The House Thread

[Raoul Duke]

Completed today. Got my keys, went in there, turned the fridge on, made sure the taps worked. Did a massive IKEA order. Booked a broadband man.

Should be habitable by mid October. Absolute scenes.

There are things you don't think about, though. Like lampshades. How many saucepans do I need? Do I need a microwave? Do I actually need bookshelves, or are they just to show off? What can I actually keep in the 'garden shed' I have just discovered I have, when I don't have a garden? These things will keep me occupied until I die.

Congrats! As Mike said. Only buy something extra when you absolutely need it - the key thing is the endless war on tat/clutter/junk. Anything you haven't done in the first three months will never get done.

If possible make a room plan and spreadsheet the fuck out of things. Draw furniture to scale and mark out sizing using masking tape on the floor/walls.

This site is ace for artwork: https://www.kingandmcgaw.com

[SvN]

Had another offer today. £8k lower than the last one, but we're accepting it as I just want to get the fucker sold.

Now we need to find a new house to buy.

[Yevrah]

Saw the house, put an offer in, it was accepted, the survey came back fine, the mortgage has been accepted, 2.19% for 5 years fixed, I could move in by mid November.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

UKPN have decreased the price to £4.6k but they've also finally provided design plans and a quote so I can send it over to Npower who can contact some of their third party contractors.

[Spikey M]

I'm assuming that you're planning to rent them out once sorted? Would it not be easier to keep the electric as it is and include the rough cost electric within the rent?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm assuming that you're planning to rent them out once sorted? Would it not be easier to keep the electric as it is and include the rough cost electric within the rent?

Haven't decided if we will rent/sell yet (dependent on the bank really) but there are two reasons we need to separate the electrics.

1. The current electrics aren't good enough to handle the extra load. (it's currently a single phase supply which needs to be a three phase supply).

2. Would be a bit awkward having to knock on your neighbours door to ask them to flip the fusebox as yours have tripped.

[Spikey M]

For 2. You just locate the fuse box somewhere communal, but if you're going to be a health and safety tart about 1. then whatever m8.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

For 2. You just locate the fuse box somewhere communal, but if you're going to be a health and safety tart about 1. then whatever m8.

The only communal bit would be the pathway in the front garden which would be a great place for a fuse box.

[Spikey M]

Put a parasol up.

[Foe]

Saw the house, put an offer in, it was accepted, the survey came back fine, the mortgage has been accepted, 2.19% for 5 years fixed, I could move in by mid November.

Congrats.

I now own my flat entirely. Mortgage has been closed. More free money for fotoball stickers.

[SvN]

We viewed a house today that was really odd. It was absolutely huge, but had such a weird configuration. It had 2 kitchens, a dining room, a family room, a lounge, a massive garden and 4 bathrooms. Yet despite it being huge, I really feel like they've done a terribly job of utilising the space they have.

We're going to make an offer because it's a lot bigger than anything else we can afford. My thinking if we'll rip everything out and re-do it in a few years.

[niko_cee]

2 kitchens, living the Ed Miliband dream.

[Pepe]

Two kitchens. :D

[SincereTheRebel]

Two kitchens. :D

His and Hers

[SincereTheRebel]

Indian married couples usally move in with the man and his parents for a while before they get a place of their own. One of my friends had his whole house completely done and he has two ovens in his kitchen.

[Magic]

I bought my house back. #gome

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mong.

[Yevrah]

We viewed a house today that was really odd. It was absolutely huge, but had such a weird configuration. It had 2 kitchens, a dining room, a family room, a lounge, a massive garden and 4 bathrooms. Yet despite it being huge, I really feel like they've done a terribly job of utilising the space they have.

We're going to make an offer because it's a lot bigger than anything else we can afford. My thinking if we'll rip everything out and re-do it in a few years.

Have you got a link to the listing? I'd love to see that.

[SincereTheRebel]

I bought my house back. #gome

Does it come with an ex-wife?

[randomlegend]

Had an offer accepted on a place today. 3 bed semi, really liked it when we looked round and it's in a great location for us.

Noice.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why a 3 bed?

Mad brother coming along?

[Foe]

What’s people thoughts on city vs suburb?

Ive always assumed I’d hate living out with a city, but I really don’t do much city stuff.

Can get a bloody nice house out in a nice suburb now that house prices are more reasonable.

[randomlegend]

Why a 3 bed?

Mad brother coming along?

Well, we want to stay around here for the foreseeable future and I can't imagine it'll be too long before we start thinking about kids. Doesn't seem to make much sense getting somewhere smaller just to have to move again in a couple of years (moving is stressful and expensive).

And no absolutely fucking not.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

In the meantime Igor can come and go as he pleases on a night out.

[SvN]

Have you got a link to the listing? I'd love to see that.

Just had an offer accepted on it, so I'm afraid not.

[Baz]

Just had an offer accepted on it, so I'm afraid not.

Soz DM.

[Magic]

Does it come with an ex-wife?

No, it comes with crushing silence and loneliness.

This is, of course, an enormous improvement.

[Pepe]

Rather kill myself than living in a suburb again.

[randomlegend]

Had an offer accepted on a place today. 3 bed semi, really liked it when we looked round and it's in a great location for us.

Noice.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64937553.html

This is it.

[Magic]

Rather kill myself than living in a suburb again.

You're so sad. What's not to like about discussing the first hedge cut of the summer? Been shopping again MJ? Better stack up on the old teabags, sure going to a cold one this week! Oh, you gonna be painting that garage door soon? Kinda letting the side down, ya know. You want to fuck my daughter?

[mo]

My ex was from Swaffham.

[Luke Emia]

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64937553.html

This is it.

You really won’t live very far from me at all.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jesus, my one bed flat will ultimately cost that. Then again, I don't have to live in north Norfolk, so swings and roundabouts.

[randomlegend]

I love living in Norfolk. You'd have to give me the house for free to get me to live in London. It's fortunate we're all different.

[Luke Emia]

Jesus, my one bed flat will ultimately cost that. Then again, I don't have to live in north Norfolk, so swings and roundabouts.

Yeah I’ve just sorted a mortgage for someone in London. 250k on a one bed flat that I could only describe as a shit-hole.

[randomlegend]

You really won’t live very far from me at all.

Probably already don't then :eyemouth:

We're renting in Yaxham currently.

[SvN]

Looks like a nice place RL, not too different to where I'm currently at actually.

I made the mistake of looking at houses in my price range in Walsall (where I grew up) and felt utterly depressed to see I would basically become King of the town.

[Magic]

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-64937553.html

This is it.

Looks amazing VFM?

[Lewis]

Two weeks until his neighbour bullies himself seventy per cent of that shared drive.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My brother owns a house in Stoke (for reasons known only to himself - he doesn't even live there) and when I looked up the price of that I wondered why he didn't buy two or three of them.

[Lewis]

It seems like the done thing for forces people to chuck their extra money into rental properties back home. Unfortunately, he's a bit stuck there, so he must have been watching Newsnight one night and discovered Stoke.

