Dreading going on the market- hating the thought of the house hunting and the move

[Xtraincome]

Moan thread, not the first time i have bitched about my house/location on MN:

We have tried to sell twice in the last 5 years, fell through both times. House too expensive for us to stay in any longer, too big, mortgage rates, CoL, location boring blah blah blah.

Just dreading the house hunt where most properties are utterly crap within our budget for downsizing/down value. We want more money in our pockets to actually do things- extra curricular for the kids, savings accounts for the kids, build up pensions, maybe more than 1 holiday every 2 years.

There's no question; I am just fed up already. I don't like the area where we live (DDs 9 and 6) for secondary education, opportunities etc,. We can't afford to explore new areas in the UK so I feel we are stuck here in this bloody place.

Anyone else want to moan along with me?

It's not a great time to downshift, unfortunately. We are doing it, going on the market late Feb, but we know we will be taking a hit to do it. It's now or never for us. Would have been nice to wak away with a lot more cash than we will do but que sera sera. I'm also dreading the selling process and what I anticipate will be extremely low offers, despite us aiming to price below the market from the get-go. Best of luck!

Where are you/where would you like to be? Maybe posters can do some of the looking for you

When it comes to selling, if you are brave enough then post some pics and people can advise you of things to do to help sell it

Don't do any viewings yourself, let the EA take all that on

I feel for you. We are about to take a huge hit in salary, and I know the sensible thing to do would be probably sell the house and buy something cheaper and smaller - but I really can't bear the thought.

It feels like so much effort, nothing round here is selling, and I don't want to move. I like my home. I'm currently contemplating heating one room and sitting in there eating beans on toast for the year...

@MasterGland I hear you. Timing is awful and the market is no longer a ladder like it once was. Even downsizing doesn't seem beneficial when in reality it should be hugely viable and sensible.

@jackstini well, if this was us selling over a year ago I would be open to criticism but we have a bathroom which isn't functional and a room downstairs which had a massive leak from said bathroom. Insurance took us so far but we would need to find about a £1K to make it even remotely presentable and we just don't have it! Rest of house is OK but dated. The problem is, I don't know where we want to be, it's like the stupid house has sucked the ambition from us in that respect. I am at the stage where anywhere is better than here - so imature, I know!

@Hatty65 oh poo! A salary hit is always a total git at the best of times. I hear your beans on toast logic, are you definitely set on a move? It is just so frustrating to be in this position. I know, I know, we are better off than some but I haven't felt the emotional and psychological benefit of home ownership in the 7 years of it. The financial benefit is dwindling each year too!

Have you checked if you are eligible for housing benefits? The labour market will only get worse from the current record low unemployment rate. Better be prepared early than late...

@Papricat we both work, 29k myself, DH 32k obviously before tax.

This is a very decent salary out f London. Move out to near a provincial town and find a better lifestyle 🤷🏽‍♀️

Unfortunately this is the provincial town and it's not that great. Our house is the biggest issue. We are looking to either downsize locally or change it all up. Monthly bills amount to almost 2k!! Craziness. We will get there eventually 🤪

I know that it's easy for me to say, but be optimistic and excitedly look forward to lower bills, less maintenance, more fun and more financial security!

@XVGN this is my one driving force behind actually going on the market 😆

You see- you're still counting it as one while I count it as four!

I need my optimism back @XVGN I think! I should view it as 4 things.