Can I add to the group? I've been renting for a while, and we started looking for a house a few months ago. We only started viewings two weeks ago, and were lucky to only view three other places before seeing something we loved! We put an offer in which was declined, and we put another one in (still £20k below asking price) which was accepted.
I've found a surveyor who'll get up a ladder and have a proper look at the roof (next Wednesday), and a mortgage broker that isn't trying to bum me for the sake of a bit of extra commission. I'm also using my uncle's solicitor firm, as he's a partner and I know I can poke them remotely when required.
All is going well.
The trickiest bit by far has been applying for the mortgage because I'm an IT contractor, which is why I've gone through a broker. He
has found me a great deal in fairness, but not before the underwriters requiring a LOT of information around my life. Everything except my underpant size, it seems.
Once that's sorted and the heartbreaking sight of seeing a huge deposit + fees leave my account is over, I'll feel better about the whole thing.