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Original poster

Only gone and found the dream house

44 replies

UninspiringUserName · 23/09/2018 19:11

We've been browsing RightMove for the past couple of years and last week noticed that a house that was gorgeous but previously out of reach has been reduced. I couldn't get it out of my head so we decided to go and view. Holy hell, it's the house of dreams. Ticks all of the boxes, and would be our ideal forever home.

We immediately arranged two valuations on our house, and have had the mortgage offer in principle to be sure it was possible. We then went to an Open Day on Sat (which was horrible - felt pressured and panicky) and still loved the house, as did the kids.

So we've put an offer in. The asking price is 'offers above' but the vendor let it slip on Monday that they'd be happy with that price, and crucially,. we've asked if they'd consider taking it off the market while we sold ours.

To give some context, it's been for sale for five months and no offers as yet. They're in no rush, but would like a sale soon. They talked about leaving it up for sale until end of Oct, then taking it off if it didn't sell and starting again in the spring if needs be. They don't have anything lined up to go to, they'll rent while they look. Oh and we know the vendors - their son is marrying my sister, so I'd like to think that might help our case...

So we now need to wait and see if anyone else at the Open Day loved it as much as we did. Or if they did, hope that they haven't sold either... We can afford to up our offer, but would rather not, of course.

Anyone else waiting to hear, either about a sale or a purchase? I feel like a cat on a hot tin roof. Despite telling myself not to fall in love with it, I only bloody have and can't help but imagine my sodding Christmas tree in there! Anyone else need a hand hold while they wait...?

OP posts:
sarahb083 · 23/09/2018 19:27

Good luck! It's an amazing feeling when you find one that ticks all of the boxes. We're hunting at the moment as well and have seen so many that aren't quite right. Hope it all goes well!

RangerLady · 23/09/2018 20:22

I've seen so many now and had had one set of vendors pull out and then try to extort more money out of us I'm not sure I can fall in love with a property. If you have, go for it and good luck!

Emmageddon · 23/09/2018 20:26

Lots of people got to open days just to be nosy so fingers crossed for you.

TKRedLemonade · 23/09/2018 20:41

Can’t say I am not disappointed there is no link 😁 I love looking at other people’s dream home!! Hopefully moving into mine this week!!! I hope it all works out for you

Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 23/09/2018 20:57

Thank you all. All we can do is hope the other folk at the Open Day were just nosy parkers and it's going to go in our favour. If it's positive, we'll stick our house on the market tomorrow and then keep every finger and toe crossed it sells quick...

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carrie74 · 24/09/2018 12:40

Oh good luck, it all sounds very favourable. Exciting!

I'm in love with a house, came on the market in Feb, during the snow, groups of us were tobagganing nearby, and someone mentioned it was on the market. Didn't really think about it, then a few months later, decided to take a look. I fell in love. But too expensive (we could afford it, but would need to make some sacrifices). We offered a couple of times, but got turned down.

Summer went by...then last week EA contacted me - the house was available again (as far as we knew, they'd accepted a full asking price offer early in the summer), and now at the price we'd last offered. Apparently they're only talking to us.

In a total quandary - if everything stays the same in our lives, we can just about manage it, but if something were to go wrong...

It's completely a forever house, I've already visualised both my children getting married there Grin, having big birthdays there etc etc.

But, but, but...

Kewqueue · 24/09/2018 12:42

Their son is marrying your sister?? Surely they have to accept otherwise it's going to be sooo awaward.

Lucisky · 24/09/2018 12:50

Have a word with your sister. Surely she can influence this via her fiancee? If you really want it, put the pressure on. I would!

Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 24/09/2018 13:19

Oh you're all lovely, thank you. My sister and her fiance are both hoping we'll get it - they were with his parents when the agent called to put in our offer! Apparently his parents had always said they wouldn't sell to anyone who hadn't sold, but they spent a fair bit of time on Sat talking them around, explaining how its the price they wanted and it gives them time to find something they like...

I toyed with dropping them a note (we've known them for years now, but not particularly well) to say that we absolutely love the house, would love to have it as our family home and how it's crying out for a swing on the lawn and for children to be clattering up and down the stairs, but we don't want them feeling awkward with us being almost family. Still unsure.

Still nothing from the agent and the silence is killing me. I'm hoping desperately that no-one else has put in an offer or wants another viewing...

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Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 24/09/2018 13:23

Carrie, I hear you! Yes, this is a big jump for us - an increase of £750 per month on the mortgage, so your concerns are ours too. If you can picture yourself there celebrating all those big occasions, is it worth the risk? Chances are over the next couple of years, prices will rise and you'll be living in a house worth even more, and if things change and you do need to move, you'll have a better investment?

