Help calm me, house buying and selling stress part 2

Fingers crossed for you franbern hope it happens today. Xxx

Oh we are all waiting with you Franbern, there is going to be one massive whoop when it happens and a few GnTs taken

Franbern - good luck for your exchange. I understand exactly what you are going through as I had the same this time last year. It was exactly one year ago that I was told everyone in the long chain was ready to exchange but, having only just re-negotiated my sale price, I didn't have a removal quote. I spent a very stressful week getting a quote from a company who could move me the following week. Then no-one was actually ready. Every week through November I was told we will exchange this week if removals can do it. Exchange was eventually 30 November and completion 10 December.
It was dreadful but you forget once you are in your nice new house. I think it's a bit like giving birth - you forget the pain of labour once you hold your baby.

FranbernYour message came in after I had posted the one above. You must be tearing your hair out!

Morning Mosaic sorry that the last viewing came to nothing. With the chimney and other things - I had to produce a certificate from my sweep, which fortunately I had, as well as a certificate showing the Building Regulations had been adhered to when I had the stove fitted ten years ago! That did take a bit more finding, though I did have it. With the Auction those fees sound ok, as long as you only pay them if it sells, as the ordinary EA selling commission would be about that. Is there anyone you could stay with after it was sold whilst you look for somewhere. I know I haven’t been part of the site for long but I am concerned about you being cold and worried all winter with the current house and its problems. Was the agent able to advise on what you could expect it to sell for at auction? Just that if they can tell you that it would help you decide whether to reduce it with the EA. You have probably thought all that through already.

Franvern - still no news re exchange or has it happened but you are too busy to come on to the site? Hope it’s the latter.

Coffee and some packing for me!

Just passing through and thought I'd catch up with you all. It is a never ending process, but it will happen eventually.
Franbern just hold on in there, the same thing happened to us at the bottom of the chain and it turned out the buyer had paid the deposit but the solicitor was sitting on it.
MW I might have misunderstood, having not been around lately, but if you have to go into rented with your pets don't just look at properties which allow animals. We found a house we liked then approached the owner and surprisingly she allowed us 2 dogs and 3 cats, and that was in London!

Thursday morning and STILL waiting for Exchange. Was told yesterday afternoon, that the deposit (at bottom end of chain) has now been paid.....So, should all go through. Everyone is still confirming 29th as Completion date.
Although I am having packers come on Monday, I am trying to get personal items all put in boxes. As I will have a decorator in for the first 10 - 14 days, after I move in, none of the furniture,etc . can actually be put properly in place, so will not be able to unpack most things. So, taking case in car with some spare clothes, and all my meds. etc.
I do know it is going to to total chaos for that first couple of weeks, but at least I can then look forward to it coming towards an end.
Managed to get rubbish clearance men come yesterday, so I have now been able to sweep out the garage. Only things in it now are the few items being given to my kids.
I am still in hightened tension. Fortunately, daughter and g.daughter are coming round later this morning. When I am with someone, I definitely am calmer. Left a message at my solicitors this morning asking him to ring me IMMEDIATELY exchange is completed.
I will NEVER, EVER move again!!!!!
Mosaicwarts. Lying in bed this morning, I was thinking about this journey this year. I put the house on the market originally early April, and the people actually buying it are the FOURTH whose offers I accepted.
First all agreed, did mortgage application via my Estate Agents, did second visit - loved house even more second time........48 hours they withdrew their offer.
Second, was lady who had made same offer as those, but I had been advised to go with them as they were first time buyers and she had a large house to sell (under offer). She was so happy at having a second change........all well for about six weeks, then she lost her purchaser !!! EAgents advised me to put my house back on the market.....
Third purchaser -well that was the one that went nearly all the way, just before final details were being worked out and moving date, they suddenly pulled out.
So, I am with fourth purchasers, who have been the ones that offered the closest to my original asking price than any of the others.
So, do hang in there MW........you will get a proper offer eventually, and then......well, then is when the stress really sets in.
In the meantime, if I were you, I would really be looking at where you wish to move to and to what. Look ahead, we are all getting older. As I said earlier, even the flat I nearly bought four years ago, I am so glad I did not as would not really be the best for me now. Once you have this idea, see what the prices are and you might well be able then to reduce the cost of your present house.
My children all shouted at me when they saw how much I had the house on the market for. Not below market price but a very good value. I told them that I just wanted it sold and as long as I had enough from my 50% equity to make my move to a reasonable flat then that was all there was to it. They have all come round to seeing that I was right.
Will definitely let you all know when I get the news I am desperately waiting for. Exchange completed

Morning everyone. Just had feedback from Tuesday - but his mother wasn't with him. If my son showed me this house at her age, she's a lot older than us, I wouldn't be happy about the steps, so think it's a no . Apparently another viewer being lined up, they are trying to organise a date. Looking on the bright side, I have had two offers this year, even if they both came to nothing.

Just woken up, feeling awful this morning with a blocked nose. Poor dog is being so patient, must have my coffee fix!

