Help calm me, house buying and selling stress part 2

Whiff It’s University of the Third Age, it is great. There are lots of different groups and activities. Well worth checking out!
www.u3a.org.uk/

University of the Third Age. Branches in most places in UK. You can look it up on the web, Have got some good groups, and will be going along to a couple over the of couple of weeks

Thank you both for that. Will look to see if they have somewhere near me.

Franbern it sounds like your home is rapidly becoming your lifetime home. Whiff, we have a very good U3A here but I am not ready to commit yet.

I splashed out on a riser recliner 4 years it. A couple of times in my old house, the wind blew so strongly that it kept me awake upstairs, so I brought my duvet down and slept very comfortably in the recliner. I was glad I bought the wide one, firstly for knitting and then I realised that I could even sleep sideways. It was very expensive but is real good quality, all I have to do every year is feed the leather. . It has its own corner here, close to a socket and is my most favourite chair.
www.oldcreameryfurniture.com/himolla-cumuly-chester-lift-rise-chair/p2377

Went to bed early so of course I'm awake now. . Crosby has an U3A I've emailed them to see what they do. I have 3 glazed internal doors in a dark wood. They let a lot of light in but don't like the colour. My kitchen fitter does all home improvements so he has told me where the best place to get doors, also when I have the shower room done next year it will need a new door so I have decided I might as well do the bedroom ones as well then they never need doing again. Also next year need a new garden gate and frame, paint outside of the bungalow and get the garden sorted out. Especially the back and sort out the water lying problem.

Had a look at your chair Craftyone looks very comfortable.

Got to have my eyes tested today. Only had them done in January but think my health problems have made them worse. Won't be surprised if I need them full time. Mine you I have got better at picking frames over the years after the dame Edna comment one time from my children.

Mosaicwarts I hope you are keeping your spirits up. Hope you get a buyer soon.

Hope everyone has a good day and no one gets flooded.

Can you not just paint the dark doors? Seems a waste of good doors! Perhaps your decorator can do it. You sound so cheerful now you are safely in your new home. for your home!

It does seem as if many of the posters on here are now safely in their chosen new homes. I do feel for people like Mosaicwarts, who are still at the starting up stage of this process.
It has occurred to me that if this thread had been around for much longer, and if I had been part of it from the time I started this process, that would date back over four years.
It was in May 2015 put my house on the market - received an offer in June that year, and made an offer on a flat in WsM.
After an extremely horrible seven months, I finally took it off the market in January 2016. Started again in June 2018 - off again in October 2918 - and then re-started in April 2019.
During that period I have had offers accepted on four different flats - (Have had to pay abortive purchase Solicitors fees on two of them). My final purchasers were actually the fifth offer I accepted over that time.
It has been a very long and stressful journey.
So, MW - do not despair - I know I am not the only person with this sort of back story.
I reached a point that even when I was thinking about a flat I had offered for, I began to think I was just fantasising - and it would never happen.
Now that it has (and I still have to pinch myself sometimes to realise it really is true), I feel I have got the best of those four flats, and it all worked out for the very best.
Just stick in there, and do start to think about where you want to move to, and what sort of property.
Good Luck

Midgey the doors are varnished so they would need chemical stripping before painting. Also I think they are from the 70's. I have 3 young grandsons and I have falls so I need to have today's glazing for safety. My daughter says I could sell the doors even if I only get a £5 each it's something.

Franbern like you it took a while to get here but I couldn't be happier.

Morning all, hope you are all having a good day, I'm not.

Went down to tackle the aftermath of the septic tank drain overspill in the courtyard, and noticed my neighbour's Dad's cast iron pump, that has been in my garden forever, has been stolen. People were posting that a scrap man was going into their gardens last week, these thieves are now so open about it.

Went round to tell him and came in for a break - email saying that my 'parking ticket' appeal had been refused as it is 'the driver's responsibility to ensure the time on the disc is correct'. God knows why I put the wrong time, was just distracted that day.

I'm going to start taking note of any scrap vans that go by, often they are unmarked but I can take the reg.

mosaics, I still look at my last village facebook page and people are very observant there, having had metal and trailers stolen. Its only a little village but these thieves are very brazen, they seem to suss an area first and are also oportunistic. I`ll just say that this stems from a certain community far enough out of the village but they `visit` quite often, including to fly tip. One time last year it was asbestos. The last time there was a post was only a couple of weeks ago, a trailer and that was a few days after someone posted about a suspect white van. Said community `gradfatherfather` lives in a pristine bungalow in a pristine courtyard, surrounded by immaculate walls built in a pattern of 2 colours of brick. There is often at least a dozen various vehicles, vans and pick ups as well as `solar installation marked vans and very smart cars

Whiff yes I agree with you, change the doors, new ones are so very eay care. Mine look like oak, I know are veneered, very smart and no more door painting for me

