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Original poster

Why is it so shit?????

15 replies

Mrgwl29 · 01/12/2023 18:24

Just started buying a property, sold house quick. Just had survey back and we just cannot buy this house, parts of it literally need tearing down and rebuilding. Don't have the money or experience.

We just want to move and get more space. Family has grown, time to move up. But there's so, so few houses out there. We had a sale fall through last year and since then have lost 25% of our borrowing ability.

Have savings but not enough to extend because it's too pricey. Have sold so need to pull (again) and risk our house on the market a third time. Can't move too far because eldest has settled so well in school and he struggles socially.

Why is housing the twisted devil's tooth of this country? It just feels so hard to build a decent life for your family, so tempted to bugger off abroad right now.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mrgwl29 · 01/12/2023 18:24

Am being ranty and unfair but the housing market is SO SO SHIT!!!!

OP posts:
ClematisBlue49 · 01/12/2023 19:06

Before you pull out... is it possible that the report has exaggerated the problems with the house? Even if not, could you not use it as leverage to reduce the price so that you can afford to make the necessary changes / carry out repairs?

Generally though, yes, the housing market is s**t at the best of times, and now is not the best of times.

Original poster
Mrgwl29 · 01/12/2023 19:26

It's that bad. We'd need at least a 100k fund the work needed and the experience to renovate, which we don't have. Going to chew over it this weekend but it's looking bleak. Hoping to find listings off other properties and see how long our buyers are willing to wait 😔

OP posts:
Badbadbunny · 01/12/2023 19:34

I genuinely don't think people realise the state of the housing market, both buying and renting. Unless you're actually looking for a property, people just don't know how bad it is. The whole market is broken.

Original poster
Mrgwl29 · 01/12/2023 20:08

@Badbadbunny it's so broken. Not only are house so expensive, not only are they so scarce but so so many are in a really poor condition. Just awful.

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MintJulia · 01/12/2023 20:41

The last time I sold, and rented for six months, which turned into a year, before I managed to find the next place to buy. And even then it was close. We nearly ended up sleeping in the car.

Trying to sell and buy at the same time would have been a nightmare.

MintJulia · 01/12/2023 20:57

@Mrgwl29 You're right about the condition. When I bought my current house, it looked ok, but was downright dangerous.

I've spent the last 10 years replacing windows & doors, installing a new roof, new wiring, new kitchen, new boiler.

It'll be finished about the time DS heads off to university and I'll need to downsize again. 😏

BG2015 · 02/12/2023 07:03

We're about to put our house on the market after Christmas and praying that some decent properties start appearing as at the moment it's dire.

I know it's always quiet in the run up to Christmas and both estate agents we've had for valuations say the market will be flooded with property by mid January.

I'm not moving unless we can find something decent. We've been here for 9 years and are downsizing so it's going to be really hard to find somewhere that meets all of our criteria.

I'm dreading it.

user1471538283 · 02/12/2023 09:54

Would you consider renting rather than lose your buyers? I did this after selling my last house. It was only supposed to be up to a year but then the housing market went mental and it took two.

The system in England is mental and slow.

Original poster
Mrgwl29 · 02/12/2023 10:07

@MintJulia that's mad! The system is so poor to allow people's living situation to get pushed to the edge like that, I'm glad you found somewhere in time!

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Original poster
Mrgwl29 · 02/12/2023 10:09

@user1471538283 I have had a mad 6ak Google after crying last night and found some possible contenders - not as thrilling as the one we just lost but also would be able to remodel and improve and hopefully are also not built by an amateur DIY enthusiast haha! Fingers crossed!

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Original poster
Mrgwl29 · 02/12/2023 10:10

@BG2015 it's very daunting, I was also nervous listing. We sold quite quickly, which I was pleasantly surprised about bit it's the stock available ATM. Hope your sale goes well and you find a good home!

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Ariela · 02/12/2023 12:32

I would suggest ask on FB groups based local to where you wish to buy. Be specific about your needs, and that you have a buyer for yours in place. So many chains broke down this year due to buyer drop out for various reasons, you may find someone took theirs off market to try again in Spring might know their dream property is still available and find that their current house fits your want list

fluffiphlox · 02/12/2023 12:41

Remortgage and build an extension? I know you said that you didn’t have the savings for this but there is a cost to moving house (financial and to the nerves).

RaininSummer · 02/12/2023 12:56

I imagine some of the problem is that many homeowners can't afford to repair things. For example I have lived in my house 35 years but it could do with roof, windows and rewiring. However I cannot afford this so when I sell it will be sold with these issues taken into account in the price.

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