremely frustrating when a link is broken. This can happen for numerous reasons, from one party not having their finances in order, to an unpleasant surprise in the survey. Unfortunately, little can be done to alter the process, although the Government has introduced legislation that will require home owners or their selling agents to provide a Home Information Pack (HIP) to prospective buyers on request. 

The best way to ensure a chain progresses smoothly is through good communication. Professional Properties will stay in regular contact with you and your conveyancer to make sure everything possible is being done to speed things along.

It can also help to stay flexible. Be prepared to move in with your family or rent as a short-term measure if it means you can keep the chain going.

Gazumping

Gazumping - outbidding rivals at the last minute - is a practice that estate agents are powerless to stop (even if they wanted to!). Under the Estate Agency Act, estate agents are obliged to pass on all offers they receive to the vendor.

There is little that can be done to repel a determined bidder, but there are ways to reduce the chance of it happening, or at least reduce the impact if it does:

• Offer the full asking price and request that the property is removed from the market as soon as your offer is accepted.

• Be flexible with the vendor and, if possible, try not quibble over minor points.

• Make it clear that you are, within reason, willing to complete on the vendor's timescale, not yours.

• Be amicable and co-operative. If you can establish some kind of relationship with the vendor, it may make the process much more comfortable.

It is possible to take out Buyers Cost Protection insurance - you must do this before you instruct your solicitor, but then if you're gazumped, you can be refunded the cost of your various fees.

Funding