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Topic: I think we are ready to buy but how?!  (Read 9443 times)

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Re: I think we are ready to buy but how?!
« Reply #30 on: August 20, 2019, 11:57:40 AM »
Thanks so much for this info/link PB! We will be moving down to the central belt (aka civilisation!!! ;D) next summer + buying our first home and I had absolutely no idea about the differences between England/rUK and Scotland. This was really helpful!

When I found our house, it took only 4 weeks from then until we had keys in hand. Our solicitors were great. So much easier here.  We’re in northeastern Scotland.
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Re: I think we are ready to buy but how?!
« Reply #31 on: August 20, 2019, 02:34:59 PM »
I, personally, would not borrow near the top end of what the calculators say you can afford.  Live within your means and save for retirement.  But between buying your current rental or buying something a bit more, consider that you're currently without a chain.  This makes you an attractive buyer because you won't slow down a transaction.  The next time you go to buy a house, you'll likely need to sell one first, which makes it much more difficult.  So for this house purchase, get all the things you want/need.  If your garden now is too small, go for one with the garden you need for your child to run and play in, etc.  If you might have more children, consider an extra bedroom or two, and another bathroom.

I'm not suggesting buying the house you ultimately want to retire in, but do consider the things your family needs for the next ten years or so, at least.


On the other hand, there is something to be said for buying a house that is good for things you can’t change  (like location and being in a cul de sac, and not having crazy neighbours) and bad for things you can fix, like carpets and a new front door.  You can completely gut a house and build everything inside new again exactly the way you like it for £20k or so.   

That’s what we did for our first house and I just visited for the first time in 5 years. I just about cried when I saw the kitchen that we designed, with exactly the appliances we wanted. 


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Re: I think we are ready to buy but how?!
« Reply #32 on: August 20, 2019, 02:50:51 PM »
  You can completely gut a house and build everything inside new again exactly the way you like it for £20k or so.    .

Really? I think KFD paid nearly that much for just her wallpaper!  ;)


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