GRcade

pjbetman wrote:

Hexx wrote:I don't have damp/rot in the kitchen floorboards/under timber

It's just (another) place that when they've put central heating pipes in years ago they've cut the floorboards/insulation to put in and never replaced back. They're just "bending" slightly after years and no supported in right places as they don't fit together as well.

Annoying (and not easily fixable as you'd have to redo the entire floor, including under units, as it's all interlinked) but not a big expensive issue

(They did however basically say the bathroom is old, strawberry floated and leaking. Needs resealing everywhere, but even around the fittings can leak when shower sprays on them. So maybe a new bathroom would be easier. I've never done/sorted that.)

Sounds like they're just after some lucrative work fitting you a new bathroom. Minimum 2k, but more like 3-4k, depending on spec. The builder will want a minimum of 1k to fit a bathroom and tile it. Which area are you in?

pjbetman wrote:

Qikz wrote:

pjbetman wrote:

Qikz wrote:

Hexx wrote:

OrangeRKN wrote:All I'd say Qikz is take your time and don't rush things, if you've found what seem like suitable houses this quickly then that probably means you won't have much trouble finding more. It's such a big purchase, I know if it was me I'd want to view a place multiple times, have some other properties to compare to, get some second opinions from friends or family, make sure I was getting the best deal I could (which might mean waiting to be in a better financial position), and certainly sleep on any decisions before making any commitment.

This is a wise man.

My issue is shared ownership properties are incredibly rare in this area. I can't wait for my salary to go up high enough to buy a house alone as I'd be waiting decades. It's in a great location, it's bigger than a lot of the one bedroom apartments I've seen and it's being built by a reputable developer. It appears it'll be ready early march and I'm going through all the checks. I've got my dad helping me with my step mum who spent months looking at properties especially new builds and their mortgage advisor is helping me out.

I think given the timing, the size (like 4x bigger than I have now) and the cost which will be about my current rent meaning I can up my payments and pay my mortgage quicker then I should be in a good position. I don't want to rush, but if I don't jump at a good opportunity I'll be stuck in my current place which is no where near good enough for what I need. I have 0 room, terrible heating and a bad location right next to a major road and I'm paying way too much in rent.

You're making the right considerations, and it's natural to feel anxious about the biggest purchase of your life. I think the 2 things you need to be considering are if you're going to possibly have bad neighbours (i.e.bad area), and also how easy will this property be to sell. Are there good transport links? Or is there suitable parking? Is the street a cul-de-sac, and difficult to park/turn around? Are there good facilities nearby such as sports centre, nice restaurants, nice pubs, decent schools, near to shopping places for food and clothes etc? All of those things will have an impact on selling it later.

I think the lay out of that property looks ideal, and is reasonably spacious for London area. It's obviously perfect for you now, and for the next 5-10 years or more.

Train station to London is 10 minute walk away. Bus stop right outside like a minute away where 3 different buses stop and it's about a 2 minute walk from a massive gym/swimming pool

That's some good boxes ticked. Should always be able to sell, with those kind of facilities nearby. What's parking like?

sawyerpip wrote:You have to get approval for pets on shared ownership schemes? That's ridiculous.

Hexx wrote:

pjbetman wrote:

Hexx wrote:I don't have damp/rot in the kitchen floorboards/under timber

It's just (another) place that when they've put central heating pipes in years ago they've cut the floorboards/insulation to put in and never replaced back. They're just "bending" slightly after years and no supported in right places as they don't fit together as well.

Annoying (and not easily fixable as you'd have to redo the entire floor, including under units, as it's all interlinked) but not a big expensive issue

(They did however basically say the bathroom is old, strawberry floated and leaking. Needs resealing everywhere, but even around the fittings can leak when shower sprays on them. So maybe a new bathroom would be easier. I've never done/sorted that.)

Sounds like they're just after some lucrative work fitting you a new bathroom. Minimum 2k, but more like 3-4k, depending on spec. The builder will want a minimum of 1k to fit a bathroom and tile it. Which area are you in?

Gloucestershire.
It was a surveyor, so they wouldn't actually do the bathroom
It's need to doing (it's old and manky in places), so it's not a big surprise.

What I've been idly thinking is - bath?
It's a small bathroom (3 bed house which is really 2 decent bedrooms and a computer room) - square room with bath(with shower), toilet, sink in and space to stand/move.
I never have a bath - so just putting a shower in would be great (nice big walk in) - but obviously that might put of people if I sell in future

Squinty wrote:Ah, strawberry float. I think my boiler has strawberry floated it.

Errkal wrote:

Squinty wrote:Ah, strawberry float. I think my boiler has strawberry floated it.

That’s not fun

We have always had British Gas homecare, takes all the hell out of times like this.

Squinty wrote:

Errkal wrote:

Squinty wrote:Ah, strawberry float. I think my boiler has strawberry floated it.

That’s not fun

We have always had British Gas homecare, takes all the hell out of times like this.

Can't seem to isolate the problem with it. It starts on reset, but packs in after 30 seconds.

Pain in the arse as it was serviced a few weeks ago.

Qikz wrote:Well, I got confirmation that I'll have to pay for a license to have a pet in the building but I don't really care about that.

I've paid the reservation fee so as long as everything goes as planned the flat is now in my name and I should be moving next month. Holy gooseberry fool, some bad news was countered by some good news today.

Qikz wrote:Solicitors fees. What's the ballpark figure of what you guys paid overall?

Qikz wrote:Solicitors fees. What's the ballpark figure of what you guys paid overall?

Lagamorph wrote:

Qikz wrote:Solicitors fees. What's the ballpark figure of what you guys paid overall?

I paid about £800 last month for the conveyancing on redeeming my Help to Buy loan. But I think it was around £1,100 when I bought the house as that's when they do loads of checks.
Expect something in the £800-1200 range I'd say.

Do you need to pay Stamp Duty as well? Or are you exempt from that?