The rain woke me up several times last night, was utterly torrential. It got into my garage via the up and over door, ok water does that so sleeves up to find a solution as that garage is filled with stuff. I used a mini hair dryer and dried around the two door supports then gort the builder to come and silicone around those supports. Good job they are on site. This morning I ordered from ebay a garage door threshold rubber seal. We used one in the past, tremendous at stopping water creep. 3m x 4 cm high and is a hump, I have to saw this to fit and stick down with provided mastic. I remember husband doing it, was not difficult, just heavy and awkward. I can do it. I have never used a mastic gun so first time for everything

I came in very cold so lit the fire and am now settled for the rest of the day, am so very glad I upgraded from the provided log burner to a modern multi fuel stove. The flames are dancing, it is belting out warmth and the glass door is still clean enough after 6 burns

Hello All,

Craftyone, thanks for your good wishes. It is slowly, slowly here at the moment. My new hip is great. No pain and I am now walking with just one crutch which seems easier than with the wheely walker. The downside is this infection. While it is not getting any worse I don't think, a week, down the track it is getting any better either. I'm now on 2 lots of antibiotics and the surgeon is still considering putting me into hospital for IV antibiotics. He wants me to try the 2 combination for a week first. It is also keeping me out of the hydrotherapy pool. I had hoped be be back in the pool by now but I was told this morning it is likely to be at least another 3 weeks before I'm ready to test the waters so to speak.

Fortunately for us we are well away from the horrendous fires which are further north. The season will be bad here though over the next few months.

Franbern, you spoke about the electric recliners. I can see these being really good. The only problem I would have with them if I was sleeping in one is if the power went off. I'd be like a stranded whale on one and not be able to get off it.

We have looked at a couple of houses but I really do want to stay in the area we are in and unfortunately there is nothing that ticks the boxes for us at this time. We may just have to sit and wait for the right place to come up and if need be rent until it does.

Mosiacwarts I do hope your viewings over the next couple of weeks prove successful and you find a suitable buyer. Your life seems to be filled with negative happenings at the moment. Here's hoping for some really positive happenings very soon.

Sazzl, good luck with the whelping. I bred dogs for 30 years and while I was fortunate and had few problems it is always a stressful time.

Morning all! I hope everyone has a good day today. Bit warmer this morning, we had hail again last night, I do worry the windows will crack it is so violent.

Sorry you are still suffering with the infection SueH49, thanks for the good wishes regarding viewings. The person coming this Saturday is looking for an investment, so I doubt will be of interest, as there won't be enough profit in it for them.

I've just popped in to say that my bad luck yesterday was trivial compared to the accident I saw in my road last night. As I drove down to the village two cars were parked up at the side of the road. It's narrow, without street lights, and I slowed down as I squeezed by to offer help. I knew one of the women, but she said she was OK, so I drove on. On the way back I saw the second person and felt so sorry - I hadn't realised it was her on the way down. It's a young girl we know. She'd saved and saved for her first car and decided to buy new using the dealers interest free loan scheme. Both airbags had gone off as she had rear ended the front car. Luckily her grandad turned up as I was passing so I just jumped out and gave her a hug. My daughter and I are going to choose her first car next week, I want her to get the safest one possible.

My first car was an Anglia with extremely dodgy steering, what was yours?

SueH reclining chairs come with battery back up! Just enough to get you down safely so no worries there.
Whiff I totally understand about your doors, glad you have such good trades people to help.

So scary when younger adults start to drive every day, takes a little while to settle into good habits and to drive defensively. I am glad no-one was hurt. My next car is going to have knee bags, being short I am always far too close to the doings

Sue most modern electric recliners and electric beds have a back up battery. I used to have a manual recliner but it wa up or down with no half way house. This electric recliner can go into any position and the back can be changed seperately from the foot

My new shark klick and flip steam mop came today and I have used it all downstairs, took 15 minutes, the cord is very long and I have quickstep throughout, same upstairs and it is very light for lifting. I am shamed to say that the both sides of the big flat mop are grubby now, ok mucky and it needs a clean grip pad next time. QVCUK was very best value, 2 pads were included and I saved around £16 compared to the cheapest. DD is having my vileda spin mop, which I obviously have not used often enough. Cannot see any dirt on this floor. Off to crafting class now

Hi everyone!

Finally surfaced enough to look at what everyone has been up to and pop a short post on. Well my removal company were absolute stars, all went smoothly and most things are now unpacked. Though my pictures are not yet up and I am still searching for a few things that must be lurking at the bottom of one of the boxes that haven’t yet been emptied. I love my cottage - definitely worth all the anxiety. Village is great - all I need within walking distance, even a small library. The usual problem with getting hold of plumbers and electricians as they are all so buy. Getting quotes to have a wood burning stove fitted and will get that done after Christmas.

Oh MW I had hoped by the time I came on again you would have found a buyer, I'm so sorry that you haven’t.

