Just been to view it.
It needs a lot of work doing. No central heating. A boiler which is ancient. Some kind of vents in the wall heating system. The basement was completely damp. I may put in a low ball offer and see what happens. If it’s meant to be it will be.
I don’t think I have the energy or capacity to take on a full on project, work and care.
The chap who was living there has passed and they are looking for a quick sale the EA said.
Try to look past the decoration. If someone has died, and they are looking for a quick sale, then that is the perfect situation for you and the executors.
Realistically, it will take about 8 weeks to sort out the purchase, so that takes you to the warmer spring weather.
You have somewhere else to live (we sold our first house to my brother but he worked abroad so we stayed as his tenants for a few months while we did some of the worst work on our new home).
We moved in after the roof was sorted so the house didn’t have water running down the walls, no internal doors, one cold tap working in the kitchen, only a flush outside toilet working…and a six week old baby!
You were looking for an excuse to be left alone and escape the family, a house would be the perfect excuse.
Get it surveyed asap, so you know what you would be taking on. Worth every penny.
As long as he doesn’t discover any real nasty structural issues, then it’s OK.
The two main issues that it needs doing are plumbing and electrics, neither of which you would want to do yourself in any case.
It took us about 2 years to do our place. I did all the decorating apart from wallpapering the stairwell, as I don’t like heights. The baby was in his pram keeping an eye on me working. I kept some of his matinee jackets, some have spots of paint on them!!
Estate agents have this phrase, position, position, position.
If the position of this place really suits you, in relation to mum’s place, don’t procrastinate too long.
Get that survey done.
Now think who you know who is a tradesman, make a list, ask people you work with if they could recommend someone, start a little notebook.
Have you taken any photos?
Ontheverge, my house was the same when I moved in - no CH, ancient immersion, an old convector heater in the hall and a gas supply, (No basement). I had a cheap (secondhand) gas fire fitted in the living room and as was then the playroom. I used an oil filled radiator in my room. Gave bathroom a quick blast if having a bath with a fan heater. Had CH and new boiler a few years later. I was on crutches when I moved in as awaiting hip operation.
I would seek advice re basement.
You may be able to get a grant for CH and/or boiler. You have the advantage of having somewhere to stay whilst work is being done either now or in the future. Also,if you do have work done now - tradesfolk are looking and willing to work.
Melly1
I’d forgotten to mention our grant.
The house cost £16,700 at auction, with half an acre, in the New Forest. Considered so much over the odds it was featured in the local papers, and even the TV! However, we wanted somewhere to keep two 10 ton steam engines and at least 2 cars, decided that space in the garden was the priority, and we’d have to make the house what we wanted in due course!
As we had no modern amenities, a roof that leaked, a kitchen floor that needed to be dug up, etc. etc. we had a grant of £5,000 to make it habitable again. Almost a third of the value of the property!!
Thanks both for your replies and advice.
I have put an offer in subject to survey but it is a fair it less than they are wanting for it. We shall see what happens.
Decorating and carpeting aside, it needs a lot of work so I am not sure it really is feasible for me. I’m burnt out and I don’t have the energy for it. I know I would get someone to come in and do it for me but then I don’t have that kind of money. The heating system is the old style vent thing and to have that removed is quite a cost. I’ve just asked for a few quotes and it’s not cheap. I know the government do schemes where they help out with the cost of CH and a new boiler but you need to have kids or be on certain benefits. From what I gather, I could buy it, rent it out to someone with kids, then apply for the grant and 6 months after when the tenancy runs out, I could ask them to move out.
If they accept my offer, I will get a survey done but not before as I don’t want to waste £500 on nothing. I’ve done this in the past where I had a survey done but someone offered more and they sold it to them.
On the plus side, I have seen a few other properties that are more ready to move into so will chase them up. I can’t believe a 1 bedroomed flat sold for £35K 2 months ago. That would have been perfect for me.
Have you signed up to all the local estate agents to go on their lists?
If they know you are a first time buyer, not in a chain, they will love you.
Tell them to let you know asap if somewhere comes onto the market.
Our first house was advertised in the small ads of the local paper. Keep an eye on those too.
£35k!!!
Hello, OnTheVerge. You are doing things in a sensible order. Make provisional offer first, then if accepted get surveyor’s report. The mortgagor will require the survey anyway. If the survey reveals certain problems, the mortgagor may make an offer of mortgage on condition that these faults are put right, and withhold a portion of the mortgage until this is done. Allow leeway for this contingency in your negotiations. Talk to your bank manager; they can sometimes help with bridging loans.
Central heating is not a major issue. It sounds as though the house does have heating of a kind. Perhaps you could tell us a bit more about it. My first two houses did not have central heating, neither did the houses in which I grew up, but I survived! A damp cellar could be more of a problem.
And yes, keep looking for other houses in case this one does not work out.
I would not go down this road. For a start, it can be difficult to get tenants to leave when it suits you, especially if the property is unfurnished. Also, mortgagors don’t like tenancies on a property with a regular mortgage; their security on the property is compromised if there are sitting tenants.