[randomlegend]

Looks amazing VFM?

Was this meant to be posed as a question?


Two weeks until his neighbour bullies himself seventy per cent of that shared drive.

There actually is some maniac on the road with a coach parked in their drive.

[Magic]

Yes, elaborate. What's the catch.

[randomlegend]

Yes, elaborate. What's the catch.

There isn't one. It's not wildly out of line with other similar houses around here,price wise. It's probably more nicely done inside than most, which is why we've gone for it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-74933369.html

Here's our project btw.

[SincereTheRebel]

No, it comes with crushing silence and loneliness.

This is, of course, an enormous improvement.

Sounds like your moving good now lad. I don't understand in the world we live in today, how being around the same person every day is healthy. You will be better living solo.

[Yevrah]

Annoying news today.

Had my Home Buyers Survey Report back and while the report was generally good, a few category 2/amber cracks and some fucked decking (which was obvious) the valuation they've given is £15k less than the price it was put on the market for and my offer.

How accurate are these things and is it standard practice to follow them religiously and therefore lower my offer on the back of it? The mortgage lender valued the house at the same price I offered, but I understand this almost always happens.

Any advice/first hand experience welcome.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Surveys always come back with mental valuations.

House we're renovating was on the market for £30k more than we paid but the survey had it at about £115k less.

Not a chance it would have gone for near the survey valuation and the only reason we got it for under the market value was because we were cash buyers.

[Yevrah]

Cheers Mahow. If that's the general consensus then the TTH hive mind wins.

I did my own research by looking to buy a house in the area I've chosen and there are a lot of properties I didn't bother seeing that overtly look far worse than mine and are on for the same value or more.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's them wanting to cover themselves if/when the property market shits the bed.

[Yevrah]

What recourse would one have anyway? The whole report, while useful, is caveated to fuck.

[SvN]

At the end of the day, the value is whatever the market pays for it. If you're saying there's similar houses nearby that are similar in value, then ignore it. As for the defects, it's up to you really - you can try and insist they're fixed before you exchange or negotiate money off. Or ignore them.

[Spikey M]

Annoying news today.

Had my Home Buyers Survey Report back and while the report was generally good, a few category 2/amber cracks and some fucked decking (which was obvious) the valuation they've given is £15k less than the price it was put on the market for and my offer.

How accurate are these things and is it standard practice to follow them religiously and therefore lower my offer on the back of it? The mortgage lender valued the house at the same price I offered, but I understand this almost always happens.

Any advice/first hand experience welcome.

As long as the amount you are 'over-paying' is less than your deposit you will be fine. The only issue would be if you were trying to take out a mortgage for more than the value the survey said.

As Mahow said, they seem to be in a different world to the rest of us though. When we bought/sold the valuations on both were stupidly low.

[niko_cee]

Never try to get anything 'fixed' before completion if you have any desire to actually complete. Just pro rata some money off it you can (ie find the cost of repair and take it off). There was a massive crack in one of the conservatory roof windows where I live at the moment, vendor knocked the apparent price of replacement off the price, and the window remains as it was to this day. Everyone wins.

[SincereTheRebel]

Everything was running smooth, but I've been informed now that there is some type of issue with the warranty of the new build and the current decision in principle i have for my mortgage is now void. Which mean I need to get another decision in principal. However, if my current mortage dont like the warranty, what does that mean? My advisor sounds confused and is saying to me, it may be wise to look for another place...

[Luke Emia]

Everything was running smooth, but I've been informed now that there is some type of issue with the warranty of the new build and the current decision in principle i have for my mortgage is now void. Which mean I need to get another decision in principal. However, if my current mortage dont like the warranty, what does that mean? My advisor sounds confused and is saying to me, it may be wise to look for another place...

Had you actually made a mortgage application? Or did you just have an agreement in principle? I'm assuming you had made a full application. The adviser do they work for a bank or are they independent? If they are independent they should be able to find you a new lender but depends on the lender. What you get is that not all new builds have a proper warranty some provide an architects certificate and not all lenders like that. So if that's what they have provided then your adviser should be able to find a new lender as long as you fit their other criteria,

I'm guessing a bit as obviously don't know your full details.

[Luke Emia]

What recourse would one have anyway? The whole report, while useful, is caveated to fuck.

Homebuyers reports are shit. Better off going for the full structural survey if you are having one done. On them you have proper full recourse if there is an issue with anything wrong.

[SincereTheRebel]

Had you actually made a mortgage application? Or did you just have an agreement in principle? I'm assuming you had made a full application. The adviser do they work for a bank or are they independent? If they are independent they should be able to find you a new lender but depends on the lender. What you get is that not all new builds have a proper warranty some provide an architects certificate and not all lenders like that. So if that's what they have provided then your adviser should be able to find a new lender as long as you fit their other criteria,

I'm guessing a bit as obviously don't know your full details.

Im trying to extract more details because im still confused but it sounds like they are trying to say, just look for another place which I don't want to do.

[Luke Emia]

Well when you find out what the actual issue is pop it in here and I will try and give you a bit of an idea of your options. No new build house comes without some form of warranty and no builder is going to build it without something that a lender will accept otherwise they would never be able to sell them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've been building flatpack furniture solidly all day every day for the last six days. It's a beautiful thing once you get into it. One minute you have a few planks of wood and then, about six hours later, a unit with a wonky drawer and loads of wood chippings to hoover up.

There are so many aspects to filling an empty flat. The blinds or curtains decision might need to be referred to Lady Justice Hale. Do I need a toaster? It's fifty quid and I rarely eat toast. But I need the option of toast in my life. If you don't have the option of toast, you might as well just buy an Ikea coffin for the same price and assemble yourself into it.

[Spikey M]

Grills > Toasters. If you need the option of toast in your life, then you need the option of being able to go 6 slices deep too.

[Pepe]

That sounds insanely expensive for a toaster. I think I paid $10 for mine.

[Boydy]

That sounds insanely expensive for a toaster. I think I paid $10 for mine.

Yeah, what the fuck sort of toaster are you buying Jimmy?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I dunno, I just looked along the shelf in Sainsbury's and that's what they seemed to be.

[Mike]

I dunno, I just looked along the shelf in Sainsbury's and that's what they seemed to be.
I got the second cheapest in Tesco, cos it matched my equally cheap kettle. 6 years on and it’s still going strong. Was about £15 I think.

[Giggles]

Lidl and Aldi will have toasters and kettles and all that shite, in a variety of colours, that will all match one another in a matter of weeks. They are stocked in cycles.

[Boydy]

I dunno, I just looked along the shelf in Sainsbury's and that's what they seemed to be.

The cheapest one on the Argos site is £6.99. There are decent looking name brand ones for about 20 quid.

[Spikey M]

Jimmy failing the milk price test. :drool:

[Magic]

I've been building flatpack furniture solidly all day every day for the last six days. It's a beautiful thing once you get into it. One minute you have a few planks of wood and then, about six hours later, a unit with a wonky drawer and loads of wood chippings to hoover up.

