StuffIT
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There is of course always a flip side. Ive said before how being out of work holding alot of cash from the sale of a property is not a good position to be in. I am still actively looking to buy, most recently putting an offer on a repo and being outbid (again!). Having an STR fund that is eaten away with low IRs, no JSA after 6 months and full ctax along with high rents is not a good position to be in. If I can I will buy (mortgage will be less than rent) and hide some cash so I can at least claim something when redundancy occurs yet again, like many ive learnt that you have to play the system, holding debt in todays UK is good, holding cash is not.
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Of course how dare anyone rent on a newbuild unless you have kids and like to be hassled by other peoples kids anytime they so wish - you sound like a right plonker fella. If you read my posts you would see that I mentioned that there are facilities for the kids to use, they simply choose not to use them. Do you have kids? You sound like you do as you appear to have the attitude that kids can do what they like with impunity for anyone else, how dare people complain about children. We should all do what the kids want ..blah blah blah .. ya knobber. Like alot of people I rent newbuild as from a rental perspective their well insulated and modern and over 90% of rentals in this area are new build.
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Yadda, Yadda, Yadda - I wondered when this old chestnut would be rolled out. I have no problem with kids being kids, I do have a problem with the little darlings spending the majority of their time outside my window having screaming contests making a relaxing day/evening unobtainable. Dont ya get it? Their not outside their parents houses, their parents dont want to put with the little darlings all day screams and yelps, they much prefer them to be bothering someone else. There are green spaces within 100 yards put their for the kids, but the kids prefer to run around peoplese gardens/drives as much more fun. I used to play in the street as a kid the difference is I was taught boundaries these kids have none and yes I do blame the parents, all kids aren't the same but I never really gave kids much thought until I moved to where I am now - real eye opener for me.
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Having worked and lived in more than three countries in europe I can assure you that attitudes to children are different. But guess what? The kids are taught boundaries, if they impede on other peoples quality of life they are either taught not to by the people they are impeeding on or by society in general. I fondly remember kids jumping to their feet to let elderly passengers take a seat on the bus. There is a distinct difference in the UK with kids, in the UK I really get edgy around kids, I dont want to be seen near them or even smiling at a kid who is doing something funny or smiling at you, I never felt like this in other countries and I think its getting worse. In the UK we have a society which is frightened to teach children boundaries and right from wrong, parents have even been subjegated for lightly smacking a child. This has resulted in a society where kids rule the roost, whether you like it or not many adults feel powerless against children. Im not afraid of children, teens or generally nasty people. I have no problems with kids and kids being kids, but please dont inflict them on me
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Ive got to disagree with you on the kids front, I never used to give the 'impact' of kids much thought when looking for a place to live, unfortunatley thats all changed in my latest rental. I rent on a new build estate and I am for want of a better word for it 'plagued' by young kids, the parents have no problem in inflicting their little darlings on everyone else in the road. I regulary have 3 - 5 kids, usually young girls from ages 5 - 9 shouting and screaming within 5 feet of my lounge window, the parents dont give a toss. At one point this summer it was like a mini riot in the street, I went to the supermarket to get some peace. The kids dont respect boundaries as the parents teach them none, and as a single man I certainly cannot be seen to be even asking kids to move on in this day and age. I see more and more parents letting their kids do what they want without thought for anyone else, the landlord of my current rental has mentioned to me that he would 'prefer' not to rent to people who have kids and to be fair I would agree. Thankfully im now looking to move again with the impact of other peoples kids being a big factor on where I move to.
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I can't knock Wetherspoons, a local near to me was recently bought and re-opened as a Wetherspoons two weeks back. Was in there yesterday, Sausage, beans and chips £2.99 and a pint of a locally brewed porter was £1.99. It was clean, warm with nice decor etc. Compare that to the previous regime which only served lager's at close to 2.80 a pint with bad decor, expensive food and crap toilets. To be fair its becoming increasingly difficult to get a decent pint these days, but JDs do have a good range of ever changing real ales and generally know how to look after their beer.
