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 a 15% deposit, not sure when it would be available to us again. And given that we are currently renting a flat 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 whole thing 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 as soon as we need? We don't even have essential furniture except a few, not even a bed. We are getting an airbed for now, 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? Is the delivery working fine? Will removal companies be operating at all in a month of time? 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 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 are almost in a similar position - we have had the offer accepted etc. and the solicitor has advised that all the searches are back and this morning she emailed to say that we are almost in the position to talk about dates - eeekkk

We are FTBs, renters, and we also intend on staying in our property and moving gradually. It depends on when completion is (I have stressed I want exchange and completion on the same day) - but our rent is due 7th of the month, so I guess we will pay May's and then hopefully hand our notice in and be out by 7th June before we have to pay any more rent (fingers crossed).

I think your main issue is moving from South the North London with no car - do you drive? If so, I would look into hiring a van and just do the move yourself. That is what we intend on doing if we have to move during lockdown. I would not even worry about building supplies and tools. If the house is habitable, just get moved and in there. It may be that you need people to come out re internet etc. (I am going to need internet before we move as I am working from home) but people will come out if the house is empty - try and get all that lined up before you move in.

It would be nice if you could do some decorating etc. before you move, and I am sure you can order decorating material online, but I would not make that my focus. I would pack, hire a van, move in and then focus on the decorating etc.

I think moving is feasible, but not with the delayed way you want to do it. You will need to move in one go and do the work after you’ve moved in. You’ll need to hire a van and move yourselves as removal companies aren’t operating.

After that, you can get deliveries from places like B and Q, Homebase and Ikea. If there are any emergencies, plumbers and electricians can come into your house in an emergency. We had to have a plumber out when our heating stopped working.

There is a lot in what you've said that you totally don't need to worry about. You can absolutely buy white goods etc online without seeing them. We bought a new oven from AO last year and I never saw it.

Do either of you drive? Getting a car would be super helpful if you do.

The latest date you need to think on is the two weeks leading up thr end of your tenancy....it it more than likely lockdown won't be as strict then so you can work it.

I agree with your thinking though, still go for the house. Yes house prices might dip after all this but owning really is always a better option than renting and they will bounce back but mortgage offers might not.

The very best of luck!

Hi I have moved in lockdown and it can be done. I did book my removals pre lockdown so they did finish my job, but there are lots of smaller man in van types who are still working and you can still hire vans yourself, obviously depending on how much stuff you have! Worth noting that neither me or my movers got stopped by police, but there is allowance for house moves in lockdown rules.

I moved in with no fridge or washing machine and have been able to have these delivered by Currys, obviously no installation and they delivered to my conservatory through my back gate so could do social distancing etc. I have just taught myself to plumb in a washing machine from YouTube and done the first load, pretty chuffed with myself!

I have also had deliveries of other stuff I needed eg needed a ratchet spanner to undo transport bolts on washing machine so got that through amazon.

So yes deliveries of white goods are still going, plus some furniture etc if it can be done with social distancing etc.