WELL we are moving. So excited. It's been 17 years since we moved home - brought the kids up here too - bit sad but looking forward to my new home as I'm half way through an interior design course and buying a brand new house with 6 bedrooms (blank canvasses throughout). I love colour (I'm actually a colour therapist too) and can't wait to let rip in those rooms. Don't mention the increase in mortgage rates though (as we've gone to the top of our financial budget, and then some!).

Moving next Wednesday, wish me luck.

Gillykin,
Good luck for the move.
This is not a word of warning just a tale of woe.
We lived in our last home for 22 years. We then moved from an extended 3 bedroomed (to 4) semi to a detached 4 bedroom. We increased our ENDOWMENT mortgage considerably. It expires when I am 65 (I'm now 62) and....well, we all know about endowment shortfalls don't we?
Best wishes
Les

Good luck from the UKTV Style team! Don't forget to consult the website for moving home tips and decorating ideas!

Well Gillykins: May Your House Moving go smoothly. It is always sad to leave one home for another. I look at it this way, your "old" home was obviously filled to the rafters ( excuse the pun) with memories, laughter, tears, growing up, and growing on in life. Like the blank canvas walls in your new home, you have years now to paint your walls and fill up your "lifes bank account"again. May God Bless Your Children, Yourself and Your Spouse, and May your new home be as well loved as your "old" one.

Best Wishes, Hedera in Canada

Hi Gillykins,

Hope the move went well - I am sure that it did...

Remember that if things do get bad with interest rates that the first thing is dont panic... dont get into more debt but consider renting out a room or two on a temporary basis or whether you could do B&B during the summer months to tide you over.

That was one of the reasons I bought a 3 bedroomed house when there is only the one of me... and apart from the extra space I do have a double room to rent if needs be - would bring in about £ 80.00 per week and a single if I was really pushed.

But whilst the rises only add a pound or two per month I will be okay - as I am not really stretched anymore... it was tough for the first couple of years coping with a mortgage after renting from the Council for years...

As for Les... if when you retire the endowment is not sufficient to pay off the mortgage, you may have no alternative but to consider moving to a smaller place and using the equity in the property (assuming there is some left now you have done the kitchen) to pay off the balance.

Angela

But, Angie, I don't want to move and I thought that is what I was slaving and saving to avoid!