Can you make some financial changes so it's not such a gamble? We've got a couple of things that will be paid off, plus we're cancelling a very expensive gym membership and all of a sudden, we're not worse off, but could be living in a house worth £290k more. Is there anything you could change to make it less of a jump?

I really feel for you - we buy houses with our hearts as much as our heads.

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peachypetite · 24/09/2018 13:23

Do you think your house will sell quickly?

Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 24/09/2018 13:31

Peachy, I hope so. It's a beautiful house in a great location, and there's not much else on at the same price point, but you just never know, do you? It has a few things going for it that not many houses locally have - a pretty play area to the front, village church to the back, and two en suites, plus 4 beds and an office, but it all depends on the right people looking at the right time, I guess.

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carrie74 · 24/09/2018 13:41

Your story sounds so similar (even down to our houses Grin). We've got children in private school, so once they're done, we'll have some breathing room, but that's still 5-7 years away. But that's a big commitment in itself. My DH said the same as you - the dream house will increase in value more than our current house.

So difficult, our house now is lovely, but we never thought we'd be here this long (12 years).

Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 24/09/2018 13:48

Carrie, snap! We bought our house thinking it'd be home for 4-5 years, but we've now been here for 10 years. I still love it, it's a great house, but there are things I'd desperately love - bigger kitchen, bigger garden, bigger bedrooms for the kids. It was never our forever house, just a stepping stone, and it's been a lovely one, but I'm ready to grab that forever home now.

I just need the damned phone to ring!

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carrie74 · 24/09/2018 14:34

Good luck, I hate the house buying/selling process, no fun. All my fingers and toes crossed for you!

Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 24/09/2018 15:18

Thank you. Just chased it up and the agent hasn't even spoken to the vendors yet. All we know is that although there was 'a lot of interest' for the open day, ours is the only offer on the table...

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Emmageddon · 25/09/2018 06:51

Oh how frustrating! I wish house-buying was as simple as buying a new car.

Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 25/09/2018 13:23

Update: No progress.

However, rather wonderfully, the vendors called me to fill me in on their thoughts. In short, they're committed to staying on the market for the next four weeks as there's a lot of interest, which is understandable given that we've not sold (though of course) I am a little gutted.

But, they've said that if we don't sell in the four weeks that their house is on the market - and providing they don't get any other genuine buyers - they'll take it off and 'keep' it for us so we can see if we can sell between now and Feb. If not, they'll put it back on the market in spring.

So, we go on the market later this week and then we hope desperately that a) we sell quickly and b) they have no other offers.

Gulp.

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EmmaStone · 25/09/2018 13:36

Oh crikey, good luck! Really hope no-one else shows any interest in their house, but snaps yours up immediately!

Had a long chat with DH last night, also need to talk to my family about some stuff, and then we may be going back in with an offer...

Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 27/09/2018 09:51

Well, photos were done yesterday and with any luck we'll be on the market either today or tomorrow. The house has NEVER been this clean, tidy and clutter-free, it looks so wonderful, I'm almost tempted to stay Smile

Desperately hoping that we get some viewings this weekend...

I hate this ball of anxiety in my stomach...

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Sugarpiehoneyeye · 27/09/2018 10:44

Good luck OP.🌸

Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 27/09/2018 10:51

Thanks Sugarpie, I feel permanently sick!

EmmaStone, did you come to a decision?

Carrie, how about you - are you going to take the plunge?

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carrie74 · 27/09/2018 12:05

I've made my decision to take the plunge, DH not quite there yet!! Talked to my dear old dad about it last night too, he's given his support if everything were to go tits up and we both lost our jobs (or school fees went up 20%...).

Original poster
UninspiringUserName · 27/09/2018 12:49

Carrie, would your dear old dad support us too? He sounds amazing!
And huge well done for taking the plunge - does it feels right? Just keep reminding your husband about the investment rather than the extra outlay. Will it be much more than you're paying now?

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carrie74 · 28/09/2018 22:33

Yeah, he's alright my dad Smile

DH been away last couple of days, so nothing happened (still). I think we need to get back to the EA though with a few questions we've got, they're not going to hang around for much longer...

DH doesn't seem ready to commit. It's a massive massive jump - increasing our mortgage fourfold (writing that just made me feel a bit sick lol). And there's an awful lot of hurdles to jump first (not least getting our house on the market...).

Has your house gone on now? Any interest yet?