Owning your own home

There's good news on the last page. Bobbo, those properties on the A3 do have appeal. I've often looked at them and wondered. But if you are a driver, having to go south would be a pain, and getting to them from the north is no better. If you cycle everywhere, all the time, then great.

And Sparky, I don't know the area or the history behind the build, but a de-humidifier has become my greatest friend over the last 9 months, and would sort out any residual mustiness. It isn't obvious on Google streets, but is that off-street parking for the impending motorbike at the front of the property?

And perhaps I should admit, as a home owner, that I'm haemorrhaging cash to fix the roof/insulation/heating/bathrooms etc. Don't listen to me...

The parking isn't for me - only the bottom two flats get a space. But I think the middle flat just has scooters so may be able to negotiate a CBF500- shaped space...

I phoned the Post Office tonight and got an AIP with a decent rate, just need to apply proper, but the website is down. Got a letter from the seller saying the deal's on, but that unless they hear from a surveyor within 14 days its off. Does the bank arrange that, or do I?

They mentioned surveys on the phone, the PO, and I said I'd take the fuller one, the homebuyer's survey. So it sounded like they sort it?

They sort, you pay...

Also, with sellers setting deadlines, they generally relax them, particularly as the deal progresses further. Don't get complacent though. You may need to push (hassle) loads. particularly when it comes to solicitors.
I've found that using a solicitor recommended by the selling agent can work to your advantage as the agent can influence them to get their fingers out.

I'm using the solicitor my dad just used for his place, 100+ miles away but supposed to be good.

They all vary. I use one who I trust implicitly to do a great job. The trouble is he's too good and thorough and caused me all sorts of grey hairs over a 'profitable deal' recently.

Slightly baffled this morning: had my AIP on the phone from the Post Office last night, bloke said full application forms were in the post, or I could do it online. So I did that this morning. Now it says that the application has been approved, instantly, and that I need to pay £430 for the survey within 3 days. Is that it? Seems to fast to be true. What's going on? I thought it took two to three weeks?

Wow, that is quick.

What have you submitted? Any ID or bank information? They usually have to take at least a couple of days to do background checks etc.

I would at least give them a call...

TBF, I managed to get everything from Mortgage apllication to valuation and survey done in under ten days, it did take a fair bit of prodding.

The sellers wanted a quick turnaround, now I'm waiting on their solicitor to pull out their finger.

I gave them my salary etc, but no supporting documents - was all just filling in boxes online. Form wasn't even that long.

I'd be reluctant to pay anything until you have a mortgage approval in writing

Ah, I just called my dad and he said "pay it", so I did. Now the page tells me that the final application is proceeding, and will need to pass these steps:

• Initial Processing Commenced
  
• Initial Assessment Completed
  
• Valuation Received
  
• Application Offered
  
• Funds Requested By Solicitor
  
• Funds Released
  
• Completion
  
  

Getting to "offered" will take ~12 working days, they say.

^ which one are you at?

I'm the same. Just had a text from Nationwide telling me there now doing the valuation on the property - only filled in forms on Monday.

All going rather fast.

TBF, I managed to get everything from Mortgage apllication to valuation and survey done in under ten days, it did take a fair bit of prodding.

The sellers wanted a quick turnaround, now I'm waiting on their solicitor to pull out their finger.

Get on to your agents who will then get on to your solicitor.

Just keep asking that one important question - "when?".

^ which one are you at?

Not even on there yet, I think. I'll keep an eye on it.

Get on to your agents who will then get on to your solicitor.

Just keep asking that one important question - "when?".

I've taken to signing off every email with "Is there anything else I can do at this end?" and I'll make sure to get in touch with them all every day, politely.

To Sparky - sounds exciting! Best of luck.

To Bobbo - I don't know about buses but that flat is right in the middle of an extreme rail/tube no man's land.
Great - because you are near both Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common instead but it might severely limit future buyers.
I imagine for non-drivers/non-cyclists it would be a bus then a tube to get to work from there which might put many off.

Awesome if you cycle everywhere though!

Don't worry.

Already doing that.

Also been getting onto the seller directly, they love me...

To Sparky - sounds exciting! Best of luck.

To Bobbo - I don't know about buses but that flat is right in the middle of an extreme rail/tube no man's land.
Great - because you are near both Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common instead but it might severely limit future buyers.
I imagine for non-drivers/non-cyclists it would be a bus then a tube to get to work from there which might put many off.

Awesome if you cycle everywhere though!

If you cycle every day and don't mind non-cycling friends refusing to ever come and visit, you can find cheaper places...

So they're likely to want a P60 and 3 x pay slips, but I never got my P60. It was put on my desk by someone and lost before I was next in. Just been up to payroll and they can't print me a new one. Is a letter on work stationery stating my salary and pay for the last three months likely to cut the mustard?

I don't see why they can't print you a new one.

My experience has been, when providing documentation, that letters on work stationery don't cut it (but this was for reasons other than mortgage applications).