Moving house

We moved last Oct.
It took 5 months with only 3 in the chain.

The house we moved from we had lived in for 25 years, there were only 3 in that chain when we moved in.
It took 8 weeks !

We are selling after nearly 30 years and yes the amount of paperwork and checks is much increased.

However DD has just moved. She is single and managed it single handed so I am sure that we can manage together.

Mind you all we are doing is selling at the moment. We have yet to see the nitty gritty of buying.

With or without husbands, it’s a moveable feast. I’m very much looking forward to the winter, but without draughts. 😊

It’s a big step isn’t it?

I found a big skip, for hurling things into very therapeutic.

Good luck with finding your perfect home and keep in touch with us on here. I’ve already realised what a wise & wonderful group of people there are.

Eeek, my house will be on the market by Friday. I am already having sleepless nights about all the stress and paperwork I will have to deal with.
I am in a similar situation, my husband died just over 2 years ago, house and garden too big so need to downsize.

Smintie

Congratulations! I can’t wait for triple glazing either!

Well done navigating all of this alone, we have had much stress despite being experienced buyers and sellers!

I am fortunate enough to have had my husband by my side.

Congratulations! I can’t wait for triple glazing either!

I’m in the process too and we’re at the surveys are done now waiting on searches. I agree about the amount of paperwork although I have so many emails with attachments I’m having to hunt for the relevant one frequently. I agree the system needs updating

Thank you all for your support and encouragement, I am relieved it’s not just me.

I’ve sold our home, fortunately we had a good early offer, and it went through quickly but I didn’t like anything else at the time. Perhaps I was just fussy.

I am living in a friend’s cottage (furniture in storage) and have bought a cute bungalow in a little village nearby. It’s at the end of a chain of 5 (eek) and due to complete end of May. It’s the chain that worries me a little.

Buying seems much more involved than selling but I luckily had a cash buyer with no qualms about anything.

It’s just so slow.

Thanks again, I am looking forward to finally getting the keys.

We are on the other side, house sold, we vacated on 21/3 and living between our holiday let and our daughters until a probate issue is sorted further down the chain.

To have sold a Victorian house on three floors with ongoing roof works, decorating etc etc is such a relief.

Underfloor heating and triple glazing here we come!

And then.........with half an hour to go before Exchange of Contracts {this in Dorset}, nasty, vindictive buyer stated "not signing unless there is a reduction of £15,000.00 for repointing". Actual cost was estimated at not more than £245.00. Again, wouldn't want to put you would-be downsizers off

Same here - if I could just close the door and walk away with the money, I’d be off like a shot!

My dreams of downsizing to Cosy Cove have just been dashed!
I don't think I could cope with all the rigmarole this time around.
It seems far more complex than 20 yrs ago.
Also, I'm less patient & much more stressy than I used to be!. 🤔

No, you’re completely correct and the whole system is needlessly complicated and protracted!

Good luck

Yes, there is much more paperwork than was the case when you last moved. This gives buyers much more information than they used to get.

We downsized after 30+ years in the same house. We were amazed at the amount of paperwork we needed to guarantee work previously done on our house. Fortunately DH likes keeping records. The sellers of the new house were certainly on the ball and provided very comprehensive paperwork. Please don’t mention listed trees!
Having also bought a property in Scotland, I certainly prefer their system. Although not perfect.

You totally have my sympathy. A few things have changed since the 80s I think, but it's basically the same. We've moved 5 or 6 times in the last 10 years and it takes nerves of steel to keep going with the process usually, especially if there is a chain. You don't say what stage you have reached, Smintie, but the thing to focus on is the end result - a nice easy place for you to make your own and to settle in happily. I hope it all goes well for you!

No you're not an old grump.

I moved last year and it was like a full time job. As CountessFosco says, the system in this country is very flawed and ludicrously complicated and convoluted.

However, I am now settled in my new home and still sane!

You are doing the right thing if it's going to make life easier for you - and your move may go smoothly.

(I think my happy hour consumption increased a bit during the conveyancing period though )

It is an absolute minefield. The system in England is outdated, complicated to the nth degree, and wide open to abuse such as "we decided we didn't like the wallpaper in the living room, so are pulling out". Ridiculous phrase. 40% of sales "fall through". It needs a drastic overhaul to bring it in line with the rest of the world, where, if after a cooling off period of 7 working days, you decide to continue, then a 10% deposit is paid which is non-refundable except under really extenuating circumstances. Ergo, very few sales fail, and after 90 days, the legal process is completed - to everyone's satisfaction. We have bought and sold houses in six different countries on three different Continents where nothing, nothing is as ridiculously complex as here. But then, I wouldn't want to put you off.........