To make an offer on this house even though we won't be able to move in for another 6 months?

[CeaseAndDesist]

I've fallen in love with this house:

swoon

We were planning to move after ds has completed A-levels this summer. Obviously there is uncertainty around what form these will take, but we didn't want to disrupt him until they're done and dusted either way.

But I am a little bit gutted because this place has everything we'd be looking for - size, style, location, budget - and these sorts of properties tend to go quickly.

We could, probably, get a mortgage for it. We are FTBers so no chain. We currently live with family.

I'm completely insane, right?

@Wyntersdiary

I'm confused as to how that house is 400k :S looks like it needs a lot of work, I hate townhouses in general and then it's mid terraced as well :S I've seen some lovely houses within 300-400k semi detached, driveways and beautiful gardens so definitely not keen

But again, where? In Ramsgate, where the OP actually wants to live? Or in some other town or city miles away?

@Wyntersdiary

I'm confused as to how that house is 400k :S looks like it needs a lot of work, I hate townhouses in general and then it's mid terraced as well :S I've seen some lovely houses within 300-400k semi detached, driveways and beautiful gardens so definitely not keen

In what location?

Conveyancing solicitors are absolutely snowed under at the moment. I finally completed in early November and it took 5 months - chain free on both sides. My solicitor said that unless people had their offer accepted early December, anyone after that stood little to no chance getting the stamp duty saving as they can't process any quicker than they are doing at the moment.
It's a crazy busy time which could stand in your favour OP. Go for it!

Won’t A levels be finished by mid June, i would have thought now is the time to start looking. I can’t see anything U about putting a offer in unless you can’t afford it now.

For those confused about the £400k, we live in a tiny 1 bed flat in zone 3 SE London pretty close to Kent and one in our block identical to ours but not as nice sold for £350k last week. Now that’s outrageous!

honestly it sounds like you're in a good position. You could buy and then not move in straight away - assumign you're living with parents without rent (or could negotiate a couple months without paying).

You get time to get the place up and running at your own pace, maybe decorate or whatever touches you feel are needed before you get stuck with tons of stuff to move in.

Then that would give you time to redecorate.

Id go for it too. But definitely go to view - even if you can't go in, go around the area.

Ramsgate does seem to be one of those up and coming towns, and the station is near by if you need a London connection. (Its a long old train journey though)

If you can afford the house and definitely want to live there, yes, go for it. Solicitors are apparently taking a long time to complete properties atm due to a lot of sales needing to complete by 31st March. The vendor should want to see a mortgage in principle offer letter before withdrawing the property from the market you need to get one of those.

@Tier10

Then that would give you time to redecorate.

I thought exactly the same thing. That kitchen!

It’s so irritating when people who live somewhere comparatively cheap are aghast at perfectly normal prices in other parts of the country. And the horror at terraced houses is comical, I actually like them better than naice semis.

I wouldn't because your DH is a teacher and there is no guarantee of a new job as people are moving jobs less at the moment. If you bought it and then he didn't find a new job in Ramsgate then would you still be able to afford the mortgage?

Are you familiar with the town?

I think all unproceedable viewings and offers aren't being taken at the moment due to Covid.

You'd need to have the mortgage in place before they'd even entertain a conversation.

@Dutchesss

Why would you post the link on mumsnet if you really want the property? Makes no sense to advertise it....

This.

I would ask MNHQ to take the thread down. Personally I wouldn hate a 4 storey house but if you ALL like it that much and it's not just you take the thread down! Unless you have a mortgage in principle you can't make an offer. It could easily take more than a month especially as you will need to send passport copies etc to the bank as you are FTB.

@Turnedouttoes

For those confused about the £400k, we live in a tiny 1 bed flat in zone 3 SE London pretty close to Kent and one in our block identical to ours but not as nice sold for £350k last week. Now that’s outrageous!

Christ, don't, that'll just confuse them even more.

I’m shocked that the photographer didn’t remove the bin bags outside the front of the house! It isn’t appealing.

Also look at the downpipe coming down between the top floor bedrooms....it’s full of vegetation. I would imagine that the downpipe is blocked, so on rainy days water is going to be cascading down the front of the house and causing damp issues?

I’d go for it. You’re getting a lot of house for the money. The property to the left looks well maintained, which is a good omen. We visited Ramsgate briefly two years ago and I liked it.

Why would you post the link on mumsnet if you really want the property? Makes no sense to advertise it....

I wouldn't worry, there won't be hundreds of people running to buy that house!

@Pinotpleasure

I’m shocked that the photographer didn’t remove the bin bags outside the front of the house! It isn’t appealing.

Also look at the downpipe coming down between the top floor bedrooms....it’s full of vegetation. I would imagine that the downpipe is blocked, so on rainy days water is going to be cascading down the front of the house and causing damp issues?

It costs under £100 and takes 30 minutes to have gutters cleared! If it’s caused damp the survey will reveal it. I can’t believe the trivia that causes people to write off houses.

YABU for linking this house and thinking it'd take you under 6 months to complete.

I wouldn't buy a terraced house for £400k.

Only me thinking this is quite a good way to advertise a house that’s for sale ...🤷‍♀️

Not even this terrace?

Actually the front door steps have lots of green algae on them too so they are probably quite slippery.

If I was selling this house I would get a power washer to clean the steps, ensure that there weren’t bin bags outside (especially when the photographer is coming to take photos!) and sweep up the rubbish on the path outside to increase curb appeal.

The first photo of the outside of the house is a bit blurry but I do now think it looks wet on the wall where that downpipe is. If I was the vendor I would get the vegetation removed and check for damp before marketing the property.

Izzy24 - I often think that too.

I know it’s lockdown but have you actually looked at the area. I know you say you’re aware but have you seen the town? I know it seems a lot of house for the money (compared to London for example) but it’s quite a deprived town in parts without wanting to be rude in any way to residents.