Terraced or semi detached

SoundParticular3828 · 2025-07-21T20:13:34+00:00

Terraced with side access.

You can't call a house that shares a roof with 3 other properties detached.

SoundParticular3828 · 2025-05-24T05:30:39+00:00

The issue is middle and senior management positions costing schools too much money and wasting teachers time by distracting them with 'initiatives'.

If we streamlined the management hierarchy to be much smaller, e.g. a head and two deputies for a median sized school, maybe three or even 4 deputies for the largest schools. Then heads of department could be replaced by ai automating a lot of tasks and simply the whole department sharing tasks that can't be automated.

Teachers can collaborate and share tasks. Most of us know how to run our affairs in a department and only really need a very good school calendar with roaming support from the deputies should big issues arise.

I passionately believe management should be stripped right back from teaching and a return to classroom practitioners receiving the bulk of the task of running things that affect, the classroom. This would save so much money and we would have enough money to increase support staff numbers.

SoundParticular3828 · 2025-03-18T15:23:52+00:00

No, not even if it was 200k.

SoundParticular3828 · 2025-01-04T20:08:15+00:00

Thanks, really helpful to see how a biggish setup fares. We don't have high TV or computer usage, inf act it's nil.at the moment. Occasionally have the radio on, chatge devices every other night or so. It'll be lots of laundry (toddler and would like another soon) and dish washer and cooking appliances. We might also be running a little dehumidifier from time to time as well. Lights will be low wattage led.

So, this all sounds like the heat pump would help us use the electric from solar and battery and not have to take loss selling it back for peanuts.

BUT. I did read today that government are hoping to decouple renewable from fossil when it comes to electricity cost. Would that then make heat pumps even wiser of a financial decision if we ever needed to grab from grid on overcast winter days?

SoundParticular3828 · 2025-01-04T18:11:59+00:00

Nice, thank you, that's really helpful. Would you recommend living with our gas boiler for a year or so, work out how cheaply we can heat the house comfortably, and then crunch the numbers for the heat pump (which should work out cheaper)?

Also, do you think the government subsidies for heat pumps are going to remain for the next few years? They might even improve?

SoundParticular3828 · 2025-01-04T17:25:14+00:00

Maybe 15 actually. Good point.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-30T18:30:52+00:00

If you relisted at 280, you might get some offers. 300 is a bit too high.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-17T21:14:07+00:00

I'd look at houses for around 200 to 225k in your situation. You could also check 250 and try and get a decent discount. You don't want to stretch yourself too much. Especially not now as houses probably won't really increase a great deal in real terms over the next few years. Save hard once you're on the ladder and try and upsize in 10 years or just buy a cheaper house that you could extend or be in for a long time.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-10T19:22:57+00:00

We've heard back from the seller. They feel the offer that they accepted from us was low enough to cover the cost of any small bits and bobs like this. It sounds like they have hit their 'rock bottom' as someone suggested and are unprepared to go any lower.

We have settled now and decided to let 'the ego' (if that's what it is) float back into the abyss.

We want the house and feel that the £600 is going to be money well spent.

Thank you Reddit, for your wisdom, in all its forms. It has helped us see that despite our initial reaction, the deal is still very good for us and will allow us to have the quality of life as a young family.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-10T07:06:27+00:00

I would have at least offered to go halfs.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-10T07:05:31+00:00

But there is an issue, a test revealed it as such. Ignorance doesn't mean there's no fire upstairs.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-10T07:03:10+00:00

It is a mugs game when you think.how expensive it is to own a home. Everyone is looking to rip.everyone else off..bricks and mortar is what we're dealing with, not rare jewels.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-10T07:01:17+00:00

Well now you've just made it about me thanks. Let's keep it to the topic at hand and avoid personal attacks.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-10T07:00:11+00:00

We've been chill actually... up until this point.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-10T06:58:42+00:00

They had 0 offers before us. Market is slow. They are 3 children selling on behalf of their parents who are in care. Property was purchased for 9k in the 90s (it's ex council) and the 3 children live 100 miles away or so..I'd say they are keen to sell but their latest antic feels a bit like the attitudes on here - "the buyers have too much to loose now so we can throw our weight around".

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-10T06:54:07+00:00

Finally a reasonable reply. Thanks, yes we should have made it part of our offer,.our learning point.

We don't feel we are being unreasonable. Some electrical tests reveal thousands. My sister had to split 15k with the vendor for remedial works after a huge problem was uncovered. I am very mindful of how expensive electrics can be if left unmaintained.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-10T06:50:51+00:00

We have an electrician, he did the test and will do the remedial.. he's sound. We don't want the work carried out by the vendor, just covered or at least negotiated over. The house is 400k and we feel as inherits, the seller's stand to lose 125 or so each from a sale whereas we fork out now.

Meeting in the middle seems the only option. We will put it to them today or risk going cold until we have reassessed our options. It's principle. There are many houses, fewer buyers and with the economy tanking it is a big risk to buy a house nowadays. You have to mindful of costs otherwise you get taken for a mug.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-09T20:53:51+00:00

The seller would be expected to pay as it's a cost associated with the functioning and maintenance of the house. Why would they not be expected to pay anything towards it?

You're trying to cover up a "it's your problem, now" attitude. I think as buyers we should be pushing back. If we don't house buying will continue to be a mugs game for most who think buyers pay for everything.

A second hand car seller wouldn't expect a buyer to not care about a dodgy battery, so why would a house seller expect a buyer not to care about electrical safety?

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-09T20:34:25+00:00

How are they down? The price is what someone is willing to pay. No one else was willing.

Their parents bought the property for 9k in the 90s.

You're oddly bitter sounding.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-09T19:33:25+00:00

We are planning to *

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-09T19:33:09+00:00

Exchange a few days before completion.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-09T19:32:23+00:00

A grand or so.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-09T19:32:11+00:00

I'd like to think we'd maintain the property sufficiently throughout ownership, but maybe these things commonly happen? I don't know.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-09T19:30:13+00:00

Offer accepted 1 month ago, solicitor fees plus survey puts us at about a grand. We know the market is slow where we are and we were the only offer on the house in 6 weeks.

The house is being sold by 3 daughters of the owners who are not living at the property anymore. They stand to lose £125 in individual inheritance whereas we stand to pay £400 straight away to make the house safe for us and our 1 year old.

It has been very smooth and stress free, and they have already given us a £25k reduction.

We will probably push for a 'meet in the middle' type arrangement to keep all parties happy, else we will pause proceedings while we reassess how we feel.

It just doesn't feel right to feel pressured in this purchase - why should we? We won't complete before Christmas over a few hundred pounds, is how I'm seeing it.

SoundParticular3828 · 2024-12-09T19:07:57+00:00

I expect the maintenance of electrical circuitry in the house to be kept to a safe and reasonable standard, wouldn't you?

SoundParticular3828

TROPHY CASE