Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

savingholmes

Good job you asked KK.

Apparently the EA checked to see if they would go up to asking price on Sunday - but hasn't heard back yet. I've just said I would accept the offer if they don't go up (which I also said Sunday) so will see what comes back. I hate limbo land. When I spoke to the EA on Sunday - I was in a really poor reception area and struggled to hear him. I hope I haven't lost the sale. As the other guy who said he'd put in an offer hasn't yet in practice.

lucielle

Keeping everything crossed for you.  Have you thought about asking if the dream house is likely to come back on the market?
L

KajiKita

Good news on the mortgage porting and the various lower fees on things compared to what you had budgeted.

Kk

doingitanyway

Glad you have had good news with conveyancing costs.

I found that by the time I costed the work required on a cheaper house (costs of materials have increased as well as the cost of labour) it wasn't the great deal I thought it was initially. If I then added in the stress of finding, waiting for the trades to be available, dealing with trades, especially as a lone female, and the mess and upheaval it wasn't worth it for me.

Just a few things to think about.

Tahlullah.H

Great news to find the cost of doing up your current house is more expensive than moving.  Helps to put everything into perspective.

Blackcats

Glad you can port the mortgage without too much cost/hassle.
I was also going to ask if the house in the valley which I think was/is your dream house might be willing to talk now you are under offer? 

beanielou

Good news on the porting.

savingholmes

Thanks Lucielle, KK, DIA, Tahlullah, Blackcats

The good news is the buyers went up another £2K - so may not need to be quite on bread and water yet!! I have now formally accepted the offer - and they are in the process of providing proof of ID, funds etc.

I am going to view a house tomorrow and am booked in to see two houses Saturday - but may cancel one of them. 

Lucielle and Blackcats - The original valleys house - I am no longer so sure of - when I did the reccie trip back to the area a few weeks ago - it was apparent how isolated it was. I hate single track roads and 3 of the 4 roads leading out of the valley were single track - and they get snowed in. The last 5 or 6 miles to the valley - had no guard rail - but had some quite steep drops in places - so that was concerning. It is beautifully tree lined but in stormy weather that could also create a hazard. If I went for that kind of option - I'd probably add cost and trade in my car for a 4x4 to have more visibility and hopefully greater traction. I went to a Saturday morning cafe - and it was pretty much all elderly folk with the exception of a young family who didn't live in the village who were related to the volunteer helping out. I was there over an hour - and there were 8-10 people in there. They were friendly but not sure how well I'd fit in there. My Dad is always harping on about access to hospitals - their main doctor was 7 miles away - and hospital more like 20 miles. 

In contrast the place I went to on Sunday felt more realistic. It has stunning views, is in a cul de sac of about 5 houses. No houses opposite. Not overlooked. 2 miles from a major town with everything you could need including a hospital and swimming pool etc. The house was also move in ready - where the Valleys house was nice but needed more work.

Tomorrow I'm looking at a local stunning house without the views - and will hopefully have a better gauge of what is most important to me.

DIA - I agree on the cheaper houses - I start working out the costs in my head and as you say it's often cheaper to buy the more expensive house in the first place - and then your costs are known more upfront.

I'm feeling a bit calmer today. I'm relieved they went up £2K as it could make a huge difference to me in terms of scraping through with no new debt. Knowing the mortgage company is likely to be okay - and they recognise the name of the solicitor from the cheapest quote and they are acceptable to them is also reassuring.

savingholmes

Welsh house
Solicitor cost £2.2K
Stamp Duty £3.6K
Removals £1.5K
Port mortgage £0.2K
Surveys up to £0.6K
So roughly £8.1K
But mortgage likely to have £13K change from the purchase so could replenish EF - if full asking price. But some work needed.
Pros: Affordable, 3 beds, move in ready, stunning views, multiple receptions, not overlooked, good front lawn and front wall
Cons: driveway for one car only, potential lack of support network as further away from everyone, tiered garden with lots of steps, no ensuite - would need to address - would also want to replace downstairs loo

English house local
Solicitor cost £2.2K
Stamp Duty £2.5K
Removals £1K - could even be less 
Port mortgage £0.2K
Surveys up to £0.6K
So roughly £6.5K
But may need to pay £2K towards mortgage shortfall if there is one. EF pretty much wiped out if pay full asking price.
Pros: 4 beds, move in ready, multiple receptions, bigger driveway, handy for work, keep handyman and cleaner(!!), keep current loose support network intact, ensuite, level back garden with pretty patio and a front garden
Cons: no views, slightly overlooked to the front (but long drive and planting in front of main window)

I've started re-reading this year's diary today so I can get a better sense of my priorities rather than getting lost in the current haze.

Merlin's_Beard

Hopefully a reread will give you an idea of the things that you've felt the need to talk about this year, both positively and negatively. It can  be hard to think about it in the moment with everything feeling like it's hanging over your head.