Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Handhold needed - am I making a mistake? Is it big enough?

54 replies

Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 18:21

Hi - a handheld needed, please be gentle.

I am about to buy a property. It's taken forever to save and finally get a mortgage. As a single parent and weighing up my earning potential (low-earner, in my 40s), it is pretty much the only thing I'll be able to give my DC. If I've made a mistake I won't be able to go back. We'll be stuck with it.

It is a flat with 4 other flats and has a lovely view. It is ground floor and has all the horrors of artex, flocked wallpaper and a shared garden. The other occupants seem pleasant. It's not my preferred area but I cannot afford to be in a better one or a bigger place. It's close to school and shops and transport links into the city though. It's around the same price as other flats on the street. Most are in better nick but with less space or are in buildings with more flats.

I only have the images to go on as where I am, once you put in an offer, you cannot see it again until you're effectively in a legally binding contract. (I only learned this later). I saw it nearly 3 months ago. My solicitor keeps asking me if I'm okay to go ahead and I'm just filled with fear.

Is this normal? It is chest tightening anxiety. What can I do for it?
My instincts are so messed up due to anxiety, I no longer trust my gut.
It's about 70m2, has one double bedroom, one single, one kitchen diner, one bathroom, one bedroom. I'm worried it won't be big enough either?

Has anyone felt like this? Did it turn out to be okay?
I don't think it will make a profit but I need to stop renting (at double what the mortgage will be). Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 18:23
  • I meant 2 bedrooms (one single, one double), 1 lounge, 1 kitchen with space for a dining table, 1 bathroom.
OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 30/10/2023 18:24

How many DC do you have?

Original poster
Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 18:25

Just one, coming up to 8.

OP posts:
JustWimpy · 30/10/2023 18:27

Insist on seeing it again. It's nonsense for an estate agent to refuse a second viewing. Or laziness. Bring your DC and another adult to get their opinions.

Dalhoussie · 30/10/2023 18:31

Have you been to the area at different times of day? Morning, evening, weekend etc to see if you can get a sense of the neighbours?

don’t understand the viewing thing. What is the penalty for viewing it befor the contract is in place? Or for pulling out once you have viewed?

the size seems good. Communal garden is totally fine ime but it does of course depend on neighbours. Totally normal to feel nervous in your situation.

When you move in can you put some money into savings (the difference between mortgage and tens perhaps) to cover moving costs if you do need to sell in a few years?

Alexandra2001 · 30/10/2023 18:32

Leasehold have issues but as long as you re clear on long term ground rent and service charges, then why not? its half your current rent and at least no one can serve you notice to quit.

I think its normal to feel anxious, when i bought my first house, i went to the solicitor with my 10% deposit (£10k) and promptly walked out, such was my uncertainty!!! i went back again a few days later and went ahead, it was one of the best thing i ever did.

GeorgeBeckett · 30/10/2023 18:34

JustWimpy · 30/10/2023 18:27

Insist on seeing it again. It's nonsense for an estate agent to refuse a second viewing. Or laziness. Bring your DC and another adult to get their opinions.

This! You sound unsure and overwhelmed and it is a big decision. They want you to buy it. You want to see it again. I don't see why you can't do this before you offer even if you can't after. And take someone with you if at all possible.

Diymesss · 30/10/2023 18:35

The size sounds ok to me. I’m on my own with two kids in a 98m2 house and before me there were a couple and their two kids here.

Where do you live to not be able to have a second viewing?

Original poster
Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 18:36

I found this really bizarre to but it was confirmed by my solicitor and also the seller's estate agent. It's to protect the seller where I'm from. I've really tried. The single bedroom is 8.0 x 8.6ft, the double is 14 x 10, the living room 14 x 12, the kitchen 14 x 11 and the bathroom is small but has a bath, toilet and basin. It also has 3 large-ish cupboards for storage... I wonder if I can reconfigure it if the bedroom is too small?

OP posts:
Shpeech · 30/10/2023 18:37

Stand outside in the evening and see what it's like around there. Walk up and down the street.
Neighbours and neighbourhood are everything.
It sounds good with your description of the inside.
Also, shared garden, are you happy with that? I would be if I was on my own with a child as it gives you opportunities to mix if you want.
Or not good, if you'd rather have a small outdoor space for your self. Can you add your own garden furniture to it, or use for drying?
Is the price good for the area? You won't necessarily make a profit as you say, but you'll save on rental prices so it really doesn't matter.
Go for it,if you think you'd be happy there for the next few years.

Original poster
Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 18:41

Thank you for all the replies! x

I've been at different times of the day and knocked on 2 out of 4 of the neighbours. They seem nice.

Thanks - I'm quite a worrier but the anxiety has taken me by surprise.

I haven't been able to save anything for my child so was going to start saving for him, I also had to halt my pension so want to re-start that. I've had the worst separation ever so ended up a little screwed over financially. I will have to get some damp fixed so have kept something aside for that and that will be the first thing I do.

