Buying a home and don't know how anything works

[miss direct]

So glad I'm not in a hard water area. The state of the kettle in London was revolting and my usually oily skin went dry in a matter of days.

I will see if I can find someone useful to come and view with me next week. I don't know anyone myself but maybe a friend of a friend who might be bored and might also sniff the opportunity for some paid work down the line.

You are right, Cid, I will just make do. I just want to do something or at least be planning things now so it doesn't still all seem so distant. I'm so unimpressed at the length everything is taking. It looks like it will end up taking longer than it took to sell Dad's - and that was from listing it to exchange, to someone difficult, getting a mortgage, during much more severe restrictions. Oh well.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

I finally got an email from the solicitor dealing with my flat purchase

he literally got everything wrong. From my name to the address of the property and everything in between. I’m utterly baffled


Dear ****

My profound apologies for the senior moment regarding your name and, by the look of it, getting you confused with someone else. It has been bonkers during the past 10 days. I will take a look at this urgently tomorrow..



Kind Regards,

it’s not boding well for a simple efficient process

feels like a restart of the clock despite being at it for 6 months now

Potentially a data breach, because they've disclosed someone else's personal details.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Yes, I have. They are leaving all curtains and blinds. But I do want blackout curtains in the bedroom, so first I need to work out which room I'll use as the bedroom, and which as the office (can anyone help me with working out sun position? I need a dark room to sleep.) I've got a pair of blackout curtains so hope they fit - although probably have the wrong sort of attachments (why do curtains need to be so complicated?)

I actually want to take all the curtains and wash them but I probably won't be allowed to do that yet, will I?

It occurred to me that there's nowhere to eat the way the current owners have it set up. I don't want to eat dinner on my lap so will have to work out how I can get a small or folding table in somewhere.

Kitchen stuff I have got in storage: a microwave, a toaster, a small freezer. I'll need to get a fridge, washing machine and oven, otherwise I'll just be living off toast and frozen microwaved meals. Is it worth buying such things new, or is second hand ok?

I really want a proper, decent shower, so will turn that on and give the pressure a test.

I got second hand fridge, cooker and washing machine when I moved into my flat years ago. The cooker lasted about 15 years before the oven stopped working. The washer/dryer lasted nearly 10 years. The fridge with little ice box lasted years, too, until I accidentally stabbed the lining of the little ice box when trying to defrost it by hacking the ice off with a knife.

Some community furniture projects like Emmaus and charity shops might sell electrical items, and if they do, they will have been PAT tested (electrical safety check), so they should be in good working order.

Buying second hand through Facebook marketplace or Gumtree might be a bit more hit and miss.

Check that the appliance isn't on the recall/problem list.

(Although I know someone who, when I told him about the list, he made a point of looking for second hand items for sale that were on that list, he'd buy them cheap, then contact the manufacturer and get a new appliance, which he then sold on. Greedy, despicable cunt. He didn't tell people they had a faulty appliance and could get a new one. And presumably if the item has already been sold, didn't relay info about safety concerns, because some items were fire safety hazards. I can't understand the levels of greed associated with doing something like that. And it's not like he was poor and in need of the money, in which case it might've been understandable.)

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Electrical appliance recall safety list

Recalled Domestic Appliances | Electrical Safety First

Discover if your Domestic Appliances product has been recalled. These Domestic Appliances products may have safety issues or dangerous defects.

www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk

Product Recalls and Alerts

Information on OPSS product safety alerts, reports and recalls for unsafe products and resources for consumers, businesses and regulators.

productrecall.campaign.gov.uk

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I'll just be living off toast and frozen microwaved meals. Is it worth buying such things new, or is second hand ok?

i'd definitely buy new...

 

[miss direct]

Need an eye rolling reaction!

 

[trashpony]

Need an eye rolling reaction!

 

[miss direct]

Not a new post, a reaction

 

[bimble]

miss direct my long suffering friend (offer accepted january) is getting the keys to her home on Tuesday, there will be a fish and chips party to celebrate. The end is in sight!

 

[miss direct]

miss direct my long suffering friend (offer accepted January) is getting the keys to her home on Tuesday, there will be a fish and chips party to celebrate. The end is in sight!

That does make me feel better, thank you. Fish and chips sound great. I may have to steal that idea for when I'm in mine.

 

[miss direct]

Actually just inspired me to look up the nearest fish and chip shop to the new place and it looks suitably cheap, cheerful, and Northern.

 

[Elpenor]

I would personally buy any white goods you need to get brand new. In my current place I already had a washing machine, and there is an integrated oven. I got a fridge and freezer (ancient but Bosch so a decent brand) from a mate who had them in his house when he moved in. A new tumble driver was the treat I opted for as no outdoor space for drying and it means stuff is dry quickly.

It may be an idea to look for a credit card with a decent 0% period on purchases so you can pay them off gradually and also benefit from section 75 protection. Obviously ring fence your spending only for house purchases!

 

[cybershot]

Buying new of everything soon adds up but it’s better than buying second hand with no guarantees/warranties. If it breaks you’re replacing it and buying again.