There are so many aspects to filling an empty flat. The blinds or curtains decision might need to be referred to Lady Justice Hale. Do I need a toaster? It's fifty quid and I rarely eat toast. But I need the option of toast in my life. If you don't have the option of toast, you might as well just buy an Ikea coffin for the same price and assemble yourself into it.

Enjoy it Jim.

The tendency is to rush the filling of emptiness however take it easy. It’s really exciting considering choices and making the right one. And don’t cheap out on the goods, for fuck’s sake. £6.99 for a toaster? Get in the sea.

I’ve spent about £100 already on cookware and let me tell you it is fucking boss. Just made a stir fry in my Salter and not a single burn or stick.

My Breville Hot Water thing makes me a cup of tea in like 10 seconds and my Nutribullet is nutrition for the man on the move/borderline retarded.

Splash on things that make your life easier.

[Boydy]

https://frinkiac.com/meme/S08E06/620836.jpg?b64lines=SnVzdCBtYWRlIGEgc3RpciBmcnkgaW 4gbXkKU2FsdGVyIGFuZCBub3QgYSBzaW5nbGUgYnVybgpvciBz dGljay4gTXkgQnJldmlsbGUgSG90IApXYXRlciB0aGluZyBtYW tlcyBtZSBhIGN1cApvZiB0ZWEgaW4gbGlrZSAxMCBzZWNvbmRz IGFuZCAKbXkgTnV0cmlidWxsZXQgaXMgbnV0cml0aW9uCmZvci B0aGUgbWFuIG9uIHRoZSBtb3Zl

[Giggles]

:D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:D

ffs.

[Magic]

God damnit. Is this what I’ve become.

[Boydy]

Sorry, I couln't resist.

[Giggles]

God damnit. Is this what I’ve become.

You wish.

[Ian]

That is excellent.

[Spikey M]

:lol:

[Baz]

:D

[Spikey M]

1183993760436424704?s=19

Magic?

[Magic]

I love you guys.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/d4y5C0C.png

The little gate there (near the bins) is the entrance to most of the houses in the 'street' and there is a little pathway that connects all the front gardens.

Today a neighbour gave us a letter saying we've been accessing this UNAUTHORISED and that we need a deed of easement to legally use it. LOL.

What is wrong with some people?

[Giggles]

Shit on his doorstep.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

*Her.

She's mental about the gate, she must have painted it (badly) every day for 10 days the other month.

I think we should ask for her to pay to create a new private entrance for us.

[Spikey M]

Send her a letter agreeing to pay a small yearly fee on the condition that she carrys out reasonable maintenance. Then list a load of unreasonable shit.

*onsite security
*barbed wire
*Regular health and safety assessments
*any opening of the gate should be considered a 'grand opening' and have a celebrity in attendance.

Etc.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/z0LQUu0.jpg

Red line shows the path which leads to number 2 (her house) and number 3. The rest of the path leads to 4, 5, 6 (us), 7 and 8.

We're not even using her path and the gate can't possibly belong to her.

Also, a few years ago two new houses (7 and 8) were built and the developer asked for signed permission for path access from the owners of 4, 5 and 6. If they were asking the previous owners of the house for access how the hell would we not already be allowed access.

She's mental.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Affinity Water want £11k to supply new connection to the upstairs flat, with 10.5 of that being the pipe :lol:

[Yevrah]

Tell her you're not interested in what she has to say and you don't ever want to be contacted by her again.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.indy100.com/article/house-plug-sockets-sale-right-move-twitter-9184666

:cab:

The spotlights are mental too.

[Andy]

https://www.indy100.com/article/house-plug-sockets-sale-right-move-twitter-9184666

:cab:

The spotlights are mental too.

Its insane, really no explanation other than the previous owner being mentally ill.

[Spikey M]

Weed farm?

[Yevrah]

So I bought that house and I now move onto the next phase of things I know nothing about.

Excluding materials what's a decent day rate for a plaster/decorator that can do a bit of building work? I've been quoted £180 to £190 per day, which given that's less than £25 an hour and childcare seems reasonable. But again, I've no idea.

[randomlegend]

The people we're trying to buy from also have a flat to sell, which we were starting to worry was going to be a bit of a sticking point, but got the news today they've sold it. Hopefully all moves smoothly from here :)

[Spikey M]

So I bought that house and I now move onto the next phase of things I know nothing about.

Excluding materials what's a decent day rate for a plaster/decorator that can do a bit of building work? I've been quoted £180 to £190 per day, which given that's less than £25 an hour and childcare seems reasonable. But again, I've no idea.

We paid £270 for a day and a half so sounds about right.

[Yevrah]

Cheers Spikey.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We were officially given planning permission a couple of days ago even though another neighbour complained (not enough parking spots despite there always being loads in the permit streets, lack of space for bins which wasn't an issue especially when we removed 2 bins that belonged to no one and the fact that she thought we'd cut some trees down) but the plumber is being a dick.

Since we paid him his final instalment he's gone on holiday, been sick for days, keeps making excuses etc etc.

We were meant to move back in about 10 days ago, then today and now hopefully on Monday as he still hasn't installed the toilets or connected the shower.

[Lewis]

I thought about responding to that Yevrah post with something like 'Mahow told me anything less than a grand a day is good value', but then I thought nah mate shit joke that. :happycry:

[Spikey M]

Mahow is going to get dicks thumbed up his arse daily as a landlord. I can't wait for when he takes on his first Universal Credit claimant and they spend their rent money on Magic Beans. :drool:

[Lewis]

Some 'female' tenant living rent free because she asked if she could pay a week late two years earlier and he hasn't dare ask her for it since.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Living the dream.

[SvN]

Why are you paying the final installment before the work is finished?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why are you paying the final installment before the work is finished?
I'm not sure if it is or not, my Mum deals with workers wages.

Anyway the other day he was meant to come at 5pm and we asked the main contractor to come from London so we could all talk and plan. At 10 to he called to say he can't come and my Mum gave him an earful.

He came yesterday early morning and stayed all day as we were there and basically babysitting him. He came again today as he hadn't fitted any toilets or turned on the water but left about 20 minutes ago as I was out and my Mum was picking stuff up for him.

The only reason we can't stay is because we have no toilet and he knows that too the wanker.

[Spikey M]

He's sending you out for supplies. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A valve for a pump.

We bought the pump yesterday but the valve wasn't in stock for some reason.

[SvN]

:D You must know you're getting conned

[Spikey M]

This bloke is going to be a legend down the boozer tonight.

[Boydy]

https://i.imgflip.com/3gkl1n.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Pretty much :(

[Lewis]

I'm starting to think his step-mum isn't the world class schemer we assumed.

[SvN]

Conveyencers are absolutely infuriating. We're trying to arrange a completion date and they keep making up arbitrary "end of today" deadlines which they only mention at 4pm. We've been ready to exchange for a fortnight now and they're just fucking around trying to arrange a date with the rest of the chain.

