Viewing houses causing anxiety

Moving is stressfull, it's horrible and few people enjoy it. My Dad always said get the best independent survey you can afford, don't rely on the building society one as they don't check much, there are different levels of survey, go for the most thorough, it could save you a lot of time and money in the future. I watch a lot of property programes and I've seen a lot of people who've not had a good survey find some horrors.

But first things first, do you know what areas you want to live in? Give them a good check out before you look at any houses, are they near to public transport and how frequent is the public transport? Does the area have the things you want nearby like pubs, restaurants, cinemas etc?

What sort of house would you ideally like? New build, Victorian, semi, terrace, a flat? Are there properties that fit your criteria in the areas you're looking in?

Do you want something you can just move into, unpack and thats it, or would you like a project and if you'd like a project, how much of a project, replacing kitchens and bathrooms are fairly simple, some walls are easier to move than others, depending on if they're load bearing or not.  Redecorating is usually easy enough, especially if you have the rght tools, such as wall paper steamers, you can hire these fairly cheeply.

One trick I learnt from watching Location, location location, is if you're unsure whether a bed will fit in a bedroom, lie down on the floor with your arms outstretched to the sides, if you fit so will a double bed, you will have to adjust measurements depending on how tall you are.

Try making a mood board or boards where you can try out different styles and colours depending on your tastes and the size of the house.

Most of all the right house will feel right, it might be old and in need of updating, but it may feel like a place where people have been happy and it justs needs a bit of TLC.

Good luck and I hope I've not scared you with this lot.

I meant to add, you and your partner are different but equal when it comes to earnings, he may earn more than you, but you may have different skills to bring, you maybe more insightful or practicle about the whole thing. Remember your partner is choosing to take this huge step with you so they must be sure that it's the right thing to do and you're the right person to do it with, celebrate that.

Maybe have some chamomile tea before you go and view places, and/or take some rescue remedy with you in case you get a bit overwhelmed whilst you're there.

I often think houses choose us as much as we choose them, the right one will come along and everything will be fine, although it may seem a bit seat of the pants. I remember this well from house shopping for my parents who were in Eastbourne and needing to move up here, their house had sold and they were getting desperate, especially my Dad, who was king of the "what if's". I went to an estate agent just randomly looking and saw this house, went to see it, loved it, my parents came up 2 days later ad loved it too and moved in 8 weeks later, we're still here.

I meant to add, you and your partner are different but equal when it comes to earnings, he may earn more than you, but you may have different skills to bring, you maybe more insightful or practicle about the whole thing. Remember your partner is choosing to take this huge step with you so they must be sure that it's the right thing to do and you're the right person to do it with, celebrate that.

Maybe have some chamomile tea before you go and view places, and/or take some rescue remedy with you in case you get a bit overwhelmed whilst you're there.

I often think houses choose us as much as we choose them, the right one will come along and everything will be fine, although it may seem a bit seat of the pants. I remember this well from house shopping for my parents who were in Eastbourne and needing to move up here, their house had sold and they were getting desperate, especially my Dad, who was king of the "what if's". I went to an estate agent just randomly looking and saw this house, went to see it, loved it, my parents came up 2 days later ad loved it too and moved in 8 weeks later, we're still here.

Thank you so much TheCatWoman

This is all really helpful. And you are definitely right about the right house will feel right. We saw one yesterday and we both left thinking it was nice but today, when we spoke, there was just too much that wasn’t quite right. 

And thank you. I will trying and remember that my partner is choosing to do this with me and to celebrate that.