lol….
alright, so right now im looking to buy a small 2 bed flat for under £90k in london.
ive come across a nice cheap place, excellent location, but the only problem is that its in a rubbish state of decoration.

im assuming that if a seller knows that someone is interested in a property then they might take the price higher. this is going to be my first purchase so obviously i dont have a lot of money

i was thinking of going to an interior designer and paying him to come along with me to the house while im viewing it for the first time, and he/she can pretend he’s my friend.
while he/she is there, they will be better at judging how much it will cost me to renovate - e.g. redo the kitchen, toilet, etc.

does anyone ever do this?
im not talking about a surveyor– i dont want it to be anything official…

what else can i do in order to find out how much it would roughly cost to re-do a room? i need to know cos i have to take these things into consideration when looking at the overall selling price of the property

any ideas on what to do in my situation?????
Does anyone know how much they roughly charge??????

Quick Property Sale

I don’t even know where to start, and I am not sure what I am doing posting this on here… I think it reflects my level of desperation more than anything… I am seeking constructive advice here.
This all starts about five years ago… at least the bulk of it anyway. I finished college from a major university here in the states, was planning to become a professor, and applied abroad for phd programs, got accepted at the #1 university in the world for my major overseas. I went and I did well academically, but I didn’t last the first year of my program because I had way too much debt from my four-year institution along with other debt. So I was forced to abandon my plans to become a professor, returned home, and got a job right away to avoid defaulting on stuff. I did all that, and to be honest at the time I felt OK about everything I was doing.
I had plans to try and continue with the PHD thing- but all those plans came undone with the job I picked up here in the states that required me to work long hours. I was working in the mortgage industry, and while it was good money, it was highly stressful, and I honestly didn’t care for it. I essentially felt like I was doing what I had to do to kill off my debt, but it left no time for doing my studies or anything.
I paid off a large portion of my credit card debt, but I still had a boat-load in student loans.
Earlier this year (four years later), I started the year with a small amount of that debt left from my college days (except student loans which will not be paid off for an eternity).
In Feb, I lost my mortgage job because the company I worked for closed down my branch. Then I took a job offer to move across the country to work for this company renovating houses. Six months later in June that job melted down and I was forced to quit because I hadn’t been paid in a month.
I drove all the way back across the country, my car broke down multiple times, it finally died in the desert, and I abandoned it. I was luckily able to rent the only car I could one-way out of town, and finally got to my destination.
Since July I moved in with some relatives- I have been looking for work and my debt once again is piling up. I have had interviews and have been offered opportunities to do things- but to be honest- and here is my problem- I am completely uninspired. Flat-out, I just don’t care.
I used to be very driven and focused, and I set personal goals for myself and I actually CARED about what I was doing. Now, no matter how much I try to motivate myself, set goals, and everything… life is just stale to me.
I feel like the best opportunity and what I really loved doing passed me by, and I kind of live in this long shadow of what-could-have-been but never-will-be. My family and friends think the world of me, and they have these high expectations for me- but the fact is- I just don’t care anymore. I feel like the person they see me as isn’t real, and they just haven’t figured it out yet regardless of me telling them how unrealistic their expectations are.
All this is extremely isolating, and my stomach literally turns as I look over adds for jobs, go on interviews, and just ‘play’ at trying to care when inside I really don’t.

This lack of desire extends to all areas of my life too- work, personal relationships, everything. I find myself wanting to stay away from people. I haven’t ‘chased’ women in years (literally), nor had a relationship in years. I don’t even care.

While I have been living with this lack of desire really for the last four years, it is only now I am starting to get worried because I see it effecting my motivation to do anything at all. All I really ‘want’ to do is go to the beach and go on long walks and hikes alone.
I feel like I don’t have the luxury to feel this way or to be doing this, but my motivation is zero. What is frightening is I don’t even care about the financial damage I am doing to myself right now by not working and taking these jobs.
When people ask me- what do you want to do?
I have no answer.
I feel like ‘desire’ the thing that makes you want and gives you motivation is dead in me.
I am in a very dark place, and I just don’t know what to do anymore? I have had faith things will turn around, but I am losing that as well. I feel increasingly abstract and detatched about all this. This is either a major transistion in my life, or… I don’t know? I feel like I don’t the my fingers on the pulse of my life anymore. As I said, I am open to any constructive advice.

Sell and Rent Back

They were out of them at the store tonight, so I’m thinking of going into the city to look around for one. He had said before he wanted one. It’s one of those xbox things that you can plug your headphones and whatever crap into, like a floor rocker. He loves his video games.