The original date (that everyone agreed to) was last week and yet here we are without a date. No enquiries are outstanding, everyone is eager to move and get on with it, yet it's not happening for some reason. And noone seems to know what the hold up is, other than the date not yet being agreed.

[Spikey M]

I remember that shit pissing us off as well. It is an annoyance of the same family as 'trying to get discharged from hospital after the dr has already said you can leave'.

Their just seems to be a concerted effort from all involved to stop the final step from actually taking place, and you'd think they'd want the thing finished / their bed back.

[Lewis]

I'm starting to have a tentative look at buying somewhere round here, and, aside from the social stigma of literally wanking in a basement, what are the actual downsides of basement flats? Are they more likely to get all manky and shit in the damp without as much natural heat/light, or can that be seen off reasonably easily?

[phonics]

If it helps, half my basement is just concrete now after the grate got blocked during a flood. It's a risk but worth it imo. Probably depends most on what it's like around you. I wouldn't recommend one in Cumbria for example.

[Yevrah]

What's a good/nice off white colour for a living room?

Choosing paint colours must be the most tedious thing known to man and why a there a million variants of the same colour? How on earth does that work as a business model.

[Lewis]

Whatever this board uses.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My living room is Frosted Dawn and the bathroom is Milky Pale, both sound like 80s porn stars and both need to have art put on them so as not to resemble Room 101.

[Raoul Duke]

What's a good/nice off white colour for a living room?

Choosing paint colours must be the most tedious thing known to man and why a there a million variants of the same colour? How on earth does that work as a business model.

We have a light grey on ours and grey wooden flooring. Looks nice.

There's a Dulux app which has an augmented reality effect that lets you see different colours in real time I think

[Yevrah]

Holy shit Raoul, that is a game changer.

Thanks gents.

[Giggles]

Didn’t know they had done one too. The IKEA AR app is really handy but that’s an even better use for it.

[Baz]

Holy shit Raoul, that is a game changer.

Thanks gents.

God we're all so middle-aged.

[Andy]

What's a good/nice off white colour for a living room?

Choosing paint colours must be the most tedious thing known to man and why a there a million variants of the same colour? How on earth does that work as a business model.

Natural calico and natural hessian are both my go to colours if someone wants off white but cant be arsed to pick an actual colour. They're both dulux.

[Giggles]

For 1500 sheets a month.


1221163226391429120

[SincereTheRebel]

Ive been informed that three of the major mortgage lenders will not issue a mortgage on the converted factory new build I was interested in and ive been advised to run. Tears :(

[Jimmy Floyd]

Won't issue one to you, or to anyone?

[SincereTheRebel]

It appears the problem is with the building itself.

[Giggles]

This is as grim as I’ve seen. 600 quid a month to sleep in a jacks.


1223345368622125056

[SincereTheRebel]

You get better conditions inside a prison cell

[Giggles]

Somewhere down the thread there’s a photo of a cell in Mountjoy prison and it is indeed nicer.

[Andy]

Back on the hunt for a new house this week. The market seems to be slow, weve been looking at some houses which have been on the market for 6 months and have dropped in price by 25k or more.

Is it poor form to go in and low ball them if they have already dropped in price?

When we bough our first house it was so competitive we always ended up bidding higher than the asking price and still ended up with 20+ failed bids.

[SvN]

Having recently sold in Southampton, I can tell you it's a buyer's market. We got some insulting offers and ended up selling for £263k when our original listing price was excess of £280k.

There's nothing to lose by offering below asking price.

[Andy]

Having recently sold in Southampton, I can tell you it's a buyer's market. We got some insulting offers and ended up selling for £263k when our original listing price was excess of £280k.

There's nothing to lose by offering below asking price.

That's good to hear, we are looking at the 350-450k bracket and looking for houses which need a fair bit of work. The worse condition the better for us which will hopefully mean we can negotiate prices down.

[SvN]

Our estate agents said it had been a shit year due to Brexit uncertainty, but they may have just been saying that because it took them 5 months to sell our house.

What areas are you looking at?

[Andy]

Upper Shirley, Bassett or possibly somewhere a bit quieter like Hedge End or Fair Oak.

I m hoping we will know when we see the right place or area as we are terrible at making decisions.

[SincereTheRebel]

Should I wait for 10% of the population to die before I purchase place?

[Andy]

Should I wait for 10% of the population to die before I purchase place?

I have stopped everything now. We were going to put our house on the market today and make an offer on a new build Friday. Cant see many people wanting to view our house which will in turn end with a lower value.

Just seems stupid to do anything now, even if moving would be better for keeping the economy going.

Even if it all blows over in a few weeks you've not lost anything by waiting.

I looked on rightmove yesterday in Southampton +3 miles 350-500k and only 1 house was added all day and maybe 20 had reduced prices.

[Magic]

Wait until all the old cunts die and vacate their lovely, in need of decoration, massive houses. :drool:

[randomlegend]

Can't remember if I posted this or not, but we bought that house I linked in here. Moved in about 3 weeks ago. Still taking a while getting everything sorted but we're really incredibly happy with it.

Waiting on a sofa for another 6 weeks is the only major pain point atm.

[Boydy]

I hope you deleted that post.

[randomlegend]

?

[Boydy]

So no weirdos get your address.

[Andy]

I'll be there in an hour.

[Shindig]

Social distancing!

[SincereTheRebel]

Can't remember if I posted this or not, but we bought that house I linked in here. Moved in about 3 weeks ago. Still taking a while getting everything sorted but we're really incredibly happy with it.

Waiting on a sofa for another 6 weeks is the only major pain point atm.

Im buying a massive bean bag until my sofa turns up.

[randomlegend]

So no weirdos get your address.

Yolo

[randomlegend]

Im buying a massive bean bag until my sofa turns up.

We considered it but they are surprisingly expensive.

[Don]

Did I imagine it or was someone a mortgage broker or something on here?

I'm wanting to tell someone my financial circumstances and ask them what my options and limits are with regards to getting a B2L or second residential mortgage. I recall trying this with my bank over the phone and my Hindustani brethren was of little help. Can L&C sort me out or do I need to pay/seek some specialist person?

[Boydy]

Someone is and I'd tell you it is if you weren't looking to become a parasite.

[Lewis]

Would you meet him half-way if he bought a corner shop?

[Don]

Nah relax, I ain't a dickhead, it's for mumzy. Also, who tf is gonna get into property now? Don't even know what sort of conditions will be greeting me in terms of lending after this.

[Luke Emia]

Did I imagine it or was someone a mortgage broker or something on here?

I'm wanting to tell someone my financial circumstances and ask them what my options and limits are with regards to getting a B2L or second residential mortgage. I recall trying this with my bank over the phone and my Hindustani brethren was of little help. Can L&C sort me out or do I need to pay/seek some specialist person?

It’s me.