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Ive been seriously looking to purchase a house over the last couple of months. Ive mentioned the reasons previously sometime ago, currently out of work with little decent paid work about, lots of cash in the bank and paying approx 500+ more per month than I would do owning the equivalent house. Ive been looking in merseyside and its complete madness at the lower end of the market with some houses literally flying off the shelves! Im not trying to ramp it up but some examples of recent offers ive made are: * 130 priced house (needs plenty of work), I went up to 117k, offer rejected, EA said they had higher offers and they wanted 125k. Months later the house is still being marketed. Vendors are 'in no hurry to move'. * Repo: priced at 95k, others in the road sold at 110k in 2006 & 2007. Needed work as the previous owner had damaged the property. I offered 80k, an offer of 90k had already been placed. * Other houses that are repo, probabate etc that have prices of 20% off peak but need work are literally selling like hot cakes. Some of these are in really bad areas and really poor properties that I wouldnt offer anything on. Dont know who is buying these, I can only think that many look at the 'asking prices' of other similar properties and think they are getting a bargain but many of those other properties have been on the market for 12 - 24 months. Madness! I cannot understand what is happening, maybe there are lots of other buyers in my position I dont know. But loathed as I am to see my cash spirited away I wont pay the prices that most of these properties are currently attaining.
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Spot on. Everyones situtation is different and none of us know what will happen tomorrow nevermind in 1 -> 2 years time, so we must make the decisions that we believe are right for ourselves at that time. Its a shame that not everyone sees it that way and thats what I think is still one of major UK problems. A lot of people view property purely as something you either 'win' or 'lose' on rather than a secure roof over your head. When property comes back to realistic levels hopefull the 'house as a home' sentiment will return. As I also 'STR'd I would hopefully be less hit by a further drop if I was to get something 20 -> 30% off peak levels.
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If I was still in employment then I would not consider buying at present even with interest rates so low. Its the 'how long is a piece of string' argument that I mentally battle with, when will that job offer happen, when will your income improve etc etc. It could be that I am trying to get some control of the current situation. I dont want any of my posts to appear that I am urging people to buy, as tbh its the complete opposite of what I would do if I was still in employment.
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I certainly believe houses have some way to fall, I do believe that the govt will attempt to inflate itself out the mire as much as possible with inflation increasing but house prices remaining at stagnant levels. The key question is as you say 'find a crappy job ..' which I agree with. Im applying for anything at present nationwide where I believe my cv wont simply hit the bin but alas nothing is happening at present. The problem for me this time around has been finding the 'roles' to apply for. As the days go by I become more like Yozzer Hughes and question other peoples jobs thinking "I could do that". I'd happily do anything that covered the bills but being from a professional background I know that the more manual/labour intensive work will in most cases go to people more experienced in those fields and rightly so. I just think that with reduced monthly outgoings I need less to live on and hence can take more of a hit again salary wise.
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You've put that much better than I could have done - thanks I am tbh 'scared' that my income stream will continue to reduce and become 'patchy' year upon year. Ive been out of work before but when it happens again you start to see your future in a different light. I can continue to chase those jobs up and down the country for smaller salaries in more expensive areas, but there comes a time when I just think that some security and being able to put down some 'roots' could be a good way to go. I am also only interested in property that needs some tlc where I can get at least 20% off peak.
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It would get a below avg semi or even a link detached (very small one) in the areas im looking at (north west england). These aren't 'rough' areas, maybe not the best but perfectly habitable. These are 'fixer-uppers', property thats pefectly fine but needs some tlc etc.
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I tend to live a frugal lifestyle as it where, the following is what I was thinking of: House Costs Rent 0 Council Tax 106 Basics Gas 40 Electric 40 Water 30 BT 35 Mobile 5 TV Licence 12 SKY 18 Food & Social 300 Other Gym 30 Misc Extras 60 Car Insurance 40 Tax 20 Maintenance 30 Commuting Costs Petrol 40 Total 806 That provides a basic living (with the odd perk) with no contingency or money to put away. But a wage of cica 20k would then provide those sums. As I say theres no 'yes or no' answer to this one, I was just interested to get other peoples input.
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Thankyou - yes I joined in 2006 The loss of flexibility is an issue and thats what keeps me renting at present. However if I own outright then ive always a 'bolt hole' as it where with minium bills to pay if I need to get digs elsewhere. Ive moved quite a bit for work but that in itself causes problems, and as I get older I think a 'base' is not a bad option to have. TBH as a single bloke with cash in the bank, I know that Gordo and his chums and any other govt would sacrifice me first before anyone else and maybe im just after a bit of 'security' as I mentioned previously.
