Took a load of stuff that was already in boxes down to the flat today.
Doesn't seem to have made a dent on what we still have to pack or take down, but it's a start.
When we got there, I obviously had to collect the keys and such and it was the first time I'd been in the flat when it was ready to go. The hole in the wall was gone, doors were all put in and it all looked good.
Awaiting us was a welcome pack from Barratt's including some tea, instant coffee, biscuits and a bottle of Moet & Chandon champers. Not bad at all!
Move the boxes in with mum, dad, ben and sue then enjoyed a bottle of champers that we brought with us (the Moet wasn't chilled yet). Everyone was suitably impressed that I'd made a wise investment. Here's hoping it all works out.
There's a few problems with the place and the Barratt's girl said to expect about 10-15 things that we'll notice over the course of the first month or so. Will endeavour to write them down so as not to forget.
We are aiming to get most of the other stuff in the flat moved in next Saturday.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Friday, November 25, 2005
That's all she wrote
Well, I've just received a call from my solicitor to congratulate me on finishing everything up.
All that remains is for me to collect the keys tomorrow. I am now a homeowner (again!)
Of course, the pain is only beginning as the fun of mail redirects, packing, moving and sorting out all the bills, utilities, etc. is just beginning. Watch this space as I begin to pull my hair out in frustration!
All that remains is for me to collect the keys tomorrow. I am now a homeowner (again!)
Of course, the pain is only beginning as the fun of mail redirects, packing, moving and sorting out all the bills, utilities, etc. is just beginning. Watch this space as I begin to pull my hair out in frustration!
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Completion
Apparently means completion!
When I complete the flat tomorrow, I get the keys and am the legal owner of a brand new flat!
There was a bit of worry that completion meant the completion of everything but a couple of weeks of paperwork. Not true!
All that's left is to transfer the money from my account to the solicitor's account (incurring a £21 telegraphic transfer fee, of course) sign some papers at the solicitor's (doing that this evening) and sit back and wait for the all clear.
Watch this site!
When I complete the flat tomorrow, I get the keys and am the legal owner of a brand new flat!
There was a bit of worry that completion meant the completion of everything but a couple of weeks of paperwork. Not true!
All that's left is to transfer the money from my account to the solicitor's account (incurring a £21 telegraphic transfer fee, of course) sign some papers at the solicitor's (doing that this evening) and sit back and wait for the all clear.
Watch this site!
Barratt's call ... take 2
Just received a call from the Barratt's site asking where we were with everything.
Looks like I may be able to get the keys tomorrow or Saturday!
Only problem is, the furniture needs to be put back in and the curtains rehung. This will probably happen on Monday now, but most of the furniture should be in the place over the weekend.
All good news.
I can't believe it's almost happening!
Looks like I may be able to get the keys tomorrow or Saturday!
Only problem is, the furniture needs to be put back in and the curtains rehung. This will probably happen on Monday now, but most of the furniture should be in the place over the weekend.
All good news.
I can't believe it's almost happening!
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Need Money!
So, if i complete the flat by Friday I now get £250 from Barratt's plus a whole extra weekend to move stuff. Problem is, I'm about £2500 short.
If time was of no problem, I could use my credit card which has a higher credit limit than most people's annual income. Downside? It takes 7 - 10 working days for the money to get transferred.
Other option? Cash advance. Again, there's a downside - you can only take out £250 per day. At that rate it would take 10 days to get the amount I need.
My solution has been to call my bank and raise my overdraft limit. It sat at £250 and had never been touched until this month (never buy a flat then go on holiday in the same month!). I felt rather cheeky asking it to be raised to £3000, but alas it has been done and I now have access to the £20,333.59 I need to move in.
It cost me £45 to sort the overdraft, but the solicitor managed to get me an extra £50 anyway, so again I'm even Steven!
If time was of no problem, I could use my credit card which has a higher credit limit than most people's annual income. Downside? It takes 7 - 10 working days for the money to get transferred.
Other option? Cash advance. Again, there's a downside - you can only take out £250 per day. At that rate it would take 10 days to get the amount I need.
My solution has been to call my bank and raise my overdraft limit. It sat at £250 and had never been touched until this month (never buy a flat then go on holiday in the same month!). I felt rather cheeky asking it to be raised to £3000, but alas it has been done and I now have access to the £20,333.59 I need to move in.
It cost me £45 to sort the overdraft, but the solicitor managed to get me an extra £50 anyway, so again I'm even Steven!
Mixed Blessing
Got a call from the solicitor today.
Apparently Barretts are keen to have everyone complete by this Friday. To aid in this, they're willing to give me £200 to help spur on any problems with notice periods and the like.
