News - ‘Search for first home is over’
September 2004: Interest rates have gone up - they seem to have gone up about ten times since my search started. The rises would literally have put about an extra 100-150 on my monthly payments since I first asked for a quotation.
Important for house buyers to try to budget for the future - be prepared if rates rise and realise what it might do to your payments if not fixed.
My financial adviser (never thought I’d use these words) finds the best deal. Then there are solicitors. And surveys. And insurance. And life cover… reminds me of that ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ moment when James Stewart realises he’s worth more dead than alive. I stay away from bridges and anyone called Clarence.
October 2004: Mortgage agreed. Solicitors agreed. Life cover agreed. Now it’s a waiting game while the buying process happens. ‘Subject to contract and Conditions’. Strangely, it feels as if the stress levels have fallen and it’s not quite so daunting… maybe it’s that inevitable calm that supposedly comes just before the storm.
November 2004: Potential problem. The survey has come back and highlighted a glitch. It’s surveyor/building jargon so luckily I know a couple of friends who are in the business. It’s not serious to the structural integrity of the house but it’s a problem that needs monitoring.
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 After more sleepless nights and discussions with people who have bought, sold, built and fixed houses, I make, what I hope, is the right decision  |
But most importantly, it’s something that will still be there should I decide to sell - it could be a problem in the future that could hinder me. More decisions.
After more sleepless nights and discussions with people who have bought, sold, built and fixed houses, I make, what I hope, is the right decision.
There’s too much at stake to take a chance. It’s too huge a commitment if something’s not right. However it’s a decision taken with a lot of thought and consideration for those selling. Guilt and frustration.
Would prefer if my actions didn’t impact so much on others - even with the advice that the house market is often a cut-throat business with little room for sentimentality. But I suppose every cloud has a silver lining as I see the house actually goes for a few more grand than I was offering.
December 2004: It’s back to the drawing board in the New Year. The papers are full of doom and gloom about a house price crash. Now there’s another exciting factor to take into consideration.
January 2005: New search begins. But as house prices continue to rise, the house search needs to be completed sooner rather than later.
February 2005: Let’s face it, February isn’t much use for anything else so might as well get looking again and I’m determined to blitz the websites and property guides in a short, sharp stagger to finding a pad. Pick out about five houses and arrange viewing over a couple of weeks.
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Ah, back to the bidding wars - place a couple of bids but price goes stratospheric |
House one. Up until now, I’ve been wholly pragmatic and rational about the houses I’ve looked at so far and have yet to experience that ‘right-one feeling’ that people tell me about. But I actually do like this one - not quite what I’m looking for - a wee bit rough around the edges - but tons of potential and ticks many of the boxes. Except for the box marked ‘lottery winner’ or ‘affordable’ or ‘I am Russian oil tycoon’. Too steep.
Next one. Another nice house in a good area but there’s a lot of evidence of a building site taking shape at the back window. I fear waking up one morning to Trump Towers in my back garden.
Next one. Bit further out of the city than planned. Ah, back to the bidding wars - place a couple of bids but price goes stratospheric.
Next one. Same sort of area but this one needs a bit of TLC - but my ISA, TESSA, PEP (I wish) don’t stretch that far considering the asking price.
Revisit house one. Pity it’s above my price limit - but still hasn’t sold.
Next. Another house that needs some repairs but again, the asking price doesn’t reflect the work that’s needed - I get quoted 20k for the improvements.
March/April 2005: Continue looking but see that house one is still on the market - make another appointment - the majority of people I know have now viewed this house from the outside, inside or online at this stage.
Ask estate agent if seller would consider taking a bit less. Says it’s possible as he thinks price is a bit too high to get the ball rolling. Check online next day and the price has come down.
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It’s time to sign on the dreaded, dotted line |
Get on the phone and offer the asking price. The anxious wait beings… phone rings… offer accepted. What the hell have I done! A fusion of fear, fright, relief, and, cold sweats. But the overriding emotion is one of relief that I’m on the road to getting the one house - from all the houses I’ve viewed - that I actually did like.
Holidays, surveys, more surveys, chats with mortgage advisers, solicitors, personal insurance, house insurance and buckets of cash later - it’s time to sign on the dreaded, dotted line.
But before I do, the survey says I need a little bit of work done to the roof. Mention to estate agent who says that an agreement with the seller should be straightforward enough. This is normal.
However, calls back to say seller won’t budge - won’t meet me halfway. Ok, well, would he cough up the couple of hundred pounds for the repair? Nope.
Half the cost of the repair (we’re talking the price of a second hand washing machine here or a night out in a nice restaurant) as a ‘goodwill’ gesture? Nope! Now, there comes a time when you feel like telling someone to stick something where the sun don’t shine out of principle… it’s close to that point, but, consider the cost to go looking again, surveys, etc.
I take the higher ground. I’m not bitter, and besides, he left behind that antique set of dinner plates…
July 2005: The dotted line day arrives. Now, when you buy a car, or even a phone or a new stereo, there’s a bit of ‘foreplay’ involved - a bit of gentle introduction.
Here’s a nice pen, a nice bit of paper, a hot drink - or in this case a cold one.
Him in doors: Property prices in Belfast have risen over the past decade
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But nope, spending a six figure sum of money and buying a load of bricks is wham bamm, thank-you-man, good night, good luck and see you after! I’ll call. Honestly. In the end, it’s one signature as straightforward as that.
So there you have it. From beginning to end. I now live in my own house. I’ve had a few more sleepless nights at first considering what I’ve done.
But now when I wake up and remember I can paint the living room purple with yellow spots. I can come home and watch whatever I like on TV.
I can leave the dishes for a week. I can fall asleep on the sofa (if I had one) and drool over my shirt without anyone noticing. Yes, it’s tough with an endless stream of bills and payments but again, remember this is the situation for the majority of first time buyers.
October 2005: It’s now about two months since I moved in and after a couple of mortgage payments, things begin to seem more stable.
I’ve also got a second home - or at least it feels like it as I’m now a familiar face around numerous DIY chains.
There’s always something to do - you always find something to change, to modify, to put your own stamp on - but I’m told that’s part of the fun of owning your own home!
The papers had more news about house prices continuing to soar and how difficult it remains for first time buyers. Yes, it is difficult, yes there will be loads of obstacles along the way but it is good to be able to have somewhere to call your own.
Originaly from Source
Filed by at September 30th, 2007 under Property insurance