SLLM (Single Lady Large Mortgage)

slm6002

becksport, thanks, i have thought quite a lot about another room in the loft.  Ideally i would have liked to put the girls up there in 2 small rooms, but when i was up there the other day i cant see that there would be enough room for that.  There maybe enough room for small double room, but it just seems a lot of money when i could probably split my large bedroom in 2, add a window and radiator and create 2 small rooms in there instead at a fraction of the cost.  Over the past week i have come to the conclusion that if possible i do want to move as there are just too many memories of OH here.  I dont feel like we belong in the street anymore and too many people are watching us and reporting back(lots of his and his families friends live in this street).  However at the moment the only mortgage i have been able to get is for 40k and even if we stay put i need one for 87k.  Am still working on this puzzle

HelloB

@becksport Thanks for sharing your journey!  I have to admit I just gave up, as I couldn't get the money back (but I don't live in London).  But you're tenacious by submitting revised plans.  I don't think I have the mettle to sit with the council to thrash things out, and probably just took the rejection as a hard no. Good for you!

@Sistergold Good luck with your plans with extending the house.  If this is your forever home (like what becksport is saying), get some quotes and go for it!  Might as well do it now when builders are probably more free?  

I just had a man come to quote on replacing some rotten decking boards in the garden. For anyone who has this done, does £250 sound sensible? To replace 12 boards and a section of rotten joist.

becksport

@slm6002 - you have to do what makes you and your children happy. I would never have stayed in the house that we owned together - I hated the area anyway but the memories would have eaten away at me. I agree if you can split one bedroom into 2 that would definitely be more cost effective. My parents thought I was mad when I kept saying I had to get 2 bedrooms and a bathroom in the loft as they said it was too small but once the dormer is on it makes so much difference. My builders favourite phrase is 'no problem' - if I wanted something he made it happen - he is an absolute gem. If you get nowhere with the mortgage companies try a broker. That is how I got my mortgage although at the time self certificated mortgages were available. Good luck and don't give up - you and children deserve so much happiness. 

becksport

@HelloB - I am very determined and headstrong. If I say I am going to do something I will do it and I know what I want. I think being a single mother for years and making all the decisions has pushed me further this way. To be honest the reason I pushed ahead is because the build was such good value. If I wanted to sell I would make a profit however I have no intention of selling.

For your decking if they are supplying all materials then the quote may be reasonable. For a tradesman that is a day job or less. I always work out how much time it would take a professional and work it out from there. I would pay an odd job person approx £100 a day and trades person (ie gardener or carpenter) approx £150 a day. I then buy the materials myself as it usually works out cheaper.

HelloB

@slm6002 Gosh, I hear you on the reporting back. If you have lived in your property for ages and built a lot of memories, I would consider moving.  Although don't feel pressured to be run out of the street.  Think about where you will move to, if you want the kids to move schools, building up your local support, etc. Good luck with shoring up your finances, you can make it happen!  I used an IFA to help me sort things out, but halfway through the lady dealing with my case left and hadn't submitted my application.  I called the bank and they said I could just apply directly as I had an agreement in principle with them already. BTW I used John Charcol, they weren't great with communication.  

@becksport Thanks that's really useful to know on costs of handyman vs trades person. So my quote sounds reasonable.

slm6002

Thanks becksport, i dont plan on giving up any time soon.  The plan...get that mortgage of my own so i can become mortgage free

Sandyra

Hi all, just catching up. On my bucket list is to have a walk-in wardrobe. Sad I know. My favourite programme at the moment is Your Home Made Perfect.

slm6002

Sandyra My favourite programme at the moment is Your Home Made Perfect.

Ooh not heard of that one.  I will have to take a look at that - sounds like the kind of thing i would like.  I've been working my way through kirsty and phils love it or list it for ideas

Sistergold

@slm6002
When I went on separation I left the town we were living in. I could not see how I will cope with bumping into Mr Ex and meeting all the people in town that we both used to know. So I can feel for you living in the same house where all the neighbours used to know you both and with you there are his relatives there aswell! You don’t want Ex knowing what you are upto really! But if you have to stay there hey, with time all these things can become a distant memory! 

When divorce was finalised I had to take all our family furniture this was partly because he was now moving into house share for a few months. He now rents a whole house. Initially I struggled with the furniture but it was good quality much better than I had bought for my rental flat and now I am over the sad memories and I don’t associate it with “us” anymore. I even have the marital bed but it’s in the spare bedroom. I bought a new bed for my bedroom. 

As I did not want to spend money on furniture I am now used to the furniture without any pain. 

Sistergold

Sandyra said:

Hi all, just catching up. On my bucket list is to have a walk-in wardrobe. Sad I know. My favourite programme at the moment is Your Home Made Perfect.

Which program is this, what channel? Sounds interesting!