Buying a home and don't know how anything works
- Thread starter miss direct
- Start date
miss direct
misfungled
Really appreciate all the reassurance and advice I get here.
I keep thinking about floors and carpets and wallpaper and paint. The hallway ceiling has horrible artex, but I suppose it's not as though I'll spend much time staring up at that. First priority is the office, since I work from home, and since I already have a computer chair and a donated desk, that's all set as soon as I have internet. Then a bed - had a look at BHF and they have some decent wooden frames, then I'll get one of those Premier Inn mattresses I think. Months of sleeping on memory foam have put me off it - I want a nice firm bed. I need to put curtains up in the bedroom as there are only wooden blinds, which don't block the light. How complicated is putting up curtain rails? Bear in mind that I have no DIY tools or skills.
A few things about the kitchen. There's a pantry door which catches on the floor when it opens, which has left marks. Would this just be a case of slightly sanding it down?
There's a chance I'll be away for six weeks this summer (although I'd only be working a few hours away so could be back at weekends) which might be a good opportunity to pay for and get things done.
Next door neighbours are Chinese students. This sort of confirmed to me that I made a good choice, because although I could have bought a proper house further out, the rental potential would be much less. I'm not particularly planning on being an evil landlord, but it's just something to consider in future, if I do get offered a decent contract overseas for a while.
I keep thinking about floors and carpets and wallpaper and paint. The hallway ceiling has horrible artex, but I suppose it's not as though I'll spend much time staring up at that. First priority is the office, since I work from home, and since I already have a computer chair and a donated desk, that's all set as soon as I have internet. Then a bed - had a look at BHF and they have some decent wooden frames, then I'll get one of those Premier Inn mattresses I think. Months of sleeping on memory foam have put me off it - I want a nice firm bed. I need to put curtains up in the bedroom as there are only wooden blinds, which don't block the light. How complicated is putting up curtain rails? Bear in mind that I have no DIY tools or skills.
A few things about the kitchen. There's a pantry door which catches on the floor when it opens, which has left marks. Would this just be a case of slightly sanding it down?
There's a chance I'll be away for six weeks this summer (although I'd only be working a few hours away so could be back at weekends) which might be a good opportunity to pay for and get things done.
Next door neighbours are Chinese students. This sort of confirmed to me that I made a good choice, because although I could have bought a proper house further out, the rental potential would be much less. I'm not particularly planning on being an evil landlord, but it's just something to consider in future, if I do get offered a decent contract overseas for a while.
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
future evil landlord
StoneRoad
heckling from the back!
You can use a sponge roller to re-paint artex (it is probably hiding something like uneven plastering !). Use a brush to cut in around the sides (which should be a smooth border)
Cheapish silk or matt emulsion can change a room.
[1]unless the wallpaper is textured or not designed for overpainting [2] not washable emulsion as it's an ar5e to get off again.
Pantry door.
Best method is to take it off, and then plane a bit off, all along the the bottom.
Unless it is only a small area at the open end and there is enough room to get abrasive paper all the way underneath.
Cheapish silk or matt emulsion can change a room.
[1]unless the wallpaper is textured or not designed for overpainting [2] not washable emulsion as it's an ar5e to get off again.
Pantry door.
Best method is to take it off, and then plane a bit off, all along the the bottom.
Unless it is only a small area at the open end and there is enough room to get abrasive paper all the way underneath.
cybershot
Well-Known Member
If it’s not your forever home and you can live with it. Just leave it. I have a horrible plaster rose and wallpapered ceiling in lounge. The light fitting is horrible. It’s attached terribly. Putting something else up will probably make it crumble. Getting rid of it means getting rid of the wallpaper and then fixing up whatever mess is underneath. Fuck it. I can live with it for now. I’ll probably never sort it unless a partner moves in.
Easy. Even I can manage this one. However you may need to check the wall above the window is strong enough to support the rail. If not. You’ll probably need to screw a wood batten board up to support the rail then paint it.
Most likely. Is it wooden? You may want to leave it 12 months and see if it’s expands on different weather conditions. Although that’s usually doors just exposed to the elements. You could find sanding it down too much then ends up not fitting properly when it shrinks back down in the summer. As I said this usually only a problem with doors exposed to rain and differing cold/hot temperatures.
