Looking for a Property
The Internet
An increasingly used resource for finding property to buy. However, the integrity of the information depends entirely upon how frequently it is updated. Where sites are regularly updated the Internet is a fantastic house hunting resource. Once you find a well-maintained site you can keep a close eye on property movements in the area in which you are seeking. Poorly maintained sites are a waste of space.
Please feel free to e-mail us with other suggested links. The links shown below are in no particular order, but the Pick of the Bunch would be a good place to start.
ESTATE AGENCY SITES - PICK OF THE BUNCH
Rightmove
FindaProperty
PropertyFinder
Primelocation
Others |
|
Estate Agents
Estate agents are the main resource for home-hunters and sellers alike. In a very busy market, however, an increasing number of agents don’t maintain mailing lists – with large numbers of potential buyers around (in London and the south-east in particular) houses are often sold simply by making a telephone call. Agents who operate this way may not be exposing their clients’ properties to a market that’s wide enough to be certain that they are achieving the best price for their vendor. And they certainly won’t help you find a suitable property to buy unless you are one of the people they telephone. If an agent is not mailing you when suitable property comes to the market, then hassle them so that your name will be on top of their list to call!
Newspapers
Display and Classified. A useful resource, particularly for benchmarking prices. However, in a fast-moving market, estate agency advertised homes are sometimes sold even before the advertisements are printed. Classified ads and estate agency ads need to be read every week if you are using these as your only means of locating a property to buy. Also use advertisements as a good way to identify which agents are best placed to market the type of home that you’re looking to buy or sell.
Boards
These can be a useful indicator of homes that are for sale, but do remember that many sellers have a dislike of boards and won’t allow them to be erected outside of their properties. Consequently, if you rely only upon boards then you might miss the ideal property. Best to use boards in conjunction with all of the other methods that are open to you if you want to make certain that you are at the front of the queue when the perfect home comes onto the market.