[Giggles]

I take it mortgages are an impossibility now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Based on the desperate emails I get from my mortgage broker almost every day trying to sell me various insurance add-ons, I presume things are a little slow in that department.

[Luke Emia]

Depends if you have been doing it for a while then you will have remortgage stuff that needs sorting.

Like everything else though until the lockdown ends then nothing major is going to happen.

[Don]

It’s me.

Any recommendations on who to contact? Would also like to consider going in on somethig together with my bro but not sure if that's an option.


Based on the desperate emails I get from my mortgage broker almost every day trying to sell me various insurance add-ons, I presume things are a little slow in that department.

Mine was virtually abusing me for not taking him up on his filthy mortgage insurance at purchase.

[Luke Emia]

Insurance is where the money is kids. There is fuck all in the doing the Mortgage’s unless you are in London.

[Luke Emia]

Any recommendations on who to contact? Would also like to consider going in on somethig together with my bro but not sure if that's an option.

Steer clear of L&C they don’t really advise from my dealings with them. It’s more like a farm and a lot of the brokers are new so mistakes happen. If you had a broker previously it’s worth speaking to them. But if anyone is trying to charge you more than a couple of hundred quid as a fee they are taking the piss.

The biggest issue is that people will try and take the piss out of you and charge the earth. If you know anyone who has used a broker and thought they did a good job that’s probably the route to go down to be fair. Personal recommendation is better than anything else.

Also I’d imagine your brother being involved would be ok dependent on his credit profile.

[Don]

I have a broker who did my current one (and remortgaged). Will he be expecting me to pay for an assessment of my options?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I had a proper smoothie-chops call from him at one stage trying to flog me all the stuff. I walked round the supermarket just repeatedly saying 'No'. Fruit and veg I think he was explaining to me what would happen if I lost my job or my company went bust; in the meat & dairy aisle, he'd moved on to losing limbs in car accidents, and by the time I got over to the drinks area he was going through the eventualities involving different forms of debilitating disease, how quickly they might develop and the crippling financial ruin I might suffer as a result. I finally got rid of him with a promise to book in another call in a few months, but by that point there was a bottle of Scotch in my basket so in a way he had accomplished his goal.

[Luke Emia]

I have a broker who did my current one (and remortgaged). Will he be expecting me to pay for an assessment of my options?

No he shouldn’t charge you to have a chat. To be fair if he even tried to charge you after he’s already had two mortgages off you then you should tell him to piss off anyway.

[Luke Emia]

I had a proper smoothie-chops call from him at one stage trying to flog me all the stuff. I walked round the supermarket just repeatedly saying 'No'. Fruit and veg I think he was explaining to me what would happen if I lost my job or my company went bust; in the meat & dairy aisle, he'd moved on to losing limbs in car accidents, and by the time I got over to the drinks area he was going through the eventualities involving different forms of debilitating disease, how quickly they might develop and the crippling financial ruin I might suffer as a result. I finally got rid of him with a promise to book in another call in a few months, but by that point there was a bottle of Scotch in my basket so in a way he had accomplished his goal.

It’s about knowing your audience. Someone like you no kids, partner or anything do you need life insurance? Not really if you die it goes to your parents and they sell where you live.

Should you think about if you are seriously ill. You probably should? But, if you aren’t interested there’s no point in the broker trying to change your mind. It’s not going to happen.

[Andy]

I am hoping we will still able to move house this year at some point.

I've read quite a lot about the housing market over the last few weeks and think it should be possible.

One of the estate agents has booked us in for a half hour visit on the 23rd May, no idea if that's just wishful thinking or if they know about loosening of the restrictions. Supposedly the estate agent will just wait in the garden rather than follow us around.

[niko_cee]

Sounds a dream scenario which hopefully never reverts.

[Lofty]

My wife handles utility bills. She was checking the account the other day because she thought it was odd they hadnt asked us for a reading since January, having renewed a fixed price tariff with them in November and they asked for readings only to confirm we now owe them £400 and need to increase our direct debit by £40 a month to cover the deficit. This already pissed me off but the wife's monthly credit report just landed and it has sank from 510 to 360 due to this 'bad debt', however am I not right in thinking they should've flagged this increase to us immediately instead of smashing the bill up and taking the insufficient direct debit without saying anything?

[Andy]

We got a decision in principle from our mortgage advisor yesterday, it's a little bit less than we where told they would lend us at the start of the year but nothing drastic. We can still afford the two houses we had been looking at before the lockdown.

We were worried as there have been so many articles about 90% LTV mortgages being removed.

[Lofty]

That's good news, I think they may go the other way personally on mortgages as there may be less demand if there's major job losses.

[Spikey M]

It's tricky, because it's both a brilliant and shit time to buy. The interest rate being at rock bottom is obviously great. Fix your term for as long as you possibly can. BUT could Coronavirus finally be the needle that bursts the housing bubble? It has wrecked the economy (but so did 2008) but also equally, it's made every step of the buying process more difficult as it has a number of face to face aspects to it. From viewings to surveys.

[Andy]

It's tricky, because it's both a brilliant and shit time to buy. The interest rate being at rock bottom is obviously great. Fix your term for as long as you possibly can. BUT could Coronavirus finally be the needle that bursts the housing bubble? It has wrecked the economy (but so did 2008) but also equally, it's made every step of the buying process more difficult as it has a number of face to face aspects to it. From viewings to surveys.

It is a strange position right now, my main worry now we have the mortgage in place is selling our current house and having people in and out.

You'd assume the majority of people would avoid touching things and only come to view if they're free from any of the symptoms but you just never know.

I'll be working in peoples houses and flats again from Tueaday so it's not all that different.

[Luke Emia]

We got a decision in principle from our mortgage advisor yesterday, it's a little bit less than we where told they would lend us at the start of the year but nothing drastic. We can still afford the two houses we had been looking at before the lockdown.

We were worried as there have been so many articles about 90% LTV mortgages being removed.

There are a few lenders lending at 90% but it is restricted. A lot of banks have however updated their calculations in regards to what they are willing to lend people as well as the fact that the majority of lenders who will stretch incomes well are not lending at 99% LTV now that some more have opened it up though I would imagine the majority will be by the end of the month and then at that point it will be fairly back to normal.

[SincereTheRebel]

I got an email this morning from my advisor stating the valuation has been instructed...

[Andy]

There are a few lenders lending at 90% but it is restricted. A lot of banks have however updated their calculations in regards to what they are willing to lend people as well as the fact that the majority of lenders who will stretch incomes well are not lending at 99% LTV now that some more have opened it up though I would imagine the majority will be by the end of the month and then at that point it will be fairly back to normal.

That was the impression I got from a few articles. The offer we got was from Nationwide who oddly are the same company we have our current mortgage with.

[niko_cee]

It's tricky, because it's both a brilliant and shit time to buy. The interest rate being at rock bottom is obviously great. Fix your term for as long as you possibly can. BUT could Coronavirus finally be the needle that bursts the housing bubble? It has wrecked the economy (but so did 2008) but also equally, it's made every step of the buying process more difficult as it has a number of face to face aspects to it. From viewings to surveys.

