Soo, I got the keys!
Hey TC Family, I’m Chanel, creator of ‘TransparentC’ and a Technical Project Manager by day. In this post, I’ll be sharing my experience buying my first property independently at 27.
Many of us have begun goal setting, putting our vision boards together and a house may be one of your main goals for the year. Well, let’s get into the journey beyond the keys, the journey beyond these tweets!
Fast forward to 2022, a close friend asked me “So Chanel, when are you going to start looking for a house to buy? What are you waiting for?”.
What was I waiting for? Afterall, I had been saving for years, 7 years to be exact! I felt ready to move out (side note, I always thought I’d move out of my childhood home when getting married but, life doesn’t always go as planned…). I wanted to become a fully independent woman (not knowing adulting is a scam lol), to cultivate new habits and routines and just have my own space. So, I began the search for a house. I knew what I was looking for based on the previous property, so it made it easier to refine my Zoopla & Rightmove search.
So, what does it actually take to buy a property independently?
Saving! Saving for a house isn’t just about having enough for the deposit (5 – 10% typically), it’s goes wayyy beyond the deposit. Survey fees, legal fees, stamp duty, repairs, furniture, mortgage, insurance, bills, groceries & all the other expenses that keep a house running. When living at home, we don’t realise the amount of £££ that goes into keeping the lights on, taps running and fridge full.
As mentioned, I was diligently saving for 7 years. I started saving during my placement year (1-year paid work experience during 3rd year of university). I didn’t know exactly what I was saving for to be honest. Either a house, a wedding, (a Chanel bag lol 👀) or a rainy day. I just knew getting into the habit of saving was beneficial for my future. Sacrifices came along the way, which meant I’d often have to close my eyes and say no to things I wanted.
Living at home also helped me save more and quicker. My contribution at home was favourable compared to renting. I’d recommend staying at home as long as possible. Save and enjoy your money flexibly without the burden of high bills.
Searching for a home is time consuming and can be an emotional rollercoaster. Weekends packed with back-to-back viewings, just to arrive at the property and it looks nothing like the pictures. Drafting and sending multiple offer emails to estate agents just to receive an “unfortunately the seller decided to go with another offer”.
Knowing exactly what you’re looking for, where you’re looking and your max budget helps. I knew what I wanted but, after numerous hours scrolling on Zoopla and litres of petrol spent traveling to properties, I became frustrated and thought I may need to reconsider my criteria… A property is a long-term commitment so you want to be happy and comfortable with your decision. It takes patience to keep looking until you find the property, you’re happy with.
Visit the property with others. Get a second opinion. They may notice things you don’t. I was in the process of buying a property that wasn’t exactly what I wanted but, thankfully my mum came with me for the final viewing and she wasn’t feeling it. I wanted to still proceed as I hadn’t found anything else and didn’t want to start the search again. However, mums know best. The survey results revealed a lot of underlying work that needed to be done. Close call. £650 spent but not wasted.
God’s Favour is the best fast tracker. After viewing multiple properties, the property I purchased was chain-free and it happened to be previously owned by an unexpected distant family friend. This helped speed up the process by cutting out the estate agents. It took me 3 & a half months from offer being accepted to the sale completed (God’s GRACE!). This is quicker than the typical process (usually up to 6 months).
After the Keys – Renovation
So now I’ve finally got the keys! Time to move in… or not.
It’s time for more money to be spent and the peak of the emotional rollercoaster.
Damp Repair. Builders. Painters. Pinterest. Ikea. B&Q. Furniture. Tears. Indecisiveness. Excitement.
I got the keys at the end of November. Damp repairs took 8 weeks. Renovation work started in Feb and completed in May (so much for being completed in 6 weeks). Furniture arrived in June. Moved in July. 7 months in total.
I’d advise getting renovations quotes during the viewing stage if possible (take lots of pictures and videos). To manage your expectations on expenses and timelines for renovating, double it.