So I kind of hinted tonight to see if he still wanted one. I said they were out of those gaming chairs, I was going to get you one but they were out. He said, I’ve wanted one of those since I was a kid. But really I would rather us get some new bedroom furniture for us instead of one of those.

Problem is, he is feeling guilty because the last thing we got, I was saving up for new bedroom stuff and we saw a good deal on a flat screen 42″ and I knew he wanted one for the family room so we got that instead. He knows how badly I want new bedroom furniture, we’ve been renovating forEVER!!

So should I go ahead and get him a gaming chair despite what he said (I know he would love one) or should I take him seriously about getting bedroom furniture. He said we should pool our money together to get that BUT he knows I’ve been wanting it, and for Xmas I think he should get something HE wants.

Bah humbug, too much stress haha

Sell and Rent Back

I plan on buying a run-down flat in Luton, (north of london). I plan on purchasing and renovating it. However, after I have got all obvious problems fixed like plumbing, damp, wiring etc. I know I have to keep things simple so people can stamp their personality on the flat.

I also know the kitchen is an important part of the house so a good fitted kitchen is important.

my question(s) are….

1) What is the best way to renovate the property to…..maximise my potential audience,…

2) And what areas/things of a property are worth spending money on, that add more value, than the cost of purchasing? (kitchen, driveway, sofa, baths, beds etc)?

2b) And what areas are worth doing the minimum on?

No one liners please, unless it includes a fantastic link?

Rent Back

So I have been having a lot of problems with my parents. They seem to think that whenever we are all together they can take over the raising of the kids. We have gotten into numerous fights about this. Now the recent fight was they paid for our house flat out since me and my hubby’s credit is in the toilet. We have been paying them off every month. We have been renovating to make the house more to our taste (making it a home). Then my mother bring up how she doesn’t like what were doing to HER house. I explained I thought since we were paying her off its our house, but I guess it doesn’t work that way in her mind. So me and my hubby have decided to move back out to Ottawa, where we were before moving closer to the kids grandparents (were all his family is and all our friends) Now my mother thinks I’m only doing this to get away from her, which in a way a little distance will help our relationship. But the main reason we are moving back is because both me and my hub are miserable here. This is a very small town so there aren’t much jobs to choose from, so currently he’s a delivery man for a pizza place, and I can’t find a job.
Back in ottawa he already has a job lined up that pays well, my SIL is trying to get me into were she works. My MIL has already offered to watch both kids while we work and there is bus transit there (we only have 1 car) Here there is no other mode of transportation so when Kenny is at work, I’m stuck at home because I’m about 20 mins drive into town.
Do you think were being unreasonable about this? I told my parents that when we move they can sell the house and whatever left over we owe I will still pay monthly.
Thanks ladies, you’ve made me feel much better about my situation. For some reason when it comes to my mother, I still feel like a child. She just has that way with me, and the guilt trips don’t help.

Passive Income

Am buying a flat in the UK with the intention of renovating it and sell it on. Probably have enough money to buy with cash with enough spare for the renovation.

Please can someone tell me what the various advantages and disadvantages are of taking this route as opposed to getting a mortgage to buy the house with.

Many thanks
MAtt

Repossession

i really dont understand it and i would like to get your opinions on it

“Little Man”

I remember walk’in round the court square sidewalk
Lookin’ in windows at things I couldn’t want
There’s johnson’s hardware and morgans jewelry
And the ol’ Lee king’s apothecary
They ware the little man
The little man

I go back now and the stores are all empty
Except for an old coke sign from 1950
Boarded up like they never existed
Or renovated and called historic districts
There goes the little man
There goes the little man

Now the court square’s just a set of streets
That the people go round but they seldom think
Bout the little man that built this town
Before the big money shut em down
And killed the little man
Oh the little man

He pumped your gas and he cleaned your glass
And one cold rainy night he fixed your flat
The new stores came where you do it yourself
You buy a lotto ticket and food off the shelf
Forget about the little man
Forget about that little man

Real Estate Professionals

Liquid Plummer
Warning: Do not reuse the bottle to store beverages.

Windex
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Toilet Plunger
Caution: Do not use near power lines.

Dremel Electric Rotary Tool
This product not intended for use as a dental drill.

Arm & Hammer Scoopable Cat Litter
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Bowl Fresh
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Endust Duster
This product is not defined as flammable by the Consumer Products Safety Commision Regulations. However, this product can be ignited under certain circumstances.