Wasn't one of the main consequences of 2008 and all the QE (and other shit that happened) a massive increase in asset (namely house) prices? Flats in (that) London seemed to double in about 3 years. The response this time seems to be largely the same. Rock bottom interest rates also means there is so much less 'distress selling' as most sellers can afford to sit it out if they have to. In short, there's probably a small window of opportunity to buy right in the teeth of the crisis where prices may be down, but any longer term that that and you're looking at the good old inexorable northward journey.

[Lewis]

House prices in London and elsewhere took a decent beating (about twenty per cent I seem to remember) through the actual pit of the recession, but that was presumably down to banking falling to bits which we won't have (or be allowed to have) this time round. I had got it into my head that it would be a good time to buy coming out of this, but now I think it won't make any difference to me. There might be a wobble in the more vulnerable parts, like the shitholes in London that depend on endless demand to justify their costs, but everywhere else won't notice.

[Don]

I was thinking demand for London is gonna take a beating. MK is the new hub, the yoghurt business establishing roots here is going to make me into the next Bezos.

[Andy]

I cant see there being much of a dip in the south, maybe 5-10% which will rise back up again.

People just wont sell houses if things dip too much.

Hopefully now is a good time to buy and I'll get a good price before house prices start steadily going up, if they dont it's not a huge issue I plan for my next house to be for the long term.

[mo]

We currently don’t have a secure garden (the dilapidated shed was attached to the garden gate so when the shed finally bit the dust that was it)

Got a quote for sorting it - putting up a single fence panel, a gate and a few posts and then patio-ing a small area (roughly 6x4ft). They made us wait on the quote and then came back with £1.5k :cab: I mean ok so they needed to include a skip in that cost but that seems batshit, from what I can gather. Brother in law priced it up at about £350 if I help him do it, and as it’s half term next week that’s what we’ll be doing.

[Andy]

We currently don’t have a secure garden (the dilapidated shed was attached to the garden gate so when the shed finally bit the dust that was it)

Got a quote for sorting it - putting up a single fence panel, a gate and a few posts and then patio-ing a small area (roughly 6x4ft). They made us wait on the quote and then came back with £1.5k :cab: I mean ok so they needed to include a skip in that cost but that seems batshit, from what I can gather. Brother in law priced it up at about £350 if I help him do it, and as it’s half term next week that’s what we’ll be doing.

1.5k seems fair to be honest.

Obviously cheaper and better if you can do it yourself mind.

[mo]

1.5k seems fair to be honest.

Obviously cheaper and better if you can do it yourself mind.

Really? Genuinely interested in getting other perspectives on this but it did seem high.

[Don]

From a complete noob's perspective, that sounds like something you can do with a visit to B&Q and a youtube vid with duration of under 5 mins (first 4 minutes being an introduction to the host's hobbies and extended family ofc). That is with binning off the patio in mind though. Plant a fucking tree instead, you heathen.

[Andy]

Sounds like 3 or 4 days work depending on how many posts need replacing so that's the best part of £800 labour before you've factored in materials, rubbish removal and day to day costs.

Depending on where in the country you are it may be on the high side but it would be in the ballpark I'd be expecting here.

[Spikey M]

Edit: scrap that. It was £345 for the decking and £840 for 7 fence panels, cement posts, base plates and a gate.

[mo]

Ok well I've learned a lesson this week. Firstly, the £1500 quote was a good deal (although still not something we could afford). Got my handyman brother in law in to do the bits we wanted and it's a fucking shambles.

On Monday night, spoke to the neighbours we share a fence with. They said no problem to attach our fence panel to their concrete post. Great. By Wednesday when that part of the job was being done (he'd literally just attached our post to theirs) and the bloke comes out says that's his land, he won't be able to get his wheelbarrow out and that we can't attach to his post in any way, shape or form. Cunt. So had to move the post onto a bit of raised pathway. The fence panel is now on an angle, and there is a two inch gap between our post and theirs :wall:

But before that, BiL attempted to lay the patio. Once we 'flattened out' the soil (it was literally just walking over it with small steps), we put down ballast and flattened that out as well. Worth pointing out here that after all the ballast went down, he raked that back and put some of the soil back down as it wasn't high enough. Then as the adhesive there is a mixture - some concrete, some slablayer. Essentially, there was no plan, he was hoofing it, and I was naive enough to trust him. It's 2/3rds done and wonky as fuck. Decided against letting him have another crack at it and instead will look to level it all out and then using paving bricks the same as what's already down. Looks easier at least.

I've spent just over half of the above quote on materials and paying him for his time, and got a wonky fence and gate out of it.

[Andy]

Nightmare, if you need any advice with anything let me know.

[Andy]

We put our house on the market on Friday and had some bloke walk into our garden and start looking through windows. When I confronted him he asked if we would sell any furniture with the house.

That's not normal is it?

[Spikey M]

First part no, second part can be. My mate bought a house 'as seen' as the owners were moving abroad and couldn't be fucked to clear it.

[Shindig]

Nope. Not unless you're downsizing.

[Foe]

Normal regarding furniture, unusual peering inside.

When I bought my flat I had to match the winning bid (they didn’t want to sell to this arrogant lady who just wanted to rent it out) but if I did they’d leave everything except the (pretty shit) tv.

Happens more than you’d think.

[Lofty]

Trying to get a new boiler because mine is ancient and unlikely to manage another winter. I want a new one in where the old one was, had a video call with an EON engineer today and he is saying because the existing flue is under the carport the boiler has to be relocated. Apparently they cant just extend the new flue up and through the carport roof despite them doing that through my actual roof depending where they move it to.

Is it definitely a no no to extend a boiler flue through a carport roof or is that an EON thing more than hard and fast regs? Considering chasing up local firms on monday but no point if it isn't allowed, cant find anything definitive online though.

[Manc]

Depends on the make/model of the boiler. Get a second opinion.

[Lewis]

I thought it was the relationship thread for a second there.

[Lofty]

EON and a local firm say no, Boxt say yes so looks like Boxt win.

[Baz]

Had a bloke round today looking in the loft, cos we’ve got a bit of damp in the corner of a bedroom ceiling. He was a bit of salesman, and in the end really tried to pressure us into signing up for the buy now pay later but we politely declined and sent him on his way.

Basically he quoted us £4500 to fill between the beams in my loft with something called Icynene, which is expanding foam spray. He said it contained no chemicals and didn’t have “that fishy smell that people associate with foam insulation.” I had no preconceptions so just nodded.

I live in a three bed semi detached house and at present there is fibreglass applied to between the upstairs ceiling and what is essentially the loft floor, after my dad boarded over some fibreglass we got installed for free about eight years ago.

