Comment: Third time lucky as supply shortage abates
Signs of a longed-for increase in supply are there. Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto - Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Property viewings are like buses: you wait ages for one, then three come along at once.
A couple of weeks ago we were in the house-hunting doldrums; we hadn't viewed anywhere since November and there was no sign of anything even vaguely suitable on - or anywhere near - the horizon.
Amazingly, that has now changed. In the space of a week we've viewed not one but three properties, and ended up offering on two of them. I know, I know - I can hardly believe it either.
I liked the first place, but my other half wasn't feeling it. We ended up arguing over plot size, conversion possibilities and whether ugly dormers were a deal-breaker. We decided to pass.
The next one needed a load of work, but we loved the location and could see the potential. After a bit of dithering, we decided to make an offer.
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A friend expressed shock that, having previously taken 18 months to choose a grey carpet, we now felt equipped to handle a whole house overhaul. We were surprised, too. But this was the level of desperation we'd reached!
Anyway, it wasn't to be: a cash buyer with loads of dosh rocked up and outbid us by some margin, so that was the end of that.
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The third place also needed work, but had that elusive 'special' feeling we'd been hoping for. With a few fewer internal walls downstairs and a new kitchen and bathroom we knew it could be brilliant.
The asking price seemed a bit excessive for a place that needed so much doing, though. After a weekend of extended dithering, we offered what we felt it was worth, leaving a bit in the kitty for a revamp.
Naturally, we weren't alone. There's interest from a couple of other chain-free buyers, so we're having to wait and see if they're prepared to pay more.
Third time lucky? Here's hoping...
