Does anyone want to join me waiting to find a house to buy?

MeandO

Well done psychological, fingers crossed for a trouble-free purchase for you. Hope it all goes smoothly.


Well, I saw the 'new to market' house today.
Let's just say it's a no.
A 'no way.'

Seeing another tonight that is top of the budget and I'm not overly keen on...

psychological

MeandO wrote: »

Well done psychological, fingers crossed for a trouble-free purchase for you. Hope it all goes smoothly.


Well, I saw the 'new to market' house today.
Let's just say it's a no.
A 'no way.'

Seeing another tonight that is top of the budget and I'm not overly keen on...

Thanks MeandO!

If I've learnt anything in this process it's to keep an open mind.

We've been looking since January, changed areas several times, looked at property further out than we'd intended and ended up landing on a near perfect property that we very nearly didn't bother to view (because of distance from station).

That said, if it all falls through then I'll no doubt be a lot more despondent, but trying to keep positive in the meantime.

Hope you and Copperjar both find your dream homes soon. It's been so helpful to read the comments here to set our expectations and understand potential stumbling blocks.

copperjar

Well done psychological! Really pleased for you! Can't wait to have that feeling. Have booked in to see 2 more on Friday, the more we see, the more we like the one we have offered on! I think my problem is I'm a perfectionist to the point it is actually not healthy! So I'm so scared of making the wrong decision. I would hate to get a house and then one comes up a month later that we prefer. But I'm not sure what we are actually waiting for now. It's all a bit stressful!

The one I was excited about in preferred location that we viewed last night was a definite no. That's all I'm certain of at the moment!

MeandO

Well I saw the house I was not excited about tonight - and really liked it a lot. It's so much nicer than I thought it would be and there was the added bonus of another larger piece to the garden that I didn't know existed so it's a really big plot. It was light, airy and, although the kitchen and bathroom were not to my taste, they were quite new and in great condition so perfectly liveable until I can afford to change them. So excited...

Then she mentioned the Japanese knotweed...

Apparently they had it treated 3 years ago and there's no sign of it now anywhere, but I'm not sure what to do now. I was going to put an offer in tomorrow, but I don't even know if the mortgage company will lend on it.

There's always something...

Levs01

MeandO wrote: »

Well I saw the house I was not excited about tonight - and really liked it a lot. It's so much nicer than I thought it would be and there was the added bonus of another larger piece to the garden that I didn't know existed so it's a really big plot. It was light, airy and, although the kitchen and bathroom were not to my taste, they were quite new and in great condition so perfectly liveable until I can afford to change them. So excited...

Then she mentioned the Japanese knotweed...

Apparently they had it treated 3 years ago and there's no sign of it now anywhere, but I'm not sure what to do now. I was going to put an offer in tomorrow, but I don't even know if the mortgage company will lend on it.

There's always something...

I dont understand this issue with Japanese knotweed, it was mentioned on my sellers pack and I know its an invasive plant that needs to be controlled but why wouldnt a mortgage company lend on it? Genuine question, I really dont understand the issues with it having never had to deal with it personally (just the millions of native weeds that spread to my garden from the allotments)

copperjar

Oh wow MeandO! So pleased you've found somewhere you really like!
If the Japanese knotweed has been under control for 3 years you would think/hope it won't have a massive impact moving forward. Might be worth a quick word with a (free) broker to see what their opinion is?? I've found London and Country great as an advice service!

MeandO

Levs01 wrote: »

I dont understand this issue with Japanese knotweed, it was mentioned on my sellers pack and I know its an invasive plant that needs to be controlled but why wouldnt a mortgage company lend on it? Genuine question, I really dont understand the issues with it having never had to deal with it personally (just the millions of native weeds that spread to my garden from the allotments)

Hi Levs01,

The knotweed is an invasive plant which spreads like wildfire and can damage foundations/buildings etc, as will grow through pretty much anything, even concrete!

MeandO

copperjar wrote: »

Oh wow MeandO! So pleased you've found somewhere you really like!
If the Japanese knotweed has been under control for 3 years you would think/hope it won't have a massive impact moving forward. Might be worth a quick word with a (free) broker to see what their opinion is?? I've found London and Country great as an advice service!

Thanks Copperjar, I will make some enquiries for sure.
The old lady who currently owns the house can't quite remember when it was treated, but thinks it was about 3 years ago. She also can't find the certficates to say it was treated.
Reading up about it, it can take 3-5 years of treatment to completely eradicate.

Levs01

MeandO wrote: »

Hi Levs01,

The knotweed is an invasive plant which spreads like wildfire and can damage foundations/buildings etc, as will grow through pretty much anything, even concrete!

Oh wow, didn't know it could be so bad. I wonder, if it requires a certificate after treatment, if there is anywhere to obtain a copy of it. I've had to get copies of my two fensa certificates and Gas safe certificate for guiding rwgs. Due to the severity of the potential issue I'm sure there must be something similar for knotweed treatment.

MeandO

Yes, there are insurance-backed guarantees for treatment works, but unfortunately the lady can't remember the company that did it either.
I've phoned the agent and they've arranged with the vendor to send out a specialist to check it over and confirm whether it has been eradictaed or not and certify it if so.

I have my fingers crossed. If I did go ahead and buy it, I'm not sure whether I would be on Knotweed watch for the next umpteen years though!!!