Topic: The 'Eeeek...buying/saving for a house' thread

[CraigDS]

The agent has already messaged me saying the seller is trying to sort out a couple of the problems in the next couple of days and will get back to me.

Thing is though the other issues are to do with the leasehold and also the freehold is unregistered, also there is still an issue with the license to use the land at the rear of the property. If we were to proceed we'd basically have to just inherit these problems and then when we come to sell the property they'll become a stumbling block for us, and we just can't be bothered with all the extra hassle.

You could adjust the price you'd be willing to pay to make that hassle worth it. Or obviously just look elsewhere.

[surfer. Fuck you generator.]

RIP Liverluke

1991-2017



Well done mate

God, the optimism

Men and women are not built to share extended time together. It is true. As long as you disappear from time to time it'll work.

All the best, do not let her turn you into a squeaky clean robot. A bit of dirt, mess is normal. It's human. Don't lose your humanity.

[rob1966]

God, the optimism

Men and women are not built to share extended time together. It is true. As long as you disappear from time to time it'll work.

All the best, do not let her turn you into a squeaky clean robot. A bit of dirt, mess is normal. It's human. Don't lose your humanity.

That is the cause of 99.9% of arguments in our house, she does my head in with her everything must be tidy shit. Of course its OK for her to fucking ram everything into cupboards and drawers

[redk84]

Question....probably asked before (but only just seen this thread)

At what point does online gambling affect you getting a mortgage?

[redbyrdz]

Question....probably asked before (but only just seen this thread)

At what point does online gambling affect you getting a mortgage?

When its made you miss a couple of payments on money you owe, credit cards not payed off etc.

[LiverLuke]

Question....probably asked before (but only just seen this thread)

At what point does online gambling affect you getting a mortgage?

My mortgage broker showed some concern about gambling on my bank statements, especially as there was quite a bit of it and it went into my overdraft. Though it went through just fine in the end with the bank, although my mortgage is pretty cheap along with the help to buy scheme

[LiverLuke]

God, the optimism

Men and women are not built to share extended time together. It is true. As long as you disappear from time to time it'll work.

All the best, do not let her turn you into a squeaky clean robot. A bit of dirt, mess is normal. It's human. Don't lose your humanity.

I think it should be fine as she is pretty relaxed like me about how tidy stuff is and not too anal (not jokes please )

my only real concern is that I have got a group of lad mates that I like to see a lot and she hasn't really got that and I don't wanna just pop out all the time leaving her alone. I have tried to get her along with us but she's not that keen as they're all blokes. Gonna have to try and make more couple friends I think to socialise together out more!

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

Question....probably asked before (but only just seen this thread)

At what point does online gambling affect you getting a mortgage?

My bank statements were littered with gambling transactions because I had been doing matched betting. There were literally dozens of pages worth. Mortgage broker wasn't bothered in the slightest, but I guess it might be different if going direct through a bank.

[redk84]

Thanks for the responses.....

The deposits into betting accounts I cap at like £25 max....it was just the number of them in the last few months I was concerned about....don't go into overdraught much but if I do I'm out of it fairly quickly

Never could find any genuine answers on internet. Wish I had just kept the accounts clean for a few months and just gone in the betting shop if I had to, or just stopped, or done it via paypal etc

[gazzam1963]

The agent has already messaged me saying the seller is trying to sort out a couple of the problems in the next couple of days and will get back to me.

Thing is though the other issues are to do with the leasehold and also the freehold is unregistered, also there is still an issue with the license to use the land at the rear of the property. If we were to proceed we'd basically have to just inherit these problems and then when we come to sell the property they'll become a stumbling block for us, and we just can't be bothered with all the extra hassle.

Is there any way they can be indemnified through an insurance policy that your seller can pay for

[The G in Gerrard]

Been waiting a week for a formal offer for mortgage to come through to me and my solicitors

Still waiting

[paddysour]

Still waiting

Which bank?

[The G in Gerrard]

Which bank?

Halifax. There was an issue with the valuation which was sorted and yet still my solicitor awaits the paperwork.

[cdav]

For a first time buyer is it worth using a mortgage broker? I've got a pretty straightforward situation, looking to buy by myself and got a decent deposit (about 12.5% of what I think I can borrow) plus little in terms of outgoings for debt and no balance on credit cards.

If it is, can anyone recommend a good broker based in St Helens/ Merseyside/ others?

[gazzam1963]

For a first time buyer is it worth using a mortgage broker? I've got a pretty straightforward situation, looking to buy by myself and got a decent deposit (about 12.5% of what I think I can borrow) plus little in terms of outgoings for debt and no balance on credit cards.

If it is, can anyone recommend a good broker based in St Helens/ Merseyside/ others?

