Ren handles money a LOT better than I do. I've never even considered buying a place,
so I'm impressed by anyone who plans well enough to buy a place and then sell it for a
healthy profit. I may have had opportunities over the years that I completely
overlooked. I just drift along doing whatever is easiest.
I think I was lucky. A lot of flats in the area were being renovated and I went and had a look then just impulsively decided I had to buy one. So I signed up and got a broker who was very understanding (I think she could tell I was a bit "different" and slow with things) and organised the home loan and all the horrible stuff that comes with it (huge amounts of paperwork and lots of signing of stuff). I would have stuffed it up if it hadn't been for her.
As for the rise in prices of places, I was just lucky. If I hadn't had trouble with mental illness, I would probably still be living in the flat now. I loved that place. Living alone rules imo. My parents were the ones who took control when my place was selling, they found the agent to do it and everything. I can't even remember what happened, really. That was a hazy time of my life.