Top 10 Property Search Tips

10 Top tips on finding a property from BDI Home Finders' Tracy Kellett

1. You're kidding yourself if you think you are going to secure the home of your dreams purely by signing up to Rightmove.
2. Make an effort to get to know your local estate agents and ensure they see you are a serious buyer by keeping in regular contact. Make the time to get in touch at least every couple of days to see if there is anything new on the market.
3. Be realistic about what you can buy on your budget. Many home hunters waste months searching for the sort of property that will simply never come up in their price bracket.
4. The more flexible you can be, the more chance you have of securing a great property. Think outside the box. Are you restricting the area too much? Does it really have to be Georgian? Could you consider converting a former commercial property?
5. Don't overlook a property purely because of its outside appearance. If a property is on a good road and has everything else going for it, it could still be a good buy. Consider employing the services of an exterior design company or architect to give an ugly property a facelift.
6. Don't waste money on an expensive survey if the house is not that old. Tradespeople will often come and check electrics, plumbing, roof etc for free and at the same time, provide a quote for any repairs or maintenance, which can be a great lever for asking price negotiations.
7. Get a great solicitor in place, who can use email, and is a pragmatic problem-solver.
8. Get your broker sorted early so you know exactly what your budget is and make sure they can move fast when it comes to the time to get a mortgage in place.
9. Be really nice to the vendors and estate agents - people sell to people they like.
10. If you know you are going to be stretched for time, consider appointing a professional home finder.