Enjoy your retail therapy Whiff, I need to get some new winter boots, had them resoled but I can 'feel' stones through them.

Wishing you good news Franbern, it's such agony for you waiting.

Have a good day.

Whatever next! Never knew there was such a thing as a chimney sweeping certificate. You live and learn. Hope you aren't feeling down about your soot problem Mosaicwarts.

Franbern hope you have some good news today about your exchange.

Off into the city today for a bit of retail therapy. Hope you all have a good day.

Had to have it deleted, as usual, put in too much personal information! A certificate for sweeping the chimney now? I give up, where's the gin! x

oh, I forgot. I once had an e mail from my house insurer, she said that a chimney or flue has to be swept every year and we must have the certificate from a certified sweep. She said that if there was a fire, even if not caused by the unswept chimney, then the insurer would not pay out. I am going to schedule mine for every may, every year like the boiler. It was the same with my stove, one of the pieces of paper that the solicitor wanted

Oh I shouldn`t laugh mosaics but I did, the image of you with that soot coming down. Oh dear I bet it has settled everywhere. Well done, its good to have a try. You`ll need a chimney sweeping certificate when you sell, make sure to get it from the sweep

I am really worried about Franbern and exchange. How much more can a person take? All this uncertainty and not knowing, it is so wrong

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Just to say to take lamp shades with you and replace good bulbs with very cheap led bulbs and take the more expensive ones with you. Tonight for the first time, I realised how quickly the cheap leds in the house I bought, have deteriorated. It could well be lower national grid voltage but I have two pottery pendant lamp shades in my lounge and they looked dull. I bought them from JL for the last house and loved them there. Realised that the bulbs were different, so I replaced some of the cheapo leds with my (expensive) bio bulbs and what a huge difference. In case you are unaware, bio bulbs produce a light similar to daylight and help greatly with winter sad.

So I have been up a stepladder, always being safe. and mindful

Just popping in to see if you've heard anything Franbern?

Hope you are continuing to feel better SueH49, how scary for you.

Also to say thank you to all for your encouragement, after my sofa farce I am so nervous and anxious all the time I know that I am making bad decisions.

No feedback from EA about yesterday's viewing, I am fed up about it but it's obviously a no as I anticipated. The viewer is on the market too so knows what it's like, I think it's rude.

I was walking the dog in the next village today and decided to investigate the auction route - I popped in to the EA who are partners with an auction house, and if the house sold, I'd pay them £3,600. The downside is I'd have to move out in a month. I've had the most awful 'pet friendly rentals' sent through by the agents I registered with when I thought I'd sold, and would probably have to put my cat and dog into kennels whilst I search for somewhere suitable. December is the busiest auction month apparently but I'd have to have all viewings in November - dark early and normally wet, house isn't at its best in the winter. I think I might just come off the market on 30 November, spend the winter clearing everything I don't want, sort out what I have already packed, have a good think, and perhaps go to auction in the spring. I really do feel as though I'm up the swanny without a paddle, I am trying.

Off to eat some of these delicious oranges and watch Escape to the town of Totnes - one of my very good friends lives there, was Mayor too. No beach so not on my radar, but who knows!

Franbern any news in the exchange? I do hope that happens today. It's all so stressful. I don’t remember being quite so stressed during previous moves, but suppose I was a lot younger then.

Mosaic any news re yesterday’s viewers?

mosaics, I am going to watch the ayr programme later today. Ds moved to Glasgow and transport is so good that he has given up his car. He is very happy up there, strange but he has ancestors from that area and unconsciously went back to his roots. Definitely colder but very beautiful in Scotland

Franbern, my heart is still in my mouth, not forgetting that things seem to happen on a friday, that would be the 25th. Hang in there and carry on as though all will be well on the 29th. My buyers buyer, also first timers, they had a deposit problem, didn`t allow enough time to get the deposit transferred quickly enough. It stressed the whole chain but it worked out in the end. This is what I am hoping for you.

Craftyone
I agree entirely on the 'selling at a loss'
Piece of mind is worth everything.
This happened with one of our rental properties where we had the renters from hell. Just one example: we never saw another penny after the deposit!!!

I just wanted rid of it. The memories were too awful.

I know that that might seem a tad extreme but it was a beautiful flat, I would have lived there myself.

Franbern I hope you have good news about the exchange tomorrow. The last thing you need is more stress. Glad your boiler is working. It's to cold to be without it.

My lovely electrician came today and fixed my bathroom light firmly back onto the ceiling. Whoever put it up there in the first place didn't fix it properly. I was worried it would fall on me as I got out of the shower. He didn't charge me as it only took 5 mins.

Like Craftyone all my bills here are cheaper apart from council tax which is £24 more a month but I don't mind that as I get a free bus pass I can use on the local trains and ferry. Also my bungalow is so much warmer than my old house and haven't got to worry about getting snowed in this winter. Having my new kitchen fitted next week.

