Property Renovation

[Barquentine]

Is there a good way to find properties to buy that need various levels of renovation? I want to find somewhere that needs a bit of work, but not a major renovation. Agents don't seem to be able to help.

[Oneeyedvic]

Most agents have a lot of people who ask them the same thing every day. Most estate agents are also on the take (brown envelopes with cash).

Options that you have:

1) Give brown envelope with cash to Agent
2) Drive around the area that you want to purchase and mailshot any houses that look rough saying that you are an independent person and would like to purchase their property
3) If property is empty, go onto Land Registry site and look up property ownership
4) Go to local auctions
5) Get in with either an Insolvency Practitioner or similar
6) Maybe if you have a local banking contact, any repossession that are coming up?

[Barquentine]

Thanks Oneeyedvic your answer is very thorough and helpful.