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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how you go about buying a house

87 replies

babykite · 16/06/2017 16:00

I've just had my second child, I'm currently in a council house and they won't move me, I've tried looking into an exchange but nobody wants my area. So I want to buy a house, I was looking into the help to buy but the house people didn't say much about how it works.
Realisticly I'm never going to be able to afford it though I am? But aside from that how does it even work? How do you get a mortgage with bad credit?

OP posts:
7461Mary18 · 16/06/2017 18:05

It depends on your life. I went back to work full time when the babies were a few weeks old and we both worked full time. You can only work 10 hours a week and your other half does not work at all. I think trying to get you both back into full time work will be the start of making your financial positions better so concentrate on that first.

SaucyJack · 16/06/2017 18:10

Is your current house a two-bed? Why can't the kids share?

You're not going to get a mortgage when neither of you are working, no- so you may as well learn to make the most of the perfectable acceptable house you already live in :-)

Original poster
babykite · 16/06/2017 18:25

I'm aware it's quite hard to do right now but I was more thinking of making a plan about buying a house, finding out a deposit we actually need etc. I hope my partner will find work soon, he has almost been out of work a year. Same for myself, I was quite unwell towards the end of the pregnancy and I've just been recovering from a section.
They can share but again I'm thinking more ahead, I wouldn't of been able to share a room with my brother when he was years older than me it just isn't practical

OP posts:
kaytee87 · 16/06/2017 18:47

It could be doable as a long term thing op so don't be disheartened. Save every penny you can and don't take out anymore credit.

kiwiquest · 16/06/2017 18:51

There are lots of mortgage calculators online and the money saving expert website has good advice. Don't forget that you will also need to budget for stamp duty, legal fees, surveys and moving costs.

SaucyJack · 16/06/2017 19:08

"They can share but again I'm thinking more ahead, I wouldn't of been able to share a room with my brother when he was years older than me it just isn't practical"

There's only three years between them tho, isn't there? Just because the council won't contemplate moving you now, doesn't mean they won't reassess you further down the line when you have a need and an entitlement to the extra space.

I'm not going out of my way to be contrary btw. Moving to a bigger house is never a bad thing. Just maybe have a realistic view of your current situation, and focus on getting your joint employment and finances under control for now.

missadasmith · 16/06/2017 19:28

they can share but again I'm thinking more ahead, I wouldn't of been able to share a room with my brother when he was years older than me it just isn't practical

lots of families with 2 working parents cannot afford properties with a bedroom for each child. Sorry OP, but you seem totally out of touch. Neither you nor your DP are working, you still had a second child despite the financial situation and now you are full of self pity because you cannot afford to buy and your DC might have to share a room. On what planet are you???

Bluntness100 · 16/06/2017 19:34

they can share but again I'm thinking more ahead, I wouldn't of been able to share a room with my brother when he was years older than me it just isn't practical

Op, I mean this gently. You live off benefits. You are both effectively unemployed, have been for a year and have two kids. Your first priority needs to be gainful and secure employment. I'm sure it's just a matter of timing,but once that's sorted, then you can look at saving towards a house. You need to walk before you can run.

And yes, your kids can share a room,plenty do.

kaytee87 · 16/06/2017 19:36

Oh come on miss ops partner might have been laid off just after she fell pregnant and she has stated she's recovering from a c-section and presumably has a tiny baby that she might be trying to establish feeding with etc.
I didnt read her op as self pitying, more just looking for advice on buying to plan her future.

missadasmith · 16/06/2017 19:42

she is asking how to get a mortgage, and putting lots of Sad into her posts when people tell her it won't happen in her situation. the long term plan was only the flimsy response once posters told her how it is. It was not in a the first few posts.

if anything, she should ask for advice as to how to write a CV/get a job but not how to get a mortgage with bad credit rating and them both being unemployed + having a new born.

seriously - I may sound harsh (I work despite having a severely disabled child - I know what hardship is like) but some people need to give their heads a wobble!

