I hope I can do this

jwil

Well done on sticking to budget!

efes_shareholder

Isn't it a great feeling when despite the obstacles and challenges we manage to make it through the month

Well done , I've been failing miserably on the smoking how about you ?

ftbwannabe

Thanks everyone! Can't say I'm not gagging for payday on Friday. And I need to try to curb the social-spending a bit next month. Having people round to mine instead of going out will be a good idea (just means tidying up more, ha!).

efes, I have failed too. & my budget would be healthier if I hadn't slipped! next month, eh?

ftbwannabe

Oo-er, looks like our house-search is starting sooner tham I expected. OH has got the bug, & enough cash from a relative, & has even installed the RM app on his phone ;-)
If this really happens, I can see how costly it will be - my monthly repayments are bound to be higher than my current rent, & there’s the cost of surveys & solicitors & redecorating. I resent a future-house for limiting how much i can pile onto clearing my debt, but i’m also weirdly thrilled about getting the mortgage out of the way so i can go back to snowballing my credit cards instead of saving for a deposit :-)
I’m also terrified we won’t get a mortgage, as we were planning to tidy up our accounts for a while before letting a lender see them.
It’s exciting too though! I’ve started haunting the ‘house buying’ forums here as well as the thrifty/debty ones.
Might not really happen for a while, so still keeping a strict grip on my budget.

ftbwannabe

PS if anyone can tell me how the hell to know what to offer on a house, please let me know! Tho we aren’t properly looking yet, i confess that we’ve viewed one place already. It’s right by our current one, just nipped in for a nose around and now i’m day-dreaming of simply getting this one & skipping the months of searching. Needs redecorating badly tho & we have no clue what to do next. What naive lambs we are!

efes_shareholder

I haven't offered on a property for a while but it seems like things aren't shifting as quickly as they were and theres a bit of trepidation with people buying

I'd do your research - look at what other houses have sold for where you are looking and personally depending on the area I would start negoitations by trimming 10% off of the purchase price and work from there

1st offers are rarely accepted and if it needs work or is some kind of probate sale you may be fortunate , you can always work up

If its a prime location in an area that sells well then you may want to rethink that one though

How about getting hold of Phil and Kirstie ?

ftbwannabe

Efes, Phil & Kirstie are actually scouting for buyers in our area! Heh, maybe we can both be on telly?! (Any word from itv yet?)

jwil

Agree with efes. Do your research as to what other properties have sold for. Also get your mortgage agreement in principle in place before you offer.

efes_shareholder

ftbwannabe wrote: »

Efes, Phil & Kirstie are actually scouting for buyers in our area! Heh, maybe we can both be on telly?! (Any word from itv yet?)

The thought did cross my mind

I would call them in - A friend of mine tried but as she was in a chain it was a no go

I have tried to call back but haven't got hold of them as yet - I don't think I will be able to go ahead anyhow as its several working days availability

ftbwannabe

Erm, so, made an offer on that place we saw & it's been accepted!?!?!?!
Head is spinning. Applying for mortgage tomorrow, gawd. Wasn't planning on having to get one til next year, oh please please please let that go ok :T