Due exchange/completion this week! Help me stay positive!

[ginger09]

Finally, after so much pain and anxiety since our offer accepted in December, we are about to have a simultaneous exchange and completion later this week.

Asked ourselves numerous times whether it would be best to proceed with the transaction during this epidemic, but concluded our answer is YES. The house ticks most of the boxes, if not all, at quite a good price. If we miss this mortgage offer with 15% deposit, not sure when it would be available to us again. And given that we are currently renting in a quite pricey area, saving the rent for 1-2 years would somewhat compensate for the temporary house price drop.

So this is about to happen. Our plan is not to move out immediately after the completion this week, but wait and see how the lockdown goes and move into the new house in late May before our rent expires in early June. During this coming month where the house remains empty, we will stay over there during the weekend to do cleaning, painting kind of stuff.

THE THING IS, as I started making a low-level moving plan, I realise there are so many obstacles to do this during the lockdown.

First of all, traveling back and forth itself wouldn't be easy, as we are currently in South London and the new house in the North, and we have no car. But also, is it even possible to get all the necessary tools and items for the house decor? We are first-time buyers from abroad, have never lived in a house in the UK before, and zero experience in home DIY. Further, what if anything comes up with electricity, boiler, water pipe, etc, are we able to get a repairman soon? We don't even have essential furniture except a few, not even a bed. We are getting an airbed as a temporary alternative, but for how long are we going to sleep on it? Oh yeah, we don't have a fridge either, for which we cannot think of any alternative options! Should we just get one online without actually seeing them in a store? So many questions and concerns with no clear answers..

I even asked my husband whether we should withdraw, but he is convinced with the house, and so am I (I think), thus most likely it will happen, and I just want to make it sure we are going to be fine. I've been swamped with so many negative thoughts already, so if you can help me stay positive, that would be super helpful!!

We moved house into a renovation project 4 days before lockdown started. I have to say it hasn’t been easy! Wickes are running a limited click and collect service, as are Screwfix and now B&Q is back open. So you’ll be able to get most stuff, but be prepared to wait a good few weeks if you need delivery. I’d order appliances immediately online if you need them in the short term, it may be many more weeks before the shops are open!

Tradesmen are still working, especially for emergencies. We’ve managed to have wall ties down, the bathroom replumbed and house partially rewired during lockdown plus the roofer starts this week. Our layout means we are able to maintain a distance and the trades can use the back access.

Don’t panic, it’ll be okay. It might be a hard few months (personally I’d move straight in if I were you, travel isn’t easy) but buying is always going to be better than renting!

Sounds like you want the house so no real decision to be made :) That's the biggy already out of the way.

As the house is empty you should be able to find a tradesman to do any decorating, but if you want to do yourself then I'd try to borrow a vehicle to get everything you need to the house then travel as best you can at other times.

It's a big step but can be fun! There's two of you which is SO much better than going it alone! :) It's an adventure...