Reality Check #1: Energy Efficiency

Just got the HIP (House Information Pack) for the house today. Must say I'm not too pleased with the Energy Efficient Rating, which is an E. Should have guessed as much, seeing that it is an old house. The good news is that there are things we can do to bring it up to a C Rating; the not so good news is that it's going to cost money to do that. Cavity insulation, room thermostat, cylinder thermostat - need to find a good heating engineer. The only thing I can safely say we have no probs doing is the energy efficient lighting - we hv loads of energy saving bulbs!

The ultimate of course would be to change the entire boiler, but that's going to cost a pretty penny. Will have to see if we have enough budget for it. It's kind of scary to think of the costs that are coming up with this house - I just hope we're ready for it. The only consolation I have on that front is that we are buying it cheap.

Buying a house in the UK is such a learning experience though. In Malaysia you never had to deal with heating and insulation, energy effiency (though we probably should, with all the aircond use!). I think perhaps that's why I'm feeling nervous - it's venturing into unchartered territories for us. That and the fact that we are spending our ringgit in pounds, which doesn't go as far as it might back in Msia!

Spoke with Emma our mortgage broker and Debbie the vendor's agent today - vendors are pushing us to change lawyers so that they can get a quick deal. I was right in my first guest - this house is actually being sold by 3 people, which means it's a probate case. They want to dispose of it ASAP so that they can get the money. Well, I think as long as we are within the stipulated timeframe, we shouldn't be rushed through this.