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Home Buyers' Support Thread, Part 4

999 replies

BeaufortBelle · 21/04/2015 20:45

Here we go.

Good luck everybody x

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/property/2139089-Home-Buyers-Support-Thread-Part-3?pg=40

OP posts:
StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 22/03/2016 13:18

That sounds thoroughly rant-worthy (and stressful).

Is there no way that you can keep your rental contract going on another month? That might help your DH to investigate and come round to it.

Clockstooticky · 22/03/2016 13:28

Scribble is it just the damp proof they're freaking out about?? I've never bought a house where they've NOT mentioned damp. It's such a common thing. That sounds so stressy!

scribblegirl · 22/03/2016 14:19

Thanks guys. I'm trying not to be the 'it'll be fine, let's just bloody push on' person but I'm naturally more 'fuck it', DP is more risk-adverse and my parents take the view that anything less than perfect is beneath me (if only my bank balance reflected that!!) That said, my DM did a renovation which included full rewiring when she was my age. I pointed out to her last night that the money she made off that allowed her and my dad to buy the lovely family home that we grew up in. But for some reason it's not the same!

I'm less worried about the DParents though (at the end of the day we're late 20s/early 30s, it's not their call!) than DP. I don't want to push him into something that isn't right, but I really do think this flat is a great opportunity for us to create a home for ourselves, get on the property ladder and stay in London for a bit longer before we have to bugger off elsewhere! Hmm.

Clock, the issues they've raised are:

  • high damp readings in x 3 rooms, evidence of damp/flaking plaster
  • evidence of vermin infestation (we're getting the whole place replastered/carpeted so holes will be sealed up and we'll get pest control in if there's any more evidence - the place has been empty for 5 months, of course it's damp and at risk of mice!)
  • some electrical connections are hanging from walls and need tying off safely - we could see that when we viewed, had budgeted for that work
  • radiators are old and should be tested
  • render needs to be removed (related to the damp issue - but as property is leasehold that's probably a 'badger the freeholder' issue) and a fair amount of brickwork is poor and needs repointing (ditto)
  • the place needs full redecoration including kitchen and bathroom (er, yes!)
  • some 'possible' timber rot related to damp

There are a few tiny other things (e.g. slow draining sink in bathroom etc) but that's the most of it. Personally I can live with sorting the above but it's a scary time!

JT05 · 22/03/2016 17:05

Scribble I have read you post with interest. The survey does not sound too bad.
My DH is an Architect, probably about your dad's age. I have trouble persuading him to buy a house with no problems! He loves a challenge. I long for the house move that involves unloading the furniture and sitting down.
After several viewings of newish houses we are buying a 90 year old property with floor and roof issues! Nothing we have not seen or put right before!
Go for it, you'll enjoy the lovely space when it's finished.

BumbleNova · 22/03/2016 18:41

Scribble - it might also be worth getting a second opinion. our first survey came back with severe damp both downstairs and in one chimney breast. the second specialist damp surveyor completely disagreed and has confirmed there are no problems. the real issue is the way most surveyors test for damp is with equipment not designed for masonry so it gives false readings. it was an extra £200 but it means we know dont need to spend thousands removing external render and redoing it. (same issue as you!)

PM me if you would like details.

yummychocolate · 22/03/2016 18:59

Hi everyone. I thought I would join too if that's ok. We are ftb. Our offer was accepted just before Christmas and we have yet to have dates for exchange and completion. The whole process is slow and frustrating. We have been anxious ever since we took the leap to buy a house. We are moving further out of SE London as unfortunately we can't even afford a 1 bed flat with our deposit which I feel sad about.

StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 22/03/2016 19:51

Hi yummy. Are you stuck at the bottom of a chain? Waiting is no fun at all. I'm sure it'll be worth it once it's done though.

yummychocolate · 22/03/2016 20:13

Yes we are. Our sellers are buying from someone who is going into rental so it is a short chain. All we can do is wait. I have looked at rightmove photos so many times it feels like I have already been living there. Smile

BumbleNova · 23/03/2016 08:51

haha! Yummy I thought that was just me. If its any consolation we have no chain and we are still waiting around. need to ring the EA and put a rocket under the vendors today. still no response to any enquiries.

swquestion · 23/03/2016 09:15

scribbles- sympathies, my dad is also a recently retired architect and he dissected the full survey report we had with great interest. Fortunately he came to see the property shortly after the survey and basically said, you cannot buy a Victorian or period property without some issues! Once seeing it he felt a bit better - could your dad look round your prospective place? As you say you don't need their input as an adult, but it can be helpful. I got the whole don't buy a property if it's not perfect and demand this that and the other be fixed by the vendor, but the reality is - London property doesn't work like that.

Temporaryanonymity · 23/03/2016 12:05

Hello all, hope no one is feeling too stressed about it all.

I dropped some stuff off to my broker yesterday and I'm waiting for the formal offer now. I'm off work this week so doing dump runs and trying not to be too daunted by it all.

I'm a single parent, work full time and my boys are too young to be much help! They are so excited about moving and have told everyone they know.

I'm ridiculously pleased with the position of my new house. It's a short stroll through a fab park to my hairdressers and good bars, a few shops etc and the park even has tennis courts. Of course I will be too busy painting and decorating to ever get to use the courts....

Sunny777 · 23/03/2016 14:47

Hello All,
thank god i found this thread. FTB so panicking a wee bit extra. after a valuation drama, Mortgage/Survey is sorted.
But survey flagged Gas/Heating and Electrical Stuff as Red as it couldnt be tested.

So i have requested the solicitors to get certificates for both these things.
Currently searches are going on and expected to finish by this month end.

