Help calm me, house buying and selling stress part 2

I am glad you came back to us, chewbacca hopefully that will be the end of it. It beggars belief how unscrupulous some sellers are, they must have known but hid it all. Sazzl, lovely pups and a full house for christmas. Mosaics, I am hoping that you are on the first stage to seeing some progress today, we all have fingers crossed for you

Chewbacca wonderful to hear from you. Sorry you have had a stressful time with things breaking down and needing a lot of work done on your new home. But at least now they are done they won't need doing again. I know it's may since a odd way of looking at it. But it's better to find out now rather than in years to come when you are older . Like you I have spent at lot of money on my new home since moving. Luckily the surveyor I used had flagged up things that needed doing. Which I have had done. Whilst having my new kitchen done when the plastic ceiling was taken down found the original ceiling was in an awful state had to have a new ceiling. All ready planned what I want doing next year and then it will all be done. Only maintaining things over the coming years.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and look forward to enjoying a stress free time in your new home in 2020.

Hi, Franbern asked how some of us, who finally made out house moves, have fared in the intervening months. For me, it's been 6 months since I left my cottage and moved to a 1970s semi to be nearer my DS and his family. It has not been an easy or stress free 6 months, to say the least! Despite having had a full buyers survey completed before I bought the house, pretty much everything failed/broke down/fell apart within weeks of moving in and I'm approximately £25,000 poorer having had to replace boiler, electrics, plastering, patio doors, radiators, kitchen and bathroom. The previous owners was apparently an enthusiastic, but inept, DIY man. I've had gas leaks, floods, radiators fall off walls and walls so badly damaged by his DIY skills that there was insufficient wall left to hang new kitchen cupboards on. The stress and upset of it all affected my health and bank balance in equal measure.

I really don't know if any of the faults could have been avoided because none of them would be flagged up on a survey and none of them were apparent obviously on any of the viewings I did before I bought it; it was just sheer bad luck.

The house is almost finished (some decorating still to do) and I'm feeling slightly more settled and able to relax a little without wondering when the next flood/leak/window falling out will happen.

So sorry to hear your buyer has dropped out Mosaic but onwards and upwards and good luck in the auction. I think property like yours will sell well at auction as it's a one off unique house.
Here it's been chaotic with the 7 puppies and OH trying to level the garden. We counted 17 levels in a small garden here. It's all paved with square patio stones and little walls/steps everywhere. We're aiming for 3 levels. Funny what other people see as attractive really.
Puppies are doing well they are nearly 3 weeks old now. Christmas chaos starts tomorrow with DD and DGD age 5 arriving for Xmas with 2 guinea pigs, and then on 23rd DS is coming until 3rd January. So 7 puppies, 2 dogs, 4 adults, 1 child and 2 guinea pigs will be here! OH is also building fitted wardrobes in one of the spare bedrooms so DS will be a help.
All the best to everyone xx

All good wishes from me too mosaicwarts. I bet we all wish we could rush round with mugs of hot chocolate and cakes for you. You could do with some spoiling.

Well Done Mw - the report should not cost a great deal - it is any work that is required that costs!!!
Do hope your aunt improves quickly - just an added worry for you.

Hello everyone, after many phone calls I've finally found my aunt, she is in A&E still in resus. Apparently she was treated immediately upon arrival but pneumonia is suspected, she's going to be transferred to the Medical Assessment Ward when a bed becomes available. I think I've told you she has two friends who are her POA - the neighbour is going away tomorrow for the whole weekend, but the other one is going to visit. What a shock, I will keep in touch daily as you recommend Franbern.

EA rang about the report and I've organised and paid for it, first available date is 8 January. My daughter disagreed with me paying for it, but if the sale does fall through, at least I can make it available to auction viewers. Not sure if I've been manipulated, I thought it showed good will.