I've used these personally  a few times and my missuss firm use and deal with them every day , access to all the best deals , good honest advice as well . Never had any issues with them

http://www.rscnewhomes.com/

[paul211b]

For a first time buyer is it worth using a mortgage broker? I've got a pretty straightforward situation, looking to buy by myself and got a decent deposit (about 12.5% of what I think I can borrow) plus little in terms of outgoings for debt and no balance on credit cards.

If it is, can anyone recommend a good broker based in St Helens/ Merseyside/ others?

I always use one, so much easier they do all the work for you.  The deals they have you can get online if you look about but i find its easier and they usually know if you will be successful. 
Guy i use I take out an insurance policy be it contents of buildings etc with him for a year and he will not charge me his fee.  Usually £500

[gazzam1963]

The firm I highlighted above have never charged , they have to and do declare a payment they get off the company you eventually go with , but ive also had free legals as well and a small cash back sometimes too and they do use all the market .

[cdav]

Cheers for the advice Gazzam and Paul. I'll look at rsc and a few other options locally.

[.adam]

For a first time buyer is it worth using a mortgage broker? I've got a pretty straightforward situation, looking to buy by myself and got a decent deposit (about 12.5% of what I think I can borrow) plus little in terms of outgoings for debt and no balance on credit cards.

If it is, can anyone recommend a good broker based in St Helens/ Merseyside/ others?

My first house I just went with Nationwide - wasn't that arsed about shopping around.

Ever since I've used London & Country and have been delighted with the service they've provided. They get me the best deal on the market and help progress the application. If anything is chugging along too slowly I send L&C an email and they chase for me.

No fee (they charge a fee to the lender) and saves me a load of hassle. I've recommended the guy I use to three other people and they've all been happy with the service too.

[♠Dirty Harry♠]

Finally got our offer of mortgage after 7 years of saving, jumping through hoops and life happening.

I was wondering if anyone here has any first-hand experience of Air Source Heat Pumps and Heat Recovery systems?

[filopastry]

My first house I just went with Nationwide - wasn't that arsed about shopping around.

Ever since I've used London & Country and have been delighted with the service they've provided. They get me the best deal on the market and help progress the application. If anything is chugging along too slowly I send L&C an email and they chase for me.

No fee (they charge a fee to the lender) and saves me a load of hassle. I've recommended the guy I use to three other people and they've all been happy with the service too.

I was also happy with L&C when I used them, very helpful, although we were pretty straightforward as first time buyers.

I'll be interested to see how they fare when it comes to remortgaging as the missus is now self employed which can complicate things a bit.

[TOGH]

Thanks for the responses.....

The deposits into betting accounts I cap at like £25 max....it was just the number of them in the last few months I was concerned about....don't go into overdraught much but if I do I'm out of it fairly quickly

Never could find any genuine answers on internet. Wish I had just kept the accounts clean for a few months and just gone in the betting shop if I had to, or just stopped, or done it via paypal etc

If you're worried about having the gambling transactions on your statements deposit via ewallet instead.  You can link your debit card to a Skrill account so the money will come straight out of your account as normal but will just show as Skrill / Paypal / Neteller on your statements.

[rich87]

Buying for the first time with the girlfriend, and we've got a mortgage agreed - Can get around about £200k -

Only she has lived in Ainsdale her whole life and wants Birkdale.

I want to be in Aigburth/Sefton Park area.

I've not lived in either, so I'm not associated with either area, but I know it comes down to a comfort thing - she knows the area, and feels comfortable. The houses are bigger with nicer gardens, which when eventually we have a family she see's as a huge plus.

But It doesn't feel like it offers everything for me, it doesn't have that urban, young professional thing I'm used to, with where I live now. Aigburth whilst we'd most likely have a mid-terrace with small garden, would give us Sefton Park, Otterspool, and be 5 minutes into the centre.

Those that know the area's, give us a bit of help, either persuade me, she's correct which would probably be easier or help me win?

I've done so much reading and research the past few weeks, and I still feel south liverpool feels right. By the way, we're both 29, if that helps.

[kavah]

Buying for the first time with the girlfriend, and we've got a mortgage agreed - Can get around about £200k -

Only she has lived in Ainsdale her whole life and wants Birkdale.

I want to be in Aigburth/Sefton Park area.

That's a tough one. I'm a Southender so would, like you, go for Aigburth or Lark Lane every time, but if your partner has a social and family networks in Birkdale - then that's a very good reason to be nearer to them

My mrs and I made a similar decision to live near my parents which had enormous benefits - especially if you have kids in the future. One of the best childhood memories my daughter has was being to walk to her nans - or get off the bus and go straight there before coming home.

