Advice please---really dithering!

gilly41

Hi
I joined the boards this time last year and I can honestly say they have changed my life!I am 42 and had been in debt since I married first hubby when I was 18!!!! Not through an extravagant lifestyle but just a combination of things----having kids very very young, getting divorced

---

ex hubby not paying any maintenance and so the list goes on!
Anyhow I decided enough was enough and with three kids all grown up and now keeping themselves I made some big changes. We are now virtually debt free

---

and it feels great!
Now this is the bit I need advice about. I have lived in my house for 18 years---bought it with my ex way back in June 1988. I fought to keep it when my ex was being very very awkward----and I have seen my kids grow up here and I have made some nice friends. However, for the last few years I have felt quite unsettled. I always wanted to move(especially when I married second hubby in 1997) but we just could not afford it.I was in debt and we had my two kids to keep without any help from their dad(long story) and hubby had his son to keep through Uni too. Sooooo, here I am today with my house on the market. We can comfortably afford to move---again thanks to this board cos otherwise it just would not have been an option with the debt we had!!! Now, 5 weeks on and with no viewings I am thinking am I doing the right thing???I have drawn a positive and negative list up and the reasons to move fair outweigh the reasons to stay. So why am I having second thoughts? I can honestly say the last few years has seen changes on this estate and to be fair I dont particulary like our immediate neighbours(not attached but VERY VERY NOISY all summer long 24/7 as they dont work!).But I know when I move there are no guarantees with neighbours!
OH says do what makes me happy. I work from home and he is out at work long hours so it really doesnt bother him either way!
We have seen a brand new 3 storey semi on an estate about 10 mins walk from here---it is lovely and it is only a matter of reserving the house(finished in March) and hoping for a buyer for ours!!!
Sorry for the long post---I feel I have no one to ask as everyone says how lucky I am to be getting a brand new house!
I meant to add it will mean a little bit extra on the mortgage but only the same outgoings each month

---

lower interest rate for 3 years initially.
Thanks everyone
x

immoral_angeluk

Well done for sorting out your debts.. It must be a bit unnerving moving into a new house after such a long time but trust your gut instinct. Sometimes change is a good thing.

yung

Have you enquire if they will take the House in PX. as this time of the year people will not be looking to buy a house.

Valentina2

Hi Gilly41,
First of all, well done on getting your debt down. It seems that almost wiping your debt out has opened a new chapter in your life and a new home would be a great new start. You said you wanted to move years ago but couldn´t so I think that if you can move now, you should go for it. It would be wonderful starting afresh in a brand new house.
Are you having second thoughts because you have had no viewings and are worried that if you pay a deposit for the new house, you may not have sold your house in time?
I was in a similar situation for quite a few months- we owned a small flat but paid a deposit on a new build. We had 10 months to sell the flat but had no offers so were worried sick we wouldn´t be able to keep the new house and would lose the deposit but, Thank God, we managed to sell the flat just a month before we had to sign for the new house.
It is worrying that you haven´t had any viewings if your house has been on the market for 5 weeks but I think that is because the housing market generally slows down a bit coming up to christmas so I think that once we´re into 2007, things will pick up.
It´s normal to have a few doubts and moving house is a big change but I think in your case it would be for the best.
Good luck to you.

melaniec_2

Hi

Selling up and getting the new place will be reward for all your efforts in the past.

Selling can be tough, prehaps you could ask for an honest assesment from the estate agent as to why its not had any viewings, watch selling houses on C4 they have some great tips. May be look at other houses in your price bracket and see how they have been "dressed" for sale.

gilly41

Hi
The house can be reserved for £250 and this doesnt get "cashed" until you find a buyer on your house----we can also go on a fast mover scheme whereby the house builder will pay all estate agents fees and really take over at the estate agents on your behalf. Initially you are on a 6 week agreement but as a I say no fee paid(which comes off the price of the house!)til a buyer is found! Also you are not tied in so really we couldnt lose doing it this way. It is only a matter of a call them to let them know we want to go on the scheme and reserve the plot. Obviously we dont have to do it this way but it would make things a lot easier!!!
I think I know in my heart(gut instinct and all that) that I want to go----just now it is happening it is quite scary!!!!
x

Mrs(no)money

gilly41 wrote:

Hi
Sorry for the long post---I feel I have no one to ask as everyone says how lucky I am to be getting a brand new house!
x

You've done well to clear your debts and sort your life out, so a new house really would be the icing on the cake wouldnt it? Go for it! I think the longer you have no viewings on your house the more likely you are to doubt your idea is a good one and back out. You've waited a long time to get this opportunity so grab it.

Personally, i think a visit to the estate agents is in order to ask why no viewings - they must have someone on their books! Maybe worth asking another agents opinion (if you havent already).Good luck and go for it!

chevalier

Okay have a good look at your house. When was it last decorated? Are the colours to your taste, eg bold colours? It may mean that people look at the particulars sent out and think 'don't want that as would have to decorate'. Also the very fact that new builds are being done may mean that people are less interested in a older house. However you may well find there is more interest in January when people know how much money they have after Christmas
chev

do_it_today!

Dont worry and relax over christmas I think generally August and Nov/Dec/Jan are slow times to sell or rent a house - most people are on holiday, wrapped up or recovering from Christmas - some people still depressed in February then things get moving in march onwards - Cant remember where I read it but apparently before the romans invaded britain the new year used to start in March - which makes sense really - everyone is still in hibernation mode until that time . So like op's say get some advice / fresh eyes to see if your home may need a bit of sprucing up - stuff to get rid of - little repairs or eyesore that you may have become immune to overtime. It can make a big difference.

I think the doubt you are feeling is from the fact that you havent had any offers yet and possibly knocking your confidence abit.

If you have time maybe pretend to be a buyer and go and view similar properties to yours in the area - to make some comparibles - maybe overpriced? or home just needs abit of attention?

please feel free to pm if you want anymore support

gilly41

Thanks again everyone---DEFINATELY feeling a lot more positive tonight!
x