Support thread for MN's trying to buy a house

[financialwizard]

I can't find another thread like this, and I thought we could do with a sister thread to the trying to sell.

Thought I'd kick off with my rage!

Currently exchanged on the house that I have sold and living in husbands work accomodation so my situation is not dire, but still.

We offered on a property in August. It is a vacant property, and we said that we would like to exchange contracts 18th October with a view to complete no later than 1st November. We got the house at 95.8% of the market price.

So far we have not received the fixtures and fittings list, even though the vendor completed them the week before last. I have been back several times to measure up for lino in the bathrooms/curtains/take pictures of holes in the wall (for my decorator - there are lots). Went back this weekend just gone to check a couple of things (I always forget something) and the vendor has taken all of the bathroom fittings (toilet roll holder, etc), all of the curtain poles, all of the blinds. Now I am beginning to get a bit worried she is going to pull up all the carpets as well (not budgeted for them). I know I am going to have to wait until I get the F&F list but I am feeling slightly nervous at the potential cost of replacing things like carpets now (the whole house - 5 bed is carpetted). Aaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhh.

My old man is going away for business just as we are due to complete as well, so it is going to have to be me to deal with it all. Really looking forward to this move.......NOT!!!!

Never EVER doing this again.

[RCheshire]

Congratulations.

We've been looking for 18 months now (in rented for 15 months) and have only found two places which were both suitable and appropriately priced. Both were repossessions. We offered on one and came up 20k short against one other person interested so we let it go.

We continue to look, increasingly flexible in requirement and location, but unwilling to pay today's 'average price' which we feel will look very silly in 5 years time.

[MadBusLadyHauntsTheMetro]

I dunno, things do seem to move reasonably fast in the area we're looking now. So the market considers the asking prices realistic. There's just not much on, not much coming on, and whenever anything does come on we all have to pounce for it, pretty much whether we like it or not. It's better value than areas we started out looking in, but that's not saying much.

It's so rubbish. It makes me want to chuck the whole thing in, but I'm not sure that really cuts off any noses except my own. I hate renting, not being in control of the fabric and decor and not being able to sort out the rodent problem properly, rather than just getting some blokes in to kill them all every six months, which is our letting agent's preferred approach.

[MadBusLadyHauntsTheMetro]

Yes, sorry - congrats Noddy! I am a right misery today.

[noddyholder]

Keep going I didn't think there were any bargains left but there are and I think next year will be a lot better. Even with all the work ours needs it was a bargain as the seller just didn't want a long drawn out sale

[MadBusLadyHauntsTheMetro]

[Squitch]

Well they've accepted our offer now, so I guess now comes the hard grown up bit! I still can't quite believe its happened, we put in a VERY cheeky offer of 170, which they declined (its on the market for 210) and so we upped it to 175 (which caused lots of arguments as I said if they wouldnt accept 170 there was no way on EARTH they were going to accept 175) and they did!

WOO BLOODY HOO!

[AlexanderS]

There are bargains out there, I think we're getting a bargain. Have just realised that the price of the house we're buying has dropped by 18% since it was first put on the market in the spring.

[financialwizard]

Sits next to MadBusLadyHauntsTheMetro munching a pack of chocolate buttons too....

[MadBusLadyHauntsTheMetro]

Your need for chocolate buttons is probably greater than mine Wizard. You're actually in a process, whereas I am merely in a tizz.

We each keep phoning our parents for general Dadvice. (We are in our thirties).

[wendybird77]

London - No, of course no work until we complete. We are aiming to complete by the 31st of October and then I've got the builder tentatively scheduled to come do the works before we move in in mid-November. It is one of the perks of being in rented with a lovely understanding landlady!

Mad lady - that is exactly how I feel about our house. Not my dream house, but as good as we can get and that is good enough! We hit house fatigue and I capitulated. But we have to move out as landlady needs the house back.

FW - What is the hold up? How frustrating!!

Noddy - Congratulations!! We got ours for 18% under asking - just about 2004 prices. Still outrageous for what it is, but it makes me feel better about buying now (which is probably not a smart financial decision, but good for our family).

[MadBusLadyHauntsTheMetro]

And also congrats to Squitch! And good luck for the months weeks ahead.

[TigerFeet]

Our house is on the market, we've seen the house we want but the only offer we've had was withdrawn 24 hours later. I'm just hoping the house we want is still on the market when we finally get shot of this one, it's perfect for us, 4 bed detached with big garden.

Good luck to all of you :)

[KatoPotato]

Hey all, went to a viewing today and finally found a house that's true to its photographs! (Damned estate agents fish eye lens!)

Love love it, going to put in a note if interest on Monday!

[ComradeJing]

Hi everyone, I seem to have said this on every thread on MN but we got the house. :o

6 weeks until settlement so now we have to push, push, push to get the mortgage through.

[KatoPotato]

Huge congratulations Comrade fingers crossed for a smooth process! Are you delighted?

[ComradeJing]

Yep, absolutely thrilled. Really couldn't be happier.

Didn't get it as cheaply as we hoped and went 2000 over budget but DH said it was worth it just to not house hunt any more. :o

[VolumeOfACone]

I've just spotted a new house on rightmove which doesn't have what we need (enough bedrooms) and does have something we didn't want (it's on quite a main road), but I'm really excited about it! Location is good, price looks good, rooms all decent sizes, sensible layout, garden not too big and not too small.

We could make that extra bathroom upstairs another bedroom by the time we need it, and it's quite tree-y in the front so that should muffle the noise from the road.

There is nothing out there that's exactly right so... got to compromise compromise compromise!

[financialwizard]

wendybird77 It involves waiting for the stbxwife agreeing on a financial settlement.

Now I am wondering if I did the right thing knowing that this was lodged with land Reg in the first place

[financialwizard]

The solicitors have asked for my buildings insurance to commence from tomorrow, so fingers crossed they have everything they need to exchange contracts tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed ladies, I am not convinced!

[ClareMarriott]

Financial Wizard

The home rights issue is a new one of me - have never heard of that before - hope it all works out for you !!

AlexanderS

Personally, I would walk way from your proposed purchase. If you are saying you are being lent £10k, there will be the expense of replacing a flat roof in the near future ( a flat roof has a life of about 10 years and if water is already pooling then it could be sooner than you think ) and there has been building done not to planning permission or regulations, then you could be storing up problems for yourselves when you come to try and sell it . Clare

[wendybird77]

Fingers crossed FW!

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Finance Good luck! Hope that you will exchange today

[financialwizard]

So do I. I am on tenterhooks already and my solicitors are not open yet

[LondonSuperTrooper]

LOL, well let us know how you get on. Best of luck with bothering your solicitor

[KatoPotato]

Hey everyone, we're going to look at the house we love again on Thursday and taking FIL.

Spoke to Mortage Adviser last night who's found us a 3 year fixed at 3.19% deal! he's going to apply for our maximum budget amount (which we won't realistically stretch to) so fingers crossed!