So we viewed our first 4 houses today. Boy this won't be an easy process
We tried arranging a viewing on a house by Knowsley Safari Park. Someone made an offer an hour before we tried making the viewing and the seller accepted it. Was gutted as it was a nice house.
We viewed a house in Allerton. It was disgusting. I think someone may have died in there and the kids wanted it sold. It was disgusting, did I mention that?
It was £155k and needed A LOT of money spent on it and the houses around it I wouldn't say were worth £155k. Didn't even bid on it.
Viewed a house in Huyton. 3 bed semi. Garage on an estate. Put the bid in and someone had put an offer in half an hour before us and the seller had accepted. You couldn't make it up.
Looking back it wasn't the house for us. It looks cramped looking at it but the area is nice and the station for my wife wasn't far.
Viewed the house we ended up buying. I thought that the kitchen wasn't big enough but the dining room could be knocked through and an extension if we needed so down the line added on as the garden is big-ish. More space than we need anyway.
What I learned was there is no rush for anything. Make sure you view the houses with your head and not your heart as you'll be living there for the next 10 or so years.
We were really in a rush to get out my wifes parents house. I fucking hated the place and I was so close to renting but it would have been a waste of £5000 or so whatever 12 months rent would be whilst looking for a house.
I wish I had done it years ago but my wife had depression for a while so there was only 1 income coming in and we did have some little holidays when they could have been going into the savings but they made life easier.
Having your own space is amazing. Costs a fortune but I'd rather spend £600 on the mortgage and £135 on council tax than piss it up the wall and buy designer gear with it.