House number 1

As our property search begins we've been doing a lot of sums. Selling my house with its decrease in value and its help to buy loan is one thing but trying to find something that ticks all of the boxes is another. To get something that's perfect (in my eyes) would mean having a huge mortgage, yes I'm only in my 20s but I still want to be able to have a life and not be trapped inside my expensive prison!

We've spent hours searching the internet looking for houses in our desired area and that have everything we both want. Here's our criteria list (in case you're wondering)

1. Detached- the other half wants to be detached so he can make as much noise as he likes without worrying about disturbing or upsetting the neighbours (not entirely sure what he's planning on doing like!)

2. Garage- admittedly it would be lovely to store all of our rubbish in a secure garage instead of a 6x4 shed we currently own.

3. Utility room- this is more for me. I'd love a utility so I can have a tumble dryer in there (we've really struggled this Winter drying our clothes before they smell fusty again!) I'd also like extra counter space etc and room for appliances so they're not all in the kitchen. It's also a good place to come in and take of muddy boots and dry the pooch after a messy walk!

3. Conservatory/second living room- it would be amazing to have an additional living space. Somewhere I or the OH can go and watch our own rubbish on the t.v, sit with our friends when they come over or eventually..... for children to store all of their toys! (I need a clean, toy free lounge).

4. 3 double bedrooms or 4 bedrooms- we currently live in a 3 bed house. Master bedroom is a very good size, 2nd bedroom is barely a double and 3rd bedroom is a box. 3 double bedrooms would be nice or even 4!

5. Hallway- a long hallway with doors coming off into different rooms is a must. I do not want to walk through my lounge to get to my kitchen and vice versa.

6. Sunny garden- got to have the sun!

7. Not on a main road... just because

Gosh, the more I write this list the more I think we're looking for a lot!!!

Anyway... we've come to the conclusion that getting a house that ticks all of the boxes is probably going to mean we're looking at renovating a house. If we can find the size we like at the right price then turning it into our dream home is going to be our only option. I'm more than happy to do this and would quite enjoy the challenge, as long as it doesn't end up taking us 10 years to complete it!

So today we went to view a renovation project. It's exactly the size we're looking for (3bed detached) and the layout is almost bang on (although we'd knock through the kitchen and dining room into one big room).

 

 

The house is extremely dated. The house would need all rooms re skimming, new flooring throughout, new bathroom suites in family bathroom, ensuite and downstairs loo, changing internal doors, knocking through the kitchen and dining room and then fitting a new kitchen.

After viewing it I do think it's overpriced for the current state of the house however it does have potential. I didn't really feel anything though when looking around, I didn't get the 'I love it feeling' but I'm not sure whether this is because I do not like the inside... currently. If we could have an offer accepted that was £15,000 under the listing price then I'd be happy to go for it.

I would appreciate any words of wisdom or advice from people who have renovated before. What feeling do you get from the house when you originally bought it? Did you regret buying it? Was it hard to live I when it wasn't done to your taste or was a building site?! Lots to think about but wanted to share it all with you.

Thank you for reading

Doll xoxo

Bathroom tour

You can't beat a beautifully clean bathroom and what a great opportunity to share it with you all. When I first moved into my house the bathroom was my most favourite room. It looked so clean, fresh and perfect.

I opted for all white tiles but broke it up with these really cool wavy tiles.

They're very different and have a lovely sheen to them.

I picked a light grey vinyl cushioned floor for the bathroom which has been absolutely fab and easy to keep clean!

I accessorise my bathroom with soft pinks and greys, I do need to keep the bathroom as light as possible as I have no window in there!

My lovely mirrored cupboard above the sink.


Heated towel radiator is a god send!

Hope you like my bathroom style :)

To see more pictures of my home, check my IG @anniejt92

Doll xoxo

The next move...

18 months ago I moved into my dream home, a new build Beal property (3 bed end terrace Chelsea). I bought it on my own (as a single person) with my own money I'd saved hard for and with the intention of living there for the foreseeable future.

The weekend I moved into my property (August 2015) I met my now better half. Fast forward 18 months, we now have a dog, we're extremely happy and are now looking to move! I originally purchased my house using the government help to buy scheme, this means that the government gave me 20% towards the cost of purchasing the house.

