The search begins...

So, the time has come when I have finally started searching in earnest for my first property to purchase. I've stalked the Internet for months, and have also spent the last few weekends driving around the suburbs on the outskirts of south-west London that I thought would constitute my search area...the result of which some original options have been discarded and new ones added.

Yesterday I spent time registering my details with about ten agencies in two of my favoured areas, and I have a viewing arranged for this afternoon (for which I don't hold any hope but I need to start somewhere!)

The thought of purchasing a flat alternately fills me with anticipation and disappointment. I'm very excited to finally be in a position to be able to dream and design and make a space my own. On the other hand, I find it quite hard to reconcile how little my budget can procure in this leafy corner of London. The property market in London survived the GFC with very little impact, and consequently I do feel that I'll be paying a large sum for not a great deal. The only positive is that the London market is expected to continue to slowly rise, and if I at least get a foothold in the market now, I'll stand myself in good stead in the future.

Perhaps it is the fact that I have waited so long to take this step (moving from one side of the world to the other 5 times in the space of 10 years impacts property acquisition somewhat) makes me feel more apprehensive that I would otherwise...I am so concerned about making the wrong decision.

So, my fingers are crossed that this search doesn't prove too traumatic or disappointing, and that by the end of the year I am in my own little flat surrounded by paint charts and my Pinterest boards!