Starting (again). My mortgage-free journey took a detour

debtfreewannabe321

Congratulations on the house sale going through smoothly and the new job offers! Hope the house you like is still there when you are ready to look ☺️

gillynomad

Got a start date in two weeks, just waiting for the onboarding documentation to come through now.

Also looking at two houses this week - which is exciting! Getting back into the flow of things - although noticed that interest rates on Nationwide (my previous lender) are due to go up tomorrow which is annoying. So will effect how I approach mortgage going forward!

gillynomad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81865534#Comment_81865534

yes, the house is still available! Although can't figure out why it's not STC already. Been on the market since early-October. So looking forward to seeing it in person.

MillQueen

Possibly the reason it's not STC already is that it's waiting for you. I had that experience with mine, as it was sat on the market for nearly a year. It was only when they reduced it by 15k that it came into my price range and started showing up on my searches. It's a great house, so I can only conclude that the reason it hadn't sold was that it was my house - I knew as soon as I visited. Make sure to ask the estate agent what's putting people off. Good luck with the house and the job, you have seen yourself through stuff well so far.

gillynomad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81867099#Comment_81867099

I am fortunate enough that my parents are coming along for the ride too…my dad gets to be the nosy parker and get all the bits the estate agent doesn't necessarily want to tell you out 😂

It wasn't initially in my price range, but with the pay increase I knew I'd probs get looking for a job I figured I'd expand the budget and if a house fell into that which was basically complete from a renovation stand point (which the two houses I am seeing tomorrow are…) then I could afford to put more of my house profit down as profit. If a house required more work then I'd need to lower the budget and keep profit back for works.

Honestly, the advice on here and just reading through other people's journey's over the years literally lead me to somewhat surviving this period! All the overpayments I did on my last mortgage also paid off and I ended up getting back about 57% of the house sale back in cash…as I paid practically the same in mandatory payments as I did in overpayments over the 8 years.

So any lurkers reading this…no matter how small overpayments to mortgage might seem it's soooo worth it. I started on £50 a month overpayment when I first bought my house and slowly increased that over the years as my pay increased. It's definitely what I'll be doing the same this time round too!

gillynomad

So - put an offer in on the house (slightly under asking) I'd been watching from afar for the last month 😂….and got it (met in the middle)! Have my DIP so now just need to do all the checks and get the process rolling!

It's a higher mortgage but has literally everything I wanted in a house without the need to do renovations. Just normal upkeep and decorating.

I am still in a little bit of disbelief and just hope actually getting a mortgage in place goes smoothly 😂

beanielou

Good news 🥂

debtfreewannabe321

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81868784#Comment_81868784

This is fabulous news! Well done! I've got my fingers crossed you have a smooth process to gaining the key to it!

AgathaSquirrel

Excellent news on the job and house. 2026 is proving to be your year!

Zerforax

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81868784#Comment_81868784

The process from offer accepted to getting the keys can be torturous. Just be glad you got a new job that you're happy with and there is an end date with moving out from parents - but you have the advantage of not having to rush either. Moving out and into a new place in one day is super stressful but at least you will be able to do it as and when it suits you (and parents).