I recently moved into my first home – a lovely house in the heart of Milton Keynes. Here’s what the process was like for a first-time mover!
Despite moving into a new house with my boyfriend in January, this is the first time I’ll ‘properly’ be living with a boy. Even though I’ve just turned 30, this is the first time I’ve properly done this. I briefly moved out and into my brother’s flat a few years ago which was lovely, but the process was very, very different). So I wanted to share a little about the experience from someone who didn’t have a clue what they’re doing.
I’m also used to reading lots of stories of bloggers buying their first homes. But in this instance, we’re renting – so hopefully this might be interesting to anyone else in the same situation as me/us. The experience hasn’t been what I’ve expected at all!
Here’s what happened in timeline form.
September – October
In September, my boyfriend and I made things ‘official’ even though we’d been dating more or less since April. By this point, it already felt like we were in a relationship. So making things official didn’t seem like a huge jump! When he mentioned to me about his lease being up in February and wanting to move out of the terrible shared house he was in at that time, we discussed the idea of looking for somewhere to live together. I didn’t think he’d actually see it through.
November
…he did see it through. We began cautiously looking at places online in November – but the timing had to be right. It was too early to arrange any viewings as we couldn’t move in till February. But we were also aware that some properties were coming through now that wouldn’t be available until January. So they needed to be viewed soon/in advance
I also left my job during this time (and my car failed it’s MOT…). We knew it wasn’t the best time to be looking, especially as this also put a lot of pressure on our relationship. Still, I couldn’t help but browse out of excitement. My boyfriend also checked out a few places online to get an idea of prices and what we could afford (not much, considering I wasn’t ‘officially’ working and was just freelancing at this time, haha).
We spot a cute flat which is small and perfect for our price range. And, bonus, on the same road as and literally a two minute walk away from our local fave music venue, The Craufurd Arms. It’s too good of an opportunity to pass up! We call to arrange a viewing, but typically it’s already gone!
December
In December, everything happens at once. My boyfriend starts spotting some really nice houses within our price range. But I’m shocked- many of them, when splitting the rent between us, are actually cheaper than what he is paying now for a room in a shared house. And what I’m paying at home. He sends me one I’m not too keen on as it looks quite dated, but we arrange a viewing anyway. Then we group together some others to look at later that week. He really likes the ‘dated’ house whereas I’m leaning more towards ‘newer’ looking properties.
I’m also pretty surprised because I always imagined when I finally moved out of home, it would be into a flat and that would be all I could afford! So the idea of moving into a house is crazy!
The house he had his eye on is already gone by the time we call up. We begin to wonder if maybe now isn’t the right time and perhaps we should wait until I’m settled into a new job. We had a few others we liked the look of though so arrange to view them on that Friday. I insist it can’t help to have a few viewings and get an idea of pricing. Plus, I’ve never actually gone to viewings before. Even though he’s done this before, it’s all new to me. I’m really excited about the whole process.
On Thursday, we get a text message arranging a viewing for the original dated house we’d called up about and that was taken off the market. We’re sure it’s an admin mistake, but leave it be and accept the viewing just in case. We go to view it the following day along with one house beforehand. But we immediately cancel the rest of our viewings for that day. It’s perfect. The photos do not do it justice and it feels right as soon as we walk in. It’s not actually that dated at all and is super quirky.
The lettings agent explains that another couple are interested. So we go home and have a chat – between us, we can make up the deposit and holding fee (to take the house back off the market) but the only issue is references with me not working officially. The reason why the house went back on the market was because the previous couple to apply had failed their references. So I’m a little worried about that.
We call up the lettings agent again and explain our situation. Luckily she reassures us that as long as we can pay a shortfall to ensure we can earn a certain amount between (we can), it should be okay. The timing is less than perfect. Buut to me, it almost seems like fate that we got a viewing so last minute. We call her back and say we want the house.
