My last question for a while - and thank you for the responses so far.
Are there any estate agents in the Outer Hebrides apart from Anderson Banks? Also - any tips on buying a house, or looking for one?
(Okay, that's two questions!)
Thank you
Yes, there is indeed Anderson Banks.
ReplyDeleteThere's also:
Hebridean Estate Agency
Western Isles Property
Ken MacDonald
Uist Property
Tips - gosh - we've got a whole chapter on this. We looked at 14(!) properties before buying one in Berneray, and had several narrow escapes. It boils down to:
1. Do as much research as possible online. In fact, anyone without Internet access is severely crippled nowadays when it comes to house hunting. Look at it and the surrounding area on Google maps streetview. Check out recent prices of it and nearby properties (many online services). Check out recent planning applications for nearby.
2. Check deeply online if there is word of a big development nearby, especially a wind turbine or farm. People often quickly try and unload properties before it becomes official and prices plummet.
3. VISIT. Do NOT rely on other people to go look at the property for you. When we viewed, we found several that stretched, to extreme, the descriptions. Other people have had bad experiences when buying purely from an online description and pictures. Cannot stress this enough. Also, remembering a case in the Uists a few years ago, don't trust anyone - even a man of the church - to check out a property for you. It may not be in their best interests to give you an entirely accurate report.
4. Visit, and still like it? Ignore anything the owner says about prices, and do your own research online. Before getting involved in a contract, get a solicitor to check:
- all the title deeds are legitimate
- there is official, unambiguous and precise (in terms of maps, especially) paperwork for the land the property is on
If there's a problem with either of those two points, then walk away. Do NOT rely on "It'll be sorted out later".
5. If you are looking to get a croft, read up on it, and again check that the paperwork is all legitimate.
If it doesn't feel right, then walk away. We did several times, and we were glad we did. Our only mistake, though a big one, was believing the guff about good broadband coming to Berneray. How I survived on the broadband there without going mad, I don't know. Oh, wait... :-)
REMAX Scotland, CKD Galbraith, Isle of Skye Estate Agency, Strutt & Parker, Zoopla, Houseweb, Tepilo.
ReplyDeleteFind yourself a good solicitor. This means, with one on island exception, find one from south of the Great Glen Fault.
Trust no one (as per previous commentator).
Ask for completion certificates for new/recent builds and extensions. Make sure extensions, sheds, barns, access roads, fences etc have planning permission and ask to see documents; don't rely on your solicitors word for this.
Make sure the septic tank is registered and has a certificate (SEPA). Make sure the soakaway is up to spec.
Find a good surveyor. Easier said than done as per solicitors.
If you think something is wrong, I can tell you that it most definitely is.
I think now it is time to stop asking questions and make the blind leap of faith that the rest of us have done. If you can wait a few months there will be another house on the market for you to view.
If the property is near the sea, find out as much as you can about the land and property between it and the sea. Is there planning permission to build something on it? Why does the owner want to sell his or her house (look for the real reason, not what they say)?
ReplyDeleteAnother thing. Find out about local wind farms and turbines, or applications or desires to build them. Some folk are selling up before wind farms come, as a nearby industrial complex will cause their property value to collapse.