Quit everything , and start again over 50?

lessonlearned

AC. I think no 5 on Harz's list......The Victorian Terrace in Melrose Place looks like a little gem...... beautifully refurbished and decorated. The only question mark I would have is whether the courtyard garden gets enough sun for my liking but it's well worth a viewing. The location looks great.

No 6 the new build on Abbosbury Road looks interesting, although the asking price is £220k.....However if you use the similar properties option there is another one - a semi at £199,950 which has just been reduced - so maybe there is some wriggle room on the £220k one. They both look interesting.

I would be viewing both of those. Not sure how the location compares but always worth looking.

The real advantage for you for new builds is they won't need much in the way of maintenance for quite some time and they should be more energy efficient and have lower running costs.

Period properties are of course lovely but they can be rather high maintenance. They can be moneypits. Just something to consider.

TBH I would be hard pressed to choose. I have owned both new builds and period properties - they both have their pros and cons.

Yes period properties have "charm" but you can add style and character to a new build. Even a boring "box" can be turned into an elegant and stylish home. .

harz99

LL, I looked at the reduced new build semi but dont like it due to the upper rooms being in the roof space with reduced headroom and lack of wallspace for things like wardrobes etc. Plus those style rooms can be very hot in summer months/quite chilly in the winter.

Oh, and I'm a firm convert to new builds in my old age. Have even got astroturf instead of grass to make it as low maintenance as possible.lol.

dreaming

lessonlearned wrote: »

TBH I would be hard pressed to choose. I have owned both new builds and period properties - they both have their pros and cons.

Yes period properties have "charm" but you can add style and character to a new build. Even a boring "box" can be turned into an elegant and stylish home. .

Hi LL - hope life is starting to get back to "normal" *whatever that is) for you.
I love victorian properties, and my last house was one with original cupboards and mouldings -and I do miss that place quite a bit. However what I don't miss is the lack of parking in the narrow streets which were all made one way and thus became rat-runs; the high heating bills due to single-brick thickness walls and high ceilings; the fact that even putting a picture on the wall seemed to turn into a major renovation as the bricks were too solid to drill into easily without half the plaster falling off the walls; and my knees certainly don't miss the steep stairs which I was almost crawling up by the time I moved. In my nice 1950's bungalow I occasionally bemoan the lack of "features" (I don't have a fireplace in my living room) but with my pictures up, curtains, cushions, lamps, and bookcases even my cream-painted square rooms look cosy and welcoming to me (which is the only opinion I care that much about). In the summer I change the curtains at the French windows (which I had installed), take some of the cushions away and hey presto! I have a bright and sunny "garden" room with direct access to my south-facing back garden. I absolutely love it, and I can park on my own small driveway. If I have to give up my car for any reason the bus stop for town is less than 250 yards away, and just round the corner is a Tesco express, a chemist, hairdressers, post office, and kitchen and bathroom fitting shop - everything you would need regularly (maybe not the kitchen fitters). These were other factors which swayed me when I moved. I certainly didn't consider myself old at 55 (the age when I moved) but I also didn't want to move again so I took a very pragmatic approach and let my head rule my heart when I was viewing property nearly 7 years ago. I took my list round with me and this place ticked off about 85-90% of what I wanted and yet at the same time, although very neutrally decorated to sell, it also gave me "the feeling" so I did push myself financially (at the time) to buy it. One of the best things I ever did and it's now all mine with no service charges (AC ), although I have put money aside in case anything needs doing, and I did have extra insulation work done, and solar panels fitted whilst I was still employed.

lessonlearned

Harz......didn't really study the details of the cheaper new build but yes totally agree with your assessment of sloping ceilings.

Dreaming.....your bungalow certainly fits the bill, sounds fab. And yes forward planning is certainly something we need to do as we approach our "third act"......:rotfl:

dmcgarvey956

Hi

I am just replying to you as I cannot work out how to post (can I be THAT stupid 🙄) however as in debt too don t have an answer to your question. I would like to post mine however. Anyway, good luck with freeing your debt 👍

Smodlet

Does that last smell of a rat or is it just my nasty, suspicious mind?

