Excited First Time Buyer :)

Gambit

Hey guys,

I cant believe but I'm finally jumping on the property ladder this week as I complete on Friday and am super excited!!! :j Just thought would ask those more experienced home buyers out there for tips on things to sort out over the first few days of home ownership, things I might not have thought of. Of course have done the usual things, but unsure if I've missed anything obvious (or not obvious) that I should do before completion day.

Stuff done/doing:

• Changed address with companies and done redirection just in case
• Sorted out Phone, Water, Council Tax, Electricity and Gas
• Arranged contents insurance (no need for buildings insurance as pay a service charge)
• Will be changing the front door lock when we move in
• Will be cleaning the flat when we move in as we complete on Friday but will be movign stuff in on the Saturday

Anything else?? :cool:

lee636

How about a ....... BBQ?!

trv9865

Lucky you!! I've just started the process, our offer was accepted last wednesday, solicitors instructed, mortgage being applied for, its all systems go and the stress that comes with it!!

oh & a BBQ defo!!!
Good luck!

DVardysShadow

1. Too late for you, but curb your enthusiasm for the 'property ladder' idea - it can be a property snake for FTB's

2. Meters. You say sort out Electricity, Gas, Water. Take entry readings and note them down and keep the paper somewhere safe at least until the readings show up on a bill. Don't forget to take exit readings where ever you are leaving.

Gambit

lee636 wrote: »

How about a ....... BBQ?!

Good plan as got a communal garden! Woohoo... ok, so it's not our own garden but this is London I've bought in so small steps

trv9865 wrote: »

Lucky you!! I've just started the process, our offer was accepted last wednesday, solicitors instructed, mortgage being applied for, its all systems go and the stress that comes with it!!

oh & a BBQ defo!!!
Good luck!

Congrats for your offer being accepted!!! Good luck with the rest of the process. Just keep thinking about the end result and that it will all be worth it!! :beer:

DVardysShadow wrote: »

1. Too late for you, but curb your enthusiasm for the 'property ladder' idea - it can be a property snake for FTB's

2. Meters. You say sort out Electricity, Gas, Water. Take entry readings and note them down and keep the paper somewhere safe at least until the readings show up on a bill. Don't forget to take exit readings where ever you are leaving.

Cant help being excited. Yes, I do understand the dangers of property buying and of course understand that the value can go down but I'm just happy in the knowledge that I'm going to own my own home meaning I dont have to worry about landlords and know that I can now invest on making my home my own by decorating and putting my own stamp on it. :j

Yes, will defo take the last and first meter readings.

longtimelurker_2

And you've got £13k debt (according to your sig)?

lee636

Time to sell!!!! :rotfl:

Gambit

longtimelurker wrote: »

And you've got £13k debt (according to your sig)?

Yep, but it's all money owed to family and actually includes some money lent to me for the deposit which helped get the deposit up to 15% since Abbey/Santander wouldnt let us get a 90% mortgage.

Yorkie1

Definitely agree with DVardyShadow about the meter readings & keeping the record - perhaps a photo but certainly on paper at the least. I recently got my first gas bill after moving in 3 months ago and they wanted to charge me £500! The opening electricity reading was correct but the gas one was waaaaaaay out - although both were provided in the same phone call.

I rang them and as I still had the reading written down, they were prepared to redo the bill correctly!

Another tip - make sure you've got enough light bulbs for the unlikely event they get taken by the vendors ...

P.S Good luck!

Gambit

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Definitely agree with DVardyShadow about the meter readings & keeping the record - perhaps a photo but certainly on paper at the least. I recently got my first gas bill after moving in 3 months ago and they wanted to charge me £500! The opening electricity reading was correct but the gas one was waaaaaaay out - although both were provided in the same phone call.

I rang them and as I still had the reading written down, they were prepared to redo the bill correctly!

Ouch! Yeah, will defo take a reading and call that in on the first day

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Another tip - make sure you've got enough light bulbs for the unlikely event they get taken by the vendors ...

Good tip! Didnt think of that and have heard about this happening with some sales :money:

Yorkie1 wrote: »

P.S Good luck!

Thanks! :beer:

tealady

Hi
I would suggest:-
Pack a box and put in it loo roll cleaning stuff, kettle, mugs, milk tea and/or coffee as you will need it!
Make the bed up as soon as you can (moving is knackering)
Make sure you redirect your mail
Contact Council tax to tell them you moved in and on what date.
Have a party!!
Enjoy