Sometimes I look at other countries and their pros and cons. Almost every other country does not have the huge amount of pain that the United Kingdom does when it comes to buying a house. It’s a horrendously drawn out process that seems to take forever, occasionally disappears into the void and then re-appears with what I would argue is some of the most questionable legalese bullshit ever.

After my first failed significant attempt, I’m now on my second - this time buying a new build. Typically I’ve always considered new builds are absolutely poor value for what they tend to give, but given the location I’m buying in, the price and what the house comes with (pv panels, full turf) for the price I’m willing to cut my teeth on this hill. I figured I could carry forwards my experience from the first attempt and this has been true to a limited extent; however I’ve since discovered that the new-build buying process (when you’re getting in during the build) is a different kettle of fish.

Now fundamentally I don’t hate this. But there have been hiccups this time (even with the better solicitors) that on occasion have made me wonder if I should have hunted harder for an already-existing house. The problem is it feels like no matter where I look there’s a chance of some sort of weird surprise waiting for me. From ancient window frames, to weird covenants attached to the land it feels like unless you have serious money, and by serious I mean whatever is the equivalent for £1 million+ for your area, you’re going to get shafted in some way shape or form.

Conveyancing in the UK seems to almost be an entirely static process with little wiggle room where the buyer is essentially at the mercy of the seller’s legal requirements. While I’m not entirely upset with the current process, what has ticked me off a bit is seeing in my contract that when my money goes into escrow with the solicitors, any interest earned from the money (which is not insignificant by any means) goes to the benefit of the house builder!

Part of me wants to challenge this, but at the same time I also know they ultimately hold the cards. I almost lost the plot before I had even started the process due to some other shenanigans and it is most definitely considered a premium spot (essentially a corner plot that backs onto a wooded area), which unfortunately means for me that I don’t really have any room for negotiating: or at least it feels that way.

If I take stock what I’m getting (and I’ll omit the details if you don’t mind) considering the locale and what it would cost to have the equivalent in other parts of the country, it does feel like I’m getting a fairly bang up deal. Solar PV, Electric car charging, full turn in the front and back, full kit out in various rooms; it’s one of those things where I don’t like it, it doesn’t sit right but I think I may have to lump it all things considered.

I think the biggest downside is just how much energy this process takes out of you. I believe in most states in the USA everything has to be done and dusted within 30 days contractually speaking. For me, that window of the contracts being exchanged is rapidly approaching so in some ways this will give me respite from the constant back and forth. Unfortunately it doesn’t entirely go away as there’ll be countless meetings no doubt to discuss the colour of my tiles, how high do I want the fence and so on. I’ve no doubt though that as this progress drags on, I’ll keep you, the lovely reader updated.

Until next time!