Quit everything , and start again over 50?

another_casualty

Wow! Loads of good advice this morning
Debs...you are right . That penguin 's getting on my wick:rotfl:
Worried/ verbatim: not that one. But it does look nice .
Not for me .
The one I saw was in danecourt . Very new. The opposite end of the Ashley cross area.

Harz : excellent advice again. Hope it doesn't need re wiring.
Funny enough I thought about kitchen doors. Not sure if you can buy them separate .

Copperjar , I have a feeling my solicitor is more of a 10-6 guy.
He was off yesterday . He may call or email me today.

Dansman, glad you like it . You may be spot on there.

From what I remember , the kitchen is long and narrow.
It's for cooking only . Nothing wrong with that.
The flat I'm in is the same. Except it has a window.
The main bedroom feels large enough.
Obviously , the boiler room would be for guests and my basses / computer etc.

I don't want to over react and make a mountain out of a molehill so to speak . I also know that the estate agent wants her commission.
Could be wrong, but once she knows I have the survey she may call me to reasssure herself and the vendor, that there are no problems.
If so, I would raise concern over the things mentioned.
As the vendor wants a quick sale , then she may be willing to listen .

My opinion is , it's all about negotiation. The survey wouldn't put the buy to let people off imho. The price is pretty good .
Buyers and sellers change their mind. So, I'm still mulling it over.

another_casualty

As I was typing above, just received an email from my solicitor .
He said he will review the report as soon as he can.
He noted my concern about the boiler.
He mentioned the implications of sub floor ventilation , and assumes it is what it is , and that if any remedial work is required then it's likely the landlords consent is required under the terms of the lease.

Just replied to his email . I mentioned that the flooring isn't too expensive to do apparently . Also the fact I spoke to the surveyor who was puzzled as to why the boiler had been moved . I also mentioned that I hope the flat doesn't need re wiring .
That should more or less cover all of the issues .
I will now contact the company that are supposed to give me a valuation ,which I paid for.

anna_1977

You said it wouldn't put the buy to let people off - they would have to do all the work to the boiler etc to pass regulations in order to let out - surely?

I think the first point of call needs to be you arranging for a gas engineer to come and quote for the works. Make sure you are there at the time with them and have another viewing.... I was concerned with your 'from what I remember the kitchen was narrow' comment and am worried you have rushed into this without really 'seeing' the flat

another_casualty

anna_1977 wrote: »

You said it wouldn't put the buy to let people off - they would have to do all the work to the boiler etc to pass regulations in order to let out - surely?

I think the first point of call needs to be you arranging for a gas engineer to come and quote for the works. Make sure you are there at the time with them and have another viewing.... I was concerned with your 'from what I remember the kitchen was narrow' comment and am worried you have rushed into this without really 'seeing' the flat

Thanks Anna

The kitchen was long and narrow. I saw the gas cooker, but because there is no window, I would prefer electric cooker. Yes , a gas engineer with myself sounds the best thing. I may get the survey printed and go with that .

another_casualty

I just made a call regarding valuation.
The guy sounded flustered. Took the money, and had all the spiel.
He is contacting the surveyor and will be getting back to me by phone or text. I may be missing something here , but no figure was mentioned. What was mentioned in a nutshell was, if I was prepared for inconvenience and cost the flat would keep,its value in the present climate. I've changed the wording, as I'm busy but wil print end paragraph here if need be

harz99

anna_1977 wrote: »

You said it wouldn't put the buy to let people off - they would have to do all the work to the boiler etc to pass regulations in order to let out - surely?

I think the first point of call needs to be you arranging for a gas engineer to come and quote for the works. Make sure you are there at the time with them and have another viewing.... I was concerned with your 'from what I remember the kitchen was narrow' comment and am worried you have rushed into this without really 'seeing' the flat

You and me to Anna, I worry that AC has been seduced by the location and price for a 2 bed (which it isn't really at the mo). With what he's talking about spending on works added, for the space available the danger is it will never realise that amount if he needs to sell again.


