Hate the property I just brought.

[hairyunicorn]

I just completed on a new property, a 1 bed flat. For many reasons (financial) I had to down size from my old 2 bed in a nice area to this 1 bed in a not-so-nice area and I hate it.

I picked up the keys yesterday and went to have a look. I could have cried. The sale took nearly a year to go through and I viewed it twice, but it is so much smaller and damper than I remember.

I have no choice but to stay, the estate agent said he would see me in a couple of years to sell. I can't imagine being there for 2 years and don't think my work situation will improve enough to move by then anyway.

I'm devastated, what have I done

I'm sorry - it sounds like you're going through a lot. It may well feel damp because it hasn't been lived in for a bit. What can you do to make it feel more like your space?

You've made a sensible considered decision in your circumstances.
You can make the flat feel like home. Sort out the damp and decorate. Declutter so it doesn't feel cramped. It doesn't have to be forever.

It will look much better once you’ve got your things all put away and pictures on walls.

This is a totally normal reaction, I was exactly the same. Sounds like you've not moved your stuff in yet - all homes look very unhomely and unwelcoming with no furniture or decor.

Did any damp show up on the survey?

Are you planning to decorate? Can you cheer yourself up with some paint samples?

You've done what you had to do, and it is brave and you will prosper. If the flat has been empty for a while, it will feel damp, but a good spring clean, whitewash on the walls, and heating on will banish that feeling. It sounds like you've had a lot on so remember to remind yourself of what you've achieved. We are sold the lie that life should be one upwards ascent, but that's not always true, and sometimes a step to the side is necessary to move past obstacles. You are mid step at the moment so be kind to yourself!

Buyer's remorse is normal but you can embrace this and make it your own space with a view to moving again in a few years (if you still want to). Get the colour charts out, go mad, embrace maximalism and make a tiktok account or Instagram account about it. Call it "buyer's remorse" or something, normalise it and blog it! I bet you end up loving it by the end of the journey. That or you'll have added a chunk of interest to it and sell it at a good price!

Ah I felt similar the day we moved into our house, but I love it now. Open up those windows, give it a good clean, put your things in and it will start to feel like home. Try to remember all the reasons you chose it and then make it yours properly. Moving is really emotional and it is totally alright to feel a bit unsure at the start.

Treat it as an investment project, do what you can to increase the value, and sell on.

I did the same!!! I’ve got used to the house but still fantasise about moving. Got 4 years left until fixed rate ends (like fuck am I giving up 2% now). It’ll end OP!

If it is damp get a good dehumidifier. It should clear a smaller size 1 bed flat pretty quickly.

Empty houses do look and feel unloved.
When are you moving your stuff in?
Can you open the windows or put the heating on - weather dependant. And maybe get a dehumidifier. Give it a clean. Decorate if you have time.
Once you have stamped your mark on it, it will feel much better.

I lived in a damp basement flat. A dehumidifier absolutely transformed it. Pre-dehumidifier it was awful and just felt damp, murky and grey. A good dry out using a decent dehumidifier and then running it periodically after that honestly made the world of difference. Get all the windows open, buy a dehumidifier (Meaco ones seem good and aren't horrendously pricey) and you'll make steps to making the place feel like home.

I crird when i got into mine. So different without furniture, smelled weird, not clean...

Took few weeks and it was great. Apparently most people get this. Good luck!

Hi @hairyunicorn
Honestly hun it'll be ok x
I know it doesn't feel like it atm but when you get your belongings in the flat and make it your own, it will feel like home. It's a new adventure and something different, go with the flow for now and then see how you feel in a year or two xx

I hated my house too when we moved in and wished I could just undo buying it. I fantasised about the solicitor finding something missing in the paperwork that would mean we didn't actually own it! Everything felt gross and we went through a period of shock while we adjusted to it. Things are a lot better now as we have spent a lot of time re-decorating and bringing it into this century. A good dehumidifier is also worth its weight in gold!
Goo luck , I really hope you manage to enjoy your new home in time.

See it as a blank canvas. Picture what you'd like to do to it to make it yours and start acting. Firstly, re decorate? room by room if needed for budgeting, Primark/Matalan/The Range/Home Bargains for some throws/cushions/fake flowers/pictures etc, soft lights? I love fairy lights in big vases/floral garlands with lights in. Scented candles?

If you sorted yourself out financially then that's the most important thing. Nothing worse than just paddling to pay debt. You will soon get used to the new place and make it feel like home. You will also soon see the benefits to your mental health from sorting out your finances. Life moves on quickly :)

It's bought, not brought! Give yourself time OP, there will be absolutely loads you can do to transform it and make it fab. I definitely second the dehumidifier. It'll be so much cheaper to run too.

Awww OP I was the same! I cried when we walked into our new home and saw all the damp on the walls that the previous owner had hidden with furniture. Thought I would never feel at home in here, but two years on I love it. Get your marigolds on, bleach and water mix and wash the mouldy walls down and get yourself a good dehumidifier. Once your stuff is unpacked and it starts to smell like ‘your’ home, you’re halfway there

Thank you all so much for the helpful words and sensible advice.

I spent the last 2 days moving all my stuff from storage and think your right , once it's had a good clean and a redecoration it will be a lot easier to accept, and I am trying to focus on why I made the move and the fact that it makes financial sense.

Still not happy but not as bereft as before.

Thank you

I think you downsized at exactly the right time, excellent timing!