Don’t tell people on here you’re thinking of becoming a landlord. We’ll be less helpful.
Cid
Proper break this time
Door depends on type, though they usually have solid edgings so you can modify them to fit. The annoying thing about doors is the taking them on and off again part... Probably wants planing rather than sanding so there's a bit of clearance for movement.
I would come up with a snagging list for stuff like the door... Once you've moved in write down everything that could do with addressing. Then, if you do decide to sort the bathroom or do some other major joinery/decorating work, you can get the tradesperson to quote on those as additional bits.
It's definitely worth picking up some basic DIY skills - trades are expensive here (rightly so really). And maybe a drill, set of screwdrivers, hammer and other bits and bobs. Curtain rails aren't hard to install, but you do really need a drill... Youtube is your friend for this kind of thing.
miss direct
misfungled
Thanks! I'm not thinking of becoming a landlord, I just want a place to live... job prospects are pretty dire though so it's good to have future options.. and for what it's worth, after 20 years of renting I think I'd be a very good landlord. Lady..whatever.
moonsi til
worked it out now!
miss direct I rent out a flat that was once my home. I didn’t set out to do this just no-one bought my flat so I lived to a set budget, worked a ton of extra shifts & saved enough for a deposit for a house.
My philosophy re the flat is for it to be the persons home, no fees other than deposit that is protected, accept DSS & affordable rent. I rented for years & had been lucky with mostly decent places which felt fair rent wise.
My philosophy re the flat is for it to be the persons home, no fees other than deposit that is protected, accept DSS & affordable rent. I rented for years & had been lucky with mostly decent places which felt fair rent wise.
With curtains you need to decide if your going with a pole or a rail or do you want a roller blind within the width of the window recess.
If your in Aldi or Lidl look out for their tool kit offers. Handy to have a basic set of tools and a rechargable drill to hand for the little odd jobs that always crop up with a house.
If your in Aldi or Lidl look out for their tool kit offers. Handy to have a basic set of tools and a rechargable drill to hand for the little odd jobs that always crop up with a house.
miss direct
misfungled
I was looking at the old and new photos of the place and there did use to be curtain poles in the bedrooms so not sure why they were removed. I have got some decent blackout curtains of my own so I'll have to work out what sort of rail thing will work with them.
Wonder if I'll hear anything about completion next week..
Wonder if I'll hear anything about completion next week..
hash tag
Books, not bombs
miss direct
misfungled
Well I will, but i still wonder whether I will actually get to hear about possible dates!!!
Don't wait to hear, chase.
scifisam
feck! arse! girls! drink!
It's 100% worth it buying a decent drill and tool kit. Mine have saved me a fortune over the years. Things like curtain poles and shelves are extremely easy.
The pantry door might just need rehanging rather than sanding/planing. Are you considering replacing the kitchen flooring? If you are, worry about the pantry door then, because the new floor might change the clearance.
Also, a pantry? Get you!
The pantry door might just need rehanging rather than sanding/planing. Are you considering replacing the kitchen flooring? If you are, worry about the pantry door then, because the new floor might change the clearance.
Also, a pantry? Get you!
miss direct
misfungled
Well, a big cupboard with a sign on it saying "pantry" 
Well, its not just the drill..its a ladder and all the associated things..and then finding a place to store said items. I mean how often am I likely to use the tool kit? I actually had a very well equipped tool box in Turkey but that's just another thing I gave away..
Well, its not just the drill..its a ladder and all the associated things..and then finding a place to store said items. I mean how often am I likely to use the tool kit? I actually had a very well equipped tool box in Turkey but that's just another thing I gave away..
WouldBe
Dislicksick
You could use the pantry as your bike shed until you sort the lock out.Well, a big cupboard with a sign on it saying "pantry"
Well, its not just the drill..its a ladder and all the associated things..and then finding a place to store said items. I mean how often am I likely to use the tool kit? I actually had a very well equipped tool box in Turkey but that's just another thing I gave away..
Toolbox could be kept in outhouse not bottom of the pantry.
scifisam
feck! arse! girls! drink!