And they do have loads of decent golf courses up there too and you might bump into Kenny or Jocky in the supermarket, but you will be a bad wool as well ...


 

[sminp]

I'd go for Birkdale personally, I'm not so familiar with Aigburth though. Easy to get up to Formby beach on a nice day and can take the  train into town, Southport or to the match without having to change.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

I'd go for Birkdale personally, I'm not so familiar with Aigburth though. Easy to get up to Formby beach on a nice day and can take the  train into town, Southport or to the match without having to change.

As a south ender, I'd like to point out you can get to town, Southport or to the match (well, Sandhills) on the train from Aigburth also with no changes

[rich87]

See that's the thing for me...

Aigburth

- Close to town (5 minutes train) - (10 max to Sandhills) - Also good commuting for Manchester, which may come up frequently in my job.
- Close to lots of open spaces, parks, Mersey, etc.
- I love walking/cycling
- It's that little bit further away from her family, say 30 minutes - but that feels better to me, that they aren't on your doorstep, so they wont just 'pop round' but close enough that you can still see them when you want. I.e. Direct train line to see them.
- Lots of events/markets etc

I live near Brighton at present (Not New Brighton) and Aigburth has that feel of Urban culture that Brighton has. Its exciting, warm, different, cracking little restaurants. I feel like I could be busy there for the next 10 years, and still feel like I've missed places.

Birkdale:

- 30 minutes from Liverpool where she works. Commuting to Manchester is harder and slower.
- Feels very built up, I don't know many fabulous parks/walks around there (Obviously Pinewoods/Formby is beautiful)
- Southport whilst being 5 minutes away, feels like a dead end place where people go to die, it doesn't have that young feeling to it.
- Doesn't seem like much goes on around there, it feels like everybodies happy with 'thats your lot' which is...not a lot.
- Where are the walks? Cycle paths?
- Will I have family 'popping round' every 5 minutes, she has lots of young nephews and nieces and I adore them, but I don't want to sit at home every weekend with them coming round and me thinking, I wish I was outside in the fresh open air, where I love to be. 

[CraigDS]

Birkdale and the very close surrounding areas are full of open spaces (parks, forests, Sandhills, grassland, sea front) so that isn't an issue there. Plus Birkdale centre (as well as Formby, Ainsdale and Southport itself) have plenty of really nice restaurants and bars. Although Southport does have that feel of a bit of a place you go to die as you say.

Birkdale to Manchester is a horrible trip, both driving or train, though.

If you're planning on having a family then having an extended family pretty close is a big deal though, especially if your gf is particularly close to her family.

[redbyrdz]

Used to live in Aigburth and would always opt for it over an out of town place like Ainsdale. Especially the commuting factor - unless you are fine with driving absolutwly everywhere, I'd move into town.

However, I feel like I've to be honest and point out about your list above... Apart from Lark Lane, there is very little of the urban culture feel about it, its mostly just residential. I don't know your budget, but I doubt you can affort the places right by Lark Lane or Sefton Park (unless you go for a flat). There are terraced houses across Aigburth Rd, but they don't have gardens. You can have houses wih gardens if you go about 5 min further out (still Aigburth), but that makes it about a 15-20 min walk to Lark Lane.

Did you have a look for properties yet? Maybe have a look in both places, the right house might just be the tipping point.

[rich87]

Yeah I'm not winning this one am I?    The end of the day it's about us being together, and if Birkdale makes her happy, and don't get me wrong I don't hate Birkdale, the houses are better, and I love Formby, and you are correct some good restaurants around, Bistro 21 is a real gem, for me I'll just have to settle...

... It ain't aigburth though. 

[rich87]

Used to live in Aigburth and would always opt for it over an out of town place like Ainsdale. Especially the commuting factor - unless you are fine with driving absolutwly everywhere, I'd move into town.

However, I feel like I've to be honest and point out about your list above... Apart from Lark Lane, there is very little of the urban culture feel about it, its mostly just residential. I don't know your budget, but I doubt you can affort the places right by Lark Lane or Sefton Park (unless you go for a flat). There are terraced houses across Aigburth Rd, but they don't have gardens. You can have houses wih gardens if you go about 5 min further out (still Aigburth), but that makes it about a 15-20 min walk to Lark Lane.

Did you have a look for properties yet? Maybe have a look in both places, the right house might just be the tipping point.

Thanks for your reply. Roughly £200k. And I think looking at houses has been the tipping point for her. We can afford a much better house in Birkdale than we can in Aigburth. She also said she wouldn't feel safe in Aigburth, especially walking home at night from the station.

[Red Viper]

Thanks for your reply. Roughly £200k. And I think looking at houses has been the tipping point for her. We can afford a much better house in Birkdale than we can in Aigburth. She also said she wouldn't feel safe in Aigburth, especially walking home at night from the station.