Baby Oil
Keep out of reach of children

Little Ones Baby Lotion
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Hair Coloring
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Wet-Nap
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Dial Soap
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Stridex Foaming Face Wash
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Hairdryer:
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Old Spice Red Zone Deoderant
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Zantac 75
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Sleeping Pills
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Ignite lighter away from face.

Komatsu Floodlight
This floodlight is capable of illuminating large areas, even in the dark

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Earplugs
These ear plugs are nontoxic, but may interfere with breathing if caught in windpipe

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Cemetery Road. Dead End

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Shake well and buy often

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Hotel provided shower cap in a box:
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Recycled flush water unsafe for drinking.

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Shin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover.

Container of Underarm Deodorant.
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Aim-n-Flame fireplace lighter.
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Toner cartridge for a laser printer
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Can of self-defense pepper spray.
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Novelty rock garden set called “Popcorn Rock”
Eating rocks may lead to broken teeth.

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A toilet bowl cleaning brush.
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A birthday card for a 1 year old.
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Beware! To touch these wires is instant death. Anyone found doing so will be prosecuted.

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Not for human consumption.

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Twist top off with hands. Throw top away. Do not put top in mouth.

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May be harmful if swallowed.

Manual for an SGI computer.
Do not dangle the mouse by its cable or throw the mouse at co-workers.

Stamped on the metal barrel of a .22 calibre rifle
Warning: Misuse may cause injury or death.

Electric Thermometer.
Do not use orally after using rectally.

Packaging for a chain saw file, used to sharpen the cutting teeth on the chain.
Turn off motor before using this product.

6×10 inch inflatable picture frame
Not to be used as a personal flotation device.

Box of bottle rockets
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Wrapper of a Fruit Roll-Up snack
Remove plastic before eating.

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Instructions for a cordless phone:
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Small print from car commercial which shows a car in the ocean
Do not drive cars in ocean.

Small print from a car commercial which shows a vehicle “body-surfing” at a concert
Always drive on roads. Not on people.

Bus Stop
No stopping or standing.

Church Sign
These rows reserved for parents with children.

Bag of Fritos
You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.

Credit card statement.
Payment is due by the due date.

Laundromat triple washer
No small children.

Sign in front of a newly renovated ramp that led to the entrance of a building
Take care: new non-slip surface.

Box of Pills
Take one capsule by mouth three times daily until gone.

Instructions on the packaging for a muffin at a 7-11
Remove wrapper, open mouth, insert muffin, eat.

Can of black pepper.
Instructions: usage known.

Bag of cat biscuits
Simply pour the biscuits into a bowl and allow the cat to eat when it wants.

Car Manual
In order to get out of car, open door, get out, lock doors, and then close doors.

Espresso Kettle
The appliance is switched on by setting the on/off switch to the ‘on’ position.

T.V. manual
Do not pour liquids into your television set.

Label on a hammer
Caution - Do not use this hammer to strike any solid object

VCR box
Instructional video on hooking up VCR included.

Toilet brush
Do not use for personal hygiene.

Black rubber fishing worm
Not for human consumption.

Orange Juice Can:
100% pure all-natural fresh-squeezed orange juice from concentrate.

Depend Adult Diapers
Step into underwear and pull them on just like regular underwear.

Furniture Wipes
Do not use for a baby wipe.

Stickers to put on the seat of a potty training toilet
This is not a toy. Stickers require adult supervision.

Lawnmower
Warning: When Motor Is Running - The Blade Is Turning

Instructions on the bottom of a grocery store pizza
Do not turn upside down.

Bottom of a Coca-Cola bottle
Do not open here.

Bottle of bathtub cleaner
For best results, start with clean bathtub before use.

Container of lighter fluid
WARNING: Contents flammable!

Box of household nails
CAUTION! - Do NOT swallow nails! May cause irritation!

Microwave popcorn, packaged so that the directions cannot be read unless you open the plastic and unfold it
Direction #1: Remove plastic.

Drink bottle label
Do not peel label off.

Woolite carpet cleaner
Safe for carpets, too!

Box of Frosted Cheerio’s
The logo, “Tastes so good this box never closes,” is located just underneath another announcement: “To close: place tab here.”

Sterno
Do not use near fire or flame.

Container of salt
Warning: High in sodium

Hose Nozzle
Do not spray into electrical outlet.

Repossession