Future Proofing my life: Deposit saving then MFW journey in under 13 years

TallGirl

That is such exciting news especially that you love it. I know it is hard giving up the current place you live in but it is time limited and each time you have to move there are cost to be added so yes it is low rent but the next place might only be a year then you have to do it all again if you have not bought your own place. I do not know anything about JKW but I do not do not trust the estate agent about anything they know nothing. Solicitors and legal forms are the only things that are worth relying on 100%. Age of boiler is important but it is not that disruptive to have one installed (unless you need a whole new heating system) and a new one saves quite a bit of money as they are more efficient. Anyway do keep up updated. 

I am envious of the sewing class that sounds so good. Shame you haven't seen the stuff you need to bring do you not have any friends you has a stash you could borrow? It is not expensive items but I bet there are no little shops to get it in near you. Saying that Lidl did have some sewing stuff when I went in last weekend might be worth a look if you have time. I totally get trying to do something you are not skilled enough to do. Fabric is so expensive you really need to love what you make. I used to have a perfect pattern for a dress I could just keep making and change the length off. It was so easy to fit I could even show others how to make it. Now I am back at the beginning after not sewing for years but it is fun to make bags and other smaller things while I build up to a larger more complex item. 

Cheery_Daff

Ooh, all fingers crossed for the flat! 

And yes, don't give notice til you've actually exchanged contracts and have a definite moving date. The advantage of your position is that you could potentially have a little bit of an overlap, meaning you'd avoid a lot of the stress of the actual moving day. Still a way off though, so for now, fingers crossed 😊

skint_spice

All very exciting about the flat, hope it works out.

SandyShores

Exciting times LWAP.  We didn't give notice until we had exchanged - we only had a 2 week completion but the extra cross over meant we were able to move our stuff gradually - which was really helpful and cheap as we did it ourselves.  Felt bad for the landlord not to give more notice, but didn't want to risk it.  Although I remember arguing with the council about council tax and having to pay it at both properties even though one was empty.

LadyWithAPlan

@TallGirl I actually have 2 favourite maxi summer dresses I want to learn how to make a pattern from  so I will take them in - one stretchy fabric and the other is a jersey type - dont think either are easy to start with though.
Pity you lost your pattern
EDIT: I went to class and the teacher was ill so the head of college had waited to speak to us all and do a quick induction... so annoying to lose week one of the course... At least it gets me time to buy what I need .. I actually found a tracing circle in my sewing kit ! Who knew what that was )) Need to get fabric scissors, more pins, tailors chalk !!

Tx on boiler feedback - its more I am trying to look at if I have to make a counter offer and have to also think a new boiler etc 

@Cheery_Daff @SandyShores  tx for the advice on the rental

Not heard back from the EA - which I think is good news At least its not a quick no..

@skint_spice I am enjoying the possibility of buying that flat  - I am aware I am lucky that I am not in a rush - as thats when big mistakes can happen - I wont be piling on high high bids... my broker suggested letting them come back to me and if needed t0 up bid do it in very small increments ... when did house buying become like dating??

MWAP is sweet and has been in contact  daily There is a LOT going on in my life right now...

SPENDING Grocery £4.60 + £1.65 crisps  so Feb £135.46 + bulk £26.59 + crisps £11.02
I popped to the shop Tes which I walked back from my non existent college class.
£1.65 crisp (plus YS bombay potatoes, DF yogurt, kale   and some sparkling water - so annoying lidl closed .... as aldi doesnt have a lot of the df stuff and had no FR chicken when I went in

Baileys_Babe

When we moved from a rented flat to the first property we bought we had about 6 weeks of overlap, we used this time to do some DIY, give the place a though clean and get people in to sort out bits and pieces. We moved ourselves so we gradually did that as well. It took a lot of the pressure off moving.

skint_spice

It’s a bit different up here LWAP as it’s often offers over, when I offered on this house I was advised my offer was just a wee bit too low but if I raised by £1500 seller would take it off the market. That was a reasonable amount for me so I agreed and was in within 5 weeks 😂 I had MIP arranged in advance. I had seen a few other places but this one just felt calm and like home.

Suffolk_lass

Am I right in thinking your offer (if accepted) is going to attract Stamp Duty at 5% for the part that is above £425k?

TallGirl

How annoying about the course but as you said you get more time to find the things you need. I have never made anything just from a piece of clothing it has always been from an actual pattern and I then have to make it longer obviously. Lovely skill to have if you can just make from something already made. My mum has a friend who is a tailor so we get him to that for us. He is ace but I am never home long enough for him to fit it on me so it can be a bit hit and miss sadly which is not his fault. 

Bet you are on tenderhook with the offer I played it very cool with this place and only went up by £5K each time and the estate agent got fed up and they came back with a counter offer which I accepted at £15K below asking price. This was pre-covid before it all went mad. It is nice if you can do things before you move in especially flooring and cleaning obviously. Hope you hear something soon.

LadyWithAPlan

@skint_spice I have heard from a few of you now on knowing a house is the 'right' place for you which is a real comfort as I have looked at places and a few I have tried to make 'fit' - ... but this flat is gorgeous and works for me  - just not at the asking price..   which looking around the area seems steep..

 I think London has been accepting 5-10% below asking from what I can see online for the last year ...Its very pushed price wise anyway as we know  the London market but will it ever really come down ...  this flat is farther out but still on a direct quick tube line so .. 

@Baileys_Babe that sounds perfect  - I would just be worrying re the double mortgage/rent payment on too much of an overlap  for me ... but as you say it gives you the luxury of time to get stuff fixed, diy, floors if needed etc, pictures up  I guess you saved on moving costs though - I have some seriously heavy  furniture so will need men with vans ... Lets hope I get to diarise about all my planning on here soon!

This flat (hoping to hear today I have bought it)  from the first look doesn't need much initial diy (ha! I know I will discover that is not the case) - I think an initial paint/scrub etc should do it ... the garden needs some work - I think the decking looks like it needs something ... Plus of course this will be my first bought home so I will want to be clearer about how it looks and is used... I have always rented unfurnished and painted the last couple places as was allowed to so ..but this will be big thought on colours etc... and how much I will do before I move in and see my stuff in there I dont know.. 


I have a giant  very fabulous (but was in the sale so fabulously frugal again) light fitting I bought a decade +  ago that is still in the box  at my parents (!) as the drop on it is ridiculous... I would have knocked myself out if it had been put up in even my reasonably  high ceilings ... I have realised this morning it would fit perfectly in this new flat  (huge triple height ceiling in lounge) and will look amazing - so I  am starting to dream now - I can see myself moving in, I can see myself on first having the keys and sitting in that flooding light lounge on the oak(ish) floor or out on the deck ...  for the first time...
This could be an amazing adventure

I still have that spare SMEG  kettle I won - in the wrong colour - I guess I am keeping it for moving and having two kitchens going for a few weeks   I may have a renewed burst of interest in paint and furniture competitions ... 



lets see what life brings me today I had some creative plans but a lot of work on and I need to work and make some hard cash to keep  funding this adventure. If I buy and all else remains static I will go out and find new contracts or work - I have the time - and will have the motivation of a £300k plus mortgage to keep me focused...