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MeandO

Thank you all x

I spoke to the estate agent this morning and asked that the vendors consider meeting me in the middle for the cost of repairs, so £7K off the asking price which is still £4K more than the bank valued the house at. I think that’s fair. 

I really hope they agree tomorrow as the cost of repairs won’t leave me with a lot in the bank to cover the cost of replacing the bathroom (nothing fancy, just putting a shower in, updating the old suite and probably tiling it myself) and then the other cosmetic work needed. I really don’t want to have to increase the mortgage, I’m not even sure the bank will do so as they’ve valued the house for less than it’s sold.
That’s also going on all the repair work coming in to within the budget, or estimate, provided by the surveyor.  I could really do with a bit of positive news. 

Aspiration

I think that’s really fair and fingers are crossed for you 🤞🏻

MeandO

He's having none of it.
The vendor went as far as to suggest I'm lying about the mortgage valuation and that the surveyor is making things up. He even argued that the house wasn't constructed traditionally and so couldn't possibly need X and Y done, whereas we have photographic evidence taken by the surveyor pointing out that it is and it does. 

He will take nothing less than asking price on a house which has been overpriced to start with. If he'd come back and said he couldn't afford to drop the price, that's one thing, but to practically call me, the mortgage company and the surveyor liars is extremely arrogant and has rattled my cage tbh. I have told the agent I will need a few days to calm down before even considering what to do next. I really don't know if this is all worth it.

Four_Seasons

What a cheek!! you are a good purchaser, understand you need time to think things through.  Are there any more houses that might tempt you? x

MeandO

Four_Seasons said:

What a cheek!! you are a good purchaser, understand you need time to think things through.  Are there any more houses that might tempt you? x

Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing else on the market here at the moment Four_Seasons. Any 'good' houses that come to market are either gone before being listed or go for ridiculous amounts over asking price. I only found this place because the estate agent tipped me off first before it came to market. If I pull out of this I think that's it then, I really think we'll end up having to stay where we are, the thought of which makes me want to cry.

Four_Seasons

Perhaps he cant afford to take less and typical man doesn't want to loose face!! Its difficult my late Mom would have said "don't cut your nose off to spite your face!" in other words if you really want to move and the house suits be the bigger person and just put him in the category of total pr...!  I think you are doing right giving yourself a few days to think x

MeandO

Four_Seasons said:

Perhaps he cant afford to take less and typical man doesn't want to loose face!! Its difficult my late Mom would have said "don't cut your nose off to spite your face!" in other words if you really want to move and the house suits be the bigger person and just put him in the category of total pr...!  I think you are doing right giving yourself a few days to think x

Yes, that would be understandable but I'm afraid doesn't appear to be the case from what we already know about him, I think it's just arrogance and ignorance unfortunately and yes, he does see to fall into that category! It's a shame people can't be polite about things, even if it was just a 'no, sorry.'

You're right in what you say about not cutting off my nose to spite my face, I said exactly the same to OH last night. My only concern is that I'm not buying a house which turns into the same can of worms as our last house did. I really don't think I could go through the stress again, I can't put DS through that again either and I certainly don't have that sort of money to spare. That house really did nearly finish me off and this current house hasn't helped either! Buying the prospective house will mean lending more than I was intending to too, but it's still £30K less than I owe now, so I have to weigh things up really carefully. I just need to calm down first! 

Four_Seasons

sending hugs and positive thoughts x

MeandO

Four_Seasons said:

sending hugs and positive thoughts x

Thanks lovely x

MeandO

I've just had a nice surprise when checking my bank account to see the one off £500 tax credits for working houses grant has been paid to me. I wasn't sure if I was eligible, so am really grateful to receive this. It does mean my tax credits are dropping by just over £100 a month from now on though.  
I've already transferred £400 of it to the premium bonds account and sent £50 to the car maintenance pot - my car is making a funny noise when going over bumps and I'm a bit concerned about it.  
The remaining £50 has partially gone towards the £31.50 of clothes I bought for DS in primarni last night and the rest will top up the grocery account a little.

I picked up 3 pairs of joggers, a pair of jeans and 6 pairs of socks for DS last night for £31.50 so was pretty pleased with the prices. Whilst he is still not bothered by brands etc and is growing so fast that nothing fits for long, this is ideal. I do have a couple of other pairs of brand new trousers to put on ebay that he grew out of before wearing.

I have updated the savings in my signature and have also added my two other savings pots in there. Pot 1 is for the car maintenance, MOT and insurance for both the house and car and I usually add £100 a month to it plus a little extra when I have any spare. Pot 2 is for Christmas and birthday gifts, but I do dip into this if I really have to. I usually put £100 a month into this too but may have to re-assess that now the tax credits are dropping.