Tete en l’Air’s Feet On The Ground Diary

clearmydebts

Dinah93 wrote: »

I know you plan to live their for quite a while, but at the end of the day you're renting it not buying it. And a newer house is a lot cheaper to heat etc. You would likely find you could go on more weekends away etc in a slightly cheaper place. We never wanted to live in a 1960s house, but when it came down to it its got the space we want,garden, garage and when we're inside its not like we can see the outside! Character properties are more expensive, full stop. So the budget either needs to be upped to afford one or you have to compromise. Surely if he wanted a flat that would be new, so it does sound like he's being a bit contrary without realising it just so he feels like he's got his own way somehow.

I find the weekly to do list a lot easier to work from too.

Hi Tete,

I agree with Dinah.

Perhaps you could have a word with him tonight and explain how you are feeling stressed that things aren't moving forward. Can you not give yourselves a cut off date and just go for it? As Dinah says, it is rental rather than buying so it doesn't matter if it isn't perfect

Tete_en_l'Air

Thanks Dinah - number one is the one with single glazing and all tiled/wood floors and the energy efficiency of a garden shed. It started at £495, then went to £625, and has gradually gone back down to £575 over the last few weeks for SOME reason.

I'd noticed number 2 but there's something I don't like about it - it's crammed in a back alley and not only does it not seem to have any outside space, but it doesn't seem to have any windows that look out onto anything other than walls.

I know there's the green, but you can't have barbecues there or take your coffee out on a morning in your dressing gown can you?

I know it's 'only' rental, but it's still going to be our home and as I keep saying we want to be there a while so it does need to be pretty much ideal. I actually think looking for rentals is harder than buying in a way because you can't change things in the property if you don't like them.

Birdie85

Is there a possibilty that you could rent somewhere more modern for 6 months and see how he gets on with it? It's a pretty big ask wanting a period property with modern amenities for not a lot of money. I've lived in a period property and it isn't all it's cracked up to be; when you're inside you can't see the pretty old brick walls etc. The beams get really dusty and there's just no way of dusting them without getting bits of the duster stuck in the cracks so they're dusty and covered in yellow fluff, spiders lurk everywhere, the windows are tiny so the rooms are dark and it costs a fortune to heat it.

tinkerbel

Birdie85 wrote: »

I don't think it was that much extra really because he's so old (26! Haha!) but still, it'd be cheaper without him and it's better off in my pocket!

We got our gas statement yesterday and between January and April we used £7 of gas, and paid £90! Can't wait for another rebate!

Birdie that's seriously impressive!! how did you usee so little gas!?!

clearmydebts

Birdie85 wrote: »

Is there a possibilty that you could rent somewhere more modern for 6 months and see how he gets on with it? It's a pretty big ask wanting a period property with modern amenities for not a lot of money. I've lived in a period property and it isn't all it's cracked up to be; when you're inside you can't see the pretty old brick walls etc. The beams get really dusty and there's just no way of dusting them without getting bits of the duster stuck in the cracks so they're dusty and covered in yellow fluff, spiders lurk everywhere, the windows are tiny so the rooms are dark and it costs a fortune to heat it.

I bought a period property and it's defo not all it's cracked up to be. They are right money pits!!! Much nicer to rent one I think. That way the landlord can pay for the costly repairs!

Tete_en_l'Air

I know, you're preaching to the converted here - I'd be happy in a modern place but what can I say? He's very hard to argue against!

Lara44

Aww Tete, it's very difficult sometimes, and my OH is very fussy too. I think both those properties from Dinah are really sweet. I think it will be a real problem to find a period house that is energy efficient. In my experience this is one area where landlords don't want to invest as they don't see any savings/benefits (apart from environmental, or course).

Don't forget some flats have gardens too! Why don't you just start visiting a few places together and see what feels right? Rather than making loads of criteria up front? My OH would have vetoed the 70s house we bought if he hadn't seen how bright and airy it was inside for example. Houses are funny things I think it's hard to judge them without visiting. It's quite an interesting thing to do as well and might recapture the whole romance a bit.

tinkerbel

oooh good tips girlies for the future! thanks!

Tete_en_l'Air

What instead of me wanting to stove his head in?! Thing is he's a building surveyor so thinks he knows everything. That first house Dinah posted has really been amended since it first went up - it looks really nice there but there were some dodgier pics up when it was first listed. The other may be worth a look, I might just book some viewings for some possibles and see what happens. Big Sigh.

Dinah93

When we pulled up in front of our house in Eaglescliffe my words to NIM were 'More than likely this isn't going to be the house for us, but we need to see what our money gets us outside the cutesy old houses in the villages'. Just look at lots, you'll be suprised what you fall for. Hopefully you'll even fall for the same thing!