First time buyer in my 40’s - feeling discouraged

bobster2

Summer69 said:

bobster2 said:

Summer69 said:

They aren’t wardrobes, just shelving, not wide enough to fit clothes hangers hence why the previous owners kept their clothes in the living room which I am not prepared to do!

I am already compromising on many things in my search. I am not living somewhere I will hate and not feel safe just because “other people did”.

I never once asked for advice on where to live. I asked for help about the current market and support from peope who were going through the same! 

That's why I said rip out the wardrobes and put in IKEA Pax.

I'm not suggesting compromising on areas - but unless you comprise on features - you'll likely never find somewhere to buy. As I said every property you look at will have something wrong with it.

You first started looking 10 years ago right? And 8 years ago you said you felt unlucky back then that there was nothing appropriate available at that time?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5446685/trying-to-get-on-property-ladder-disheartened/

Unless you compromise on something - it's not likely that you'll be able to buy.

They aren’t wardrobes! Just shelving with doors. You couldn’t fit a wardrobe there as the space is not wide enough.

I am comprising on lots of things but I WiLL NOT compromise on personal safety, being close enough to my parents so that I can care for them and simple things like not having to keep my clothes in the living room!!  Especially if places start coming up again in a few months time! 

Yes - I know they are just shelving with doors. Ripping all that out and replacing with a deep wardrobe is not a big deal. With the room being 2.72m wide - you've probably got about a space 1.8m wide for a wardrobe there. This would easily fit being a bit deeper than what's getting ripped out...

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/pax-grimo-wardrobe-combination-white-white-s09429728/

Again - I have not suggested compromising on area. So not sure why this merited the ALL CAPs response about safety.

At this point - I'm giving up on this thread. Was just trying to help with practical suggestions. 

Summer69

bobster2 said:

Summer69 said:

bobster2 said:

Summer69 said:

They aren’t wardrobes, just shelving, not wide enough to fit clothes hangers hence why the previous owners kept their clothes in the living room which I am not prepared to do!

I am already compromising on many things in my search. I am not living somewhere I will hate and not feel safe just because “other people did”.

I never once asked for advice on where to live. I asked for help about the current market and support from peope who were going through the same! 

That's why I said rip out the wardrobes and put in IKEA Pax.

I'm not suggesting compromising on areas - but unless you comprise on features - you'll likely never find somewhere to buy. As I said every property you look at will have something wrong with it.

You first started looking 10 years ago right? And 8 years ago you said you felt unlucky back then that there was nothing appropriate available at that time?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5446685/trying-to-get-on-property-ladder-disheartened/

Unless you compromise on something - it's not likely that you'll be able to buy.

They aren’t wardrobes! Just shelving with doors. You couldn’t fit a wardrobe there as the space is not wide enough.

I am comprising on lots of things but I WiLL NOT compromise on personal safety, being close enough to my parents so that I can care for them and simple things like not having to keep my clothes in the living room!!  Especially if places start coming up again in a few months time! 

Yes - I know they are just shelving with doors. Ripping all that out and replacing with a deep wardrobe is not a big deal. With the room being 2.72m wide - you've probably got about a space 1.8m wide for a wardrobe there. This would easily fit being a bit deeper than what's getting ripped out...

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/pax-grimo-wardrobe-combination-white-white-s09429728/

Again - I have not suggested compromising on area. So not sure why this merited the ALL CAPs response about safety.

At this point - I'm giving up on this thread. Was just trying to help with practical suggestions. 

As I have said at least 3 times, there is not space there for a wardrobe as the space is not wide enough. A wardrobe would protrude too far beyond the doorway. I know this because as I’ve said, I have viewed the property. Not sure why you are insisting on disagreeing with me on this.

Your suggestion was to buy a property I don’t want and somehow put wardrobes in a space that isn’t wide enough for one, so not helpful, and not what I was asking for help with. 

Thanks 

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 for actually reading what I was asking ❤️

RAS

Glad you've got some response, but if you've been around MSE a decade you may already know that political discussion, including house price and the housing market is no longer allowed. That may not be your intention but it only needs one person with an agenda to coat tail on your thread and it could be closed or removed. 