Hope your viewing went well Mosaicwarts.

Franbern, I feel for you, I really do. I hope the first time buyers get their deposit paid and everything can happen as planned. Keep us up to date, keeping everything crossed.

My viewing was at 2 pm but I had to leave earlier than planned as my daughter had to leave the theatre due a power cut - came back and I'd left my dog's food down in my rush to go out! My friend's husband is obviously still ill as his get well card and grapes are still in the hall, no idea who did the viewing. I'm so tired of it now, I might come off the market when I get the feedback later in the week.

Just watched Escape to the Town and Ayr looks quite nice, off to explore right move.

Bake off tonight, wonder who'll be star baker!

Franbern, my heart is in my mouth and my stomach is churning. These last minute shenanigans are so wrong. It has to work out

Franbern sorry you are having last minute hold ups with exchange - really hope it happens today for you. With the breathing try, instead of deep breathing, a long slow breath out as that is often more calming. You really could have done without the problem with the heating! I too have some very good and trusted repair/handyman people that I would like to take with me. Fingers crossed for today and I hope you can still keep next week’s completion date.

Total and complete stress!!! I am getting in such a state that I am worrying that it will cause me real health problems. We are all waiting for Exchange to take place. Was supposed to be yesterday, but still not happened yet today. Problem seems to be at the bottom of the chain - first time buyers - where their deposit has not yet been paid. We are all still hoping for completion next Tuesday 29th, but I am now wondering if this will actually happen then. Keep trying deep breathing exercises, but they are really not helping. All I want is that telephone call confirming Exchange is taking place.
I have been getting rid of lots of furniture on freecycle and via my local NextDoor site. Happy to give this all away, but yesterday also caused me real problems
One item was a double divan in an first floor bedroom. The couple who came took off the large mattress and put onto the landing whilst they took the base, etc down to their vehicle. All fine until later that afternoon when I wondered why I had no heating coming on, nor hot water. Looked at my boiler and it was completely dead, no light where there is always a light. I checked the fuse boxes but nothing had tripped. Total panic set in. How do you leave a house if the boiler has given up!!!! Panic, tearful phone call to the lovely man who does the annual maintenance on this heating system. This was just before 6 pm. He told me he was on another job, but would ring me and come over as soon as he finished.
Bless him, he rang me at 7.15 and arrived at 7.45. He did ask me if I had touched anything and I said NO, there is only me here. Whilst he was looking I went upstairs and happened to see a switch on the wall on the landing. This was where the mattress had been leaned. Never taken any notice of it, always thought it was for something defunct. Evidently, this is special trip switch for the boiler. Strange place to put it. As soon as he turned that on and then off again, the boiler lit up and fired up. He stayed for a whilst after that just to make sure that all the rads, etc were working. He lives a good ten miles from me, but when I asked how much, he said forty quid - and I gave him £50. Assuming this move goes ahead, do wish I could take him with me, but I think 170 miles might be a bit far for him. So that panic over,
Just this last panic about exchange of Contracts!!!!!

Sue, I hope you are now on the mend, you`re body certainly had a battering

A thought crossed my mind after reading whiff`s post. The property we sold in s wales at 20% less than we paid for it. I changed my thoughts to rent per year of living there, only 5 years but the rent would almost have covered the loss. It was a neighbour there who sold after us at 30% less, he was the one who settled our minds, He said` at our age, this money is not relevant, we cannot wait forever. It would be different if we were 20 years younger but we need to get on and get settled again, so we can enjoy what is left of our lives`

Money is just currency, a figure plucked from the air. An enabler to travel, to buy things, to pay our way. What if we don`t need so much? What if we are happy to potter locally? To eat simple nourishing foods? What bills do we need to pay? Council tax, energy, food, treats, very little maintenance if a new build and then nothing major for ten years. Perhaps some replacement white goods, some furnishings, car costs. Insurances. In the scheme of things not such a lot of money and the likes of dunelm softens the blow in a stylish way. My total energy costs are predicted to be <£500 a year, I am not stinting at all, house insurance is far cheaper too. Council tax band is cheaper

Perhaps a good way is to work out cost savings going forward, it is better than thinking about a paper loss

SueH49 sorry you had some problems whilst in hospital. But you where in the best place for them to happen. Hopefully you will recover well at home. My brother had a hip replacement 10yrs ago due to a bike accident. He said the worse part was doing the exercises. He cried doing them but persevered and made a full recovery. Fingers crossed for your sale.

Mosaicwarts hope all goes well for you today. Like Craftyone has suggested you have to think about other ways to sell. I think the main thing is how much you need to buy another home and set it up. I sold for less than I paid for the bungalow. I don't regret that decision as I love my home and feel like I have lived here for years. Is there someone you can talk to who would give you level headed advice. With out sentiment or emotion getting in the way.
Take care of yourself.

Franbern hope you are feeling better and all is going well for your move. Have you had a date for exchange yet?

Scaredykatt hope all is going well for your move as well.

Have a good day everyone.