Our Mortgage Free Journey

Ami-Rose

It's been a while since I updated, but there really wasn't a lot to tell. Little has had a few really tough weeks, but I think she's finally turning a corner. Still trying to get the eczema under control, but she's in much better spirits.

We have finally made progress on the house front! All of the paperwork is in and we're ready to move forward at last. Tonight we've closed our H2B ISA so a cheque is on the way and we have a Zoom call with our solicitor tomorrow to go over everything and sign the official documents. Once that's all done and dusted we finally, finally start talking completion dates. Still hopeful for one this side of Christmas! 🤞

In less MSE news, we're also interviewing a Nanny tomorrow to help out with Little. I may be getting a promotion in my freelance work (and also might be an employee) sooner than planned next year, so this is timely. We just need someone for a few hours, once a fortnight for now to give me a rest, but if that work does come through it'll be great for them to already have a relationship when I step up my hours.

After doing the payday shuffle our furniture fund current stands at £625.10. Doubt that'll get much higher now, but OH's annual bonus will be arriving in the week before Christmas so hoping to get by on minimal purchases beforehand and make the most of January sales!

God I ramble a lot, don't I? 😂

Ami-Rose

Contracts signed on our end, so now they're off to the seller for their signature. Then the house is officially ours! We have said what our preferred moving dates are, should hear early next week if they agree. We'll be moving by the 18th at the latest as that's when the solicitors shut for Christmas. 😂

We bought our sofa today in the Wayfair clearance sale. It was £440 and can be converted into a bed for guests which wasn't essential, but is useful. It's set for delivery for the 18th so we'll only be without a sofa for a week or less. We haven't given notice on the flat yet (will once we have a concrete date) so we can always move the non-essential stuff first and keep living here until it arrives.

Anything else will have to wait as the FF is looking a little sad now. OH is getting paid on the 18th this month and getting a bonus, so hopefully that can cover any other essentials and the rest will be built up over the next few months.

Grogged

That sounds like great news!
Fingers crossed for the 18th.

caeler

Great news about the contracts!  I hope you agree a date quickly now and I'm glad it will be before Christmas! Will you move in before Christmas? @Ami-Rose

savingholmes

Just caught up. Glad things are coming together for you

Ami-Rose

caeler said:

Great news about the contracts!  I hope you agree a date quickly now and I'm glad it will be before Christmas! Will you move in before Christmas? @Ami-Rose

I think it depends on what date we agree - we should find out today! We're pushing for this Friday (11th) or Monday (14th) as a backup and I think we will move if it's one of those. If it's the 18th then I think it will depend on how much we've managed to prepare ahead of time, because I don't want to be in boxes for Christmas. Fine if not all rooms are done, but I would want the living room finished.

We're researching movers and packers currently because it's just my husband, my mum and I doing it all while still caring for Little. We're also packing already and making slow progress. Plus we've arranged for a cleaner to do a deep clean when we leave so it's off our plates.

Grogged

I can highly recommend getting everything packed professionally.
Saves so much stress, time, etc.
Not suitable for everyone, but it worked for us.

Ami-Rose

Sorry for the disappearing act. You may have assumed that I was off moving house, but alas, that has been delayed yet again!

Our solicitor contacted theirs to arrange a date and was told that they have been aiming for a January move all along! Would have been nice of them to tell us that... After some digging, it turns out that the house they are buying is in probate and the court date isn't until the end of January. So we now have an official move date of 29th Jan.

I was very angry at first, not least because we'd already ordered a sofa to their house! Plus all of the paperwork hoops we have jumped through to be ready before Christmas. Now I am simply resigned and slightly relieved that we at least have a set date now.

So watch this space...

caeler

I’m sorry to hear your news. Well done for dealing with it so well. 

savingholmes

Hope it all works out okay for you. At least you are settled for xmas