Original poster
babykite · 16/06/2017 19:46

I wasn't wanting to out right buy a house now it was more something I was thinking of for the future. Yes there is three years between them but a 15yr old won't want a 12yr old girl sharing with him. So I was just thinking ahead.
My partner quit his job as I was struggling so much in the end of my pregnancy, I was constantly in hospital and had no childcare for my son at the time. Not that I need to explain that. I am self employed and I will go back to when I am able to. Could you honestly work with a 3 year old and 3 month old? Fs

OP posts:
Original poster
babykite · 16/06/2017 19:47

And actually it hasn't even been a year we've been out of work, I stopped working in October my partner in December fs

OP posts:
coffeemachine · 16/06/2017 19:53

Could you honestly work with a 3 year old and 3 month old? Fs

plenty of people do - even without SAHD you would have!

IllBeAtTheSpa · 16/06/2017 19:56

Sorry your having a hard time op Sad
Sounds like things are tough right now and private rental can be unbelieveable in some areas. I'm from the west of Scotland originally don't know if that your area but finding work can be tough there for many people and most jobs are low paid in relation to the rest of the country so again it's not easy Flowers especially with 2 wee kiddies.

If your looking to buy the first step is save save save once you and DP are able to. The more the better. Mortgage companies don't offer 100% mortgages anymore as far as i know the min seems to be 90%.

Once you have as much as possible saved then seek advise with a broker/your bank/an independent financial adviser who will scour the market and look at what you can afford based on income and outgoings (affordability calculator)

Hope things seem a birthday brighter soon and congratulations on the new baby

monkeysox · 16/06/2017 19:58

My husband worked full time twelve hours shifts when I had a newborn and a toddler.
So, yes, one of you can work.

JadeT2 · 16/06/2017 20:04

Is relocating an option? We pay £650 a month privately but there's smaller places for £500 near me (Wales).

5% deposit is the minimum. Have a look at Lifetime ISAs which have just been launched specifically for first time buyers under 40. They give you an extra 25% of your savings for a deposit.

Agree with PPs that it's a pipe dream until you're working though.

AyeAmarok · 16/06/2017 20:04

In your OP you said you wanted to get a house now, not in 12 years time.

But anyway.

You and your DP will need to establish yourselves in work. You being self-employed won't help, it's even more difficult for people who are self-employed.

missadasmith · 16/06/2017 20:05

why can your partner not work now that the pregnancy complications are over? Also, your DC2 being 12 is ages away. so much can happen... you need to get back into work (at least one of you) and find some staple employment. it is really as simple as that. Also,why did DP leave work if you needed help in the end of your pregnancy. in December you were just 3-4 months. nothing adds up.

AyeAmarok · 16/06/2017 20:06

Where in Scotland are you that rent is £800 a month?

Original poster
babykite · 16/06/2017 20:13

I gave birth in Feb miss. Believe me He has tried to find work, has applied for many jobs and been on a few interviews but it doesn't go anywhere
I need to stay close for my son's dad sadly so can't relocate

OP posts:
Original poster
babykite · 16/06/2017 20:14

Yes one of us can work, very easy to say that when you have a job in the first place!

OP posts:
missadasmith · 16/06/2017 20:18

You said in your OP that you just had your second child. February is months away. Can you make up your mind?

Let me guess, baby brain an sleep deprivation.

Original poster
babykite · 16/06/2017 20:19

Do you really have to nit pick? All days have merged into one, it feels like it JUST happened.

OP posts:
missadasmith · 16/06/2017 20:23

All days have merged into one, it feels like it JUST happened

of course. Sorry you are having such a hard time with 2 adults looking full time after a -5 months old newborn Flowers

IamHereButAreYouThere · 16/06/2017 20:24

Realistically you won't be able to buy a house any time soon. As others have said your first priority needs to be one of you finding full time work. If your partner has been unable to find a job can't you start looking for one? He can be a sahd for now.

Regarding your credit rating, it's worth signing up to Experian or somewhere for a full credit report. You can usually get a free trial. They will show you ways to increase your rating. There might be some simple things you can do to start.

In the future perhaps you could look at part rent part buy housing and other schemes, but for now you need to get some money behind you.

I always recommend Money Saving Expert for advice and tips on all things financial. The forums there are great too.

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