Hello everyone, I was on the previous thread... I think I last posted in May!
This is because, we have been through two attempted house purchases before now. Here is the story: first house, offer accepted late Jan. Generally slow. Vendors weren't very motivated to find a house. By sixteen weeks we were close to our mortgage offer expiry and asked them to go into rented (which they had promised the whole time, of course). They said no. We were already looking at other properties by then, put an offer on one which was accepted. So we pulled out of the first house officially and made initial steps on the second. Unfortunately this one didn't pan out either - even the initial valuation survey for mortgage showed structural issues, and there was already other work to be done. We were at top of budget so had to withdraw (about a week into the process, vendor had not instructed solicitors at that stage).
So, third house. We had already seen it on previous viewing and it came back on the market as a developer had recently pulled out. We had liked the house, initially made a tentative offer but there was an open house and some competition at the time. We put in another email offer straight away. The vendor had been considering another open house but they had an onward purchase in mind, after some price negotiation we had offer accepted and it was taken off market.
A lot of stress along the way - top of chain buying a property which apparently had probate granted, only it wasn't granted yet... everything going well, except a little bit slow in places. Again though our mortgage offer was due to expire end September. We had made our position clear and luckily, everyone wanted to strive to meet the deadline. Had a curveball last week when we found out the probate property also was unregistered adding three months to the process. Blessedly top of chain volunteered to arrange a rental for themselves. We all exchanged today and hope to complete on Monday. We are moving in on Tuesday (currently in rented as FTB, we are handing in month's notice this weekend - forfeiting a month's rent but that has been the least of our worries). Booked removal van. After EIGHT MONTHS of extreme stress it doesn't feel quite real. I'm not quite sure what to do with myself, other than finish packing when I get more boxes (we had packed most things and halted for a while).
Best thing is that my mother has been looking after our two lovely cats since April (!) and I really miss them... can't wait to be reunited in a couple of weeks. And this house is better than the others, sits comfortably in between both budget wise, has a tiny courtyard to sit outside, a large attic room for my studio, just suits us more all round. I've had a nice feeling when I've been in.
Sorry to crash onto the thread with this when so many others are having problems! But I guess it really can happen eventually! Best wishes to everyone, I feel like my head might explode from the sheer emotional rollercoaster. Maybe I shouldn't hold my breath until we're actually in!