Continued..
When looking for your new home, it makes sense to use every method available: the internet, estate agents, auctions, advertisements and searching the area for sale boards. Put notes through doors if you know the road you want to live in. And there's nothing like word of mouth. Tell as many people as possible what you are looking for. Your postman may just have seen the perfect property for sale on his round!
Finding your new home via estate agents
To find the names and addresses of local estate agents, you could look in the local paper, the Yellow Pages and other business directories. However, you could search members of the Ombudsman for Estate Agents (OEA) database and/or the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA). Both of these bodies have strict codes of practice that are enforced and offer a good way of appealing should something go wrong further down the line. Their aim is to ensure member agents provide the highest level of service to its clients.
It's worth getting in contact with a number of agents. Look at the properties they have advertised in their window to get a rough idea of prices and types of properties they have on their books. Don't be put off by what you see in the window. This will be just a small selection, so go in and see what else they have and have a chat with them.
When you register with an agent, they'll want to get an indication of the kind of buyer you would make. They will want to know if you have a property that's on the market and how close you are to a sale; have you got a mortgage in place or are you a cash buyer; what type of property are you looking for and how much can you afford. Be prepared to spend some time providing your contact details and giving as much detail as you can as to what you're looking for. Be realistic here and bear in mind your budget. Specify what's essential, eg. 3 bedrooms, a study, double garage and large garden and what would be nice to have, eg. 2 bathrooms, a utility room and a hot tub if budget permitted. The search will open up more opportunities if you remain as open minded as possible about the type of property, location etc, but let the agent know of any definite no-no's.
You may find you receive details of properties that don't exactly fit your ideal requirements. However, a lot of people find they have to compromise on certain aspects or decide to buy a type of property that they had initially dismissed. Remember, you're not under any obligation to the estate agent. It's the seller who is paying for the agent to sell their house so the agent's duty is to the seller, not to you, the buyer.
Build up relationships and keep in regular contact with estate agents so you're the first one they think of when a suitable property becomes available. This is especially helpful in a seller's market when properties are selling within a matter of days before there's even a chance to get a For Sale signboard up.
Finding your new home via For Sale signboards
Look out for sale boards. Most estate agents erect a board when the property goes on the market so you know who to contact for more details. If the house is for sale with an estate agent, it's common practice to arrange a viewing through them.
Newspaper Adverts
Agents will also place one or two page spreads in the local and national press. See if you can get these publications delivered as soon as they're issued. If the property market's buoyant, you may find that properties have gone under offer before the ad's even published. However, it will still give you a good idea of the types of properties the agent handles.
Finding your new home at an auction
Auctions are becoming an increasingly popular way to buy and sell property because they offer a simple and quick process that's more open and transparent than selling with an agent. As soon as the hammer falls, your property goes to the highest bidder and the sale is complete within 28 days.