Now this man wants us to spray foam between the beams on the loft ceiling. There is already some felt covering what I presume is the bare tiles. I should really provide a pic but I’m not home at the moment and wanted to post cos I already have 3 missed calls off the bloke who came.

My dads a very handy man and says we don’t need this foam stuff. “It’ll just make your loft warm.”

Has anyone had it done? Heard anything good/bad about it? Hopefully specifically about Icynene, but even the foam in general.

Heres a video he showed us:


https://youtu.be/6aqtfDXzdy4

[Lofty]

I don't know about the method itself but there's a few choice trust pilot reviews for the company that made that video.

[Andy]

Had a bloke round today looking in the loft, cos we’ve got a bit of damp in the corner of a bedroom ceiling. He was a bit of salesman, and in the end really tried to pressure us into signing up for the buy now pay later but we politely declined and sent him on his way.

Basically he quoted us £4500 to fill between the beams in my loft with something called Icynene, which is expanding foam spray. He said it contained no chemicals and didn’t have “that fishy smell that people associate with foam insulation.” I had no preconceptions so just nodded.

I live in a three bed semi detached house and at present there is fibreglass applied to between the upstairs ceiling and what is essentially the loft floor, after my dad boarded over some fibreglass we got installed for free about eight years ago.

Now this man wants us to spray foam between the beams on the loft ceiling. There is already some felt covering what I presume is the bare tiles. I should really provide a pic but I’m not home at the moment and wanted to post cos I already have 3 missed calls off the bloke who came.

My dads a very handy man and says we don’t need this foam stuff. “It’ll just make your loft warm.”

Has anyone had it done? Heard anything good/bad about it? Hopefully specifically about Icynene, but even the foam in general.

Heres a video he showed us:


https://youtu.be/6aqtfDXzdy4

If you've got damp in the corner of a room and that's the only place you dont need anything major.

My first suggestion would be to check the guttering in the area near the damp assuming it's on an external wall.

I would strongly advise against that spray foam.

[SvN]

Let him get conned, you twats.

[Boydy]

My parents had it done, it's excellent.

[Baz]

If you've got damp in the corner of a room and that's the only place you dont need anything major.

My first suggestion would be to check the guttering in the area near the damp assuming it's on an external wall.

I would strongly advise against that spray foam.It is an external wall. Annoyingly it’s the bit that connects to the other house, and my neighbour is a bit of a busy body so I don’t really want to ask him if they’ve noticed anything on their side. Saying that, the outside of his house is much better kept so if anyone’s guttering is causing it, it’s probably my problem to sort.

Why do you advise against the foam?


My parents had it done, it's excellent.

Are you fibbing though? :stamford:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Baz would let him do it regardless of price if the guy was able to shape the foam so it spelled "BAZ" in his loft.

[Yevrah]

If it's not under the kitchen sink what can I do to find my water stop cock?

[Boydy]

If it's not under the kitchen sink what can I do to find my water stop cock?

https://www.watersafe.org.uk/advice/general_plumbing_advice/winter_advice/locate-internal-stop-tap/

Try these places?

[Yevrah]

Cheers Boyd. Looked at that and no joy either.

Gonna have to contact the previous owners I think.

[Andy]

If you have a water meter you can do it in the road easy enough.

[Yevrah]

Found it! Was under a board that lifted up in a cupboard in the downstairs toilet.

[Boydy]

Why do you need to turn the water off?

[Lewis]

He's going off the grid before the Second Wave.

[Yevrah]

I don't, I'm getting a hot tub and the electrician who's wiring it up needs to check to see if the water is bonded. Whatever the fuck that means.

[Boydy]

I'm getting a hot tub

:lol:

[Lewis]

'The Yevtub'. :sick:

[Foe]

Mans showing his displeasure at social distancing at david Lloyd’s jacuzzi and taking things into his own hands. Smart.

[Shindig]

'The Yevtub'. :sick:

It's powered entirely off his rage.

[Yevrah]

I wish it were. 32 amp power sources don't come cheap...

And I appreciate the rep they have over here, but they're amazing things and if we're going to be doing the COVID hokey cokey forevermore I need more amazing things in my house.

Pool table is next.

[phonics]

‘There’s a pandemic on so I’m buying a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria for me and my friends to sit in.’

[Yevrah]

It'll mostly be for me, but you know you use chemicals in them, right?

[phonics]

Hot tub folliculitis is caused by a type of bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which thrives in warm, moist areas. Unlike most other types of bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can survive even in water that's been chlorinated, making it difficult to kill off.

[Lewis]

Riding out the Second Wave in a Yevtub with a pair of sunglasses and a cocktail shaker does sound quite appealing.

[Lewis]

Sorry, mixology vessel.

[Yevrah]

The best way to prevent hot tub folliculitis is to only use hot tubs that you know have been regularly and thoroughly treated and cleaned. This means that the hot tub should have its acid and chlorine levels monitored and maintained

I'll know it will have been because I'll own it.

Now apologise for being a dick and we can all move on with our lives.

[Yevrah]

Riding out the Second Wave in a Yevtub with a pair of sunglasses and a cocktail shaker does sound quite appealing.

A beer in a hot tub is fantastic.

[phonics]

I will not apologise for looking out for your health and well being.

[Yevrah]

:D

Lol'd at that.

[Giggles]

The pool table sounds far more appealing.

[Spikey M]

‘There’s a pandemic on so I’m buying a breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria for me and my friends to sit in.’

Question, Why do you feel the need to demean people in the way you do? Does it make you feel better or something? Anyone you don’t like is thick or a nobody. It’s such weird projection.

[Giggles]

I’d also assume Yev will have some control over who sits in it and it won’t be an open door free for all.

[Don]

Lukey lad, I've got one of you fraudsters and tbf his theft is manageable so I'm tempted to proceed:

https://i.imgur.com/yxcwmU9_d.webp?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

He said on the phone to not take notice of the disclosure fee and that it'll actually be £595 for me which sounds fishy but what's £500 here or there when you're about to throw a lifetime's worth of income down the toilet on a property prior to the greatest economic meltdown of all-time.

I also got the ball rolling on redeeming my H2B (this was a requirement for B2L). Rang 20 different surveyors, average quote was about £300 but some tax-dodging brexit voting gammon hero offered £180 if paid by cash so I've got him coming round this week at which point I'll threaten him by reporting him to tax authorities unless he gives me it for a tenner (or throws a blowie into the mix).

Solicitor to be arranged tomorrow to deal with this conveyancing aspect. Will arrange for a separate one for the B2L side of things later, I presume.

I'm hearing whispers of a 20% LTV for a B2L being possible which would be tremendous because at the minute I'm struggling to bring together the pennies even after maxxing out my borrowing on my own property. I presume I can't just take out a credit card/personal loan to help with it, right? Might need to get my bro to do it instead.

The impending collapse of the Don family when rates tick up 0.1% :drool:

[Spikey M]

'Lukey Lad' can I ponce some advice as well? Pretty much our dream home has just gone on the market, but no matter how many mortgage calculators I fuck about with, the closest I can get is £17k away from the asking price. Slags.

