I believe we are all selfish in many different ways but particularly if it means making your own dreams come true, fighting for your life because of cancer or trying to pick yourself up from a bout of depression. Whatever the reason I believe that deep down we have to be selfish to survive. We are after all … animals and it’s a natural instinct. Don’t get me wrong I don’t believe in being selfish on a daily basis, I am talking about when you know a situation feels wrong or could be made better. Its that emotion, that feeling that creates change.
So there are many different levels of selfishness and of course some people are naturally more caring, empathetic, thoughtful than others but how long do you leave a situation that doesn’t quite fit with the way you’ve lived your life or your dreams and one you know you can improve?
The answer simply is … You do what feels right for you at that time.
I’ve always worked hard, ever since I was 13, washing cars for a few quid or washing up at a local restaurant every unsociable day and evening. I’ve always been thankful for having a job, or paying my way in this world and feeling proud of that fact.
Independence was drilled into me from a young age and it’s only ever served me well to date.
So the last 2 weeks have been a whirlwind compared to the very long and drawn out process of trying to buy my first home which feels like it started about 2 years ago in all honesty!
I say my first house, it will be my first house I truly have owned/mortgaged myself. I was in a long-term relationship quite a few years ago, too young for mortgage responsibility it seems as we sold it, I lost money and we parted ways.
It feels like I am making a dream come true 🙂 I just hope this one turns out to be true!
Having been away to Lanzarote for a week for a flop and drop style holiday to unwind, chill out and recharge the batteries. I made a conscious decision a couple of days before leaving having got the same dreary response from the estate agent “No change I’m afraid, we are still waiting for vendor’s seller to find a property blah, blah, blah”. The thing is it was 7 months since I put an offer in on that property, paid the solicitors and survey costs. 7 months, yes goes quickly but also things change, conversations are had, the market and world move on. The decision I made was that I was going to look at other properties, be more open minded. I feared I would outgrow the property quickly and that I’d be moving again in a year or two.
So even before leaving lovely sunny (in the end!) Lanzarote I started widening my search to areas I didn’t really know but were just a couple of miles from the house I already had an offer accepted on.
nce I get something/an idea in my head its very hard for me to focus on anything but that goal and getting things sorted. I had already booked in a couple of house viewings for the weekend ahead and planned to visit a few areas on my way home from work.
I am so glad I did this – it made me see what was out there in a more realistic way. And it made me think bigger – not over the top, just bigger.
When I first started looking at houses my list was simple… A south facing garden with a house! I had dreamed of being outside so much in the flat so at first was all I dreamed of. As I gathered prices, viewed areas, properties my list suddenly got longer … modern, not too much work to be done required, spacious, cottage chocolate box in a desirable area, south facing garden, tree lined streets, close to a train station, 2 or more bedrooms and so on! The area I was looking at was shooting up in price monthly and was a hot market with houses going for more than marketed.
After my second viewings when I came back from holiday it was clear that something needed to give if I was going to be owning my first home. I’ve heard it on Kirsty and Phil’s Location, Location, Location so many times about having to compromise on something and for me I knew I needed to look in a different area.
What I have found is literally a dream come true. I am excited, scared, nervous, excited again all rolled into one. As I have mentioned in past blogs I am keen to give my tips/advice on what I’ve learnt going through the house buying process (I can’t call it home until the keys are firmly in my hand!) so if your going through the process then take a look and if you have any you would like to share please do 🙂
Tips so far – Buying your First House to call Home 🙂
- Do a budget first – sort out how much you can borrow, afford on mortgage repayments per month, how much you can afford for the house deposit/stamp duty.
- Consider getting a mortgage broker. I did this for the first property and I have found it very useful. I did my own research in the first instance and also visited my bank however many mortgage brokers look at the wider market and can compare rates and payment terms.
- Think about your priorities – do you need to be near a train station, school, healthcare – what is important to you on a daily basis?
- Get out there and explore areas – Be open minded and take some notes, video, pics to remind yourself of what areas are like.
- Book some house viewings in. Try to do a few in a morning or afternoon or dedicate a day at the weekend.
- Have a bucket load of patience!!!
Watch this space for more news!!
PLANET PICCOLO 