The final countdown to June 2026

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

I had a very nice weekend and even better day out with the kids.

It was the first time we did just the three of us, normally Mr CK or a friend and there children join us.

I will definitely look to book things again even when Mr Ck isn't available. l was shattered by the time we got home. But they still had energy to excitedly tell there older siblings and dad all about it 🥰. Today there having a quiet day while i'm at work.

In flat news …the survey is taking place on Thursday. I suspect we will receive the report towards the end of next week.

The new tenants are due to move in on Friday so hopefully some money will be paid into our account. It wont be much because the estate agents take off finding fees etc first.

carboot_karaoke

Evening all,

The last few days have been busy, l bit the bullet and ordered new shoes for young CK @£50 and went to the school shop for the branded blazer, PE kit etc X 2, I haven't worked it out properly but a decent guess puts the total cost including bags, trainers, trousers, shirts etc at £350. Ive got a few things to return and then I'll be able to see if the kids account has any money left at all 😬. I keep telling myself that's what its there for but l don't like seeing it this empty.

Speaking of money about £650 went into our rent account on Friday. A bit more than I was expecting so I'll have to check all deductions have been made. I have to phone up and settle the council tax, and utilities for two weeks out of it. It wasn't worth doing until l had the new tenants details to give them at the same time that will be a Monday job.

The solicitors have begun the searches for the new flat and hopefully we will get the homebuyer report at the end of the week. Maybe even the mortgage offer?who knows. Things are moving at a manageable pace so I'm grateful for that.

carboot_karaoke

Morning all,

Yesterday was a NSD in fact, l went to the shops on my way home from work but just to return the excess uniform items. The kids accounts now has £6.30 😟remaining in it. Thankfully, the holiday fund still has a bit of money in it so l will use that as needed.

At the moment any surplus is being saved, I've combined the emergency fund and rental emergency fund to create our "renovation budget". It currently has £12,155 in it. I would love to get it to £15k by the time we complete. Is it sad that i'm excited by a new financial challenge 🤣

I didn't get chance to sort out the utilities yesterday so must do that today if only so l can send any money left to the renovation pot.

carboot_karaoke

Hi all,

l am so tired today but l had a great weekend with friends and family.

I feel like the school holidays have flown by this year. l can feel a slight nervousness building in my stomach when l think about it. I'm fairly confident that the kids have all they need to "return to school" but l must double check this week.

Also signed up to another phone contract for Little Ck. Up till now using my old phone connected to the WIFI in the house for what's app etc has been enough. But l will feel happier knowing they can call us in an emergency and the location app will track there whereabouts. The cost is a reasonable £1.94 a month for the first 9 months then £4.90.

Its official !! our mortgage has been approved subject to the valuation. I'm not sure when the mortgage company valuation will take place but we should get our home buyer report later this week.

I tried to sort out the utilities but after speaking with our estate agent she said not to worry they will let me know when they receive the bills. I'm not sure if that sounds right to me but l guess they know what there doing 🤷‍♀️. I have left what l believe is enough to cover the cost in the account. I had nearly two months rent in there the first amount in case it took a while to get a new tenant. The other was the recent payment made by the new tenants. Using this money I have paid £784 off my 0% credit card this was for the survey and payment on account with the solicitors. Plus £345 towards the renovation budget which now stands at £12,500.

carboot_karaoke

Afternoon all,

I have just received a phone call from the estate agents, another offer has been submitted on the flat 🙁 they cant say how much. The offer is also from an investor who will require a mortgage.

Not sure what to do, called Mr Ck but he's busy atm. I've tried to contact solicitors to find out how much it will cost if the sale doesn't complete. We have already spent £284 on a survey and a £500 payment on account for the solicitors.

We always knew it was a risk, but l foolishly thought it would be ok. The agent has asked for our best and final offer. I'm thinking if we say our current offer is our best offer, then they will have to sell to the new buyers and publish the new offer online. I'm guessing then we could re offer, but l don't know.

carboot_karaoke

Hi Everyone,

Sorry, I have been MIA recently 🙁 just getting on with normal life and working out what to do for the best.

Mr CK and l agreed we weren't going to enter a bidding war for the flat, the estate agents didn't contact us. So we waited for another week, before l emailed asking what was happening. About an hour after l sent the message the mortgage company emailed to say the the flat had failed the valuation process 😲. So that was the decision made.

