Any tips on finding properties?

I don't have any more advice for you - everyone else has given you the advice I would have given.  But, I just wanted to give you some words of encouragement.  I was in the same place you were as of last Sunday, but looking in Bath.  We were in our 5th temporary housing situation, with 3 kids, dirty laundry, and obsessively checking all the internet sites, and "just missing" all the ones that would work for us.  I was so discouraged, but didn't want the kids to pick up on it.  Monday started just awful, with the first appointment a "no show" from the letting agent because it had already been let, but our second appointment was a "bingo"!  Great house, right price, just perfect.  So, just when it looks bleakest, something turns up.  The key for us was - be the first to see it (if you can manage it), take it on the spot, and have all your money in order. Best of luck to you.

Yes,  forget the whole aspect of saying such and such are my agents. You're on your own for all the legwork.  The helpfulness of 'Kirstie and Phil' only exists on television.   

 
 HallelujaH! We found a house. Whew. Whew and whew again.

I followed as much advice from this site as I could, so thank you all for sharing the good, the bad and the ugly of getting housing in the UK. We think we have a decent house with a decent letting agency, in a decent location, with a decent pub, shops and transport decently close. And yes, they did accept less than the offer price!!!

Score one for us!