Really good to hear from you SK - was wondering how things were going as we completed, packed and moved on the same days. Does seem as successful for you as it has been for me. My packers were okay - but when my son and myself returned to the house the morning of completion, we discovered three cupboards in the kitchen they had not packed. Not good. However, everything arrived unbroken, and the only item I cannot find is my 1970's original Tupperware pastry mat (this was hung on the inside of one of my kitchen base units). I can only assume it was left behind. Not to worry - can easily replace.
I did get the boxes unpacked very quickly - could not live with them around. Still a few - as until fitted wardrobes are in place in both bedrooms(being done early February), some things just cannot be unpacked. Also, still sorting out kitchen- but nearly there on that.
I am so very happy I did persevere with this move and have not even had any of those 'What have I done' moments. Am very busy, meeting lots of people and having a wonderful time.
So, Mw, do keep going. I wrote a few days ago, how this has actually taken me nearly four years. Keep going and it will happen - and it does appear - for all of us - that it is absolutely the right thing to do

So glad you are so happy there, Franbern. I know how anxious you were so much of the time over the last three years and am delighted it's all ok.
Scaredy Katts cottage sounds lovely. Especially with the wood burner on its way.
MW a buyer will come......

Evening all, great to read all your news. Glad you are happy ScaredyKatt, I wondered what was happening to you.

The EA has just phoned. A mortgage buyer I rejected in late August in favour of the cash buyer has now returned, and has made a low offer of £350K. If I accept his offer, he wants me to come off the market immediately until his survey is complete. He needs a big mortgage, he hasn't got much cash. I have two viewings lined up.

I can't decide what to do!

I would be inclined to hear his offer but don`t accept until he can get a certified mortgage in principle, definitely stay on the market until he has agreed a mortgage in principle and negotiate slightly higher too. We know on here that he is unlikely to get a mortgage because it will be a big mortgage. Going off the market is definitely not advised, he is in no position to make such a pointless request, he is trying it on mosaics. Hasn`t got much cash! he is having a larf, he needs cash to set the house up

He is not preceedable, so you must not come off the market. Let him know that you are interested but that is all. The mortgage in principle is what counts and that comes at a very early stage, before even a survey ie will he get a mortgage based on his own financial position. The EA should be holding your hand right now. Once she has seen the mortgage in principle then you could make the big decision re accepting an offer subject to survey

Mosaics
Is it possible that he's been trying to sort out the finances since you last saw him and now has something concrete?
Just looking on the bright side ?

The Estate Agent should be advising you. As others have said, do not come off the market- as it is still uncertain whether or not this purchaser will be able to go ahead. Tell him that you will come of the market and accept that low price, when he can prove that he has a mortgage offer and can proceed speedily.
In the meantime, let the other viewings go aheadand maybe you might get a better offer.

We have now exchanged contracts so all going ahead for 20th next Wednesday. Went out today and ordered a mattress and washing machine for the 21st, so will sleep in the caravan for the first night. Have piles of washing but not bothering with the launderette as it's only a week now.
Daughter is a bit better so going tomorrow for the weekend then back here ready to move. Can't believe it's really happening now as we put the house on the market in April, got an offer in July and it's now Mid November. 7 months seems a long time but some of you have been years.
Mosaic I hope you get a really good offer from one of your viewing. Don't let the person dictate to you about taking it off the market. Get your EA to check his finances and mortgage offer first.
Getting used to rural living here in the caravan. We needed a battery charger and found it's 10miles to a shop to buy one. But 2 garages offered to charge our battery for us for free! Now that doesn't happen in the city we came from. It's nice and I'm going to like living here.
All the best to everyone xx

Great news sazzl, hoping for good weather for you next Wednesday. I've just seen an email fly on the screen from the EA - will let you know what it says!

Sazzl brilliant news about your exchange. At least you know no one can back out. Rest if you can as move day will be hectic. Glad your daughter is getting better.

SueH49 sorry to hear you are still fighting the infection. Fingers crossed you will have a pain and infection free Christmas. Keep looking your new home is out there. At least you have plan of action .

Scaredykatt great to hear from you . Glad you are happy in your new home.

Mosaicwarts I agree with everyone else. You need to keep your options open. Your buyer is out there just wish he would hurry along to you.

Had a look at that recliner looks very comfortable Craftyone. Can just picture you in it with a book and a glass of something.

My kitchen fitters finished on Wednesday. Painter will let me know when he is coming. He is someone my fitter uses and was included in the invoice. My daughter came yesterday and while I played with my grandson she cleaned all the cabinets out. They weren't to bad as the fitters cleaned down everyday before knocking off. I had brought some plastic shelf liner from Ikea so she lined some of the shelves. Going next week to get more and odds a ends I need. Made some yogurt this morning, stewed some fruit and got a soup cooking. Note to self don't put on the extractor fan until pans boiled as can't hear them boil over fan. Induction hob great never had one before. New washer and dishwasher very quiet.