There do exist “buy to let” mortgages, but the hoops you need to jump through are higher and smaller, and there are usually conditions attached. Like you must let the property and not occupy it yourself.
You have enough hassle in your life already; don’t complicate it further.
The primary aim of buying a property is to escape your family, not to house another one.
All the local estate agents have my details and they know the amount of money I have available. I do email them once a month or so but apparently not much is coming up within my price range.
Yes, a 1 bedroomed flat went for £35K. 2 bedroomed ones are about £60K in that particular complex.
Well the one I went to see is a 2 bedroomed end terrace, with no parking space but a road nearby where you can park. It’s next to a council estate which has caused some issues in the past. I live in the area so know all about it. The front room and the kitchen are gigantic. There is a tiny room in the attic too but the attic looked prehistoric. The basement was very damp and there was a fair bit of water on the ground.
The property was very basic as in everything needs a touch up. Decorating and carpeting wise, I am not too bothered about. That can all come in time. The person who lived there and died can’t have died very long ago. The commode, hospital bed etc were all still there. The heating vent system would cost a fair bit if it was to be removed. There were some grates on the wall in the bedroom but in the kitchen they were on the flooring.
I’m a social worker in Housing so have a few contacts at work and most of them have said keep well away from this property, it’s a big project. One of the ladies at work has said she will come with me if the offer gets accepted and have a look around with me.
Anyway, let’s see what they tell me about the offer I have made.
PS. If Mum was no longer with us, I would not be looking at knackered properties, I would private rent somewhere nice and quiet for 6 to 12 months and look for something permanent to move into with no neighbours. And yes, I would sell an arm to finance this property, lol.
This is definitely a time to use all your contacts. Sounds like that one is not to be, then.
This sort of thing is like a journey, you have to start without knowing exactly where you will end up.
Property in your area sounds very reasonably priced. In the New Forest there’s nothing much under £200,000, thanks to all the Londoners who have sold up and moved down here. We only just managed to get on the housing ladder because my husband to be had worked in outback Australia, and would certainly never have been able to afford this place if we hadn’t gone back out there for three years.
I will just warn you that at the moment legal process’s are taking a long time involving property sales, so it may take up to 6 months before you can move in.
In particular the searches are very delayed at the moment, you need to do the searches to make sure they are not building a big motorway and knocking down your house.
It may be alright in your area, but one of my caree’s has had to wait for months, the house she wants has been sitting empty for 4 months now waiting for all the legal process’s to go through.
My niece deals with conveyancing, there has been a massive increase in demand due to the stamp duty holiday. Other people have realised that their house just isn’t big enough for them any more, if they are going to work from home all the time. Others have realised they don’t need to live in London, they can work remotely. It’s only going to be a matter of time though before repossessions start in other areas because people are losing their jobs and the mortgage holidays are over.
PS. If Mum was no longer with us, I would not be looking at knackered properties, I would private rent somewhere nice and quiet for 6 to 12 months and look for something permanent to move into with no neighbours.
I don’t understand why this is only feasible if your Mum was no longer around? You could still do this plan and it would be a lot less hassle, in the interim.
Melly1
Agree with Melly to rent initially.
Once you’ve bought something you are really tied to it.
You need to be absolutely certain of both the property and the area to make such a commitment.
Just thought I would give a quick update. Someone offered the asking price and £10K on top and they asked if I wanted to bid more. I said no.
I went for a second viewing with a lady from work before this. She looked at the basement and walked out - she didn’t even bother looking at the rest. She told me I may as well just burn my money.
So back to square one and I will keep looking.
Just feeling really drained at the moment. I guess we are all in similar situations with the lockdown and caring and what not. On the plus side, my nephews popped round yesterday and they had a present for me, some aftershave. I was shocked and happy and surprised. It cheered me up a whole bunch.
Hope you are all OK.
Don’t despair, sometimes things happen for a reason. You have started the house buying journey, you are beginning to look forward. You can start thinking about how you want the place to look, modern, traditional etc. Just keep looking until you find something you like. Renting is still an option too.
Treat this as part of a learning exercise, OnTheVerge. One usually needs to view several houses and become familiar the present state of the market before finding something that is suitable. Keep looking and good luck.
Feel so terribly for you - find a support network of people who understand what you’re going through. Whether it’s a WhatsApp chat, zoom call once a week or just someone to text when you’re feeling down. I’m sure many people in this forum would jump at the chance.
Time block your time - there are only so many hours in a day
Priority 1. Yourself, rest and your health
Priority 2. Work
Priority 3. Caring for others
Unfortunately it just has to be that way. You can’t look after anyone else unless you’re taking care of yourself and earning an income. Whatever time is lacking - outsource it to carers, respite providers etc. You can’t do everything.
It sounds terrible to say but you will have a life after this… you have to maintain your own self or you will have nothing once she has passed. Take care xxx