So anyone trying to answer your question will be treading a very fine line between fact and debate. Unless they really have personal knowledge (my employer has seen an x% increase/ decrease in houses on the market in your area in the last y months), it's difficult to answer. That same person voicing an opinion on the market in 2025 may be straying into debate.

lincroft1710

As this time of year the property market does go a bit dead and traditionally picks up after Xmas

However there is no guarantee of anything coming on the market that will be in your preferred location, have the accommodation you need and be within your price range. Usually if mortgage rates decrease, house prices increase.

You have been looking for 10 years which is an incredibly long time (37% of your adult life and that percentage will increase). It would seem that what you would only be happy with, is outside your budget. So either your budget must increase or you have to compromise on something

mlz1413

So Summer69, you want some help as a FTB but you are unwavering in your want list and area. But I couldn't find the specific area you want or your non-negotiable list (you gave 2 points but then say that's not your whole list) , also you seem to have combed everywhere you  are prepared to live.

You say you are prepared to commute but also say you have to be safe to walk alone, is that to the train/bus or just for leisure??

You say you need to stay in this job as it is the first secure job since covid.  (Completely understand that my company is linked to gyms which were amongst the first to close and last to open).

So why is moving so important?
Is staying where you are an option?
(I'm not asking for answers just posing questions for thought)

As you need to look after your parents could you spend money on their house and create your own space? IE loft conversion or combining funds to move 

I make these points as food for thought as it seems you have tried every avenue 

uralmaid

I know you are only "asking for advice" but your attitude is not very nice

babyblade41

I think you really need to compromise, your negative attitude tells me your not fully committed.

Firstly you need a broker to help you get the best mortgage deal. As a FTB with no experience in house buying you really need to think outside the box.

I fear you will never find somewhere as in your heart of hearts you aren't ready or committed enough to house buying 

You came for advice and every suggestion has been knocked back... maybe home ownership is not for you in reality 

tooldle

We have tiny bedrooms that would not fit a conventional wardrobe, chest of drawers and a bed (king size). The solution for us was IKEA wall cupboards. We now have a row of these in two of the bedrooms, above the bed. Two layers of cupboards, or a taller cupboard could be easily accommodated but we only needed the one layer. If you like build in wardrobes, quite a lot can be achieved in small spaces these days. I’m not a fan myself but can appreciate the clever usage of space and design features such as clothes rails that drop down for easier use etc. We also have under bed storage (slide out drawers). 

We downsized into a much smaller space. It was hard parting with stuff to ensure the new space was not packed with furniture and other possessions but, there are upsides. Might rethinking how much stuff is necessary might help you see if a space is workable. Look at how others live in much smaller spaces for example.
if you need to work at home, would a wall mounted fold down desk help? During the pandemic, I bought a stand-alone fold down desk. There are usually solutions to property layout / size problems. 

BikingBud

Summer69 said:

Hi all,

I am a wannabe time buyer in my mid 40’s. I have been trying to get on the property ladder for 10 years now and just taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back.

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

I have worked my !!!!!! off to save a £125k deposit. I earn 30k a year and have no debt/loans and an excelllent credit history etc. I am still only offered £125k mortgage which only gets me a property of £250k.

That won’t get me anything where I live so looking at slightly further afield but still need to be near work and my ageing parents. 

I have had setbacks due to work stuff, redundancy and being out of work during lockdown etc (my industry did not exist during Covid essentially) but am now settled back at a new job and passed probation so am looking again.

I am still struggling to find anything that isn’t the size of a postage stamp. I know I won’t get anywhere huge on my own but many places in my budget don’t have space for a bath, only shower (I have back issues so a bath would be preferable) or the bedroom is so tiny there is barely room for a bed and one small wardrobe, or there is no room in the property for a dining table and I need one, not least because I need somewhere to work when I wfh.

I’m nearing 45 so feel like I’m running out of time as I won’t be able to afford to pay less than a 25 year mortgage.

Is it the time of year, will there be more on the market in Jan/Feb? 

Anyone else in a similar position? 

(And no, looking at other areas are not an option- I am already looking at areas I don’t really want to live but are more affordable than where I am now but close to work/parents and where it would be save to live as a single woman)

6 pages so far and nobody seem to have asked why both of these things can't change?

If your parents can move to somewhere cheaper and perhaps better suited to their developing needs and you can get a property that is value for money for you isn't that a win-win?

Yes you might need to change your job and given the relatively low salary ~£30k that might be a good thing. Try not to think about absolutes but if cost of living drops then you might find that you have a greater surplus. 

If you make no concessions things will not change but you do need to consider how you can facilitate the purchase in increasingly difficult circumstances.