Desperate to find a house

[Deleted User]

I sold my house last year and rented a room for work. I had to resign from the job for good reasons. I have some remote work for September, but nothing with a contract that will allow me to get a mortgage.

The only half decent house I’ve seen has double yellow lines outside, a shower cubicle but no bath, and everything seems a bit bodged. All other houses are flying off the market within hours, but this one has been for sale since April. I’m just not sure about it. 

Am I being ridiculously fussy when I can’t afford to be, or should I hold out hope for a house I actually want to live in? Please be kind, I’m regretting selling last year and don’t want to make an impulsive decision from desperation. 

[Deleted User]

How is the house being funded @Deleted_User? Is it a cash purchase given that you've said you have now moved from a permanent position and not enough self employed funds coming through for a mortgage application or what they would need in terms of 2 years books etc

[Deleted User]

Forget that - just seen your previous posts so the fact that it's a cash purchase.

My questions would be
- even though it's cash you will still have a budget. Are you expecting too much from what you can get in the area?
- is it possible you're just going through a lot and you don't really know what you want and are struggling to think clearly?
- how will you fund living expenses in the meantime? .e.g. is it a good time to be committing to a house?

If you now don't have a permanent position, it might mean that you've got more flexibility on area & options. But if you tie yourself to a house and then get offered a permanent position in a different location / difficult commute then you might regret it.

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User said:

Forget that - just seen your previous posts so the fact that it's a cash purchase.

My questions would be
- even though it's cash you will still have a budget. Are you expecting too much from what you can get in the area?
- is it possible you're just going through a lot and you don't really know what you want and are struggling to think clearly?
- how will you fund living expenses in the meantime? .e.g. is it a good time to be committing to a house?

If you now don't have a permanent position, it might mean that you've got more flexibility on area & options. But if you tie yourself to a house and then get offered a permanent position in a different location / difficult commute then you might regret it.

Yes - going through a lot, don’t really know what I want and am struggling to think clearly. 

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User said:

Deleted_User said:

Forget that - just seen your previous posts so the fact that it's a cash purchase.

My questions would be
- even though it's cash you will still have a budget. Are you expecting too much from what you can get in the area?
- is it possible you're just going through a lot and you don't really know what you want and are struggling to think clearly?
- how will you fund living expenses in the meantime? .e.g. is it a good time to be committing to a house?

If you now don't have a permanent position, it might mean that you've got more flexibility on area & options. But if you tie yourself to a house and then get offered a permanent position in a different location / difficult commute then you might regret it.

Yes - going through a lot, don’t really know what I want and am struggling to think clearly. 

I think you are looking for stability and craving that during a difficult time but it’s not working out because it’s probably not the right call.
Would you be able to rent somewhere nicer in the meantime? (May be possible with a lump sum in the bank even though you aren’t employed)

I really think buying a house may not be the right thing for you right now. I think you need to look to make yourself comfortable right now to start getting your head clear and making some decisions and then move on x

stressedout45

I second the PP… maybe not the right time to make such a huge decision?   Nothing worse than having regrets about where you live.  Good luck x

theoretica

If the house has been on since April while others are flying off the market, a lot of other people haven't been sure about it either.  Could you make it more what you wanted if you got it cheap enough?

If houses you like, and could afford, continue to fly off the market and you want one it will take extreme decisiveness to get one to fly in your direction.

[Deleted User]

theoretica said:

If the house has been on since April while others are flying off the market, a lot of other people haven't been sure about it either.  Could you make it more what you wanted if you got it cheap enough?

If houses you like, and could afford, continue to fly off the market and you want one it will take extreme decisiveness to get one to fly in your direction.

Thanks - I’ll be extremely decisive when I find a house I like. I’m checking Rightmove and estate agent websites every day. 

wegptrem

I don't think you are being ridiculously fussy at all.  
To be blunt, I think you have not yet found what you want and a more-boyant-than-normal property market has undermined your confidence.
I also think this 'flying off the shelf' thing has a negative effect too - it adds to a fear of missing out.

Let's remember, when we buy or sell, there are a lot of extra costs involved, conveyancing and so on.
A cash buyer is in a far better position than someone who has a property to sell, or is stuck in a chain.
You are in a dream position right now.

As for this property .........

Double yellow lines - so you need parking?  If there is no off-road parking, and you will have to either park at an inconvenient distance or rent/buy a garage/parking spot elsewhere, then the parking situation at this property is not quite what you are looking for.

No bath?  Your post implies you would like a bath.  Is there room for one in the bathroom?  If not, it is going to cost to have one installed.

Lot of bodged work?  Do you want a fixer upper?  Do you have the cash spare to pay people to do what you can't do yourself?

From your remarks, I think you know in your heart of hearts this property is not the one for you - too many compromises.

Lots of sensible advice in this thread, I won't echo it, apart from to say, if you have a roof over your head now, however constraining that room feels at the moment, then you have all the time in the world to look about you for a more perfect pad (or as near-perfect as it gets).

If the room is a problem, perhaps rent something? 6 months rent cash up front might get you past any landlord checks/problems, especially when done privately rather than through a letting agency.

This housing bubble is going to burst as some stage, you might even be glad you waited a few more months.

Deleted_User said:

Am I being ridiculously fussy when I can’t afford to be, or should I hold out hope for a house I actually want to live in?

Ummmmmmmmm .......... I'd say yes, you should

[Deleted User]

wegptrem said:

I don't think you are being ridiculously fussy at all.  
To be blunt, I think you have not yet found what you want and a more-boyant-than-normal property market has undermined your confidence.
I also think this 'flying off the shelf' thing has a negative effect too - it adds to a fear of missing out.

Let's remember, when we buy or sell, there are a lot of extra costs involved, conveyancing and so on.
A cash buyer is in a far better position than someone who has a property to sell, or is stuck in a chain.
You are in a dream position right now.

As for this property .........

Double yellow lines - so you need parking?  If there is no off-road parking, and you will have to either park at an inconvenient distance or rent/buy a garage/parking spot elsewhere, then the parking situation at this property is not quite what you are looking for.

No bath?  Your post implies you would like a bath.  Is there room for one in the bathroom?  If not, it is going to cost to have one installed.

Lot of bodged work?  Do you want a fixer upper?  Do you have the cash spare to pay people to do what you can't do yourself?

From your remarks, I think you know in your heart of hearts this property is not the one for you - too many compromises.

Lots of sensible advice in this thread, I won't echo it, apart from to say, if you have a roof over your head now, however constraining that room feels at the moment, then you have all the time in the world to look about you for a more perfect pad (or as near-perfect as it gets).

If the room is a problem, perhaps rent something? 6 months rent cash up front might get you past any landlord checks/problems, especially when done privately rather than through a letting agency.

This housing bubble is going to burst as some stage, you might even be glad you waited a few more months.

Deleted_User said:

Am I being ridiculously fussy when I can’t afford to be, or should I hold out hope for a house I actually want to live in?

Ummmmmmmmm .......... I'd say yes, you should

Thank you. No, there isn’t room for a bath - the bathroom is tiny, and dark. I’m very happy to hear someone say this housing bubble is going to burst at some point, as my biggest fear is that prices will keep rising indefinitely. I’ll keep looking!

AdrianC

Deleted_User said:

Yes - going through a lot, don’t really know what I want and am struggling to think clearly. 

The worst possible time to buy any house, let alone the last turkey in the shop.