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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

184 replies

CeaseAndDesist · 28/01/2021 14:51

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?

OP posts:
GreySkyClouds · 28/01/2021 16:13

@Comefromaway

it'll take about 4 months for a sale to go through anyway and I believe there is a delay on searches at the moment. So 6 months is not unreasonable.
This!
BlueTimes · 28/01/2021 16:14

I think that even if you wanted to move in sooner you might not be able to right now so yes, put in an offer and start the purchase procedure. As PP say, if the sellers push for an earlier date than when you want to move, you can always buy and not move in.

Shmithecat2 · 28/01/2021 16:14

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.

Yeah, because out of 1m members, there will be many of them reading this very thread, also looking for a 4 bed period terrace, not just in Kent, but specifically Ramsgate, for circa £400k.

It's already on rightmove, if there's competition with regard to buying it to be worried about, I feel that ship has already sailed.. Confused

thinkingaboutLangCleg · 28/01/2021 16:17

I would definitely try to buy a place I loved and could afford, even if I had to rent it out at first or scrape the money together to cover two mortgages for a few months.

StillCoughingandLaughing · 28/01/2021 16:20

It’s quite depressing how many people have completely failed to grasp that the OP is NOT asking any of the following questions:

  1. Would you buy this house?
  2. Do you think this house is a fair price?
  3. Would you live in Ramsgate?
  4. Would you live in a terrace?

Yet still the answers come...

Original poster
CeaseAndDesist · 28/01/2021 16:22

Thanks all, some really good points.

DH should be ok for jobs, he is a teacher and would do supply after the summer if the worst came to the worst. I am the (slightly) higher earner and could manage the mortgage if it came to it but I think he'd be ok.

Sorry you're not keen on the house @Wyntersdiary Wink

OP posts:
Tier10 · 28/01/2021 16:24

When do teachers start looking for new positions for September term?

Original poster
CeaseAndDesist · 28/01/2021 16:25

@StillCoughingandLaughing

It’s quite depressing how many people have completely failed to grasp that the OP is NOT asking any of the following questions:
  1. Would you buy this house?
  2. Do you think this house is a fair price?
  3. Would you live in Ramsgate?
  4. Would you live in a terrace?

Yet still the answers come...

Grin

that's MN for you!

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 28/01/2021 16:26

I only said YABU because you said "we could probably get a mortgage" but you really need to be certain you can, and have a mortgage agreement in principle before you put in an offer if you want the seller to take you seriously.

TableFlowerss · 28/01/2021 16:27

NRFT and sure it’s been said already but -

Makes no odds whether ‘you think’ you can get mortgage, it’s whether or not a mortgage lender will give you a mortgage.

You can’t put an offer in on a house unless you’ve got a mortgage offer. It’s not as easy now with covid/Brexit etc lenders are tightening their belts.

You need to get on to a lender ASAP and see where you stand

caringcarer · 28/01/2021 16:27

Whatever happens with A levels will be all sorted by last week of June to first week of July. That is traditionally when A levels are over. There is a huge backlog ATM and if you are in a position to proceed you could start slow process off. Get a viewing to make sure house is really what you want. Apply online or by Teams/Zoom application. Gather you proofs of earnings and bank statements and you will get 'an.ofger in principal'. That means estate agents will take you seriously. You can get some solicitor/conveyancing quotes already. Searches are taking ages where I am due to backlog, do instead of 3 weeks 5-7 weeks. During which time you could save more deposit. Don't let a dream slip away. If you complete a couple of weeks before dd does her A levels, although.tjis is going to be teacher assessment this year, you can hold off moving in.

lalafafa · 28/01/2021 16:27

the house and area look run down and scruffy, looks like parking is a problem, you can't even walk on the pavements.check the amount of violence/sexual crime too! 84 in December alone.
www.streetcheck.co.uk/crime/ct118ps

thosetalesofunexpected · 28/01/2021 16:27

@CeaseAndDesist

What does the term FTbers mean in this context in regard of Ops dilemma then?
Just curious.😕

TatianaBis · 28/01/2021 16:29

It would be more sensible for DH to apply for jobs and choose the school he likes the most before deciding where exactly to buy a house.

ButtWormHole · 28/01/2021 16:30

It took us 6 months to complete on our empty, chain free, first time buyers house.

Go for it!!!

SlopesOff · 28/01/2021 16:31

@WonderEwe25

Am I the only one that is baffled at a price tag of 400k for a terraced house?! Shock
I looked at the price and thought 'Wow, that's cheap' Grin. Wouldn't get anything for that price where I am, unfortunately.
HollowTalk · 28/01/2021 16:32

Do you actually know the area well?

Which house is it? The one with the bin bags outside or the pink one?

Original poster
CeaseAndDesist · 28/01/2021 16:32

[quote thosetalesofunexpected]@CeaseAndDesist

What does the term FTbers mean in this context in regard of Ops dilemma then?
Just curious.😕[/quote]
I am the OP?

OP posts:
Calmandmeasured1 · 28/01/2021 16:33

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 think there is more than just the downpipe being blocked. Look at the damage to the bedroom ceiling in between the windows of photo 9 of 16.

Also, in the first photo of the garden, is that some sort of pergola or outbuilding in progress in the neighbour's garden to the right? It appears to be over what would be your boundary.

Also that 'balcony/terrace' at the front. You do realise there is no door to access it? You would have to scrunch yourself up to climb out of the sash window to get to it. Weird.

Take off your rose-coloured specs and view before making an offer on this house.

BlueTimes · 28/01/2021 16:33

@BubblyBarbara

I wouldn't buy a terraced house for £400k.
Round here you would be lucky to buy a parking space for £400k so I’m fairly certain my neighbours would disagree with you. Grin
BlueTimes · 28/01/2021 16:34

[quote thosetalesofunexpected]@CeaseAndDesist

What does the term FTbers mean in this context in regard of Ops dilemma then?
Just curious.😕[/quote]
I assumed first time buyers.

Bluntness100 · 28/01/2021 16:35

I think if you can afford it whatever then go for it. It’s only going to be empty a few weeks, it’s on average four months to complete, often way longer. So now would be your ideal time.

lalafafa · 28/01/2021 16:38

@Calmandmeasured1

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 think there is more than just the downpipe being blocked. Look at the damage to the bedroom ceiling in between the windows of photo 9 of 16.

Also, in the first photo of the garden, is that some sort of pergola or outbuilding in progress in the neighbour's garden to the right? It appears to be over what would be your boundary.

Also that 'balcony/terrace' at the front. You do realise there is no door to access it? You would have to scrunch yourself up to climb out of the sash window to get to it. Weird.

Take off your rose-coloured specs and view before making an offer on this house.

the balcony looks as though it been added at a later date too.
FenellaVelour · 28/01/2021 16:39

@TableFlowerss

NRFT and sure it’s been said already but -

Makes no odds whether ‘you think’ you can get mortgage, it’s whether or not a mortgage lender will give you a mortgage.

You can’t put an offer in on a house unless you’ve got a mortgage offer. It’s not as easy now with covid/Brexit etc lenders are tightening their belts.

You need to get on to a lender ASAP and see where you stand

Well no, it’s the other way around. A mortgage offer is on a specific property, so you need to make an offer on a property before applying for a mortgage on it.
VinylDetective · 28/01/2021 16:41

Well no, it’s the other way around. A mortgage offer is on a specific property, so you need to make an offer on a property before applying for a mortgage on it.

You need to have a mortgage in principle for a maximum before you can even view a property these days.