There are quite a few possible cycle routes to work, none of which are ideal for various reasons, so I intend to keep a log of the routes and times taken until I find the best one. I’m using Google maps to mark up the various routes and in the comments recording the times taken and any other pertinent notes.
It is quite likely that I’ll have different routes for getting to and coming from work, and as the seasons change move from some off road routes to more road based ones and back again.
Factors to weigh up:
- Total distance / Time taken
- Amount of Traffic
- Awkward or Dangerous junctions & other hazards
- Quality of surfaces Tarmac, gravel, dirt, mud, pot holes, water logging
- Legality of route, footpaths, farmers fields vs bridleways, cyclepaths, tracks and roads.
- Obstacles including fords, footbridges, stiles, gates, undergrowth.
View Map
Google Maps & Bing to get Ariel Photos and Bird’s Eye View of Locations:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=bh23+8bw
http://www.bing.com/maps/?where1=BH23+8BW
Planning Portal for recent applications (applications also include detailed location plans):
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/
http://web3.newforest.gov.uk/planningonline/acolnetcgi.gov
Compare House prices of recently sold and estimated valuations:
http://www.mouseprice.com/house-prices/bh23-8bw
http://www.zoopla.co.uk/house-prices/BH23-8BW/?q=bh23%208bw
Local Information:
http://www.upmystreet.com/bh23-8bw.html
Other Checks:
Smoke Control
Flooding
Council Tax Checking:
Use Mouseprice to get local house sale prices.
Use Nationwide House Price Calculator to get a valuation for 1991 Q2.
Check against Government Bands
Compare with neighbourhood Tax Search
Rebuild Cost Calculator:
BCIS
Other Links listed at MSE
MSE
Having still not found a house, need to keep an eye open for new good savings deals as well as possible mortgage deals. Our good Nationwide rate of £70,000 at 2% has now expired.
Savings Accounts
Newcastle Building Society’s 5 Year bond @ 5% is a current market leader only allows withdrawals after 90 day notice.
Mortgage Options
First Direct’s Offset 2 year fixed rate mortgage @ 4.99% (no fee) if we get a house that needs money spending on it. Shove all the cash into the linked accounts ready to spend on the renovation/extension.
Since I’m going to have to do all this again in 6 months time:
Amex – Online (need card)
Cahoot – Online (after move)
Halifax – branch? (Me & May)
Selftrade – Form (download from site)
HSBC – Online
Nationwide – Form (download from site)
Nectar – Online
Tesco – Phone
F and C – Form (download online – need Acc. No.)
CSMA/Britannia Rescue – Phone?
ebay – Online
Google Adsense – Online
Work & Pension – Email HR (Barbara) & phone BAE
DVLA – Form
HMRC – Phone
Child Care Vouchers -
A post to keep track of various bits and bobs relevant to moving house.
Weekend Luton Van hire from Call Van Hire, should come in at £101.20.
Managed to find a rental property through Slades, a 3 bedrooms in Burton, nicely renovated and still a half decent commute to work. Once we’ve exchanged contracts it will be all hands to the pumps to get ready for the move, we hope to be in the rental property by 10th January. The full address is:
5 Vicarage Way,
Burton
CHRISTCHURCH
Dorset
BH23 7NE
Due to the slow housing market it is very likely that we are going to have to sell the house then rent for a while until we find the ideal house that we would like to buy. Which means that we will have a reasonable chunk of cash to invest and earn interest on, hopefully to help pay some of the rent.
At least in the short term it looks like interest rates are no the way down, so we need to secure a savings account with a guaranteed rate, that can be opened soon, that allows additional deposits and at least 1 withdrawal before the end of the term.
Some helpful sites I have found include:
The type of account I want seem thin on the ground so far have found:
Well after four weeks on the market, we’ve had an offer that we have accepted on the house. Which given the current climate is fantastic. The plan now is to get to contract exchange as soon as possible, pending efficiency of our solicitors. Having not been particularly impressed by the abilities of previous solicitors we have tried (Williams Thompson & Frettens), we have gone with D’Angibau who helped us buy our very first house, and performed admirably.
Given that we have only seen three houses that even remotely meet half our requirements it is very likely that we will have to go into rented accommodation. Not ideal, but may work to our advantage if the market continues to stagnate.
Due to our expanding family, we have been forced to move house. 
Our 2 bedroom house in Dorset of the last five years, perfect for our needs otherwise, has been outgrown. The house is currently being marketed by Slades estate agent in Christchurch.
They did an admirable job selling our previous house on Cameron Road, so thought they would be ideal to sell this one too. The property details are on Slades website (Slades Details), as well as on Rightmove (Rightmove Details).
Some of the useful local facilities that we use are all within easy walking distance, I’ve tried to capture some of them on the map below:
View Larger Map