First time buyer in my 40’s - feeling discouraged

Summer69

thegreenone said:

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.

I don’t just sleep and dress in it, I also store my clothes in it- therefore I need somewhere to keep my clothes! 

I have an AIP in place. 

I’m not listing all my requirements as I do not need help with finding somewhere, just asking for general advice on how the market is at the moment and if anyone else had/was in the same boat and could offer support. Wish I hadn’t bothered now, just been made to feel worse.

i have a viewing on Tuesday so I’ll ask the EA for advice instead 

theoretica

If they were very common, and you have checked and the same properties haven't just moved to a higher price band, hopefully they will come back.  How long have they been gone for?  Apparently some bits of the market has been weird for a few months with budget uncertainty.   If you have records of any reasonably large clusters of properties you liked they would be good targets to specifically investigate/discuss with the estate agent who is nearest to them. 

I have two ikea pax units - I did have three, but that was more than I needed and rather squashed in.

Things I decided were a waste of space *for me* include a double (rather than single) bed and a sofa.  I find chairs suit me better and are easier to move around when needed, and setting my flat up for me to live in it, with easy alterations when I have guests (like pulling the table out from the wall or unfolding its flap).

thegreenone

Summer69 said:

thegreenone said:

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.

I don’t just sleep and dress it, I also store my clothes in it- therefore I need somewhere to keep my clothes! 

Apologies, I haven't worded my reply correctly.  The two built in cupboards - are they big enough to hang all your clothes and have shoe storage underneath?  Could you then have two big chests of drawers either side of the bed.  Would that be enough?

But, if you didn't feel it, you didn't feel it for that property.

bobster2

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.

Bit confused as the second one in Wallington already has a huge wardrobe in the bedroom?

veronikamoneva

I'm 44 and just bought a first house as FTB, not married, no kids, and shockingly bad credit score [10 CCJs, 11 defaults]. I'm also not British. I'm surprised you only been offered £125k loan, especially that your credit history is excellent and you have proven you have money to spare [you saved very impressive deposit]. You should definitely shop around, there are lenders who currently lend at 6 x annual income, so you should be able to secure £180 k loan - which with your £125k deposit could allow you to find something better.
Also, FYI, you can always buy a house with shower and then change it to bathtub if you wanted

Summer69

theoretica said:

If they were very common, and you have checked and the same properties haven't just moved to a higher price band, hopefully they will come back.  How long have they been gone for?  Apparently some bits of the market has been weird for a few months with budget uncertainty.   If you have records of any reasonably large clusters of properties you liked they would be good targets to specifically investigate/discuss with the estate agent who is nearest to them. 

I have two ikea pax units - I did have three, but that was more than I needed and rather squashed in.

Things I decided were a waste of space *for me* include a double (rather than single) bed and a sofa.  I find chairs suit me better and are easier to move around when needed, and setting my flat up for me to live in it, with easy alterations when I have guests (like pulling the table out from the wall or unfolding its flap).

Thank you, appreciate your response 😊

Double bed and sofa are required as I have back issues and also need a bit of room for people to stay over 

Summer69

thegreenone said: 

Summer69 said:

thegreenone said:

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.

I don’t just sleep and dress it, I also store my clothes in it- therefore I need somewhere to keep my clothes! 

Apologies, I haven't worded my reply correctly.  The two built in cupboards - are they big enough to hang all your clothes and have shoe storage underneath?  Could you then have two big chests of drawers either side of the bed.  Would that be enough?

But, if you didn't feel it, you didn't feel it for that property.

They weren’t full sized wardrobes, like half sized things with just shelving behind the doors. No room for chest of drawers once there is a bed in the room. I saw the property when it was still fully furnished and the owners kept their clothes on clothes rails in the living room 

Hoenir

Summer69 said:

I am single and child-free, living in Greater London/ Surrey borders. 

No different to 40 years ago. Sometimes in life one just has to compromise. Personally I exchanged a 20 minute walk to work for a 35 minute drive. First time buying being a pipedream. 

ShinyStarlight1

theoretica said:

I too see a number of possibilities from your brief description - rightmove lists 145 two beds within 5 miles of Morden between 200 and 250k, and another 450 one beds - some of which have baths.

eg

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146143142#/?channel=RES_BUY

One thing which makes a huge difference is imaginative furnishing and arranging - I lived in some student rooms which were great, and one which was hopeless despite being large.

Unfortunately that one has only a very small lease left (63 years) which is probably why it’s so cheap.

thegreenone

ShinyStarlight1 said:

theoretica said:

I too see a number of possibilities from your brief description - rightmove lists 145 two beds within 5 miles of Morden between 200 and 250k, and another 450 one beds - some of which have baths.

eg

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146143142#/?channel=RES_BUY

One thing which makes a huge difference is imaginative furnishing and arranging - I lived in some student rooms which were great, and one which was hopeless despite being large.

Unfortunately that one has only a very small lease left (63 years) which is probably why it’s so cheap.

And a Tenant in Situ and.......... in Thornton Heath.