Owning your own home

I was amused to learn that the width of brick walls has to grow as you go further north (see the map on that page). Makes sense but just something I'd never thought about!

Excellent bit of trivia. Filed away in my brain for future reference.

Is that to prevent the Picts from getting over them?

Because curvature of the earth probably.

don't do spiral staircase tom unless you literally have to. they save space but would be a nightmare from a furniture point of view.

At my previous place we had a half-spiral that you could take the banisters off for getting bulky stuff up/down. Best of both worlds.

'Offers in excess of...'

Any psychological tricks to gauge the vendor/agents position before we make an offer or is honesty the best policy? In our favour we can buy cash (then reimburse once our current place sells) but it's at the top of our budget. Does chain free + cash buyer trump a developer who's going to offer £20-30k over asking?

I think I know the answer and am annoyed for mentally moving house already.

It depends on the buyer's situation, but being both a cash buyer and being chain free puts you in a very good position.

Does chain free + cash buyer trump a developer who's going to offer £20-30k over asking?

A developer is most likely going to be chain free and a cash buyer though surely?

How does cash buying work? How does one have that kind of cash? Esp as a first time buyer; quite a few ads asking for cash buyer in the first time buyer tier properties .. have I got capitalism all wrong?

You need richer parents

You need to have cash. To buy.

The house is in probate, we'd really like to know if the sellers just want maximum £ or a 6 week completion. The girlfriend can cry on command if that would swing it.

Re: cash buyer, it's a short term gamble with my parents savings. We have a mortgage in principal for what we'd like to pay but with stamp duty/survey/solicitors we are conscious of over stretching getting into a bidding war, ideally we'd make one good offer and stand our ground.

^ that ain't passing building regs!

All very nice, and you'd have plenty of time to admire it while nursing your broken leg, after the first time you came home drunk and tried to go upstairs in your socks.

Oh my fantasy house has got a drunk tank, a ground floor room that detects intoxication, turns on lights that guide you to it's warm embrace, and has a supply of bacon sarnies and ice cold Coke, plus padded walls and a bucket

I never thought to mention on this thread but:
I used a very good mortgage broker when we bought our flat, I would happily recommend.
I am a plumber. New heating systems etc no prob.
I work with a decent gas engineer, electrician, plasterers I would happily recommend.

cheers

I doubt they'd pay cash, it's a fairly inefficient use of capital but they would have lenders in place, true. Their cash will come in the form of a brown envelope slipped to the estate agent.

Just viewed it again and gleaned a bit more info, the family want a speedy severance and need best and final offers by the close of Wednesday, sounds positive.

sacredhart - I am in need of very good mortgage broker and would appreciate their details. Thank you.

anyone into polished iron? got a spare fireplace I could do with getting rid of but it's in yorkshire am afraid easy worth£200 but I'll take £50 if you can collect it

http://flic.kr/p/rxDsK4

#granddesigns

Speaking of which, you know how christians get a little bibble out in times of stress to help keep the faith or something? This is my bible:

http://www.linea-studio.co.uk/album/corkellis_house#2

I remember that, nice project, although I can't help thinking the external form would look a lot stronger (and more classically modernist) if it was all painted brickwork instead of using timber. Also polished concrete floors always look great, especially alongside the herringbone flooring.

I'll put some pics up later, but my new kitchen project is bleeding me dry.

I think the design and spec is pretty modest to be honest, but have treated myself to a quartz worktop and a range cooker. asides from that I've been tight with the appliances, nailed all the trades down, but it looks like its going to cost me just shy of 15 grand.

FML

to give you an idea of the task:

apologies for the crap pictures. there was a massive chimney in the kitchen - now gone. my dining room looks like a warehouse. and it feels like every 5 minutes another problem is unearthed which costs me a fortune.

still - at least I didnt have to pay to get rid of the old gas cooker - I put it out the front of the house and it was gone in 10 minutes.