This is all good, except my ISA money hasn't appeared in my account yet. I've been told to expect it five working days after the application of withdrawl, which was Monday.
Like everything else with this flat, luck comes quite backhandedly at times. Offering money to complete early, thus getting in this weekend and being able to move in piecemeal is quite attractive, but if I don't have the funds I'm scoobied.
Will have to look into cash advances on my credit card methinks.
Apparently Barretts are keen to have everyone complete by this Friday. To aid in this, they're willing to give me £200 to help spur on any problems with notice periods and the like.
This is all good, except my ISA money hasn't appeared in my account yet. I've been told to expect it five working days after the application of withdrawl, which was Monday.
Like everything else with this flat, luck comes quite backhandedly at times. Offering money to complete early, thus getting in this weekend and being able to move in piecemeal is quite attractive, but if I don't have the funds I'm scoobied.
Will have to look into cash advances on my credit card methinks.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Ten Days
Just got back from the solicitors and it seems that now I've signed the mortgage deed and handed it in, it's going to take ten working days to complete. At that point, I should have the keys and a whole new flat!
I was originally told it would be this Friday if I was lucky, but with this house, luck has been a mixed blessing.
Of course, I now have to get off my ass and cash in my ISAs from L & G. There's always something else to do.
I was originally told it would be this Friday if I was lucky, but with this house, luck has been a mixed blessing.
Of course, I now have to get off my ass and cash in my ISAs from L & G. There's always something else to do.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Signing of document held off
Well, the solicitor called and it seems that I will have to sign a Mortgage Deed whenever Halifax decide to offer it.
As I am out of country for the next 13 days, this pushes the completion and moving in dates back even further.
Having discussed this with the solicitor, she gave me ball park dates of 10 days after signing to move in... maybe.
So, still have to let everyone know, and I MAY be able to move in before the end of November (as ten days from signing will be the 28th).
This holiday was rather ill-timed, all things considered.
As I am out of country for the next 13 days, this pushes the completion and moving in dates back even further.
Having discussed this with the solicitor, she gave me ball park dates of 10 days after signing to move in... maybe.
So, still have to let everyone know, and I MAY be able to move in before the end of November (as ten days from signing will be the 28th).
This holiday was rather ill-timed, all things considered.
Monday now!
Well, Halifax are still humming and hawing, so there's going to be no decision until Monday. For those following the plot, I will be in Oz on Monday, so this works well... not!
As the time change means we (the mortgage people and I) will never be awake at the same time, I will have to conduct business over the next little while via email, which isn't going to be fun.
As Sue's folks don't have internet access at the moment, it will be imperative that I haul ass to various internet cafes across Australia making sure all this purchasing malarky goes ahead.
Now I'm waiting to hear from my solicitor so I can let them know I'll be on hols from this evening. Problem is, my actual solicitor isn't available today. Hurrah!
As the time change means we (the mortgage people and I) will never be awake at the same time, I will have to conduct business over the next little while via email, which isn't going to be fun.
As Sue's folks don't have internet access at the moment, it will be imperative that I haul ass to various internet cafes across Australia making sure all this purchasing malarky goes ahead.
Now I'm waiting to hear from my solicitor so I can let them know I'll be on hols from this evening. Problem is, my actual solicitor isn't available today. Hurrah!
A nice exterior shot of the flat
Here we are - a nice external shot of the flat. All airy and windowy and stuff. Cool, huh? 
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Home stretch... maybe?
Had the mortgage people on the phone today, just trying to nail down the monies - how much I wanted to borrow, how much I had as a deposit and how much Barratts are putting up. As Halifax will only lend 75%, it looks like I will have to dip into my ISAs now to make up the £20,000 I need. Halifax originally said they'd lend me £155,000, but it's now going to be £150,000 which I guess is good, that's £10,000 worth of interest less.
Now that they have all that info, I have to wait until tomorrow morning, when it should be all good news.
Fingers definitely crossed!
Now that they have all that info, I have to wait until tomorrow morning, when it should be all good news.
Fingers definitely crossed!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Further down the road
Just had a call from the Mortgage company saying Halifax FINALLY received all the paperwork they needed (i.e. the letter from my Landlady they were waiting for).
Should hear back either late tomorrow or Thursday that I've got a mortgage, then I get to wait for two weeks while I'm on holiday about when I get to move in.
Fingers crossed nothing else cocks up!
Should hear back either late tomorrow or Thursday that I've got a mortgage, then I get to wait for two weeks while I'm on holiday about when I get to move in.
Fingers crossed nothing else cocks up!
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