How'd the viewings go, AC? Have you considered looking up properties on the crime map and comparing the stats to where you are now/Twickenham? Just a thought.

another_casualty

savingmore wrote: »

hi ac and others. i haven't posted for a while but catch up everyday. you have been given some great advice on here and it's wonderful how these mse families/ communities develop.
if you want any opinions on weymouth if you go and look at houses i grew up there and regularly visit my fam too. it's a lovely place and has quite a bit of music scene it appears. different in summer than winter of course. fantastic beach and lots of lovely walks on the flat in the town beach front and of course the bird reserve just behind the streets near the front. rodwell where one of the houses was has views often towards portland and the home of national sailing. the nothe is one of my favourite areas, beautiful garden walks, by harbour and sea and walking distance to harbour, town, pubs by harbour that have open air music in summer, cafes, shops, great views. that's an area i would look at houses too.
plenty of public transport to poole. lots of day trips out....esp when u get yr free bus pass one day!
happy hunting.

Thanks saving,ore:)
Something to contemplate .

another_casualty

Thanks again everyone
I have news . I looked at 3 properties .
We'll go to the second property ..no! Paying for a pokey 1,bedroom in a fine location . Around the corner from where I am now . Open to offers.
My offer's closed.

Back to 1st flat.£187,000 share of freehold . 2nd floor . 2 bed.
Nice view. Garage as well. £80 pcm service charge .
All boxes ticked, except steep hill,to,walk,not near enough to,shops .

Flat 3 :£207,500 share of freehold £290 per quarter to include insurance , shared maintenance and water .council tax b
On a busy road, but perfect for location .communal garden to front of building .really it's next to office block .
Views not as good . Very noisy .not too much of a problem if it's only traffic
One of the bedrooms will need blind closed for obvious reasons.
Lovely flat , ready to just move into .tenant in situ , 1 month notice.

No disappointments either way tbh.
There is a chain with the property£187,000

I can't really say in conclusion , as I have 1 viewing on Monday , and maybe more .:)
However, I could make s cheeky offer on both imho within reason , and can't rule eoither out .
If pushed, I could offer£194,00 on the more expensive property.
Not sure how much stamp,duty I would need to pay.
A basic survey , is all that would be needed.
I could ask landlady, about the property opposite.
Need money in bank also. May phone creditors direct and make another offer .
What say you?

dreaming

Hi AC - just back in from a lovely afternoon chatting and tea-drinking (oh the glamour)!.


I would advise you not to ring your creditors because I think you might be tempted to tell them too much. I'm not saying you should blatantly lie to them, but I do think you can be economical with the truth, and that is much easier to do in writing as you can edit things. I think on the phone you might get flustered and say things better left unsaid. Consider writing to them again and slightly increase your offers but still without going into too much detail. I know from your other thread (I'm not stalking you - honest!) that Sourcrates has advised that you don't have to fill in their "means test" forms, or give them ay information other than what you are offering, but I think that you do have to be quite strong and not just jump on their say so. This may take few goes and counter-offers though so be aware of that. Or you can just pay the full amount and be done with it, then move forward with what you've got. Your choice (as always). I think Sourcrates has the experience you need and seems to be very straight-talking so I would be tempted to go on their advice.

Some good, clear thinking about the viewings, but no need to rush into anything just yet. I would look at a few more (different types of property (HOUSES) and different areas/towns) before worrying about making offers, unless you see something you absolutely love. I know it's tiring and you want to be settled but just pace yourself.

Actually I might start to stalk you and keep whispering "buy a house AC, buy a house".:rotfl: Just can't help thinking what I would do with £80/month, or £290/quarter, and complete ownership of freehold (so no-one else to tell me I what I can and can't do).


Telly night tonight I think if I can find something to watch, plus need to start reading this week's bookgroup book. Have a good evening.

another_casualty

Thank you dreaming Dreaming ..the house whisperer. Now there's a thought That £290 per quarter includes water rates. Something that is
telling me something . Lots to think about.

Speaking of telly : I'm trying to keep my eyes open after a couple of ciders .looking on bbc2 , I thought I'm looking st hyacinth bucket . It is in fact ,Caroline Quentin . Should go to specssvers