An introduction...

First Time Buyer. First Time Blogger.

I thought it best to introduce myself before I go any further.....

I am Ethan Wadsworth, 21 years old (currently [obviously, that's how time works]), I completed on my first house 2 weeks ago to the day. I have never written a blog or made a diary, for two reasons; severe lack of commitment, and I never really thought other people would be as interested in what I'm doing as much as me. Admittedly, mainly the first reason.

Despite currently boasting an audience of absolutely zero, I am assuming someone will read this at some point. 'How have you managed to buy a house?!' is a question I have heard increasingly frequently, from colleagues, works associates, family members, and friends; and may be a question you find yourself asking. So, I will lay out on the table how I managed to climb onto the first rung of the increasingly out of reach ladder.

I opted out of the university life (a subject becoming more popular with the media), despite getting A levels in Maths, Physics, Business and Product Design (admittedly all C's, much to the disappointment of my dad, and the well concealed delight of my- then- very competitive younger sister[of which I have 4]). I did get a place at university, and had committed to going after a gap year of working, rather than backpacking. My dad's advise at the time was to get some experience of the real world before studying it. 

Here is where my situation differed from 99% other 18 year olds. I began working at the only place capable of throwing me in at the deep end. I starting working for my dad. How fantastically lucky, to be able to deal with real people in a real job with real responsibilities. Responsibilities that are twice as important to fulfill when you are the boss' son. 

By no means is this my first 'job', I have always had a job since the age of 12; paper round, butchers boy etc. But it is obviously my first 9-5. My dad has always had the mentality that if you want something, then earn it. A trait which I used to despise, but have grown up to appreciate. I even remember washing the car at 7 years old, inside and out for 50p. Looking back, I did a terrible job, but I don't think that was the point.

Anyway, without boring you with the details, after spending a year being a general dogs body (factory work, site work, making tea, answering phones, and tagging along to a few exhibitions), I was offered a full time job. Needless to say, university was swiftly knocked on the head.

Dad's modus operandi was this, and I quote "you can work for me, and you can live here rent free. As long as I don't see you p***ing your wages up the wall". So that was that, my coordinates were set. I lived at home for three years, saving and saving and saving. Occasionally having a little splurge here and a holiday there, I am only human after all. In hindsight, I could have been more frugal, but then again I could have lived the life of Riley....

Once I had the money, it was time to make mortgage applications.... which is where things got very confusing and very real.