New Beginnings
Apr. 3rd, 2012 01:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bookzombieSo, we've got a bit of news that we've been keeping under our belts for a couple of days until we'd sorted out some details and let family know, but now...
We've put our house on the market.
We've been debating this backwards and forwards for a few weeks now. We'd got a valuation done on the house and it was both reasonable and, we have been assured, an easy sell. Apparently there are a lot of people who are relocating into this area because of work and there's a shortage of houses in our size and price range. We also have the bonus of a nice garden and off-road parking.
Were are we moving to? Well, we're looking at two options. Firstly, something closer to work. My commute has increased from 45-50 minutes each way a few years ago to on average over an hour now (due mainly to office moves). There are a number of very nice small towns/villages around Reading (Burghfield Common, Shilchester, Mortimer, Theale...) which would be suitable.
Secondly we might stay in the same area we are now if exactly the right property came up. For example we're going to have a look at a thatched cottage in Longparish, about five miles away from our current home, which looks like my dream home.
So why now? Partly its the commute, partly because we'd like some more room (like being able to have a proper guest bedroom instead of a futon in the library, etc) or bigger versions of existing rooms (like a living room which can hold more than four people without being crowded). Also, work permitting, this is the last move we're likely to make before we retire. While we've got a reasonable amount of equity in the current house plus some savings we're still going to have to get a moderate sized mortgage. Now we can get a 20-year mortgage and still pay it off by retirement (earlier with some luck), but much later and we'd be pushing it a bit. And with things going well with both of us at work right now it's a good time to take the risk.
Anyway, we'll see how it goes. There will no doubt be some stress in the next few months, but some enjoyment as well!
We've put our house on the market.
We've been debating this backwards and forwards for a few weeks now. We'd got a valuation done on the house and it was both reasonable and, we have been assured, an easy sell. Apparently there are a lot of people who are relocating into this area because of work and there's a shortage of houses in our size and price range. We also have the bonus of a nice garden and off-road parking.
Were are we moving to? Well, we're looking at two options. Firstly, something closer to work. My commute has increased from 45-50 minutes each way a few years ago to on average over an hour now (due mainly to office moves). There are a number of very nice small towns/villages around Reading (Burghfield Common, Shilchester, Mortimer, Theale...) which would be suitable.
Secondly we might stay in the same area we are now if exactly the right property came up. For example we're going to have a look at a thatched cottage in Longparish, about five miles away from our current home, which looks like my dream home.
So why now? Partly its the commute, partly because we'd like some more room (like being able to have a proper guest bedroom instead of a futon in the library, etc) or bigger versions of existing rooms (like a living room which can hold more than four people without being crowded). Also, work permitting, this is the last move we're likely to make before we retire. While we've got a reasonable amount of equity in the current house plus some savings we're still going to have to get a moderate sized mortgage. Now we can get a 20-year mortgage and still pay it off by retirement (earlier with some luck), but much later and we'd be pushing it a bit. And with things going well with both of us at work right now it's a good time to take the risk.
Anyway, we'll see how it goes. There will no doubt be some stress in the next few months, but some enjoyment as well!
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(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-03 01:05 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-03 04:44 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-03 10:18 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-05 04:37 pm (UTC)V and I are putting our duplex on the market this spring. We met with the realtor last weekend to get a list of everything that needs to happen before we try to sell it. Housing prices are still low in Minneapolis because of all the foreclosures. However, rental units are in short supply. I'm hoping that will help the price of our place. Prices here are not quite so depressed. Even so, mortgage rates are as low as they have ever been so now seems like a prudent time to move.
I hope the sale goes smoothly and you find a house that is a great fit for you.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-06 09:19 am (UTC)(V said it was okay for us to stay for a few days after Wiscon again this year. I assume that will still be okay - I'm guessing house moves drag on for as long in the US as they do here!)
(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-09 07:07 pm (UTC)How long it will take to find a buyer is anyone's guess. After the negotiations are done, the standard time is 60 days to close the sale. We may be able to do that more quickly because we will be moved out, with the exception of some garden tools.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-05 10:00 pm (UTC)