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We've all been looking at the increase in sales recently and the much reported 'bull trap'. Im convinced that for some people it might actually be a good time to buy depending upon your own circumstances, I fear that I am one of those people. I'm an STR having sold in late 2006 following relocation to gain employment, subsequently ive been made redundant again with little or no roles that im able to apply for at present (cue violins). I used to get over 500pcm in interest which of course offset the rent, but now this has dropped to just over 200. I seem to be in the position at present where its better for me to buy than rent and I wonder if any other readers of this site are in this curious position. Let me provide some info and figures: Current Bank Balance (total cash wealth including STR): 140k I claim JSA (contribution based), which ends in a months time at which point I cannot claim any benefits (except the NI contribution - approx £7 pw). I am looking to buy a properdee in an area that I know well for approx 20 -> 30% off peak. Im budgeting for 110k. This wont buy a dream properdee but would buy something that 'ticks enough boxes'. I estimate the purchase would make me £420pcm better off on a monthly costs basis than at present i.e. against a similar rental properdee minus my interest on the cash. As much as I dont like the idea, as I do believe properdee is still overpriced, I think that I need some 'security' rather than cash in the bank which will be wittled away on someone elses mortgage etc. Ive also worked out that an income of £800pcm after tax&NI would provide a comfortable living wage providing a bit more work flexibility. I'd be interested in peoples opinions on this.
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A Visit To The Job Center - Dear God !
StuffIT replied to US Citizen's topic in House prices and the economy
Just to reiterate a previous poster, DO NOT CLAIM BENEFIT FRAUD. The system is setup to find the easy targets i.e. people who have paid into the system and kept there nose clean. When I was claiming JSA I recieved a letter after the contribution based period was over, this was a request for me to sign away access to my bank accounts. If you refuse to sign then you lose benefits. They can then check back to see if you have move any funds and will want proof of what you have done. If they smell a rat then they'll throw the book at ya, they can then push up their 'benefit fraud' stats with easy targets. It just is not worth it. -
Middle Class Will Be Hit Just As Hard By 'china Price'
StuffIT replied to Wad's topic in House prices and the economy
Errr ... read my post again. I dont think I stated "everyone in 'IT'" .. so please before you maybe you get should your head out of your ****. -
Middle Class Will Be Hit Just As Hard By 'china Price'
StuffIT replied to Wad's topic in House prices and the economy
Like many people I have been getting more and more concerned about the future of employment oppurtunities in the UK. My field of work is IT and as such I graduated from Uni in the early 90's into a profession that was looking like a safe bet for the future. Everyone would say "computers are the future" and to a degree they were right, I could leave one job and be safe in the knowledge that I could get another with a nice healthy pay rise on top. Move on a decade after graduation and i'd been made redundant and my job "offshored". I found myself with skills that the market didn't have a need for. Courses to retrain into other technologies where simply too expensive and the industry would not consider you unless you had "commercial experience" in the latest technologies. After many months of unemployment I was doing low skilled agency work and applying for anything that I could go for. I investigated a career change for jobs such as an electrician but on all counts I found a dead end due to costs and lack of training/work oppurtunties. I could pay for the training courses but finding someone to take you on would be nigh on impossible. Fortunatley I found work in my field - but it was outside of the UK. Whilst working abroad it became evident just how shafted IT work in the UK would become. I was working with highly motivated, skilled people with excellent english skills who where earning on average 800 euro a month. IT workers in the UK cannot compete at that level. Now im back in the UK and again looking for work, regulary recieving 4 page job requirements specs. Four pages of text stating the requirements of the role - 4 pages !! And some of these jobs are paying less than 25k. Many people are amazed that I struggle to find work, as I have a good degree and "work in computers" .. and thats the mad thing .. I dont know how many people are managing. What are they working in to afford that nice house and car? Could I do that ? What is worthwhile retraining in ? So its back to the minimum wage agency work whilst finding that next elusive job - welcome to the global market place. If it can happen to the IT world then rest assured it can happen to many. The UK as far as I can tell only has its financial markets propping it up ... I can only see life becomming harder for many. -
25,000 More Apartments To Be Built In Liverpool
StuffIT replied to matroskin's topic in House prices and the economy
Like most things its all about perception. If your not familiar with a city then it might appear more intimidating than if your from that city yourself. Im from Liverpool, but have lived away from the city for over 10 years, I can assure everyone as other posters have that its level of scum is pretty much the same as most other cities in the UK - and that certainly includes Bristol (a southern city of similar size that I am most familar with). However I do note from one poster who continually says "stick to the south of the city", well maybe you should get out more a bit mate and take a good look around ... theres plenty of shite in L9 etc and plenty of nice housing in L22/L23. And thats within the same city .. expand his small minded outlook to someone from outside the city and thats how Liverpool has its reputatiton that it does now. -
Never Think Your Job Is Safe!
