For some background - we arent in the position to buy right now, we need to be Residents here for 12 months or have PR to get the 5% deposit that we would need, and there is some saving yet to be done to account for costs involved etc. But we want to be installed in a new house by the start of the new academic year in 2009.......so about 18 months time.

We thought we would look more at areas to live in after the New Year next year, but just these last few days have stumbled across some small areas that we are really interested in. The sort of small little gems where we dont think houses come up very often, and certainly not the ones that appeal most to us, the ones with the great views.

So...........

We fully intend to use a Realtor that a good friend from here has used previously - cant beat word of mouth right? And I know she will go that extra yard for us, as she did for them, and find many places to show us when the time comes, that fit our broad yet specific brief. But when we are this far off a real time of action, is it fair to ask her to keep us informed of properties of sale in this little area that we like?

For starters, having driven through the area, there are 10 for sale signs up, but only 2 seem to come up on a search of MLS. I havent taken down the details of the others and checked out the actual Realtor websites, because at the moment we are still just looking at the area. So would she be able to keep up, in that much detail, with all the houses coming onto the market if it isnt an area she lives in or knows very well?

So, is it wrong to contact a Realtor in THAT area and ask them to keep us informed of properties coming to the market - even if he/she might be listing agent? They would maybe know of people who are thinking of selling, have recently sold etc, more so than our Realtor.

To be clear - is it wrong to have in mind a Realtor who we would use when the time really comes, but can we ask a local Realtor (to the small area we love) to keep us informed of houses coming to the market because we feel they are rare as hens teeth, and if in the next year one came up that was perfect.......we might be able to work on finances and do something. We dont want to miss out.

Any advice welcome! Regarding Realtors of course

Talk to the Realtor you want to use, explain your position, she will most probably be able to help you, and be in a better position to find out information from the other agents in the area on any houses that come up.

If that doesn't work you can still contact a more local Realtor.

Around here there is a local MLS that the agents put their houses on. Not all of the houses get on the national MLS or if they do they may well be sold

Our agent put us on an automatic mailing list that sent details of houses that fitted out spec. Maybe your area has something similar. If the agent you are going with doesnt know the area then should you be using her in the first place? So talk to her and see what she can do.

The point about should we use a Realtor if she isnt from that area is a fair one, but at the moment we arent sure where we want ultimately, and there are so many areas in the 30 minutes from work perimeter we are looking at. But good point there.

If you are not wanting or able to purchase anytime soon then you will be setting yourself up for disappointments. Keep an eye on the area and what is selling and prices etc. for when the time comes. Prices are still rising so the sooner you can start looking the better.
Any property that is worth looking at will be gone in a few weeks, especially this time of year. Those that are around longer will be either overpriced or have something wrong with them. Although this does depend on the location.
The best way would be to be in a position to proceed and jump on the one that you want asap when it comes up for sale. It will put you in good position, with no property to sell.
I would have the Realtor keep you informed nearer the time. Your Realtor will have access to all properties on MLS, but may not know about the ones that are not visibly up for sale in that area. Even though she may not know the area, she will be able to advise on which houses and what they sold for. She must be reasonably familiar with the area otherwise she would not be working it and would have to pass you on/recommend a local Realtor. I would check out the local Realtors and see if there is one you can work with, although in 18 months the one you find now may not be around.

Thanks for that. It isnt quite 18 months thinking on it, it would be this time next year we planned to do it in earnest. And if the right house we couldnt miss out on came up, we could mobilise something with some crafty manipulation of funds. There are about 20 houses in our ideal location, so to miss out on one that we might love would be a shame. But again, this is early days and other areas will become apparent.