OP posts:
RubyBoozeDay · 30/10/2023 18:44

It sounds like a lovely flat, just the right size for your family of two. Taking on a mortgage is a life changing event, but a positive one. Well done. Be happy in your new home.

FallingAutumnLeaf · 30/10/2023 18:51

It is plenty big enough. The single room will be more than enough for a child, and the rest sounds decent sizes.
OK, so it's going to need some decoration, but that can be done as you have the time and money to deal with it.
Buying a house is a big decision. An most people have a wobble at some point.
Wishing you and your child very many happy years in your new home.

Original poster
Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 18:54

It is share of freehold so no leasehold issues.
The ad still has a "virtual" walk through so there is that.

Everywhere online it says that it's standard practice not to allow another view so I've only seen it in total, twice, ages ago. I don't want to out myself with the location as I'd rather my ex didn't know yet that I'm starting to get my life back to normal.

I might drive there tonight. That's all I've been able to do, drive there. There are net curtains so I cannot look in.

The view does get me every time though. I look at it and think that even if I cannot afford to cosmetically do it up for a year (apart from the damp), I will look at the view and think that life is going to get better again.

OP posts:
SisterMichaelsHabit · 30/10/2023 18:59

Jesus that's a bloody palace! We've four of us crammed into 45m2 at the moment!

Scotsgirl001 · 30/10/2023 18:59

Hey OP we can hold hands together as I am feeling exactly the same. Been house hunting for a while and had an offer accepted on a house but now my anxiety is off the scale! It’s a huge decision, and also being a single parent it’s scary making these decisions on your own as you’ve nobody to reassure you. But remember it will be YOUR home and a safe sanctuary for you and your child. It might take a bit of time to settle in but I’m sure you (and me) in 6 months time will look back and feel grateful, and no longer paying money each month in to somebody else’s pocket. Good luck and try to stay positive x

ConfessionsOfAMumDramaQueen · 30/10/2023 19:00

Its very strange not to have a viewing close to exchange. You're legally obliged to buy it after exchange, they could have done anything to it in the 3 months since you last saw it. Not sure I would go ahead if I was unable to see it before exchange, would make me think they had something to hide!

SisterMichaelsHabit · 30/10/2023 19:00

Also if there's a nice view it will give you a reason to get up in the morning and make you feel good every time you see it, that's priceless, I wish we could find somewhere with a nice view (househunting atm and everything we've seen has been terrible so far).

Original poster
Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 19:01

Apologies if I miss the odd question. And thanks for the replies so far.
I guess when you're buying by yourself, there's not a co-buyer to reassure you.

I don't mind a shared garden or shared entrance. To be honest, I moved to a new place and don't know many people so friendly faces/ the odd smile are welcome.

The prices on the road have held. I can't bear renting anymore. I've just had a rent raise last week and my quarterly inspection...

OP posts:
Cloverforever · 30/10/2023 19:06

I know you don't want to say where this is OP so feel free to ignore, but is it in England?

Original poster
Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 19:10

ConfessionsOfAMumDramaQueen · 30/10/2023 19:00

Its very strange not to have a viewing close to exchange. You're legally obliged to buy it after exchange, they could have done anything to it in the 3 months since you last saw it. Not sure I would go ahead if I was unable to see it before exchange, would make me think they had something to hide!

I know but this is how it is here. I rang some other solicitors to make sure. It's a really arcane way of doing things here. It's been empty for a year as they've had a couple of sales fall through. This was a massive red flag so I chatted with one of the neighbours and she said she used visit the elderly lady in there often and said the flat was clean and old fashioned and no-one had been in months.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 19:12

Cloverforever · 30/10/2023 19:06

I know you don't want to say where this is OP so feel free to ignore, but is it in England?

I'm used to the English way so I was surprised. Not England. My friends who are buying their forever home have been able to go in 4 times now..

OP posts:
CrystalTits · 30/10/2023 19:13

Would one of the friendly neighbours let you have a quick look in their flat so you can gauge the size of the rooms to reassure yourself?

YoNoTengo · 30/10/2023 19:13

Could you just sell it if it doesn't suit?

Original poster
Gardensofa · 30/10/2023 19:14

Scotsgirl001 · 30/10/2023 18:59

Hey OP we can hold hands together as I am feeling exactly the same. Been house hunting for a while and had an offer accepted on a house but now my anxiety is off the scale! It’s a huge decision, and also being a single parent it’s scary making these decisions on your own as you’ve nobody to reassure you. But remember it will be YOUR home and a safe sanctuary for you and your child. It might take a bit of time to settle in but I’m sure you (and me) in 6 months time will look back and feel grateful, and no longer paying money each month in to somebody else’s pocket. Good luck and try to stay positive x

Hand hold back for sure. Thank you and good luck with everything! PM me if you need x

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread