I need a little help from my friends...

Soop will the caravan do as a spare room and art studio when you move into the house?

Wow, Rinky that really was 'some experience'! (Even later into conversation)
Our minor downsize was from 4 bed, large rooms large garden to 2 bed, box room, small rooms, manageable garden. Took two years to sort out before move (mostly his sheds). Now very happy in a market town with everything within walking distance. I feel quite smug when friends in their big houses bemoan the cost of heating and upkeep.

SOOP ..... Very late into conversation but I have some experience of "letting go" several times and it gets easier.

Went from 17 rooms to 5 in three weeks when bank foreclosed in 90's. lots of boxes in new garage. Went through them all bit by bit and sold, gave away and chucked as necessary. Had to sell some lovely pieces of furniture just to feed the kids when just-about-ex-husband decided it was more important to pay creditors than give us money for food. That furniture kept us going for about two years. Lots of Illness due to stress but worked all the time and off I went again having just enough for a deposit on 2-bed flat in 2002 after two kids had left for uni or work. One child of 18 still with me then.

Sold more stuff, downsized. Sold books I loved and nice fabrics I had picked up, to finance new ikea furniture which fitted the flat better. Son had to get rid of all his tat thank goodness.

9 years on again, moved in with dad to help him. Now have two rooms, admittedly quite good size, and got rid of more books, pots, pans, cutlery, you name it. I now own a kettle and toaster in the kitchen dept.

Stuff really is not what we try to make of it and it is quite free-ing in some ways...and just think....the kids will bless you for having got rid of all your junk so they don't have too! Always look on the bright side of life, ta da ta da etc.

Oh, and - organisation is the key and good storage is worth investing in:- window seats, corner cupboards. It's amazing how much storage you can fit into a small space when you really think about it. GOOD LUCK.

soop there have been some very good suggestions on here, especially for Mr S piano, keep what you can......... but all of your memories are in your heart so if you have to part with some of your belongings you will never forget the memories you have.

Good for you elegran I think it would be of interest to the show as they like to cover the personal side of the build.

YES! It was amazing. One of the very best. I'm signing off for today. Busy day tomorrow. I shall report any new developments on Friday. Thank you for your company.

Well, you never know, soop. Nothing venture, nothing gain!

Did anyone else see Ben Law's wooden house in the forest, made of timber he cut himself and built with help from his friends. Then when they did a return visit, he was living there with a like-minded partner and their baby. They are planning another return soon, which I hope I don't miss.

should have typed minimilist...finger in too much of a hurry!

Mishap I empathise with you. Practicalities count. Ten years ago, I was utterly fearless. Now it's time to take stock. Thanks to you and other Gransnetters, I'm feeling up to the challenge. I hope that you may come to the right decision for yourself and your husband.

Elegran If we had the funds wherewith to be truly adventurous with the design of the orchard house, we surely would pull out all the stops. We both love quirky, mimimilist, timber/glass houses, with turf and wild flowers on the roof. Sadly, neither our bank balance, nor the planners, will give us the green light for such a venture. I fear that Kevin won't find our proposed home to be newsworthy. It will be basic and affordable and far from exciting [except to us]. I can imagine him looking at the plans, and sucking his teeth [as only he can!]

Good luck with this undertaking soop - it sounds eminently sensible.

I am looking round our beautiful home with new eyes now I am on crutches and thinking forward as to how we might manage when OH's PD worsens - we are in a beautiful place, but.....on a steep hill, steep steps to the front door, steps inside the house, no wheelchair accessibility (not that it would help anyway as the hill outside is too steep for a wheelchair) etc.

It sounds to me as though you have the right idea and I wish you well with it.

and why not Elegran ? good for you.

That will teach you to dare me!

Guess what? Elegran has taken up the challenge! Goodness only knows what the outcome will be.

I'm thinking in terms of a Jam and Jerusalem type series here....

Yay! You could leap from behind a bush shouting surprise! when the camera starts to roll.

Can you imagine all of us lurking in the background for our '15 minutes of fame' . We all like Sarah Beany; she has a goddess like status in our family.

Elegran...I dare you

crimson I like your idea about approaching one of the TV programmes. Kevin McCloud's one could be the best - he has said in the Radio Times that he projects he likes best are the small ones working to a budget. Add in the scenery and lovely people the audience can identify with and they would have a winner (think of Ben Law's little house in the forest). If you contact them now they would be in on the ground floor and might even give you some help.

How about a lot of gransnetters write to Kevin with the suggestion?

A furnished but uncluttered house sells better than an empty one, I believe. When my daughter tries again to sell her house she's going to 'dress' it when it goes on the market.

We have no regrets about decluttering. If you remember, we did a massive amount to "dress" the house for viewings, and now, we have sort of maintained that look. Mind you, there are so many pictures in the loft....just didn't know what to do with them. To be thought about later!

gracesmum Your advice makes perfect sense. We have to sell before we can purchase the plot and get the build underway. We're under no pressure to secure the plot. It is understood to be ours when the time is right. Now is not the best time of year to advertise. There are a few jobs to be done before our home does itself proud. It is unofficially on the market. All the local people understand what it is we're trying to do. In the spring, it will be in the hands of the estate agent. The village is very small...approx 200 inhabitants. Apart from our friends' holiday apartment, there is no property for rent. This means that we'll either rent the apartment [super, but costly] or we do as before, and get a second hand caravan in which to live on site and oversee the build.
The more I think about de-cluttering, the better I feel. Thanks to you lot...

Soops - if anyone can do it, you and Mr. Soops can! I thought the SWOT list was very useful in concentrating your mind!
I agree with those who say possessions do not matter much - I bought my flat fully equipped and brought only three paintings, my photos, a few small ornaments and a vastly-reduced selection of books. At least you have family who could take some things you really value. You will have less dusting to do and even without a garden of your own you will still be surrounded by the beautiful scenery of your area.
How are you marketing your property - do you have your own web page?
Good luck - I look forward to seeing your photos of the completed house.

Assuming the figures stack up, Soop - how would you feel about trying to sell and renting before you move? I suggest that because it would be a way of "de-cluttering" without the time pressure - what you want to keep could go into store and you might even feel able to do a second de-clutter before moving it into the new house. Also it would take away the awful uncertanty of trying to marry up selling and moving in dates. Psychologically there is a lot to be said for seaparating the 2 transactions and it would make financial sense too.

It all sounds quite exciting. Could you approach one of those tv programmes thast follow people when they start projects such as this [you might make a bit/lot of money on it] or even film it yourself; you're artistic enough to do so. Utube blogs also make a fortune for people as well.....

crimson ...indeed, the selling of our home could prove to be a nasty fly in the ointment. Our location, 'though beautiful, is remote, and will have a limited market.
Tomorrow, we shall be gathering important info regarding the nitty gritty element of our project. We've sorted drainage. We're to talk about cost of bringing electricity to the plot. We'll also be asking a builder for an estimate based on Mr soop's detailed plans. It's essential that we keep a tight rein on every aspect of the project.
I cannot thank you lot enough for all the good advice and support. I'm really feeling up to the challenge. About to search for info on log burning stoves. Virtual hugs xxx

soop; I know I'm a worrier but will there be a problem selling your current home with the housing market being in such a bad way? I only ask because my daughter had to rent out one house to buy another when they were desperate to move and couldn't get anywhere near a good price for their home [and very few viewings].