Yeah £200k is going to go much further in Birkdale than Aigburth.

We've struggled to find  houses we like in South Liverpool and our budget is about £250k. Some of the house prices are just mental with just decent looking terraced houses going for £300k plus in some areas.

[redbyrdz]

Thanks for your reply. Roughly £200k. And I think looking at houses has been the tipping point for her. We can afford a much better house in Birkdale than we can in Aigburth. She also said she wouldn't feel safe in Aigburth, especially walking home at night from the station.

I've always felt perfectly safe around there. That seems to be a bit of a wool misconception.
...I'd feel much less safe out of town. Especially as the last time I was up there, everything was plastered full of ukip posters.

But yeah, it doesn't aound like you'd get what you are looking for around Aigburth for 200k and will likely have to move further out towards Garston to find a house with garden.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

I've always felt perfectly safe around there. That seems to be a bit of a wool misconception.
...I'd feel much less safe out of town. Especially as the last time I was up there, everything was plastered full of ukip posters.

But yeah, it doesn't aound like you'd get what you are looking for around Aigburth for 200k and will likely have to move further out towards Garston to find a house with garden.

Agree, we couldn't get a house the size we wanted and with a garden for £200k and we looked for ages, much as we wanted it. We've got a little yard with that horrible fake grass stuff though...you have to fuckin hoover it

I'd also say it was a very safe area, I've never had any trouble there. Mind you I lived in Toccy for years and never had any real trouble there either. Apart from the time my next door neighbour got a grenade thrown at his house and it blew out the tyres on my GFs car...just don't live next door to drug dealers, no matter how handy it may seem

[CraigDS]

Apart from that time a grenade got thrown... 

[kavah]

some great shouts for Southport in here


Southport Bucket list:

Visit the British Lawnmower Museum
Watch the sea come all the way up the Beach
Reminisce about 'the good old days' in Southport


Southport Bucket List - 40 things you must do in our town before you die

 

[Alonso_The_Assassin]

Hey guys,

I need a bit of help/advice, if you are so kind to provide...?

The wife and I have recently emigrated to the UK. Truth be told, she originally hails from the UK while I am of antipodean stock. In any case, we are looking for a place to buy in Liverpool.

We went for a bit of a look last week, mainly in Aigburth and Sefton Park. We also had a look in Crosby (no, I wasn't stalking Kloppo, for I believe that's where he gets his head down these days...  )

Like I said, it's just me the wife (and our moggy). Taking mortgages etc into account, we would be looking for a property in the region of 120,000 to 160,000. By the looks of things you could get a 2/3 bedroom place for that price depending on variables (location etc). Crosby's prices seem up and down but I'm assuming that's due to the location and distance from to the sea?

I guess my question is this. Are there any other places that you would recommend? I did like the feel of Aigburth and Sefton Park. The distance to the city is appealing, but being from Oz, nowhere's really far in my mind.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.   

[redk84]

stupid sellers...

First time buying but we thought we got a good price on a house (me and the wife)....which ticks a lot of boxes. After months of searching.
Found out there are a few repairs after a full building survey we did, nothing major but stuff we think should be done, even attached a copy of the full survey (which had the surveyor's valuation which was much lower than the original price so they could see we're not trying to take the piss!
but the seller's won't budge on the first agreed price anyway!

Their reason for not budging is what bothers me, that the "mortgage valuation agrees the price so why should we pay for your repairs".....well we didn't know until we did our full survey!!! a much more detailed survey than the fkin mortgage guys one!!

but what can you do. They have the goods, we have the need.....apparently they are relaxed about selling, I think the EA said they were downsizing. Probably want as much ££'s as possible because the money is being split with the family so there's not even one couple we're dealing with here...

Even if my instinct is to not believe a word of all that anyway because you never can tell with these guys, the original price is not too far from what we wanted it lowered to. So guess we have to swallow it.

More a rant than a question in there, but there you go!

stupid sellers

[kavah]

 Aigburth and Sefton Park. We also had a look in Crosby ... in the region of 120,000 to 160,000. Are there any other places that you would recommend? I did like the feel of Aigburth and Sefton Park.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.   

All great areas above  - add L18 (Mossley Hill, Penny lane, Allerton Road - the other side of Sefton Park to your list)

Here's one just off Rose Lane for 140K - 100m from the station (15 minutes to Lime Street)

[CraigDS]

Redk - at the end of the day it's about paying what you're comfortable with.

If you think you're getting the house you want for the price the seller wants + the cost of the repairs on top then may as well swallow it. If not, or if it puts a strain on it, then walk away and something else will come along.

Don't feel forced by a seller into paying what you're not comfortable with.