We have seen maaaany houses and finally today saw one that we loved. It is ideal in lots of ways-good area, 3 good sized bedrooms, private garden, off street parking and, mainly, it has been done up to a very good standard-in the past 5 years it's had a new roof, new drive, new double glazing, new insulation, new kitchen, new bathroom and new decor throughout. We are not DIYers and would be crap with a 'project'. Also, significantly, it's the same price, if not slightly cheaper, than other very similar houses in the same area that we've seen that need a fair amount of work.
So our worry is this-it is on the market for £128,995. It's only been on since Tuesday and they showed round 4 lots of people today alone. We don't know whether the whole thing could be completed before the stamp duty exemption for first time buyers ends in late March, and if it can't then we'd have to pay stamp duty of £1289. We have a deposit of £17000 and the bank will lend us £112000 so we can ONLY just afford it (though the repayments will be fine). We will then have £5000 cash left (in the world, so the car better not break down) to pay for fees, surveys etc. Is this enough, particularly if we have to pay the stamp duty out of that too? We have credit cards but would rather avoid using them unless absolutely necessary.
We'd obviously rather pay less and get it at under the stamp duty rate but it's in such good nick compared to others that are otherwise similar that I reckon they won't accept less. Is it worth offering less anyway initially? I have committed a cardinal sin and fallen in love so am scared someone else will get it before tomorrow lunchtime!
Thanks for any advice, hand holding, calm words etc. (It is probably telling that although we've been together a decade, have been living together for 7 years, have a child together etc, the prospect of actually buying a house is making us feel like grown ups for the first time!)