Owning your own home

I think we could live with negative equity sparky - it wouldn't be ideal but then we're looking (sorry to coin the phrase) to make the place a home and not look to move in few years.

That terrace I posted up ^^ looks good for the money - It's not far from either of our works but parking could be a problem.

I suspect there's a catch with that one. I'd suggest you get a two or three bed place on one of the really nice tree-lined Golden Triangle roads full of nice middle class families and students, within stumbling distance of some nice pubs, cafes etc. You can get them for £130k or so. I dream of that now I live in London...

Could you really find one of them for 130k? I'd be surprised, living in that area would be perfect for us.

Looking at sold prices in the area, that's not too far off the mark although it has got the benefit of the loft conversion.
Unless you really need 5 bedrooms (and a long trek to the bathroom) I would go for something more modern and practical. Sparky's suggestion sounds more preferable.

The Avenues area is nice. Try College Road, somewhere like that. Far out enough to be quiet and leafy, within walking distance of lake and nature reserve at UEA, but also 5 minutes from Unthank Road pubs and easily hikeable/bikeable into town.

I guess with the 5 bed place you could easily turn one of the upstairs bathrooms (smaller one) in to a bathroom though.

The Avenues area is nice. Try College Road, somewhere like that. Far out enough to be quiet and leafy, within walking distance of lake and nature reserve at UEA, but also 5 minutes from Unthank Road pubs and easily hikeable/bikeable into town.

That end of the city would be easier for us, only a 30 minute trundle back to the folks place. Also very easy walk to the city from there.

Off to view tonight - this is exciting.

None of the ones I posted above I might like to add.

My partner and I put down our deposit for lovely newbuild in Hither Green on Saturday. Really excited. The completion date isn't until December though so we have a long wait before the move...

I asked for recommendations of solicitors, a couple of pages back; i can highly recommend Martin Browne at Gisby Harrison so far. Excellent rates and very efficient service. A couple of people from the forum have used him so far.

I've had one more shitty viewing and nothing else. Work's a bit hectic and I can't be bothered house hunting at the moment. Meh.

Same with me Sparky till the weekend. It came on the market Friday, drove past on Saturday, had a look around (house is empty) and we saw 3 other people doing the same in the short time we were there. It needs work but nothing too taxing and the majority of things we can do in the family bar the certificate for signing off re wiring.

It's right in the area we want to live, big garden, 3 beds and well in our price range. To be honest I haven't really been that excited about house hunting yet, but It's so great to know that if we don't get this place we may as well wait until something similar comes on the market.

The Golden Triangle is nice spenceey (did they win the 'Say no to Unthank Tesco' campaign?) and it's worth remembering that in the event of a downturn prices would go down less there than in surrounding areas because it is nice and desirable.

So can anyone help on this?

Mr Fox

I have been asked by the vendor XXXXXXX XXXXX if you would be prepared to pay half of the costs of the Fire Risk & Asbestos Report that he is going to now have to carry out.

He feels that it is ludicrous to have to get this done on a communal hallway that is approx only 7 foot by 5 but can see no other alternative if your solicitor insists on it.

I have said before that it is only very very occasionally asked for by solicitors, especially given the total area concerned and what doesn’t help is his own solicitors thinks it’s an overzealous request.

Let me know your thoughts so we can press on as quickly as possible.

Kind Regards

My understanding in short is that these have been required by law since 2006 and they are the seller's responsibility, the area of the shared hallway is neither here nor there and it's not my fault his solicitor has a poor grasp of asbestos and fire regulation. So he has a sodding cheek. Any thoughts/experiences?

Unthank sadly has a Tesco

Put offer in on the house.

Bring on weekends spent in B & Q.

We actually went in over the asking price but there is going to be a big demand for that place, I'll be surprised if we get it.

In over the asking price from the start? Were you aware of other offers?

Say yes.

But that your offer is reduced by a commensurate amount.

Plus admin charge.

We're saying no. I could go into the detail but there's a lot of it and it's not that interesting. Suffice to say if you are buying somewhere as a first time buyer, get a good conveyancing solicitor!

Ours is awesome and she is currently the only thing stopping me from tracking down the vendor and agent and throwing them off the nearest high bridge...

Made a higher offer on a place today. First one was rejected instantly. Haven't heard anything back all day. Still haven't actually made a mortgage application! Need to do that. Does anyone have a recommendation for a broker that doesn't charge £600+? I never managed to get over that number and send the forms back after meeting the last guy.

Why do you need a broker?

To find me the cheapest mortgage.

Can't you do that yourself though? I've spent ages looking I feel with a 10% deposit It's hard sometimes though. Also I'm not sure whether to absorb the mortgage arrangement fee on top of the mortgage or pay for it.

You ask if I can do it myself, then tell me you're confused about your best option for a mortgage. I think you answered your own question.

Only a complete idiot needs a mortgage adviser.

They are little more than a used car salesman with a shiny suit and a calculator.

I'm a complete idiot then. Ours was very helpful and for £300 gave me a lot of advice and peace of mind about the whole process. £300 is fuck all when you're dealing with mortgages. It's not just about finding the cheapest deal.

^Minus the invective (our mortgage advisor was a pleasant middle aged lady) this is 100% accurate.

She recommended Yorkshire Building Soc, which was what Fenella had established to be the best deal through her research.

I suppose it (sort of) reassured us that Fenella had found the best deal.

I'm a complete idiot then.

You said it.

So it must be true.