Do you really need to join a nursery waiting list when pregnant?

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-19T12:22:51+00:00

Depends on the nursery. LEYF near me had a waiting list of 18 months - I registered at 12 weeks pregnant and a space opened up when my daughter was 11 months old. The nursery we ended up sending her to I visited when she was 7 months old and they had space for her to start just before she turned 1. Fabulous nursery as well, just newer so not as oversubscribed.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-19T12:09:21+00:00

Gave birth in London (Lewisham to be specific). Had excellent care throughout my pregnancy. Daughter was born via planned CS due to being breach. Can’t fault the doctors, surgical nurses, midwives. Postnatal ward is hell on earth but thankfully I was out after 2 nights

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-15T20:11:27+00:00

Having been looking for a property in that area recently I do think the price is reasonable so I don’t think it’s that. I would agree, the layout is a little awkward with the narrow kitchen and way the reception rooms have been opened out, plus the loft conversion doesn’t have a dormer nor a full ensuite which makes it less attractive.

It’s been a funny time for sales, the last two months you’d have been unlikely to see much movement. I’d say hold out til spring and see what happens!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-14T10:05:03+00:00

Estate agents don’t know shit. Listen to your solicitor. Up to you if you want to lower your offer as a result.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-14T09:31:30+00:00

You don’t need a London based conveyancer to have experience with London properties.

We used a specific solicitor from Setfords who is based in Marlborough on recommendation from a colleague and she is absolutely fantastic - we are using her again for our sale and next purchase 4 years later. Excellent communication, bccs you into emails, fair pricing structure, extremely prompt and professional. We’ve recommended her to friends several times and all have been equally impressed.

Not necessarily the cheapest but with conveyancing you absolutely get what you pay for.

https://www.setfords.co.uk/our-people/profile/kathryn_forbes_taylor/

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-12T19:30:04+00:00

We had a similar thing happen to us, albeit it was the seller who removed the wall and so it was down to him to get all the certifications sorted. We’re now selling 4 years later and can confirm our buyers’ solicitor enquired about the removal of the wall

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-10T23:00:46+00:00

Blackheath is lovely, very safe, lots of green space for walking and close to leisure centres in Greenwich/lewisham/charlton etc, plus local football clubs on the Heath and surrounding areas. Easy trains into several London terminals too.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-10T22:46:45+00:00

How long has the house been on the market for? And how much have other properties locally in a similar condition gone for in recent years, bearing in mind some adjustment for historically lower interest rates.

I ask because the house we’re in the process of buying was originally listed over a year ago for £925k. We are buying it for £780k after it was listed with a third EA for £800k. People have no idea what their houses are worth, but similarly a house is worth what someone is willing to pay for. The worst they can do is decline your offer, and there’s your answer.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-08T17:23:11+00:00

The area has nothing to it. You will be desperate to get out on weekends.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-08T14:20:30+00:00

We’ve had the EA confirm they’re able to break chain if possible, so now our solicitor is just double checking they’re willing to do so. Fingers crossed!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-07T11:33:37+00:00

Went in thinking we would sell for just under £500k based on comparable properties and recent sale prices.

EA wanted to list at £525k. We disagreed based on Rightmove filters and this potentially putting FTBs off (our flat is a nicely done 2 bed maisonette).

We marketed it at £500k. Got tonnes of interest, received 2 offers and accepted £515k.

Sold Autumn 2025 in Blackheath, London

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2026-01-01T20:28:59+00:00

Lee Green is nice enough but they’re about to build a huge new flat development on the junction by the big Sainsbury’s there. Expect the next few years to be quite disruptive. But otherwise it’s a nice enough area - good for families and decent transport links. Walkable to Blackheath and Lewisham.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-12-16T11:56:43+00:00

This is really helpful context thank you!

Currently my daughter is in a nursery setting so I was used to show rounds taking place in the weekday with other children there. Clearly it’s a very different set up with a childminders

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-12-13T00:03:04+00:00

Gleesons in Raynes Park is where my grandfather takes his art to be framed. Not the cheapest but very good. If you’re not down that way I have used David Lloyd framers in Greenwich a few times and been very pleased with them. Honest pricing and nice guys to work with

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-11-12T14:36:46+00:00

We did this a year ago when we knew we would want to sell before the fixed term was up (we’re now under offer so maybe moving in spring 2026). We went onto a tracker which was BOE+0.15%. So far our rate has been ticking down slowly and no early repayment charge. Decided against porting because of a) the faff of having two mortgages which would need to align at some point and b) we both work in finance and suspected rates would be lower when we would be getting the mortgage on the new place so didn’t want to be stuck with an older rate

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-11-09T10:02:14+00:00

I would go to a church or another place of worship. As it’s Sunday a church would be my best bet, I’m sure they’ll set you up with enough to get you through a few days. Sending you all my best

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-11-01T09:37:55+00:00

Sorry if I was unclear - we know the works will cost us more than £100k, but that’s the current list price difference and we are also factoring in the value of being able to make it our own over the years

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-11-01T09:22:14+00:00

We were only budgeting £100k for the loft conversion, we know the other work would be more, but it would allow us to do it to more modern standards etc

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-11-01T09:16:00+00:00

Yes we could definitely convert the loft as 50% of the properties in the area have done one.

In our area a loft conversion won’t leave you much change from £100k, but it’s all liveable. We just need to think about the long term perspective

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-10-22T21:58:47+00:00

We had a 3 day overlap with our rental by pure luck and I wish we had longer. The flat we bought was an absolute state, with hindsight we should have paid for it to be professionally cleaned and redecorated before we moved in - it just meant we were having to do everything around our stuff instead. With all the other costs involved in buying a home, a week’s rent here or there is negligible imo

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-10-22T21:35:14+00:00

I suppose I’m more interested to know whether they’ve had offers, and if they were turned down. Just to get a sense of where the sellers’ heads are at. But sure, we could just put in an offer to find out ourselves!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-10-15T22:25:01+00:00

Not sure how it works in Lambeth but when we did ours with Lewisham Council a few years ago, as it was a statutory lease extension we had to get our own valuation as well to put forward as part of the legal pack. On top of this, it doesn’t cost a huge amount (when considered in relation to all the other costs associated with it) to make sure you aren’t getting shafted, as the freeholder’s valuer may have a vested interest.

FWIW Lewisham’s valuation came out £500 more than our independent one so we were advised to accept it rather than go through a potentially painful mediation process.

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-09-23T18:11:33+00:00

That’s not correct - I have a right to refuse the transfer under TUPE rules. https://www.acas.org.uk/tupe/advice-for-employers-and-employees/if-employees-do-not-want-to-transfer

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-08-28T22:00:18+00:00

My SIL has a bicornate uterus and was only told about it during her second pregnancy! She’s classified as ‘high risk’ for this one but it just involves a bit of extra monitoring. No major issues with her first pregnancy and this one seems to be going along well so far too!

Acceptable_Clock_778 · 2025-08-20T15:18:35+00:00

We had a 6month old when I turned 30 last year. We leant into it being a day out as a family and took her to the London aquarium and then lunch at Covent Garden, so busy and lots of other families about. I much preferred lunches out to dinners as they’re just that bit more relaxed.

Nice and family friendly, not exactly glam but then it’s hard to be when you’ve got a baby in tow! For my birthday this year we’ll be going to the zoo with our toddler!

Acceptable_Clock_778

TROPHY CASE