Cold Feet - is this normal?

KatieDee

Hello everybody!

So the time has finally come, after all my pointless panicky threads, we have finally been given a completion date. Contracts all signed ready for exchange, ready to send off. Went to view the house one final time on Sunday, had a good look round and suddenly it hit me...a huge wave of complete terror.

I started seeing the work that needed doing, the time it will take us to do them. I worried about the potential need for rewiring, about a new boiler, flooring, painting, new furniture and how all this will take years and years. As you can probably tell, I am not very patient so this is not good for me! I'm worried I'll get there on moving day, look around at the empty house which needs work doing and instantly regret moving.

I adore the house, I never thought I'd live in such a beautiful place but what about the neighbours? We're close to a flat which has long sitting council tenants...but it might not be this way forever! What if one of the neighbours causes trouble? What if they decide to put more short term tenants in who cause problems? What if the area suddenly plunges into anarchy?!

I am a worrier by nature but I have never had to make such a huge commitment and I literally feel sick thinking about it. Is this normal for first time buyers? Am I justified in feeling a little bit nervous? Should I be taking this as a sign to run away and never look back?!

I'm turning to you as you have always given me good advice and many of you have been through a similar process.

Yorkie1

Yes, it's perfectly normal!

I would also say that when you first walk in through the door after completion, be ready for potential disappointment (as well as the natural excitement) in that the place will be empty and you can see all the dust marks on the walls.

I kept telling myself that I would do things in my own way, in my own time. So consider ignoring people who tell you "What you want to do next is ... " - followed by the project they'd tackle next.

Take time to think about your priorities, your style, the style of the house, what furniture would fit, etc.

Obviously if you are going to do big project work such as rewiring or replumbing, and it needs doing immediately, then that does need some up front planning because there's no point in doing lots of decorating etc first.

Good luck!

gordonbennet

Before we moved into our house we'd spent the past few months living in a tiny cramped bedsit.

Once in the house we felt overwhelmed and couldn't cope with all the space. We spent most on the first week in one (small) living room!

tigsly

Last time i moved i went from a 2 bed tiny house - to a 3 bed large house.. We spent about 2 months living in 2 rooms downstairs and 1 bed.. it took us ages to feel at home in the house.

I think making such a big commitment is scary, cold feet are normal..

You will be fine

KatieDee

Aww thanks guys, you're all so lovely!:blushing:

I never ever thought I'd own a house, let alone the one we've bought. I'm the type of person who struggles to decide what brand of pasta to buy, so this is sending me into a bit of a melt down. Add onto this the fact that we only viewed two houses...it did feel *right* though.

Thank you so much for your kind words...I'm fully expecting to break down as soon as I walk into the house. I'm sure everything will turn out okay though. It's also reassuring to know that others have been through a similar thing!

Matt_ftb

KatieDee,

Your what I call a 'what if' woman. What if it all turns out great, you make it your own and spend many happy years there.

thestens

I was so glad to read your post, as I'm feeling just the same! We are due to exchange in the next week or so after long drawn out solicitors stuff, on a beautiful, remote house with views to die for. My husband and I have said for many years that when we retired we would look for something like it and we were amazed to find it in our price bracket. Like you, it was the only house we viewed, as we knew it was "the one". We went to see it today for the first time since December (have been in the process of buying since November) and I was relieved to still like it but am still panicking about leaving my neat, safe suburban house which is perfect in many ways and where I have been very happy for 20 years! But - we only live once and it is good to be brave and try new things. I am sure that us and you will soon love our new homes!!

bluep

Completely normal. We viewed a house 5 months ago, made a decision to buy within 20 mins (we already live in the area so knew it was where we wanted to live and the size of the house was right for us). Fast forward 5 months, we are now about to exchange with completion a few weeks away. We went round for a 2nd viewing to start measuring up for the work we want to do...and I notice that the kitchen which I thought was "done", is actually looking a bit tired with some of the doors hanging off and the "lovely double range cooker" is actually a bit old and dirty with some dents and one oven that doesn't shut properly....

Needless to say, I now have a long list of what we will need to do in every room and it feels a bit overwhelming!! However, I am taking a deep breath, standing back and thinking that it will be great to chose what we want to do to the house and get it to how we want it to be...however much work!!

DigForVictory

Heavens yes!

Along with almost paralysis when you do get in.

If you know there are structural or severe Works to be done (gas, water, mains, central heating) get those going with all reasonable speed. (And get meters read & reported!)

I wouldn't try to clean the whole place, but invade one room & make it yours. (Ideally an ensuite?!) As you can cope with living, eating, sleeping in one room as you wait for the rest of the house to be ready & it's your space to plan in & retreat to.

Says she with one room still "storage", 10 years after moving, ahem...

All the very best with your new home!

Mrs_Z

Yes, normal I think. I remember collecting the keys for our house and popping in to the house on a way back (we did not move in straight away) and thinking 'What have I done?'. Now, fast forward 18 years and we are in the process of purchasing a slightly bigger house for which we put in an offer after only 1st viewing (due to the very hot market in SE). Now I'm very scared leaving our present house which has been sooo good to us, fearing that I'm about to commit a huge mistake.... Worried that I won't like it there, something is wrong with the new house, that I'll miss the present house....

BristolBuyer

I think it's only natural to feel the way you do, but the house will only improve with any work you do to it! Just try to do all the important stuff first - damproofing, roof, gutters etc. Ignore these at your peril, as I am now finding out in the process of needing a lot of work doing before I can sell my own house...