A question for the UK members.

[AlexS]

WB Jackie, we missed your wise words.

[simon c]

There aren't any Estate Agents in Scotland, all house conveyencing is done by a solicitor. Whist solicitors aren't exactly angels, they are a significant step higher in the food chain than real estate agents and can be disbarred if they are seen to be breaking the rules. However they are normally much more expensive.

I bought a property in Aberdeen. They have a shop called the Aberdeen Solictor's Property centre where the details of EVERY property that is for sale in Aberdeen or the surrounding area are listed by area and price. I suppose with the internet, this service is less important but is was great at the time (1990).

[craigb]

Don't they have auctions in Scotland then? :confused:

[beejay1]

Don't they have auctions in Scotland then? :confused:

they have house auctions all over the Uk but its stiill a relatively uncommon form of house selling. Most houses that are reposessed by the building societies are sold through auction and some bargains can be found as the society only want to recover the outstanding balance so the reserve usually reflects that. They also have estate agents in Scotland but as i mentioned earlier, the process of buying differs from the rest of the UK.
Scottish houses are usually bought via a sealed bid system. A house would be advertised at say offers overs £200K and then you make a bid to the acting solicitor usually at 20-30% above that price. Also you would get a survey carried out prior to the bids being opened so if you are unsuccessful, you lose out.
This system is regarded more and more as being unfair as the accepted bid is usually far higher than the house is worth and there are now signs of a gradual move to houses being advertised at an asking price rather than an offers over price.
beejay1

http://community.webshots.com/user/eunos9

[jow104]

To Craigb

Your thread opened re tv shows on selling houses.

In the UK at the moment we have around 2 or 3 tv shows a day on purchasing and selling houses. (sometimes even more)

It's all the rage and on all 4 big channels.

So watch out for the onslaught down under.

[Iain]

We've already been down that track with a few 'hot property' 'location location' amongst others.
Like home improvement shows it wore a bit thin after a while and we don't see them anymore, not really a great loss.
We've bought and sold a few and agents are a bit like big dogs, beat them around with a big stick first to let them know who is in charge and they can be quite obedient.
What annoys me at the moment is our investment property in the snowfields and the bloody agents who approach us making an offer we can't refuse.
If I wanted to sell I would and it wouldn't be through some little hole in the pants bumpkin agent.

[jow104]

quote from iain's post

"What annoys me at the moment is our investment property in the snowfields and the bloody agents who approach us making an offer we can't refuse"

Shuldn't think they will do much good with woodwork forum members, after all you only need take up your hand ripsaw to the snow fields cut a few snow blocks and build an igloo for the winter and hey presto. When the spring arrives all traces of your inhabitation would vanish. :mad:

[craigb]

To Craigb

Your thread opened re tv shows on selling houses.

In the UK at the moment we have around 2 or 3 tv shows a day on purchasing and selling houses. (sometimes even more)

It's all the rage and on all 4 big channels.

So watch out for the onslaught down under.

I think several of them must be on our pay TV.

WOFT to Australians. They are just cheap filler for the pay TV networks.

[jow104]

Hi again craigb.

Do you want to buy a house in Bulgaria, Rumania (sorry bulgs and roms)

Mind you its got my sister going, she visited Turkery last month and going back again in June. She finds them cheap holdiays (£99 five days), no intention of buying.

[craigb]

Well I guess one of the good things about the UK is that there are so many interesting places near by in Europe that you can escape to.

Mind you, I reckon you must be hard pressed to find a cheap place anywhere on the Continent as all the Poms have already bought them.

Is Turkey "The Next Big Thing" ?

Craig (who's happy in Godzown thanks very much )

[jow104]

Turkey the next.

People with investment ideas are placing there money on Turkey because of their EU application.

But at my age what's the point. I haven't got anymore time to spend money as it is.

[Iain]

New Oz TV series:
A place on KIng Island
A place in Tasmania
A place in New Zealand
A place in Oodnadatta
et al

[craigb]

New Oz TV series:
A place on KIng Island
A place in Tasmania
A place in New Zealand
A place in Oodnadatta
et al

Works for me. How about:

A Place in Macquarie Fields?
A Place in Moe?

[Iain]

No......we want something recoverable

[Iain]

I haven't got anymore time to spend money as it is.

John, given your unfortunate predicament, we would be more than willing to assist