On the move

[david123]

Moving house at last

Well we have sold our house ( for the third time). The last two times fell through for not been able to get a mortgage and ending up in hospital with a life threatening condition.
This time we have got as far as the survey being ok and they are having the searches being done, so we have started packing.
Workshop and tools all boxed up and we are now starting on the house. We have agreed to a moving date for the 5th January, providing we can exchange contracts before Christmas. Cash buyers so hopefully it will go well. All our stuff will be going into storage for the duration.
We are heading of to devon in our caravan to start searching for our new home.
The target is within about 15 miles of Exeter, must be quiet, have at least a pub and store, be on the bus route to Exeter and have enough garden for a workshop and a greenhouse.
we have spent a fair bit of time around there and love it, also we will also be mid way between the kids, one in Newquay, the other in Devizes.
Looking forward to the move, but will also be keen to find our new place and get settled in once again.
Any advice from those local to the area would be much appreciated.

 

[flying haggis]

enough garden for your workshop and greenhouse??

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for ... 64268.html

 

[Woodchips2]

Hi Dave
We moved to Devon a year ago and like you lived in a caravan whilst we researched the market. We used the internet site Rightmove http://www.rightmove.co.uk/ to quickly research properties because they often include floor plans plus you get a map of the area with schools, shops etc. Living in the area then gives you the opportunity to view the properties at different times of day. We found a lovely bungalow that we both liked that was in a quiet area when we viewed but when we went back at night found it was adjacent the local street kick-about area and a local told us 'it's lovely and quiet when the kids have gone to bed"! Opted out before we had spent any money on surveys, solicitors etc

Prices in Devon don't seem to have moved much in the last year and there is plenty of choice. We chose a town location because we are getting on a bit and needed to think about hospitals etc. Found it easy to register with a doctor and a NHS dentist.

We've found that Devon people are generally very friendly and we love it here. Weather can be damp but we originated in Wales so still have webbed feet.

Good luck with the move and if you need more local information or want to meet up just PM me.

Regards Keith

 

[RogerS]

Good luck with the move, Dave. I'd never get SWMBO to agree to live in a caravan. Always found Google Street View saves hours and hours of fruitless journeys.

 

[bugbear]

Buying and and reading the local newspapers is also a valuable source of general information about an area.

BugBear

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Rightmove is fine but it's worth a look to see if the property is also on Zoopla, as it often gives the time it's been on the market and the original asking price which can give you a better idea of where to pitch an offer.

 

[david123]

Thanks for that guys.

I think the property you posted was a tad too small, lol.

Thanks Keith and Roger for your input. Yes I must admit Google street view is brilliant?

Hi Keith, we have a similar plan to your one. We decided early on that we would look at properties that meet our criteria, do a drive by and if we like the area do a more in-depth check, eg crime report, local facilities, buses etc. Like you we will also visit the areas during evenings and weekends. We will then do a viewing. I appreciate your offer of advice, it is always good to know a local contact. We too love Devon and have been there a good number of times and know the area we are looking at reasonably well. Looking forward to starting our new journey.

Knowing our luck and being in the caravan it will probably end up bring the worst winter in record! Fingers crossed it won't.

Both good ideas zoopla and the Lucas newspapers are now on our list

Thank you'

 

[Mark A]

Good luck with the move from me as well. I don't know what the estate agents are like in Devon, but around here they're fecking useless... We've been seven months looking for a suitable house in Gower and have received next to no help from the agents. Recently we began to canvass for houses ourselves with leaflets and have had a number of replies so far. Most from people who's houses are already for sale with an agent, but also some phone calls from people who are thinking about selling. If you find an area you like then it could be another option?

It's funny you mention living in a caravan through the worst winter on record because we did just that! It was so cold inside the caravan water in the kettle would freeze overnight. Never again!

Mark

 

[david123]

All noted Mark
Thanks for the bit about the worst winter ever in the caravan, made me feel a lot better

Thank you