Please can someone advise on how to buy a house?!

[CinnamonSwirlLatte]

Divorce finacials are finally agreed. Former marital home (which ex lives in) is to go on the market. Equity to be split as per agreement, then used as a deposit for a new house.

At what point do I start viewing and making offers on properties?

Is it after we've accepted an offer on the former marital home?

What if I find a property I like but ex doesn't? Or vice versa?

Do I have to wait until he has also made an offer on something before I can proceed?

If his chain collapsed does that mean mine will too?

I cannot wait to be out of his control ❤️

When I was in this situation I moved into rented inbetween so that ex had as little control as possible on my house purchase. It also gave me time to find something I really liked instead of in an emotional panic because of being all tied up in the divorce. Is that an option for you?

Ultimately, yes, your situation would make a chain complicated and impact your purchase if ex didn't find somewhere or his purchase fell through (or didn't go into rented himself).

Where are you living now? As pp has suggested is temporarily going into rented an option, or staying with friends/family?

That way you’re removing yourself from a more complicated buying situation, and once the sale has gone through you’re in a great situation as a buyer with no chain.

I have not been in your situation but my best friend was last year. Her ex (who she left for someone else) was playing silly buggers about the house and making it very hard for her to buy somewhere else.
I suggested she spend 6 months renting, it meant that she was able to put in a lower offer on her new house as a chain free cash buyer.

I did the same . Rented for about 6- 8 months. Take the easiest way out as the less influence he has the better. If he’s vindictive he could disrupt your purchase, losing you money.
Good luck, it’s a stressful time but you’ll feel so much better once it’s over.

Hey. I am in rented x

I would agree with idea of renting if only because house buying can be a fraught business even without complications.

Your ex isn't your responsibility. The property is to be sold and you each do what you wish with the proceeds of the sale. I would start looking once you get an offer in.

I am in rented. My 12 month tenancy is up in a month and then it's a rolling contract :)

I won't be chain free will I? Oh hang on I think I get you - so I could wait until the marital home is sold, money is in the bank, and then go look as a chain free buyer?

Absolutely not my responsibility, you're right. I left him almost 2 years ago and spent a long time in a women's refuge. Now renting a few hours away from him.

You will be chain free once the sale has gone through.

I have a strong suspicion he's in love bombing mode with somebody else so he's wanting to rush. Fingers crossed!

Amazing!

Only problem is that as I'm on Universal Credit, I have to find and buy a house within 6 months or they'll stop my money due to the deposit money being in my bank. It's so stressful.

Have a look at Rightmove for what is in your price range in the area you're wanting to live to give you a bit of a head start. Sign up to estate agencies and explain the situation and what you're looking for and they'll send you properties before they put them online.

Oh wow I didn't realise they did this. Thank you!

Once you have an offer and it's accepted by you both start looking/viewing properties.

You need to go to the bank to get a mortgage offer from them so you know your price range.

Good luck!

Yeah that’s my thinking - so you could start looking once you get an offer and then when it goes through you’re fine, or hold tight until the entire sale is finalised and your deposit money is in the bank then look as a completely chain free buyer.

If you did option two at least you’re in no way at risk of getting caught up in any past nonsense your ex tries to throw into the process.

Oh, so are you buying outright not getting a mortgage? Are you sure you get six months grace on that and can still claim?

I’d have thought they’d say that the money from the sale is what you need to live on rather than keeping it aside while you still claim UC? Surely you can’t have enough money to buy a property outright and still be entitled to benefits?

No I'm not buying a property outright. I wish!

And yes there's a six month grace period. If it annoys you that much, I'm happy to swap lives?

Thank you!

Yeh this sounds like the better option x

I never said I was annoyed, don’t read so much into perfectly valid questions.

If you want to buy a house, will have the deposit & are still claiming UC they’ll want you to declare that and if you’re not buying outright does UC cover mortgage payments? I thought it was only rent you could get help with?

Yes I'll have to declare it and no they don't help with mortgage payments so that will be fun

Stay in your rented place until your share of the house sale proceeds is sat in your account. Then start looking. Your ex can't mess you about that way. Nothing to stop you talking to mortgage advisors in the meantime to find out how much you are likely to be able to borrow and start trawling rightMove to see what's available. You could also research solicitors for conveyancing and get one of those lined up so you're ready to go when you find the right property.

Yes. Best to wait until your money is in the bank, so continue to rent until then.

I am a benefits advisor for a local authority.

UC regs about disregarded capital are this:

There is a six month disregard of any capital (savings) that is for a home a person intends to occupy if:
-it was acquired within the past six months
-proceedings have begun to obtain possession, inc taking legal advice within the last six months
-carrying out essential repairs or alterations to make it fir for occupation

The six months can be extended if reasonable to do so.