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In This Guide

Before you start

Choosing an area

Homes needing work

My dream home

New homes

Offline search

   1. Offline search

   2. Estate agents

   3. Search in the area

   4. Search agencies

   5. Search in Scotland

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Schools

Types of purchase

Viewing property

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Offline search

Estate agents

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Going directly to estate agents can be the most effective way of finding a property with the minimum of hassle.

Often very busy and focused on getting the sale, sometimes you have to do a bit of work to make sure you get the best out of estate agents. It's well worth it, if you can convince them you're a serious, committed and ready buyer, then you may find they bend over backwards to help you:

  • Take along your notes from your Ideal home exploration and let them know precisely what you are looking for.

  • Try to register initially with as many agents as possible as this costs nothing. You will also have the benefit of a wider range views of the market place and how realistic your wishes are.

  • Of all the agents you see, select the ones who have the largest property portfolios that seem to be most in tune with your price range and requirements. These probably represent the best bet of finding what you are after.

  • Keep pressuring your selected agents at least once per week to ensure you get an early viewing of any new properties on the market. There are well over ten buyers in the market for most properties in the South East, it's the early bird who decides whether it wants to eat the worm.

  • Try to build a relationship with an individual at each of your selected companies.

  • If you find that an agent is sending you details of properties that don't meet your requirements, let them know. They may not like fussy customers as it means them spending more time on the sale, but if you complain, they may take notice. If they don't, then look elsewhere, there are plenty of others who will be willing to help.

  • View several homes in your price bracket quickly, so you can make a comparison.

  • Don't be a time waster. Sure, go and have a chat and get a feel for the market, but don't go looking unless you are ready. If you are not a genuine buyer, you will start to get on people's nerves pretty quickly. When the market is busy, an estate agent simply will not keep your details or contact you unless you are ready to buy almost immediately.
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