StuffIT replied to purplemonkey's topic in House prices and the economy
Whats New ? This happens to someone every day in the UK. I'm not trying to sound like a callous p@@@k because its happended to me. People believe that you are protected in the UK from redundandcy as in "they have to make your role redundant to be able to make you redundant". Well they dont, they can do pretty much anything they like as long as they follow certain "assessment criteria". Which means that at any point your under possible threat of losing your job. People who have "worked there way up" are hardest hit, they have great job knowledge but other employers do things differently and they wont get the same wage and often have to prove themselves again. And if there in a technology field such as IT and dont have the "latest skills" then your FCUKED. A mate of mine worked for the same company for 12 years in IT working his way up, he was made redundant got the statutory minium and they wanted him to work his notice in order to get that - theres 12 years of loyalty for ya. You owe your employers one thing .. to do the job they have asked you to do, no more an no less. But in todays market everyone is trying to "out work" each other so that there not the first ones to get the "chop", when in my experience its the ones whose "faces dont fit" are the ones to go .. regardless of their ability to do the job. -
You have to live outside of the UK for at least 12 months to get a good understanding of what it is you like and miss about the UK. I lived in central/eastern europe for over a year and there where lots of things I loved: * Family culture - city centres safe at night for women and kids * Women where generally more feminine, confident about being a woman and not a man, slim and attractive * Drunks just made there way home and would not look for fights * Public transport was cheap and on time * A home was a place to live and not an investment But there where many things in the UK that I missed, it ends up being the little day to day things: * British TV - im no telly addict but I did miss being able to watch some good telly; * British newspapers (yeah I know you can get them over there) * British sparkiness - the sense of humour - it is different and I missed it * The mild weather - it not being fiercely hot or incredibly cold * Courtesnus - yes thats right - where far more polite than you might think. * Jobs - many more job opportunities in the UK So essentially I didnt know how "English" (British or whatever) I was until I left the UK, is this stuff you can get used to abroad - sure it is, but for the time being I shall remain in the UK until it gets a fair bit more shittier.
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One of best "Grand Design" episodes ive seen for some time. The end result was truly fantastic and you have to give the owners credit for sticking with what was seemed such an impossible task at times. The stone masons deserved a medal for working and living in such conditions for 12 months, its heartening to know that there are still true craftsmen out there. I wonder how much the stonemasons earn on a per week basis compared to your average redrow bodger? Would be interesting to find out. English Heritage of course had a big say in the project, but what I dont understand is how they would rather let a historical building fall to the ground than be helpful to someone who is effectively trying to put life back into an old ruin.
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Oh Dear Im afraid not ... the area I am living at present in Liverpool .. that tidy sum will get you a three bed semi. So please ... lets lose those chips off them shoulders .. you'll feel healthier for it
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Had another chat with my old man last night about house prices and the general differences of someone trying to get by in todays world rather than in "his day". His argument was: "Well a house up the road there .. I remember it being up for sale about 18 years ago and I remember thinking what an awful lot of money that was. It was up for 28k .. an awful lot of money in those days". I replied: "So how much where you on in those days" ? (At that point in time he had recently switched from a job as a welder to a clerical job with no qualifications required). His response: "Well I was earning 10k p.a." My Response: "Ok .. so just on you salary you would only need 3x your salary to buy it. Now its up for 170k, so on one persons salary you would need to be on at least 50k if you had no deposit to be able to afford it on one salary". His Response: "Oh yeah your right ... but houses always go up in value dont they !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"