u/OrangeGrouchy179

Currently house hunting after selling my house last year and staying with family while I do that.

I work in tech and to be honest I’m struggling and my mental health isn’t good. I’m planning to buy with either a small mortgage or for cash. That will give me more flexibility around future jobs. I’m definitely not in a position to retire but also I don’t feel like I could just walk into another job at the moment. I’m 45 years old.

Salary 85k

Cash: 365k, 110k of which is in an isa.

Stocks and shares isa £90k

Pension 430k in global, European and ftse 100 funds.

5k in gold and silver coins
2k bitcoin

I’m planning to spend about 400k on a house and either tax a 90k mortgage and keep all the stocks and shares isa or try and buy cash.

I have no debts, no dependents and I’m single.

My mental health isn’t great and I’ve been struggling for the last few years.

Does this seem a sensible approach?

Ideally I’d like to keep working with a similar or better salary and keep building wealth. I’m guessing there might not be a clear linear path to doing that in the future though.

Any thoughts welcomed.

I’m 45. I’ve been feeling pretty terrible for the last 4 years despite lifting weights, walking a lot, eating well. Basically as if I’ve given up and I’m just going through the motions. I had my t
Levels checked and it was basically at the very
lower level of normal for a man. Has anyone had a similar experience and chosen to have TRT. What were your experiences. I feel like I need to get my drive back.

In the process of buying a new build house. The house is £425k but the warranty state that the “insured value” is £150k. I don’t understand how this has been arrived at and neither does the developer. Has anyone encountered anything this? The wording of the policy isn’t very clear to me but I wouldn’t expect them to pay out more than the insured value. It makes me wonder if the developer was trying to save money by insuring for a lower value.

I’ve seen a flat I like. It’s a modern building about 4 years old but there’s no share of the freehold. I really like it and more than other houses I’ve seen. I like the fact that gardens are taken care of etc. I don’t like thinking about or dealing with maintenance. Service charge is £110 a month. I can afford it cash and I’m keen to buy somewhere while my cash can still actually buy something. Does it make sense? I recognise it’s a risk and I only own a lease agreement. Previously it was a hard no for me without share of the freehold but I’m wondering if I need to compromise. No lifts, concierge or anything like that. It’s a small group of purpose built 2 storey buildings.

Has anyone had any experience negotiating with an estate agent to avoid paying a reservation fee (England). There’s one agent in my area who advertises as taking a refundable 0.5% reservation fee. I’ve no idea why people would list with such an agent. Has anyone negotiated this successfully or otherwise?