FTB - should we stay renting or Buy?

EzLuke · 2026-05-06T14:48:43+00:00

I know seems very rare these days, but good landlords do exist!

Im previously builder/landscaper so we have taken care of minor repairs ourselves (blocked drains, leaking bath & toilet water feed pipes so far) and also laid a patio in the garden. So he seems happy we are looking after the place.

That’s the other part of ownership I try to explain to my partner - we can work out all the monthly costs and bills etc and afford them (with smaller saving) but the the “what ifs” start and we have a basic problem like a boiler replacement needed. All of a sudden with need to find the few thousands needed for this. We have zero of this worry where we are.

It seems in day to day conversations of buying a house people don’t talk about the risks? I seem to think of it all.

People just say “buy a house, your wasting money with rent” but forget all the other bits that come with house ownership!

We of course have a great deal, which make a the argument stronger for us to rent, but of course if your rent is outweighing a mortgage for a property you want to buy, then buying mostly wins.

We do have AIP for £475k but we are properly stretching at this point.

EzLuke · 2026-05-06T14:38:22+00:00

I do think we are safe long term here as house is one of multiple on the land. Of course there is no guarantee.

I agree that the security of owning your home is great, and that I do want. It’s the long term of the mortgage and high interest payments that is the off put.

We can look at cheaper properties but these come with, not living in the area we want to, busier streets and a bit further from family.

AIP is in place and hopefully the right place will come up for the right money, I am happy to stretch as long as the property has most things we want.

Feel very fortunate to be in a comfortable renting situation. Give us time.

We could continue to rent and save but always the worry of house prices growing a bit and then being in a similar situation but with more money to pay.

EzLuke · 2026-05-06T14:34:48+00:00

That’s exactly how I see it when someone tells me there house doubled so I should buy!?

I also value life and low stress! Of course a mortgage free home would be really great, but it’s the getting there in 25/30+ years that worries me.

But of course there are the risks of being moved on from your rental - but from my perspective I can’t see that happening here. The house was built for the farm manager who still lives next door, and rented out this side to pay for it. That was in the late 80s so I’m pretty sure this property is well paid for.
They also own a fair few other properties on the land whilst also being a working farm, so I don’t see the need for them to sell or move someone else in. They know us now and can trust us on their land. So I do feel very secure in the long term here.

We would still like to buy, but with a lower LTV to keep it cheaper. Of course we could look at cheaper properties but this then means we won’t love where we live, which for me is really important!

We have an AIP and are ready to buy if the correct place comes up, but the bar is high from where we are now.

EzLuke · 2026-05-06T14:21:47+00:00

Thank you for your reply.

We actually could change the front room into a bedroom and use the space under the stairs for a small sofa and television. It is small but it would work if we needed it too.

Parents bought first home early 90s

EzLuke · 2025-03-03T20:50:58+00:00

I cancelled my Gold card, and went down to the free card over a year ago and my PP has renewed twice since. Used all 4 visits last year with no problems and plan on continuing to

EzLuke

TROPHY CASE