The help to buy scheme is great for buyers who intend on staying in their house long term. You never repay this loan, you only begin paying interest after 5 years. To clear the loan you can pay it off in one lump sum, two lump sums (stair casing) or when you sell the property. You cannot rent out a property with a help to buy loan but you can do pretty much whatever else you want!

When we first started talking about moving and buying somewhere together, our original plan was to rent out my property and purchase a second one. This was for a couple of reasons...

1. I had an idea that my house had reduced in value therefore I would lose some of the deposit I originally paid

2. I would have liked to have kept my own house (just in case!) and rented it out for future security and investment.

After a visit to the bank, it turns out that I can't borrow anymore against my house due to the value of it decreasing so clearing the help to buy loan isn't possible. This means that selling is the only way to go!

I've had a few estate agents visit my house and they've all pretty much valued the house around £5,000 to £10,000 less than what I paid for it. I kind of knew this but it still wasn't the best thing to hear. The builders are now selling my style house for £12,000 more than what I paid yet they're worth hardly anything (crazy).

We've seen a few houses for sale online that we like the look of and we are going to start viewing once mine is on the market. We're potentially looking for a bit of a 'project house' where we can improve and modernise it to suit our tastes. We plan on staying there for a large chunk of our lives so it needs to be the perfect size and layout for us. It's a very exciting time but also a bit worrying (just in case mine doesn't sell)!

Selling my house and clearing the help to buy loan is a whole different ball game to a normal sale!
As soon as I receive an offer on my house I need to instruct an independent surveyor to value the house. After the valuation the surveyor will let the help to buy know what it is worth. The help to buy will then tell me exactly what they'll take from me once the sale is completed (note, the surveyors valuation only lasts 3 months and then if the sale isn't completed I need to pay for another survey... £200 a pop!)

I feel like I've got a long road to go down but the sooner I start the better... I'll keep you all posted on my house move!

Thank you for reading,

Doll xoxo

An update on my beautiful puppy!

We've had Chewie now for 7 months (feels like 5 years!). I just wanted to share some recent pictures of my ball of fluff :) He's 8 months old now!

Looking for something...

Do you ever feel like your life is coming to a standstill? Everything's the same day in day out and you find yourself just getting through to the next weekend. I think it's so hard sometimes balancing work, family commitments, home life and having 'you' time. I have no idea how people manage it but I'm determined to have a better balance.

Every evening I'm guilty of coming home and then staying there until it's time to go to bed. Whether I'm working, cooking or 'watching TV relaxing' I actually don't do a great deal. When you're young your life is filled with hobbies and clubs yet as soon as you mature all of a sudden it stops. Yes I have a gym membership but do I ever use it? No, why? because I strongly dislike the gym and when I do go (probably around once a year) I go alone.

I'm challenging myself to do more. I need to find out what I enjoy doing as right now, nothing springs to mind! I'm going to make efforts to join a club or find a hobby that I enjoy and actually look forward to doing during the week. I don't want to fill up my weekends as they're my quality time with family, I need to fill my week day evenings up with things that inspire and motivate me.

Ideas I've had so far

1. Join a baking class (I've been planning on doing this for such a long time!)
2. Find a workout class I actually enjoy and will go to every week (praying for this one)
3. Read. I absolutely love reading and recently visited a library and just wished I could have stayed there. I don't seem to have the time to read but can easily read 2 books on a weeks holiday. Well I am going to make the time! I am going to read.
4. Switch off. I spent majority of my time on an evening scrolling through Instagram and refreshing my Facebook newsfeed. It wastes a lot of time and actually achieves nothing. I may have an hour an evening where I turn off my phone, perfect time to fit my reading in!
5. Socialise and see friends. I always leave seeing friends to a weekend... what's the harm in popping over for a cup of tea one evening if you're both free?
6. Blog more!

Some of you may have lots more ideas but these are a few that spring to mind for me. I'm going to keep working at it and will update you all on how it goes! Don't forget to follow me on IG and send me your suggestions! :)

@anniejt92

Doll xoxo

February Nails!

This weekend was my first visit to the nail salon for February. I needed something to brighten up my life and here they are! Chrome and super shiny :) I'm back in two weeks time to have my Iceland nails done :)