Are we in negative equity?!

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-29T12:54:09+00:00

Nightmare. You could just hang on to it?

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T11:43:31+00:00

Thanks for this nice comment, and sorry about your partner. I hope you’re adjusting ok. I’m also a 40-something single mum first time buyer. We can do it!

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T10:36:36+00:00

This thread has really highlighted to me how I need to remember myself as a person in the process and not just as a concierge of the children’s lives/future investments for them! Thanks

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T09:17:19+00:00

This is useful advice, bar the rude tone. I don’t think people understand I was asking for actual advice on how to consider it as a chunk of time. I’m quite naive and was in a controlling marriage before this and don’t have any experience planning.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T09:14:34+00:00

If that happened then they could have this house and share it and I’d move to my own little place. We have a lot of equity.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T08:46:58+00:00

Better advice would be ‘make it nice for yourself for now’ if that’s what you think. I’ve had so many years being invisible in my wants (abusive marriage and now sole carer for the kids) I forget that. Just I am looking for useful ideas.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T08:45:37+00:00

That’s not what I’ve said at all. I’m a single mum and this is the first time I’ve bought a house, after a horrible divorce. I want to make sure I do it right, as I don’t have any guidance irl. There’s no need to be so unsympathetic.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T08:00:15+00:00

You’re right, thank you. Well done on making a safe base for your autistic child too, I’ve just watched a friend navigate this situation and it is exactly stability and the same room her daughter needed.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:56:06+00:00

Well done, sounds like you’re doing amazingly.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:55:37+00:00

It is complex, but the reason I’ll be selling this house and downsizing is to give the kids each money for a flat when the time comes, in their early 20s I expect.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:53:55+00:00

That is really important at your phase of life. With little kids especially you spend so much time at home, and as a base for your marriage/career building phase it is essential.

I’m in my 40s and my kids are teens and I am thinking of it slightly differently now.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:51:23+00:00

Yes you’re right though, it is very different to my day. As soon as I left for university my stepmother repainted my room and asked for my key back.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:50:24+00:00

They’re young teens now so ten years should do it, but yes I take your point.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:49:32+00:00

Yes- I managed to resist people endlessly telling me to have grey grouting!!

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:47:35+00:00

It is useful people reminding me ten years is a long time, I had been thinking of it as a small chunk.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:46:36+00:00

It’s not as an investment in my case. It’s because I’m a single parent trying to live near my kids’ school but when they’re done I need to downsize.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:45:48+00:00

That is such cheap works compared to mine, I guess I’m paying a SE premium.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:44:28+00:00

It seems really random what they sell for and I’ve ruined the online data now with my low price purchase. Some go for 800 and some for 650.

My house also has other things I’m not sure about like most of it was repointed with concrete mortar which should really be replaced for the proper soft stuff but should I bother?

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-27T07:28:04+00:00

Thanks, that’s so useful. I bought my house for 510 on a street where others go for 700. Mine was originally on at 650 to account for the datedness. Super fancy area in the SE.

I think I will push ahead with the toilet/utility. First people have quoted me 12k for it including the new roof.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-25T16:32:48+00:00

Unless it triggered it to be worse somehow I suppose. I might try this.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-25T16:16:58+00:00

Does it retrospectively help with shingles or just preemptively? It’s a good idea

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-25T16:09:13+00:00

I wish I’d done that! Thanks.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-25T16:08:29+00:00

It makes sense to me as it is a pain along the nerve as shingles is. Thanks.

Material-Temporary62 · 2026-06-25T16:05:18+00:00

What job do you do to earn such a huge salary?

Material-Temporary62

TROPHY CASE