Returning to the UK after Living Abroad: Where to begin?

Where do you begin when you’re returning to the UK after living abroad? Each property search and migration is individual, so there’s no ‘secret formula’ we can give you to make a success of moving back to the UK. However, we are here to help. With our knowledge of the property market, we can help you make your move as smooth as possible.

In this insight, we describe how we approach a search for our clients living abroad, which should give you an idea of the time and budget you will have to commit to and the areas you will need to consider.

 How long will it take to buy my UK house from abroad?

When we work with clients who want to return to the UK after living abroad, we’re often asked how long the process will take. And the answer is, it depends! There are so many variables at play here, including the UK market, the market of the country you are living in, your personal preference, your job and lifestyle, your family, etc.

It may be difficult to be leaving your current lifestyle, or you may be desperate to get ‘back home’, but the last thing you want is for you to be under pressure to buy a property with work and family commitments looming. It’s best to take your time and think about all of your dependants, as well as your preferences.

We would encourage you to start thinking, talking and acting as early as you can. We suggest that you start the process of moving back to the UK from abroad at least two years before your planned move – although that may seem extravagant, two years is ‘tomorrow’ in property terms.

How to start the process of moving back to the UK

To start the process of moving back to the UK after living abroad, the first thing you need to do is gather information. Dig into ALL the factors that will make a move successful for you – work, school, family, friends, budget, etc. Working out what you need to make your move back to the UK a success for you and your family takes a lot of discussion!

This is a key area in which Stacks Property Finders have proven to be invaluable to our clients. Working in the property industry and helping people relocate means that we know all of the questions to ask to get right to the heart of the matter.

Ideally, we like to meet our clients face-to-face on their next visit to the UK. But we do understand that time taken from your schedule – even in the airport, at a motorway service station or at your in-laws’ kitchen table – is invaluable at this point. If a visit proves impossible due to your timescale, we can proceed ‘virtually’ via Zoom, Teams or Facetime, for example, or even just the old-fashioned telephone! This helps give us an insight into what you prefer and what you are looking for. It also gives us a chance to introduce ourselves, discuss our experience and talk about how we can help you.

By the end of our first  – virtual or not – meeting we will have a checklist of what you are looking for in a property so we can begin to comb the market and discover properties that fit your bill. 

Finding your new home while you are abroad

The next step is for us to start your property search. We get to work, using our agency contacts, looking at and short-listing the best houses that fit your criteria for you to see on your next visit to the UK.

When we have a few that we know you’ll love, we like to organise a trip where you can view them all efficiently. We deal with all of the ‘organisational admin’ for this visit. We can collect you from the airport, book accommodation close by, provide sustenance, etc – we do whatever is necessary to allow you to focus on your property choices. There is a good chance that you will fall in love with one of the properties we have selected for you, and then we can move forward with the legal elements and paperwork for you.

NB Some of our clients can – and do – buy properties ‘sight unseen’. although this may speed up the process of moving back to the UK from abroad, it isn’t something we would recommend.

The best route to a happy purchase is building the trust and understanding with your Stacks professional. We are problem-solvers at heart, and whatever you need to be able to make the right decision, we make it happen.

The due diligence Stacks provides when helping you purchase your UK home

Once a good house has been found, we start the due diligence to make sure that we are in the best position to negotiate the best price for you.

We like to make sure that we leave no stone unturned when getting information to you. We go above and beyond to ensure our clients have all the information they need. We will know about the neighbourhood, and we can recommend schools if this is a requirement for you. We can even try your commute at rush hour and compare it to the competition in the local property market. This attention to detail is something which is simply unachievable if you are moving back to the UK without the help of a Property Finder.

Negotiating and progressing the sale for your move back to the UK from abroad

Negotiation is one of our best skills. Our Property Finders will always negotiate hard to get you the right property at the price that it is worth. We keep you updated every step of the way to ensure we know your budget and your negotiation terms.

Once we have secured your property at the right price for you, being local and on the ground, we are the next best thing to being here yourself.

We will oversee the survey and conveyancing process, making sure that matters are dealt with, involving you as required, so that you know the sales process is progressing and what will be happening next.

When all the paperwork and finer details are secured, we can also help you with the practicalities of returning to the UK after living abroad. As well as all the property market knowledge and connections, we also have a lot of contacts within the removal industry. We can recommend companies to help you move your belongings and be here to ensure everything is received in one piece.

Working with Stacks to Return to the UK After Living Abroad.

If you are currently looking to return to the UK after living abroad and would like some advice or a partner to work with then contact our team today.

Our client testimonials say that they have found our service absolutely invaluable when returning to the UK after living abroad, as we have saved them time, money and a lot of stress. We have local offices on the ground who know the local properties, the local market and give you the very best advice. Understanding the trials ahead, why would you try and do it yourself?

You may like to read a case study of someone in a similar position to you here or get in touch with your local Regional Director today for a free, no-obligation chat regarding your plans.