I’ve always been good with money but, now I’m learning to be financially responsible as an adult homeowner. Big difference! One too many dinners with friends, impulse shopping sprees or an unbudgeted holiday and there goes this month’s mortgage repayment. It’s important to keep on track of your spending. Track your budget monthly and learn to say no. As a homeowner, especially independently, the financial flexibility you may have had when living at your parents’ home becomes restricted. Many don’t realise this and try to maintain their old lifestyle, until they hit a stumbling block.
Chores, chores, chores. Keeping on top of cooking, cleaning, laundry, gym, life admin, time for yourself and your loved ones, all while working full-time, 5 days a week, can be a lot. It took me months to get into a routine that worked for me. Initially I was overwhelmed, as I felt like I didn’t have enough time to do it all! One-minute extra scrolling on TikTok and you’ve just wasted valuable time to complete a house chore.
Lessons Learnt & Advice
1. Before embarking on the journey of buying a property, especially independently, ask yourself, “WHY do I want to buy a house now?”, “Am I truly ready for this financial commitment?”, “Am I mature enough to make sacrifices?” Beyond the Instagram post, tweets and congratulations messages, it’s you, the keys, BILLSSS, & Pinterest lol
2. Homeownership is not solely a hefty financial commitment, it’s also mentally and emotionally taxing turning a house into a home.
3. Do your own research. Have a list of questions for the Surveyor and Solicitor. Especially with Solicitors, they have multiple clients at once, an oversight is likely. Query everything you don’t understand. Once your signature is on the dotted line, you’re locked in!
4. Trust the process. It always looks worse before it gets better. There were times I would visit the house during the renovation stage and I couldn’t see the vision. All I saw was £££ leaving my account with little progress! Builders never meet dates; paint colours never look the same instore/online vs. in your property. The list goes on…
5. Masking tape, masking tape, MASKING TAPE! Very essential when mapping out the layout/floor plan for your furniture. Avoid wasting money buying items that do not fit your space.
6. Home ownership enables maturity and independence. Whether or not the bills get paid, laundry is done, dishes are washed or food is in the fridge, it’s your responsibility.
I love my home, I love the fulfilment and growth experienced as I transformed a house into my beautiful home, just how I like it. I love being in my own space and coming home after a long day at work to peace and tranquillity, without interruptions (enjoying it while it lasts before marriage, kids, etc.). I love being able to freely blast music and attempt to sing like I’m Tasha Cobbs, or just be silly and dancing, in my living room mirror. I love hosting my friends and family.
BUT, the journey and commitment of owning your own home, especially independently, also comes with indecisiveness and tears, when deciding what Sofa, or when the Carpet colour isn’t as expected. Coming home to a half empty fridge and having to decide what to eat every day. Moments of anxiety and occasional prayers to God like “Cost of living is COSTING! I feel broke. Should I have bought this house? I still want to enjoy my life. Please provide.” Coming to the realisation that, sacrifices have to be made, maybe you can’t go on as many holidays this year & get that new car or bag on your wish list. You have a MORTGAGE to pay. BILLs to pay. Unexpected repairs to cover.
I don’t regret getting on the property ladder, I love my home, & I know God’s got me alwaysss but, I want others to know, it comes with sacrifices and are you ready for them?
By TransparentC
Myaisha
January 16, 2024I really enjoyed reading your journey. It well detailed as you were honest with the trials you faced along the way. I mostly loved how you trusted God in small things that i wouldn’t think to involve God. Proud of you sis 💗
TransparentC
January 16, 2024Thank you so much! Yes, God cares about the small things too 🤍
Keleisha
January 21, 2024Love this! So so helpful! I really appreciate your ‘transparentc’ about the challenges as well as the joys – reminds me of a Kirk Franklin Lyric: ‘but if necessary pain is the ingredient for change; even when life may be bittersweet, it’s working just for me’. We thank God, very proud of you 🙏🏽💜
TransparentC
January 23, 2024Thank you Kelei, appreciate it! So glad you found my ‘transparentc’ helpful! Love the lyrics reference, that’s the beauty of the journey 🤍