Back from viewing in the UK now, and feeling rather depressed. We saw some really shabby places, and even the older properties that had been done up would clearly need more work and lots of ongoing maintenance, so we decided pretty quickly that we'd compromise a little on location in order to get a newer property. Problem with them is the rooms are usually too damned small (unless you're a fan of Ryanair, in which case they're wonderfully spacious!)
We finally found one we liked a lot, and if it was vacant possession / chain free etc., would probably have made an offer. However, after discussing it with the agent and a solicitor, we feel there's no point in even putting an offer in, because the elderly lady vendor isn't likely to sell any time soon. She already lost one buyer, who made an offer in January and wanted to complete in March, because she wouldn't commit to the time span. She wants to buy a shared ownership property in another part of the country and apparently there's a waiting list. On top of that, she's in poor health and spending time in and out of hospital....if she accepted our offer, we'd then have to instruct a solicitor and start incurring costs (hundreds of £ at least, possibly thousands) with no guarantee that she would ever move out and complete. We're flummoxed. For once, I'm thinking the Spanish system is better, with deposits paid and contracts signed
before the buyer has to incur any significant costs.
Very stressed right now...