Please advise what else should i request the solicitor ?
I dont want to miss out on something important.

Also, when do i get a list of stuff the vendor is leaving behind ? do i have to request this to the solicitor too.

thanks

SayAGreatBigThankyou · 23/03/2016 16:29

Hello, just jumping aboard if that's ok!
Offers accepted, solicitor found, removal quotes organised, mortgage application in. Here goes!

BumbleNova · 23/03/2016 17:36

My vendors have apparently finally sent over the damn responses. right, need to negotiate exchange and completion dates... I need to give my LL 6 weeks notice, would I be being unreasonable to ask for 4 weeks between exchange and completion? I can handle a week overlap, more than that would be a pain.

also, does anyone know if I need to let my mortgage provider know that I'm getting a pay rise in May? I was not expecting it.

Palomb · 23/03/2016 20:04

Can I ask a question? We offered on a house we love 3 weeks ago, we've got the mortgage, and have appointed the solicitors and paid them to undertake searches etc. I'm a but hated off as the property is still showing on rightmoves as 'under offer' and then 'offers over (the amount we offered and had accepted). Although it isn't showing on the right move listings unless you click the SSTC tab but it seems as it they are just waiting for a higher offer and its pissing me off.

Is this normal?

StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 23/03/2016 20:05

I don't think it matters much, bumble, so long as they've already approved the mortgage. You wouldn't tell them about a pay rise after you've bought the house either.

Sunny: your vendor should have supplied a fixtures and fittings form via their solicitor alongside the property information form. We did them both (and other paperwork) at the same time. I'd chase it up if you haven't yet received it.

Glad you are enjoying your new location Temporary. Smile It sounds great.

Yummy: I guess, looking on the bright side, at least there aren't 8 people in the chain or something. An EA at one of the viewings we went to was telling us horror stories about chains with more than 40 links (I can't imagine how that's even possible - must be a lot of upsizing and downsizing then more upsizing and so on). She said they actually managed to hold together and complete, eventually.

StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 23/03/2016 20:09

Palomb: Our house is listed as 'under offer' on rightmove rather than sstc. I think that's just the way our EA does it (they mean the same thing). It was marked as such immediately after we accepted the offer and it certainly went off the market at that point.

If you're worried, just ask the EA. I think I'd only be worried if it was appearing rightmove as normal to people who don't click the 'include stuff that's no longer available' but hasn't exchanged box.

SayAGreatBigThankyou · 23/03/2016 20:38

Ours too, palomb They seem to stay like that until exchange/completion - I guess EAs may take note of interested parties in case it goes tits up, or show off how quickly they sell to potential clients. It's useful info to see what's available and for how much for people looking, too.

Digging out paperwork to finalise mortgage. The phone call will take 2- 2.5 hrs even though we are porting. Is this normal?!

Palomb · 23/03/2016 21:17

Of well I'm glad it's not just me but how annoying!? As if this selling/buying shiz isn't stressful enough already...

snowspider · 23/03/2016 21:20

we ported and the call took just under 5 hours, so possible but also successful

wowfudge · 23/03/2016 21:43

Anyone who is looking at photos of the house they are buying on RM, do save them somewhere as the listings often get removed once you've exchanged. If you've got a few weeks until completion you might want those photos!

StepAwayFromTheThesaurus · 23/03/2016 21:56

We're porting too, but we're just going to make and appointment and do it in branch. The best part of the day on the phone sounds like a total nightmare (not that several hours in a crappy little room in a bank sounds like fun).

I loathe dealing with companies on the phone. Actually, I'm generally not keen on the phone at all.

BumbleNova · 24/03/2016 09:12

palomb - re the "under offer" vs SSTC I have the same thing. I dont think its a huge problem,. I think its how different EAs do it. although I will admit to checking it doesnt reappear on rightmove without the "under offer" label on a daily basis.

Thanks for the info Step - I didnt want to have to go back to the mortgage broker.

I'm really hoping I am finally on the home stretch. I just want to exchange and stop worrying so much about being gazumped.

jessplussomeonenew · 24/03/2016 17:07

Fingers crossed all goes well Bumble! It's horrible not knowing whether it will all go totally wrong but you do seem to be getting onto the home stretch.

Good luck with the appointment, Step, would recommend writing down all your income/outgoings so you have it easily to hand - our appointment dragged on for ages partly due to computer problems but also because we had to go digging for some of the information, e.g. looking back through months of bills to remember how much we paid for water.

Sunny, your sellers should be filling out a fixtures and fittings form which should be passed onto you via solicitors. But if you want to negotiate anything, best to do that through the estate agent rather than through the solicitors who will charge for it - obviously let the solicitors know what's been agreed.

Making slow progress here - we've had our survey done (nothing major which is good) and mortgage approved, and our buyers have their survey booked for next week, so that all seems to be moving. There's a potential issue about action required under a tree preservation order on the house we're buying, but I think that should be manageable. Everything seems to have been slowed down by the fact that the solicitors are all prioritising sales where people are trying to beat the stamp duty increase deadline, so hopefully the pace will pick up after that.

Skittlesss · 30/03/2016 07:32

Hi everyone, just an update - the valuation/survery was carried out yesterday. The man phoned me beforehand and said the report should be with us in a few days. Was a bit annoyed when I got home from work to find a letter from them with a form to sign and return before they'll release the report. The survey has been booked for nearly two weeks so they had plenty of time to post that before today. Anyway, got it to the post office before last collection so fingers crossed they receive it today.

Think I'm just worried about how long things will take as I'm a FTB. Still we only had the offer agreed on the 12th so this is good progress isn't it?

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