I did suggest he go back and make a proper measured plan of the whole place including where sockets are, how doors open, and so on. Transfer it to scale on graph paper, and place scale size pieces of furniture etc. in each room to see what fits where etc. Could be done when the Gas Engineer/Electrician visit.

anna_1977

Absolutely do as harz99 has suggested AC - please don't take any of this as criticism or negativity - you have come so bloody far since you first posted and really want to see you settled somewhere perfect for you and happy.

harz99

AC, there's loads of companies do replacement kitchen doors, some on supply only, some do the job for you.


https://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=replacement&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4SMSN_en___GB382&q=replacement+kitchen+doors&gs_l=hp..0.0i131l2j0j0i131l2.0.0.0.8681...........0.49e-N2XgKjw


Or contact a local joiner for a quote.


AS regards electric cooker it would really depend on whether your kitchen has the requisite wiring and/or cooker point socket to cope with the loading, another question for the electrician when he/she comes. If the wiring is not already there its probably not worth the hassle of installing the cooker supply unless a complete rewire is needed.

dreaming

anna_1977 wrote: »

You said it wouldn't put the buy to let people off - they would have to do all the work to the boiler etc to pass regulations in order to let out - surely?

Agree with anna - in fact, if it was buy to let the regulations are probably more stringent as they have to have the gas certificate inspection. But an investor would probably be negotiating a much cheaper deal.


It's hard to judge whether rooms are too small, or wrong configuration etc. as we don't really know what you like and how you live. For instance, I like to have family and friends round for meals so needed the space for a reasonable size table and chairs, plus room for 2 decent-sized sofas for after meals. I also wanted a garden and parking space and knew that I wanted a bungalow to "future-proof" my life a bit. A friend of mine who hates cooking and gardening went for a 1 bedroom flat with a tiny kitchen and loves it although it would drive me mad to live there.


I really do think the best thing you can do is re-visit with the gas engineer and spend some time imagining how you would live in it as it is, as I think undertaking too much work is likely to be stressful and costly. The wall between the living room and kitchen is likely to be load-bearing so almost definitely would need building regs/freeholder permission/more money (although not necessarily mega-bucks) and I thought the idea was to find somewhere to live and enjoy life. How much time do you spend in the kitchen so is not having a window a major problem?
I still think the boiler is likely to be within regulations if it has been fitted in the last couple of years if the outside of the flue is more than 30 cms away from a window opening (take a tape measure with you when you go back and measure it yourself). When you visit - don't be polite and just have a quick look round mumbling niceties to the EA - open cupboards and look carefully for anything untoward. Spend a while thinking where you would put your kettle/toaster/microwave/fancy coffee machine/whatever; where would your sofas/tv go in the living room; wardrobes in the bedroom, etc. It is a much quoted fact that many people spend more time researching and viewing cars than they do buying their house (and for some people the same is true when buying shoes!).
I know you have spent money on solicitors and survey but it is not too late to pull out if you change your mind, but at the same time, don't panic as whatever you buy is likely to have some problems. It might also be worth a trip to B&Q or similar to see how much replacement kitchen doors would be, or shower enclosures as I am guessing you don't have much experience of those sort of things.
Do you know any women who would visit with you (friend's wife?) as a female point of view might be helpful? Not with the view of moving in your harem in the near future (although you never know) but just a different perspective. From the pictures I still think it looks a nice place but then again I'm not the one buying.
Lots to think about but lots of good advice too. Just try to see how it applies to your life.

another_casualty

anna_1977 wrote: »

Absolutely do as harz99 has suggested AC - please don't take any of this as criticism or negativity - you have come so bloody far since you first posted and really want to see you settled somewhere perfect for you and happy.

Thanks again Anna Thanks for the kind words .
I never take anything here as negativity. Only great advice, goodwill and guidance .;)