0% interest offers on credit cards are re-appearing. Once you’ve exchanged look at applying for one with the most 0% duration you can find. Use it. Eventually stop and pay it off before the 0% expires. Close account.

 

[cybershot]

I would personally buy any white goods you need to get brand new. In my current place I already had a washing machine, and there is an integrated oven. I got a fridge and freezer (ancient but Bosch so a decent brand) from a mate who had them in his house when he moved in. A new tumble driver was the treat I opted for as no outdoor space for drying and it means stuff is dry quickly.

It may be an idea to look for a credit card with a decent 0% period on purchases so you can pay them off gradually and also benefit from section 75 protection. Obviously ring fence your spending only for house purchases!

pretty much the same advice at the same time.

 

[AnnO'Neemus]

Yes, wise to put all purchases over £100 on a credit card for the consumer protection, even if you then pay off that sum straight away.

 

[Saffy]

miss direct check what the mobile phone signal is like in various parts of your new flat when you visit. Might be worth asking who their current internet provider is as well.

 

[Elpenor]

If you want to work out orientation of rooms, smartphones should have a compass app

 

[hash tag]

Viewing the flat again next week. Any advice on what/who to take and what to take a note of so I can really get planning?

More tedious delays with the actual purchase. Apparently it'll be two more weeks till the local search(es) are back. Plus solicitor is waiting for a management pack from the council as well. I'm still going to be in my shared house in June, aren't I... (Actually I was quite pleased to get back. I like my room - it's just the communal areas that are dirty.)

Given where you are at and what you do depends. Is your visit alone, have the vendors moved out, is what's there going to be left behind?
If so, you may want to thoroughly check how serviceable everything is and is there room in your life for it, do the colours fit in etc.
You may want to check that everything works ok purely so as you don't get any nice little surprises when you move in
You might want to take lots of pictures and measurements to see how the space will work for you and set priorities. What's more important, a decent shower or a dining table? What size of table and chairs do you need and will fit.
I would urge not to start spending until after exchange.
Incidentally, I have a measuring app in my phone.

 

[miss direct]

Someone will come with me but not sure who yet. I am 99% certain from observations and estate agent's wording in emails that the sellers have moved out and what's left is staying. Which only seems to be curtains, a chest of drawers and a new toilet brush from the sounds of it, but I'll find out once I'm in there.

I'll open all cupboards and doors, flush loo, turn taps on, not sure what else to check. Heating perhaps?

 

[hash tag]

Windows, creaky floorboards, make sure water flows away ok, lights/switches.

 

[MBV]

Window locks and accompanying keys if the windows have them.

Maybe get a photo of the thermostat if it looks complicated. You can then Google instructions.

 

[hash tag]

Repeat of someone's earlier post...find stop cock and check it works. Also find electrical cuboard for fuses and meters and check, if applicable for gas meter and shut off. Has the place got a smoke alarm, should you get one?

 

[spanglechick]

Some of these things are what you check before you make an offer, or after the survey when it might be reasonable to negotiate the price down.
I’m not sure you need to know right now which floorboards creak.

i’d say measure things (windows, ceiling heights, useful looking spaces for a table...) so that if you do buy stuff, you know it’ll fit.

And if I were buying again in these smartphone times, I’d make a video or two, panning slowly around every room, and walking from room to room. It’s always hard relying on your memory and the estate agent photos. A video makes scale and space a lot more accurate.

 

[hash tag]

Agreed it's to late to negotiate a price but it helps remove any unexpected surprises and can help you plan what needs attention.

 

[miss direct]

Good stuff. There's a few corners that I cant remember and aren't visible on listing photos. Also a cupboard under the stairs that I'd like to get inside. And outdoor storage that I didn't look in before. All sorts really..will take measuring tape and make several videos.

 

[hash tag]

Beware of the skeletons in the cupboard

 

[cybershot]

Someone will come with me but not sure who yet. I am 99% certain from observations and estate agent's wording in emails that the sellers have moved out and what's left is staying. Which only seems to be curtains, a chest of drawers and a new toilet brush from the sounds of it, but I'll find out once I'm in there.

I'll open all cupboards and doors, flush loo, turn taps on, not sure what else to check. Heating perhaps?

If you’re going to flush loo’s etc DO NOT leave the property until the cistern has finished filling and has stopped. Especially if no inhabitants. The last thing both of you want is a flooded flat. This happened to a friend! When the ball cock decided to fail at the worst possible time.

 

[miss direct]

I'll go straight to the loo. Hope estate agent of whoever won't be following me around. Since finding out that the sellers "bought me a new loo brush", I'm actually rather nervous about what the toilet might contain

 

[bellaozzydog]

I’m asking the estate agent if I can have an extended period of access to the flat I’m in the process of buying

I just want to sit in it and contemplate plans for it without anyone looking over my shoulder. Get a real feel for it.

I’ll probably get a sparkie in to check the electric is safe and the boiler isn’t going to gas me

solicitor says three weeks for all searches to come in. Not sure what happens after that. Slightly worried that the lenders have a solicitor, feels like it could all collapse at any point for some random unidentified legal point

 

[miss direct]

Ooh Bella we might be on similar timelines.