We’re told we’ll hear an update by Monday at the latest. It all depends on what happens with this other couple. I call the lady on Tuesday for an update and she doesn’t yet have a decision. But she calls me back a mere ten minutes later to tell me the house is ours. How exciting!
The holding fee, it turns out, cannot come from a credit card. So with a lot of faffing about with moving money about, I put down the holding fee. Then it’s just a manner of application forms and referencing!
We head into the lettings office later that week to sign what we need to. During this time I also have a job interview for something I’m heavily hinted at getting. Then we wait it out a couple of days before submitting our referencing. We wait just in case everything comes through in time but of course, in the rush up to Christmas, we just don’t have enough time.
We fill in the forms a few days later – myself as unemployed and freelancing. Naturally, my application immediately comes back as declined. I email the lettings agent and a colleague picks it up on my behalf, basically reassuring me not to panic. The house is still ours. Things will move quicker the sooner I can call the agency and update them about my possible new job. But again, as long as we can confirm we can pay the shortfall, it’s no issue. Our situation is very common.
The very next day, I’m offered the job (yay!) but of course have no contract yet or proof of income to change anything on my application. With all offices about to close for Christmas, it’s just a waiting game for the new year now.
It’s literally the last working week of the year and although the house is ‘ours’, there’s still that slight worry. We’ve got the house and I’ve got the job but it’s just the timing now to worry about.
However, a move-in date is agreed. We also chat to a company and get our internet set up for a couple of days after we move in. At this point, the day we move in is a) a Monday b) the day I start my new job and c) a day my boyfriend is also working!
But, the house is ours.
January
After a quiet Christmas, preparations are in place as early as the day after Boxing Day. My boyfriend managed to end his lease a little early. We’ve contacted the lettings agent to arrange to pick up the keys on a weekend instead, so our official move-in date is the 6th of January. A lot earlier than the original plan of late January/early February!
It’s definitely emotional packing up my childhood room. I know I sort of moved out a couple of years prior, I never did so properly. I only ever moved a handful of stuff at the time and came home pretty much every weekend. This time it feels a little different – like an entire step forward in my life. As well as starting a new/old job, I’m also super cautious about what to pack. I make sure I first pack all my workwear and necessities, but not too much that can’t fit in the car. Epecially as we’re sharing a car at the moment. So it’s not done all at once!
I pack what I can into my boyfriend’s car on Thursday and drive up to Milton Keynes. We spend the night packing up what we can in his shared room and drive over the next day to pick up the keys. It’s a horrible rainy day, but it still feels romantic! We drive over to the house and it’s such a lovely feeling walking in together for the first time as the house being ‘ours’. One day, Shaun’s parents help us move the last of the furniture in from the shared house. On Sunday we take a stressful trip to IKEA for a bed. On Sunday evening, we nip over to a petrol station Marks & Spencer (the only one open, haha) for a meal deal and a bottle of wine, before making it back to the house for our first full evening in our first home.
And that was the process of our move! Overall, it wasn’t as stressful as I thought it would be, apart from that one week we spent waiting to hear back about our references, my job and if the house was ours or not. The whole process happened really quickly for us but to be honest I think that was down to luck. We were really lucky to get a quick viewing of our house as soon as it became available again and despite my initial reservations about the place, I now wouldn’t change it for the world.
I absolutely love our home. It’s so cozy and on a street filled with quirky houses. It’s different in it’s own way and for such a small price we’ve got a small house, a conservatory, front garden AND back garden. There’s a little expected wear and tear and it’s expensive to heat, but nearly six months on from moving in I couldn’t be happier – so much so that we’ve just signed the lease for a further six months.
So that was our process of moving in together for the first time – from a family home (me) and a tiny room in a shared house (him) into a funky rented house in the heart of Milton Keynes. Just four months after making it official. Lol. But nine months since being together. A slightly crazy ride – especially since I was also starting a new job and didn’t have my own car and it was almost instantly after Christmas – but hey, when is anything ever normal with me?!
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