Well, a big cupboard with a sign on it saying "pantry"
Well, its not just the drill..its a ladder and all the associated things..and then finding a place to store said items. I mean how often am I likely to use the tool kit? I actually had a very well equipped tool box in Turkey but that's just another thing I gave away..
You're going to use a tool kit a lot more when you own a place than when you rent one. Shelves, certain rails, pictures, rehanging doors, sometimes extra help with flatpack furniture, a shower screen, fitting a new washing machine or oven, laying flooring if you do it yourself, fitting a cat flap, putting up a new bird box - probably some things you won't do, but there'll be other things you do need to do that I didn't, as well.
And apart from the occasional drill bit wearing out, they last pretty much forever.
It's much better being able to do it yourself than relying on friends or paying other people.
cybershot
Well-Known Member
If they took the estate agents incorrect advice on removing the carpets they were probably told or assumed the same with things like curtain poles. So the estate agent has probably shafted you here. At this rate there won’t be any light bulbs either when you get there. Either that or they are right right arses.
You’ll need a drill and a toolset. Even I use them more often than I’d like too and I hate DIY and trying to fix things. Don’t cheap out too much on them as you’ll only end up having to buy again. Some may only use once in a blue moon (I have a circular saw and an electric sander) but once you’ve got them. You’ve got them.
miss direct
misfungled
It's all a bit strange, because there are nice curtains left in the living room, new ones in the kitchen, a decent blind in the bathroom, and wooden blinds in the main bedroom. Just the curtains and poles have gone from both bedrooms. Oh well 
miss direct
misfungled
OK so question to people who say I need to keep chasing.. I've emailed the solicitor and asked for an update and been told that they have raised some queries about the management pack and are still waiting for some other queries to come back. They will be in touch when they are back..so exactly who or what am I supposed to chase? Estate agent?
It's all a bit strange, because there are nice curtains left in the living room, new ones in the kitchen, a decent blind in the bathroom, and wooden blinds in the main bedroom. Just the curtains and poles have gone from both bedrooms. Oh well
They must have liked the bedroom curtains and poles.
I've never taken the curtain rails or light bulbs when I've moved before by have taken curtains if I thought that they'd fit the windows of the next house.
Leafster
.
I'd email the solicitors back and ask them what the queries were and, if they haven't already sent it, ask them for a copy of the management pack so you can review it yourself.
Boudicca
Seaside Queen
Yes, good plan, you could find that they have queried something quite unimportant.
I assume the management pack is from the council as freeholders.
cybershot
Well-Known Member
Solicitors.
Queries about the management pack makes me assume they’ve seen the management pack? Ask what exactly what queries have been raised and if any of these are vital to know for the transaction to go ahead. If it’s something trivial that you’re not arsed about or can find out for yourself at a later date for example.
Same with the other queries which I assume waiting back for from the sellers. It’s possible the sellers just won’t know the answers to the questions anyway.
Solicitor works for you so you have a right to tell them to stop pursuing bullshit if it’s just causing pointless delays at this point.
miss direct
misfungled
I did ask before what the enquiries were about, and the helpful reply was "they relate to the property" 
(really, I thought they were enquiries about the weather or the price of honey)
The management pack is pretty important though as it'll include the details about building charges/planned work to the building. Apparently. I already know the annual fees.
I forwarded solicitors email to EA who is going to chase it up.
(really, I thought they were enquiries about the weather or the price of honey)The management pack is pretty important though as it'll include the details about building charges/planned work to the building. Apparently. I already know the annual fees.
I forwarded solicitors email to EA who is going to chase it up.
AnnO'Neemus
Is so vanilla
Yeah, I noticed that on a recent bank transaction, I sent some money to 'Joe [last name]' and it changed the name to 'Joseph [last name]' as that was clearly the name associated with the sort code/account number, and I thought it was good that they confirmed the name associated with the account, because if it had been different then it could've started ringing alarm bells and prompting a double-checking - generally speaking, that is, I actually know the person I transferred funds to, so I already knew it wasn't an attempted scam or other trickery.
It was the first time I've noticed that - although I bank with Co-op bank, so does my recipient, I don't know if it does the confirmation of name of account holder thing if the recipient banks with a different bank.
hash tag
Books, not bombs
Electric screwdrivers are essential for self assembly furniture.
