Best relocation areas in the UK?
#391
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Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
And is it negotiable? I don't want to break decorum or rules but I do look for avenues to save money when possible.
#393
Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
That said, the effort to sell a house in that neighborhood only required that the agent pull the list of buyers who had already expressed an interest in that neighborhood out of their desk drawer and phone them all to arrange viewings. I bought that house when when I was on such a list, and was the seventh person to view the house on the first day it was available, and seven more were school for the next day. I jumped to the head of the queue as I had no property to sell, offered asking price, and was prequalified for a mortgage.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jun 14th 2019 at 3:18 am.
#394
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Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
Very glad to have posted my plans otherwise would not have known the difference in process UK vs States until on holiday in august. I see there is no agent fee in buying a home in the UK which is great. Only for the seller. But the VAT which we are well aware of, but not happy about, more than makes up for those other savings. Ouch! But everything in life cost money.
Thanks for your posting. Have a little homework to do.
Last edited by UkWinds5353; Jun 14th 2019 at 3:22 am.
#395
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Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
I sold my house in the UK for 1.25%, but that was after the estate agent charging 1% (who was generally well regarded and very active in the area) botched two deals that fell apart, and I fired them.
That said, the effort to sell a house in that neighborhood only required that the agent pull the list of buyers who had already expressed an interest in that neighborhood out of their desk drawer and phone them all to arrange viewings. I bought that house when when I was on such a list, and was the seventh person to view the house on the first day it was available, and seven more were school for the next day. I jumped to the head of the queue as I had no property to sell, offered asking price, and was prequalified for a mortgage.
That said, the effort to sell a house in that neighborhood only required that the agent pull the list of buyers who had already expressed an interest in that neighborhood out of their desk drawer and phone them all to arrange viewings. I bought that house when when I was on such a list, and was the seventh person to view the house on the first day it was available, and seven more were school for the next day. I jumped to the head of the queue as I had no property to sell, offered asking price, and was prequalified for a mortgage.
I look forward to the difference in process in the UK, should be interesting. A lot of people get perplexed over all the mundane issues involved in moving somewhere new. To me it's an opportunity to learn and it helps as well when one has a ton of patience. I have three kids. I'm marathon tested. My only issue is the VAT but there is no way around it because we will keep our home residence in the States. And we have investment properties.
#396
Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
P, You sound like a sharp business person. Have you purchased more than one property in the UK?
I look forward to the difference in process in the UK, should be interesting. A lot of people get perplexed over all the mundane issues involved in moving somewhere new. To me it's an opportunity to learn and it helps as well when one has a ton of patience. I have three kids. I'm marathon tested. My only issue is the VAT but there is no way around it because we will keep our home residence in the States. And we have investment properties.
I look forward to the difference in process in the UK, should be interesting. A lot of people get perplexed over all the mundane issues involved in moving somewhere new. To me it's an opportunity to learn and it helps as well when one has a ton of patience. I have three kids. I'm marathon tested. My only issue is the VAT but there is no way around it because we will keep our home residence in the States. And we have investment properties.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jun 14th 2019 at 4:27 am.
#397
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Location: tauranga NZ
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Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
One of the most important aspects of having a well balanced lifestyle would be having a job. What does the Brit do for a living? Is he going to be able to get a job 'anywhere' in the UK?
Presume he knows he has to obtain a visa for his American wife.
Personally I like the Surrey, Sussex area .... good schools, great countryside, pubs, parks etc.
Presume he knows he has to obtain a visa for his American wife.
Personally I like the Surrey, Sussex area .... good schools, great countryside, pubs, parks etc.
#398
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Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
IMO one huge difference is that the purchase is not legally binding until contracts have been exchanged. That can take a week or so...or months. Until that time, either parties can back out without any penalties. If you are able to pay cash...you can exchange contacts and close within a couple of weeks. Normally a house purchase takes a couple of months or more.
I usually prefer properties that have been on the market for a while. Makes negotiating on both sides less stressful and concise. We will have a reasonable amount of time for inspections and it will be a cash purchase.
#399
Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
That is quite tricky and a bit suspenseful when thinking about it. Someone could come alone and offer a higher bid and stop the deal on the table. Talk about a unforeseen roadblock. Wow that is interesting.
I usually prefer properties that have been on the market for a while. Makes negotiating on both sides less stressful and concise. We will have a reasonable amount of time for inspections and it will be a cash purchase.
I usually prefer properties that have been on the market for a while. Makes negotiating on both sides less stressful and concise. We will have a reasonable amount of time for inspections and it will be a cash purchase.
Just some help with your terminology, the tax you pay on purchasing a property is Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), not VAT.
#400
Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
My wife!
My wife's desire to execute her plan of getting all our kids out of America and living near us in Europe. Our middle kid loves London as much as living in the States thus the London plan. She knows by getting the oldest one onboard that makes it easier to talk the middle kid into moving which eventually will convince our youngest child back with the family after he finishes University. The middle kid and our youngest are best friends and my darling wife is fully aware. My wife the Chess player.
I've told my wife that her plan could go awry especially if our youngest son meets a young lady and falls in love. There's love everywhere in California.
My wife's desire to execute her plan of getting all our kids out of America and living near us in Europe. Our middle kid loves London as much as living in the States thus the London plan. She knows by getting the oldest one onboard that makes it easier to talk the middle kid into moving which eventually will convince our youngest child back with the family after he finishes University. The middle kid and our youngest are best friends and my darling wife is fully aware. My wife the Chess player.
I've told my wife that her plan could go awry especially if our youngest son meets a young lady and falls in love. There's love everywhere in California.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/stamp-du...rates-apply-to
#401
Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
HTH.
#402
Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
Thank you for that eye opening information. This is going to make the process a lot more time consuming and complicated. We were thinking the purchasing process would be similar to here in the States. Hire a agent and give them their marching orders and given some time they present findings that work best for the buyers goals. Thank God we're starting early.
#403
Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
...... A relocation agent normally charges a set fee (say £500), and then a 'success fee' of around 1.5%-2%, from which the original set fee is deducted. That's for a house search, if you want driving around areas, schools, help with other stuff, then they usually charge extra for that. ......
Last edited by Pulaski; Jun 14th 2019 at 1:04 pm.
#404
Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
Could always apply to be on Location Location Location, and not have to pay for the service
https://www.channel4.com/4viewers/ta...ation-location
https://www.channel4.com/4viewers/ta...ation-location
#405
Re: Best relocation areas in the UK?
And I suspect that most of the business for relocation agents is from corporations paying for the service for their employees, not from Joe Public, who is already stretching the limits of his budget. In other words, if I had an "extra" 2% available, I would add it to the price I would pay for a house, not pay for a relocation agent.
It makes sense if you are so new to the country that you would be lost without a realtor or relocation agent, or are moving to a place with very different language/culture, or have trailing spouse/family that needs the support you get from your colleagues. But the advantage of the UK system is being able to look at the property details yourself and then visit the area/road to rule it in/out before even making an appointment to step in the front door. And these days you can do it all online (even viewing the area/road). All my house purchases were done the old fashioned way of visiting all the estate agents in town, registering my interest with them all, coming out with handfuls of A4 listings (with one photo at the top of them), reading them all, narrowing them down and then driving round the area with AtoZ in hand to narrow down even more and THEN ringing the agent to make a viewing appointment. It makes me tired just thinking about it!