Do you know of any non-highstreet lenders that are a bit more generous? They can have my Kidney as a Guarantor for all I care.

[Don]

You gone through a few brokers? Those ones that look at entire market obvs. I musta made over 50 calls this last couple of days, such a clusterfuck.

[Spikey M]

I haven't. Was only made aware of it being on the market this evening so have just been doing online calculators for the big banks. Any brokers you'd recommend?

[Don]

There's too many services out there for me to even attempt to make out I have a clue what's good and what's not but these lot assign you a broker and it's been a generally positive experience for me (admittedly at an early stage):

https://www.onlinemortgageadvisor.co.uk/

[Spikey M]

Cheers.

[Boydy]

When are 5% deposits coming back ffs. :mad:

[Spikey M]

We've just been told it's £500 nonrefundable deposit and "Exchange of contracts is required within 28 days"

Lol good luck fella's. Even a first time buyer would find that more or less impossible.

[Don]

Give them a few months to wake up to the reality of the market. If you're not in some rush like me, you really ought to wait till Jan at least, economy is only going one way and throw on the desperation of people trying to get in on the end of the stamp duty offer (which I expect will probs get extended any way) and it should only lead to good things for buyers. That is my BTEC property expert advice founded on fuck all aside from news articles obvs.

[niko_cee]

The counter would be the last time the government pumped fucktons of cash into the economy asset prices exploded.

If the end of the world really does come then negative equity is going to be the least of most people's concerns.

[Spikey M]

The way I see it; if house prices drop then so does mine. If they go up, then so does mine. I'd be hesitant as a first time buyer, but as far as moving house goes it's all swings and roundabouts.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My yuppy mates all looking to first-time-buy Clapham pads have been really fucked over by this and am I (1 year into a 35 year mortgage in a one bed outside London) loving it? I have to admit that there's a possibility that yes, I am.

[Don]

Something's gone wrong with my credit report that has meant lender can't go through with giving me my advance to pay off the H2B so I've had to postpone the valuation and solicitor and now go digging into what it is that Experian has fucked up in my report that's caused this which isn't helped by the lack of transparency and their websote being down.

This was the case last time round too with some fuck-up presenting itself at every opportunity ffs.

[Yevrah]

Yeah, I bought last year, in September and felt quite smug that I'd timed it right just before the economy looked to kick in after the election.

I don't feel so smug now.

[Spikey M]

That happened to us the first time we bought too. I can't remember properly, but it was something to do with my Uni accommodation, which pissed me off because it was paid direct from my student loan and was never late.

They owned up to their fuck up and took it off my report, but it toom a month for it to reflect on there.

You have to wonder how many people have piss poor credit ratings off the back of a fuck up and have no idea about it because they've never checked.

[Andy]

We've just been told it's £500 nonrefundable deposit and "Exchange of contracts is required within 28 days"

Lol good luck fella's. Even a first time buyer would find that more or less impossible.

Is it a new build?

They all say 28 days as they just want everything done asap but they're not actually too fussed about it taking 28 days as long as you're doing everything as fast as possible.

We are buying a new house and it took the builders nearly 3 weeks to send the paperwork to our solicitor and Nationwide took 5 weeks to send a valuation surveyor round. I think we are 6 week since we paid the deposit and still at least two weeks away from exchange.

We used https://www.themortgagebrain.net/ to get our mortgage offer.

[Andy]

Also if it is a new build you should be able to get 17k off the asking price easy. We got 35k off the asking price and then a few weeks later the new stamp duty changes came in.

[Don]

35K sounds bonkers until you realise it's just a reflection of how retarded the entire market and process is.

[Spikey M]

Is it a new build?

They all say 28 days as they just want everything done asap but they're not actually too fussed about it taking 28 days as long as you're doing everything as fast as possible.

We are buying a new house and it took the builders nearly 3 weeks to send the paperwork to our solicitor and Nationwide took 5 weeks to send a valuation surveyor round. I think we are 6 week since we paid the deposit and still at least two weeks away from exchange.

We used https://www.themortgagebrain.net/ to get our mortgage offer.

Ah. OK. Yeah, it's a new build, but ready to go straight away as the initial buyer pulled out for whatever reason. We just thought they were hyper-keen to get rid.

That may still be the case to be fair. It's 40-50k cheaper than the other 3 bed new builds in the area.

[Andy]

Worth speaking to them and just saying you're worried about 28 days not being feasible and I'm sure they will know it's going to take longer.

The house I'm buying was finished in January so similar thing, that's why we got a deal on the price. I think with the 28 days things they just want people who are ready to go with a buyer lined up (or first time buyers) and mortgage agreed in principle.

The mortgage broker I posted above specialises in new build sales, very knowledgeable about help to buy etc.

[Spikey M]

Brilliant. Cheers Andy.

[Don]

Experian is up again and I'm getting an umblemished report and score of 999 out of 999.

I'd be pissed but at least the bank contact is some fit sounding gash who is now obliged to have some further phone contact with me and who will no doubt be frothing at my financial stability so I'll keep you up to date as to stag dates.

[Baz]

If you've got damp in the corner of a room and that's the only place you dont need anything major.

My first suggestion would be to check the guttering in the area near the damp assuming it's on an external wall.

I would strongly advise against that spray foam.Cheers for this. Had a bloke round this morning who cleaned my gutters out and said there was no damage. If we’re having damp problems it could be down to the chimney flashing or the window. The window is getting replaced in two weeks.

probably won’t bother with the chimney flashing. Some door to door Irish man once pointed out we don’t have edge bits (capping?) on our roof tiles at the side of the house, so if we ever get them done, presumably by a roofer, I might mention getting some lead sealant (recommended over concrete by my gutter man) to fill in any gaps on the chimney flashing but ehhh no rush. And I’ve not spent four and a half grand on coating my loft in toothpaste so happy days, I guess.

[Luke Emia]

Speak to a broker but if you've got kids someone like Santander should stretch your income a bit further than other lenders based on loan to value. Natwest as well but you need to have at least 20% deposit. @Spikey

[Luke Emia]

Taz are you an existing customer of that broker? If you are 500 is a bit steep especially if he's getting two mortgages out of it. Also any credit issues use checkmyfile it's free for a month and shows all agencies it's what I tell my clients to use when I want a credit report.

20% deposits on BTL's are out there rates are shite though.

[Don]

What a beautiful man. Good things are on their way to you from Allah, sir.

[Baz]

You not got a checkmyfile referral link to throw our way?

[Dquincy]

Experian is up again and I'm getting an umblemished report and score of 999 out of 999.

I'd be pissed but at least the bank contact is some fit sounding gash who is now obliged to have some further phone contact with me and who will no doubt be frothing at my financial stability so I'll keep you up to date as to stag dates.

Fit on the phone, munter in the flesh.

It's the law of the land.

[Lofty]

Fit on the phone, 18 stone is the rhyme is it not?