The final countdown to June 2026

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

The agents have confirmed the other interested tenants have paid there holding deposit. Subject to references or changing there minds etc it looks like we have new tenants. I'm happy but also a little nervous 😕.

In money news, because things are a bit in limbo atm i'm going to focus on adding any extra funds to the EF so today I've moved another £700 across. This will help with a deposit for second rental or, if we change our minds (again🙄) we can clear the mortgage.

beanielou

Oh positive vibes.

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

Its "End of term Eve" looking forward to a few weeks of not having to get up and out the house with two children before 8am or remember every afterschool club, non uniform day, parent workshop etc. I'll still be up going to work but the whole house feels more relaxed 😊. I've made decent progress on the uniform purchasing, just the school branded blazer and PE kits to buy. I'll wait until mid august before getting those. With the exception of some trousers which fit perfectly so l don't mind, everything has been brought in the sale on Vinted or with a discount code.

We have our camping trip to look forward to next week, typical now the cooler weather is here 🙄. I am not looking forward to the packing, its always like we're moving home 😂. But the trouble is whether your staying 1 night or 10 you need it all. I intend to make a start on it this weekend. Apart from a few walks, a charity shop jigsaw and visiting the local village we have no plans…just how l like it.

In money news Mr Ck car bill came to nearly £700 😱 not what he needed after his insurance renewal last week for £800 and his payment on account due to HMRC the end of this month. He is feeling very poor indeed.

I finally submitted my tax return last night when l couldn't bear to watch the football. Turns out HMRC agree with me for once i'm due a £1360 refund !!. Although, between my own car insurance, mot, service and helping Mr Ck out its already spent.

carboot_karaoke

Oh, almost forgot another £420 has been sent to the emergency/deposit fund.

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

Feels like ages since we had a catch up.Can't believe we are already into the second week of the school holidays.

Last week was our camping trip, weather was wonderful and a good time was had by all total spent £90.17 plus the cash l had saved in a jar from Vinted sales.

While away l also managed to sort out my car insurance making a £100 saving vs last year😇 .

In other money news l have submitted a request for my tax refund but was disappointed to find out my tax code hasn't been updated. I will wait a couple of weeks before contacting HMRC.

The estate agent contacted me today to say the new tenants would be moving in over the in the middle of August so it will only be empty a couple of weeks. I'm not counting on the rent next month as estate agents will take most of it for finding new tenants.

Things are also moving forward with buying our next rental, l had a call with a broker about mortgages although l know the rates are awful atm 😒 l should receive some indication on costs etc in the next few days. I've viewed 4 properties so far with another planned for the weekend. Also spoke to 3 solicitors for quotes they vary by nearly £900 for the same thing. Its all feeling a bit real, which sometimes excites me and other times terrifies me 🤣

South_coast

I assumed you'd be drawing down on your existing mortgage again, does that not work out as an option this time?

carboot_karaoke

Hi @South_coast thank you for stopping by 😊. Our existing mortgage will allow us to withdraw funds but only up to the original £100k limit from 20 years ago. So the plan is to withdraw enough for the deposit, fees and renovation with the balance paid for with a separate buy to let mortgage.

The focus will be to clear our own mortgage because of the unlimited overpayments allowed. Then throw everything at the BTL mortgage. The option l looked at allows for a 10% repayment each year.

South_coast

Aah, that makes sense. Apologies for my nosiness 😅!

carboot_karaoke

You can be as nosey as you like @South_coast

Speaking of which….l come bearing news !! After allowing some thinking time, viewing some other properties talking to the estate agents, yesterday we went for a second viewing on the first place l saw and offered on a couple of weeks ago. It was the first view for Mr Ck and he really liked it too. We offered a revised £5k lower figure which was accepted this morning 🙈

We know its a risk, the property has to remain online for the duration of the sale and if higher bids are made they will be put forward to the business selling it. However, every sale come with a risk it might not complete, at least we know the business wont pull out. The flat needs a fair amount of work but is in a lovely location and others on the estate have sold for +£70k to our offer, albeit in a different sales market environment than today. The plan is to hold onto it for the long term so I'm sure it will increase in value even if it doesn't hit the previous ceiling price.

I've spent most of the day making phone calls, submitting the mortgage application paperwork. I felt a bit sick when the illustration told me I'd be repaying £2.10 for every £1 borrowed YIKES.

carboot_karaoke

In other news I've been feeling really tired, and a bit flat recently. I think its because l haven't been to the gym in weeks and my diet hasn't been great either.

I also feel bad that the kids have spent this week mostly at home 😔 . So now I've dealt with the flats admin this weeks focus is to dust of my gym clothes and get back to some sort of fitness and organise some activities for the kids.