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Sticker on the back includes the description ‘teak’. Does this look like real wood?

And how do I dull the yellow varnish. Does anyone have a link to good instructions on how to restore such a piece.

There’s so much online I need to narrow it down to specific sources relevant to this piece.

I’m stuck on where to place the wardrobes and the bed, please help.

The bed will probably be about 1.6m wide and I’d prefer for it to not be in a corner.

I’d like to install as many IKEA pax wardrobes as possible. They’ll be about 35cm wide and will either have sliding doors or a curtain.

I’m going through the conveyancing process and got my survey results back recently. The foam ceiling boards might be hiding damage/asbestos- laden artex.

What’s the best way to find out more about what’s underneath? I really like the flat and want to continue with the process, but at the same time need to make sure I’m not making any dumb decisions that will cost me £1000s I can’t afford.

Should I try to arrange an asbestos check?

Hi all,

I will of course be speaking to my conveyancer but wanted to crowd source some opinions first. This is for a top floor conversation flat, leasehold.

I already knew about the windows (and the kitchen is on its last legs) so offered £8k less and that was expected.

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There is evidence of a blown gasket seal serving the window in the living room and also one serving the rear-facing bedroom window. If these windows were installed at the same time as the others then you should anticipate that further units will fail. It would be advisable to consult a specialist to provide a quotation for replacing all windows within the property.
 
Cost for replacing all windows within the property is likely to be between £15,000 and £20,000 depending upon the type of windows selected.

There was no gas safety or electrical documentation available at the time of the inspection and it would be recommended that a full survey by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer and a qualified electrician is undertaken prior to the purchase of this dwelling.

 
There is visible cement fillet flashing at the parapet wall to roof junction. The cement is showing signs of cracking and debonding present. We recommend appointing a specialist to reinstate this weathering detail.
 
Cost for replacing this with leadwork with leadwork £1,500 excluding access costs.

 
There are visible parapet walls above the left hand and right-hand party walls. They are of masonry construction and have been topped with a clay ridge tile detail. Some tiles also appear to be loose. There is visible recessed pointing which could lead to a penetrating damp related issue. We recommend appointing a specialist to reinstate  this weathering detail.
 
2,300 excluding  access costs  

There is evidence of a hole in the front elevation wall. The surveyor believes that this is where an air vent for an extractor hood may have been located historically. As this is no longer in use, it would be worthwhile filling this hole as in its current condition it could lead to a penetrating damp related issue or allow pests into the dwelling
 
£250 excluding access costs.    

The loft hatch does not have a connecting pulldown ladder. Consideration should be given to installing a  ladder as this will enable safe access into this area.
 
£1,250

I get paid on the 28th? I’ll need a lot of that pay cheque to get my mortgage to 90% LTV. Risky putting everything into the deposit I know.

Some of my deposit is coming from a HTB ISA so I’ll also need that to go through.

I’m planning on the assumption of a straight forward survey and searches that come back asap.

When should I aim to exchange? How does my mortgage date also factor into this?

Put an offer in about 5 weeks ago. It was accepted. Started the mortgage application process with a broker. The valuation has been done and I’m happy with the outcome.

Unfortunately there’s a back log and my case won’t get to the underwriter for about 2 weeks.

I want to move other parts of the process along.

Is it a foolish idea to book my survey already, without a formal mortgage offer? It’ll cost me about £500.

Edit: I’m in England.

My case should also be straightforward. PAYE employee with 3 months payslips. Proof of adequate deposit etc

Recently came across this book by Robert Peckham about how fear is both individual, and collective/social. There are some fears which are a neurobiological response, like panic when standing on a cliff edge. But for many others, like technology, people from overseas etc, we are conditioned to fear.

What are your thoughts?

FTB here, looking for opinions other than ChatGPT. My broker has found the following offer. It feels comfortable on my salary. I'm surprised she found a 2 year term with this amout of monthly repayments.

I'm trying to understand if I can overpay by £6659 for the first year and not incur any charges. And whether this is a good deal overall. I love the flat I've found, but just making sure I'm being sensible for the next 2 years.

Mortgage type: Fixed 

Repayment method: Repayment 

Loan Amount: £222,000.00 

Early Repayment Charge (ERC) 1: 3% (Up to £6,660.00) until 31 August 2027 

Early Repayment Charge (ERC) 2: 2% (Up to £4,440.00) until 31 August 2028 

Initial Interest Rate: 5.24% Initial Monthly Repayment: £1,133.20 

Initial Rate Expiry: Date 31 August 2028 

Term: 37 years 

This mortgage is on a fixed interest rate of 5.24% until 31 August 2028. 

It then changes to a variable interest rate currently 6.94% for the remainder of the mortgage. 

I recommend that you repay the mortgage on a repayment basis.

I’m in a new-ish job and I’m already getting bored by the nature of about 40-60% of my tasks. This isn’t going to change for about a year.

I’m not going to find another job because this one has great benefits and is good for career progression. I just need to wait for my own project, rather than continuing someone else’s. When I’m working from home I can watch some salacious reality tv that’s both engaging and mind numbing at the same time. But…

… how do you beat boredom during the work day in the office? What are your little hacks? Pomodoro method, podcasts…?