First time buyer in my 40’s - feeling discouraged

Summer69

Myci85 said:

What about shared ownership? I'm not massively keen on the idea myself, but my sister did it as a way to stay on the property ladder when separating from her ex. And had it been that or stay renting, I think I'd have tried shared ownership. 

I’ve looked at that but the cost of rent on top of the mortgage works out more per month than I’d be paying for non shared ownership, and is too much per month for me on my own 

bobster2

Summer69 said:

bobster2 said:

Can you be more precise than Greater London/ Surrey borders? Where are you looking?

I can see spacious apartments for 250k in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surbiton, Sutton and various other areas. Some 2 bed - some > 600 sq ft with 2 double bedrooms, bathroom with bath and separate ensuite.

Could you send a link for one as that is in the area I am looking and I’ve never seen that in all the years I’ve been looking! And nor has any estate agent I’ve spoken to!

Some spacious ones...

2-bed in Kingston

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153585308#/

2-bed in Mitcham

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/148153856#/

2-bed in Sunbury (odd shape!)

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131741396#/

Summer69

bobster2 said:

Summer69 said:

bobster2 said:

Can you be more precise than Greater London/ Surrey borders? Where are you looking?

I can see spacious apartments for 250k in Kingston-upon-Thames, Surbiton, Sutton and various other areas. Some 2 bed - some > 600 sq ft with 2 double bedrooms, bathroom with bath and separate ensuite.

Could you send a link for one as that is in the area I am looking and I’ve never seen that in all the years I’ve been looking! And nor has any estate agent I’ve spoken to!

Some spacious ones...

2-bed in Kingston

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153585308#/

2-bed in Mitcham

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/148153856#/

2-bed in Sunbury (odd shape!)

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131741396#/

Thank you but none of those areas or properties are suitable. 

I’m not looking at which areas to live in- I have 10 years experience researching that  

martindow

Wherever you look you will see places that are more appealing, but beyond your price range.  Sometimes there are nice corners in areas that you might initially discount as being unsuitable or you may need to consider buying in a slightly larger area than you are now.  House buying often involves a degree of compromise over what you might ideally want. 

Summer69

martindow said:

Wherever you look you will see places that are more appealing, but beyond your price range.  Sometimes there are nice corners in areas that you might initially discount as being unsuitable or you may need to consider buying in a slightly larger area than you are now.  House buying often involves a degree of compromise over what you might ideally want. 

I am already massively compromising in what I would ideally like. Some things are not possible to compromise on (ie my safely as a lone female)

The areas I am looking at have been affordable the whole time I’ve been saving, but now I am ready to buy I cannot find anything. That’s why I am asking if there will be more on the market in the new year etc 

theoretica

I am still seeing several properties that meet the requirements you have shared so far.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86506545#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/152788889#/?channel=RES_BUY

But when I was buying, I realised that what I wanted simply wasn't for sale at any price - a small property, with garden and workshop outbuildings, in walking distance of work.  I looked at the problem from the other side and went for what I liked best of what was for sale in my price range.  By now you probably have a good grasp of what does come on the market.  Perhaps people can offer suggestions for how to furnish or choose between the least bad options?

Summer69

theoretica said:

I am still seeing several properties that meet the requirements you have shared so far.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86506545#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/152788889#/?channel=RES_BUY

But when I was buying, I realised that what I wanted simply wasn't for sale at any price - a small property, with garden and workshop outbuildings, in walking distance of work.  I looked at the problem from the other side and went for what I liked best of what was for sale in my price range.  By now you probably have a good grasp of what does come on the market.  Perhaps people can offer suggestions for how to furnish or choose between the least bad options?

I haven’t stated what all my requirements are though. The two you have listed do not meet all my requirements. I have actually viewed the second property you listed and the bedroom is too small for anything more than one small wardrobe. 

Previously there have been properties available that would be suitable but I was on the verge of redundancy, out of work etc so unable to purchase them until now.

theoretica

How often did properties you like come up? Are they very rare, somewhat rare, or have they risen too much in price?  You need to decide whether to wait, or accept that reality and your wishes don't meet.

My bedroom is smaller than that one (13' x 8'), and has a wardrobe, chest of drawers, bookcase, chair and underbed storage.  Also, of course, you aren't bound by the estate agent's descriptions if it suits you better to have the larger 'living room' as your bedroom and the smaller room as living/dining.

Summer69

theoretica said:

How often did properties you like come up? Are they very rare, somewhat rare, or have they risen too much in price?  You need to decide whether to wait, or accept that reality and your wishes don't meet.

My bedroom is smaller than that one (13' x 8'), and has a wardrobe, chest of drawers, bookcase, chair and underbed storage.  Also, of course, you aren't bound by the estate agent's descriptions if it suits you better to have the larger 'living room' as your bedroom and the smaller room as living/dining.

That’s what I am trying to find out but no one is helping me on that - they were very common and at the moment they are not. Nothing to do with price increasing I don’t think as when I look 10K-20k over my budget there’s no real difference. A lot of properties I would have considered are Under Offer or Sold STC (or now off-market)

Would your room fit more than one wardrobe plus a chest of drawers? 

If I had that room as my living area there wouldn’t be room for a dining table and somewhere to work so that wouldn’t work either 

thegreenone

Summer69 said:

theoretica said:

I am still seeing several properties that meet the requirements you have shared so far.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86506545#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/152788889#/?channel=RES_BUY

But when I was buying, I realised that what I wanted simply wasn't for sale at any price - a small property, with garden and workshop outbuildings, in walking distance of work.  I looked at the problem from the other side and went for what I liked best of what was for sale in my price range.  By now you probably have a good grasp of what does come on the market.  Perhaps people can offer suggestions for how to furnish or choose between the least bad options?

I haven’t stated what all my requirements are though. The two you have listed do not meet all my requirements. I have actually viewed the second property you listed and the bedroom is too small for anything more than one small wardrobe. 

Previously there have been properties available that would be suitable but I was on the verge of redundancy, out of work etc so unable to purchase them until now.

The built in cupboards in the second, are they too small to actually be wardrobes?  May I ask why you appear to be focussing on a bigger bedroom, when all you really do is sleep and dress in it? 

 Have you seen a mortgage broker and got a definite on how much you can borrow?  Do you have pre-approval/MIP?  Are you registered with every EA in your area?  EAs might not take you seriously unless you have an MIP(?) in place.  Sorry, if I'm overstepping the mark, just trying to understand what you want, but you're not saying so it's difficult to help.

Thornton Heath is an absolute no-no.