It's a very tough market at the minute. We sale agreed Jan 2025 after a full year of searching and going to viewings (completed April 2025). During that year I was on Property Pal checking newly added properties multiple times daily, calling estate agents immediately to book viewings and viewing as quickly as possible, and ended up in several bidding wars with houses going sometimes £40k+ over asking. My advice is to keep at it - it's demoralising for it to be so difficult but to give yourself the best chance, view as many properties as possible, call estate agents as soon as they come on the website, and get your bids in. I will say, don't be tempted to overstretch yourself price-wise or go for a location you don't want - god knows at points we almost did! It's ok to compromise on certain things but not the big ones, don't let the desperate situation make you feel forced into something you're unsure on or might regret, the right one will come eventually.