We returned to searching and have found a smaller, but cheaper flat that is in better condition. Plus a garage that Mr CK is very excited about 😄. Its not in as posh an area but sits next to a nice park and lake with well maintained grounds. The vendor has accepted our offer and its been taken off the internet. We lost £450 on the previous flat, for the survey and searches so will proceed with more caution this time.

Apparently our mortgage offer could be amended to reflect the new values so we don't waste time and wreck our credit rating. But when l attempted to change the details today l was locked out of the system 🙈. So now l have to wait till Monday when the underwriters are back.

Despite all the property drama, l am still trying to stay focused another £1,300 has been sent to the renovation budget. But because this flat shouldn't need that amount of money spending I've changed the name to "Property Fund".

Next week will mark a month since the new tenants moved in. We've not heard anything from them but l think the agents are due to visit soon to check all is well. This also means that we should have some more money to add to our pot soon.

Have a good weekend.

Ck x

carboot_karaoke

Morning all,

It was a dark, wet start to the day. l thought it was the middle of the night when my alarm went off imagine my disappoint when l realised it was 6.30am 😂. The commute traffic has done nothing to improve my mood.

But now i'm sat at my desk with a cup of coffee, l feel much better. We had a full and enjoyable weekend, we went to friends for dinner Saturday night and then Mr Ck surprised us with tickets to a local basketball match. Young Ck has been an avid player for a while and was delighted. It turns out that tickets for the four of us came to less than £40 so l am sure we will do it again.

Today i'm hoping to be contacted by the underwriters about the mortgage. l drove past the flat enroute to work (its part of my regular commute) the leaves in the park are beginning to change colour. I imagine sitting with a cup of coffee looking out of the window at natures changing landscape would be a very relaxing thing to do😊.

carboot_karaoke

Morning all,

Where did the week go !!

I never received the phone call from the underwriters🙄, so following numerous phone calls I was advised to submit a fresh mortgage application (apparently this wont ruin my credit rating). The rate on offer has increased by 0.30% since July. Thankfully, because the amount we are borrowing is quite low this equates to a manageable £9 each month for the two year fixed period.

We have requested a second viewing this week to double check a few things and take some measurements, we wont request a home survey until the property passes the mortgage valuation process. The estate agent was contacted by the valuers today, so hopefully in 2 or 3 weeks we will have the verdict.

The rent from property one was received last week, it was less than expected due to additional charges from the estate agents. To be honest we received more than l expected in August so l suppose overall it balances itself out.

We added the rent received to the money our kids give us each month and sent another £1500 to the Property fund. Which means we have hit our £15k target 🎉🎉. So… have increased the target to £20k. If we can hit this before completion we only need to re- borrow £5k-10k on our mortgage.

carboot_karaoke

Hi everyone,

Another busy week has literally flown by.

We went back to the flat and took pictures and measurements as planned. Our eldest came with us, and they thought it would make a nice home for someone.

We also found out the mortgage valuers had been out the previous day. I was very surprised how quickly it had happened even more surprised to get an email on friday afternoon telling us they valued the property at the price agreed. However the value is below there minimum BTL lending threshold so they wont be continuing the process 😒. I really wished they had said it was too low from the beginning.

So this week we have to begin the mortgage process all over again. I am tempted to re borrow the full amount on our own mortgage, quicker, less hassle, it will be at a lower interest rate and completely flexible for overpayments etc. But at the same time l would be happier if, the money borrowed was against the flat as security not, our family home.

Apparently The mortgage works company threshold is low enough so l will call them tomorrow. Of course there rates are another 0.15% higher than HSBC it keeps on creeping up 🙄.

In other news I'd been feeling really tired lately, low moods and lacking motivation. Tbh l think its something most people feel as the darker nights and mornings become a reality. A few years ago l felt particularly awful, so l am determined not to get like that again. Ive returned to the gym and begun taking supplements its only been a few weeks but l already feel an improvement.

l met up with some close friends for dinner last week and have a couple more catch up dates with friends planned over the coming weeks. Spending time with the people you love is good for the soul.

carboot_karaoke

Morning everyone,

I have two decent commutes under my belt this week.

Yesterday l had a conversation with the estate agent and new mortgage company. We will complete our new application tomorrow so hopefully back on track for a pre xmas completion.

I have made another £6.95 on vinted with a further £3.50 due in the next few days. I still have lots to list, but if I'm honest sometimes id rather just bag it all up and take it to the charity shop.

A jacket potato van is coming to the work car park each Tuesday lunchtime, I was envious last week but couldn't justify the £7.95 price tag. So last night l made my own with tuna sweetcorn at a fraction of the price 😇.