KrackersMaracas

What an interesting article! I wasn't aware at all.

I suspect you're exactly right. We bought our first place through Foxtons - NEVER AGAIN! We didn't have anything to compare it to at the time, and it was only afterwards we realised that although purchasing your first place (or any place) is always very stressful, it doesn't have to be THAT stressful!!!!!

We bought our 1st home a year ago, as a "two salary couple"... The calculation that was used to work out our mortgage limit was slightly different than yours, StraferJack. When we were buying (although it could have changed and will be dependent on lender) it was 3.5 times our joint income. As such, a couple with a ?80k joint income would be looking at a ?280k, rather than ?205k.

Have you tried Air B&B? You can search on their website for "entire house" and filter by budget. It may get you somewhere nearer?

Looks great, thanks for the link, I'll definitely be popping down!

Where are you based? And what are the hours that you are "open" so to speak? Do volunteers need to bring anything with them?

Hear hear

Thanks Hendricks, thanks citylover! This is exactly what I was looking for - have read a lot about chemical treatments and I am not 100% convinced its the right thing for the house having read into it online. I'm looking for an independent company or specialist which/who isn't affiliated with the PCA! It's our first house and I know just enough to know that there is a problem.I seem to spend a large amount of time worrying that someone will spin me a yarn and I won't be savvy enough to realise- so it's important to me to find someone that other forum members reccomend and trust!!

Hi hendricks Does David have a website? We have a damp/condensation issue and it would be great to get the view of someone who has been recommended on the forum and is recognised as knowing his stuff. Thanks!

The banging you can hear is from inside the police van!