Owning your own home

Plz post the original

Fine, fine words; thank you. I grew up in Balsham, out past Fulbourn and over the A11, and my in-laws live in Fulbourn - though my wife and I met in London, coincidentally - so I know the villages on that side reasonably well, though have not lived in the area for 20+ years.

Fulbourn, whilst ideally located, is a bit too close to the in-laws and would no doubt feel stifling for the trouble 'n' strife, having grown up there. Would not rule it out if the right house came along, mind... Maybe Chinton has some nice bits I don't know about. It always felt a bit depressing to me, though I appreciate that is what makes it more affordable. Very good for the Folk Festival, mind...

Trumpton and Chesterton were already contenders for all the reasons you mentioned. Nice to hear our thoughts echoed by someone already there.

Going to be working at Scientia who make timetabling software for HE institutions.

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/12213605/

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-49027324.html

8 months ago

Hmmm. How old is Mrs 2wheels? I may have been a Fulbourn boy...

TBH it sounds like you have a perfect handle on what's what round here so I think you need to just get out and get looking at stuff.

Family home on my road. Turned into 11 bedroom 5 bathroom and a garage monster. 1.5mill.

What's that there new Trumpton Meadows like?

A sprightly 39. She lived on Geoffrey Bishop Avenue. Ring any bells? PM me with guesses!

You're right: we need to hit the streets and get a feel for the areas. Think the market is quieter than normal it being so close to Christmas, so probably not as bleak as it appears. Thanks for your input.

I grew up in Ditton Fields, let me guess- crack dens and Pitbulls?

3 years older than me so a big enough gap that I probably didn't know her. I lived on Caraway Road but left when I was 8. Unless she had younger siblings? Give me a first name...

January is indeed always lots busier for new stuff coming to the market so don't panic yet.

@Dammit It's not the Pitbulls on Ditton Fields you need to worry about: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Man-bites-dog-dies-Stop-shop-Cambridge/story-25722681-detail/story.html

Trumpington Meadows is a typical suburban Barratt Estate. Straightforward and inoffensive. If you want something new but architecturally interesting and well-designed look at Aura and Abode by Countryside Homes. I'd live there.

Chinton, or Cherry Hinton as non-locals insist on calling it

Hairy Chintown, surely, for non-locals.

Aura and Abode by Countryside Homes.

http://www.auracambridge.co.uk/availability/

Wow, these are expensive.

Does anyone know if you can negotiate decent discounts on new builds?

No turning back now. The forum's favourite conveyancing solicitor has been engaged, I've written to the bank to ask for my deeds and I've sent of the lease extension paperwork.

Generally you can.

It depends on their margins though.

Years ago I made some enquiries about a development out in the wilds of Essex and the salesman I spoke to wanted £250k for a 2 bed, 2 bath thing with 2 covered parking spaces. Without even asking, I was offered a £10k discount and offered £5k towards fees.

We had a bit of telephone tennis over the next few weeks and I eventually got him down to £210k, but then decided against it. I assumed that it'd sold, but when he called me three months later and offered it to me for £175k, I told him that the money had already gone elsewhere.

They're selling for £400k now.

Like I said: Cambridge is eye-wateringly expensive.

Her Majesty's Socialist Republic of Trumpington

I worked in the Green Man Beefeater for 6 or so years (part time and a chunk full-time in a year off from Uni).

Haven't been back that way for ages, the people we visit are in central Cambridge or villages to the North.

It would be a boon to be working north of Cambridge as property is much cheaper that way. See for example this mansion in murderlicious Soham: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52180711.html

It's cheaper for a reason. A desolate place. Sorry (not sorry) @danstuff.

My experience is from a fair few years ago, but south and east of Cambridge towards Newmarket was significantly cheaper than central Cambridge then. Easy-ish access to Addenbrookes and Fulbourn too.

No need to be sorry. I live in the bright lights of metropolitan Ely. Very different to provincial little Soham.

Does anyone know if you can negotiate decent discounts on new builds?

Depends on stuff. Their end-of-year targets, other interest in the house you want, your mad negotiation skillz, many many things.

A bloke I know just got nearly 10% off and stamp duty paid on a Bovis one round the corner from there, but it won't be finished until September next year and Bovis don't seem to be selling as quick as Countryside.

but south and east of Cambridge towards Newmarket

It'll take a while to get to Newmarket if you head south east from Cambridge.

The cheapest direction to go is north, if you head south you get nearer London where the streets are paved with gold and people carry enough in their Gucci wallet to buy the whole of Soham. Or so I've heard.

Right.

Why would anyone want to go to Newmarket in the first place?

I worked in the Green Man Beefeater for 6 or so years (part time and a chunk full-time in a year off from Uni)

Orly? Like when? I made them big tall ice creams there for a little while, probably about 1997...

Horsies.

Or slappers, on a Friday night. Or so I gather.