Have a nice evening all, I feel a bit shell shocked at my aunt's sudden illness, thanks for the good wishes for the viewing tomorrow

Sepsis (blood poisening/Septecemia) unfortunately is a common problem with older people. If caught nice and early can usually be treated with ab's. Do hope your aunty will be fine, and back in her own home for Christmas. Little you can do at such a distance (am I correct in remembering that she lives in the IoW?). Send her a lovely card, phone her each day, so she knows you are thinking of her, and when she gets home, perhaps some lovely flowers.
Mw - do let us all know how the viewing goes tomorrow, there are so many of us here who are really concerned for yo

Oh I don't believe it! Your aunt has sepsis. Can you possibly spend some of the enforced "holiday" with her?

Good luck with the "interview" re the rental flat.
We let out the granny flat in our house and have had to "vet" prospective tenants over the years and even then we have had some tricky ones: the one who stopped paying his rent. The one who played his guitar whilst he tapped thumped his feet at 3 am. The lovely lady who fed the squirrels but attracted mice. You'll be fine mosaics

we did the rental thing once, took a 6 month let and we were very careful to put nothing on the walls, didn`t want to have to make good and anyway it is only temporary and to give some breathing space. We never wanted to turn it into a home, our home was going to be in the property we bought. It was like camping but far more comfortable

Craftyone - Council tax is payable on empty properties. Indeed, if a property is empty for more than two years, Council Tax actually doubles! Some authorities will give a percentage reduction if there is a good reason for the property being empty - so Mw - you will need to contact that department to ask if you could have such discount.
What sort of large items of furniture are you thinking of moving to your rental property? - to my mind, this move should be a good stage for downsizing and getting rid of old heavy furniture.
I wonder how many people are actually looking round these rentals - you could well be the only one interested. Check on how it is heated, and whether or not you are permitted to put on walls any pictures etc. My daughter and SiL had to rent a town house when they first came from Northern Ireland with their two daughters - and lived there for six months, hating it - as they could not turn it into their home. No pictures on the walls, etc. AND they used one bedroom for storage of boxes - and the landlord raised an objection to that. He actually came round each month to check on what they were doing in the property.
They were so happy when they could stop paying him a very large amount each month and move into their own new house.

yes, stay positive mosaics and it is very positive and forward thinking re the storage. At the other end, when you buy,you should be able to prepare and move in your own time. So far so good and I hope the owner shows you around tomorrow. Her house will be in good hands with you

I've just managed to get my elderly aunt on the phone - the doctor is waiting with her for the ambulance, she has sepsis. I do wish I was nearer

Thanks everyone. I've just phoned the EA renting the property, I asked if she'd got my messages and she said she 'had a lot of messages'. When I used to teach 'secretarial skills' all those thousands of years ago, we trained people to put the time on messages so they were dealt with in chronological order! I didn't say this to her but feel quite annoyed. I have managed to arrange a viewing for 9.15 am tomorrow. Apparently they have to show everyone around that is interested, then the owner chooses the 'most suitable'. Let's hope it's someone I've given biscuits to on the bus!

Unfortunately rents around here are high, and this is large, but I was weighing up the rental against the £60 a week storage costs as I can fit everything in here - and it has a garage. I haven't heard from any 'damp or timber' specialists yet, so must assume the buyer definitely has withdrawn.

My EA is out at a meeting all day, and off tomorrow - their last day of work is Monday 23rd, back in on 28th for a short day. I am on a three week withdrawal from them, so have definitely missed January's auction. I can't really believe it's come to this.

You seem to be more focussed mosaics, thinking about numbers. You CAN do it, you have gone through much worse. Main one is to read the EA contract and you will need to have that leaving date as your base date. So it could be february auction but meantime you have two months to transfer belongings to the rental, which I hope is unfurnished. Two months is better than being squashed into a few weeks, that is the upside

A large rental is no bad thing, more space for storage. Yes council tax is a bummer but like others said, I don`t think you will need to pay on both as you will not be living in one. Time to start keeping a diary of actual dates, for the utilities, council tax etc

Try and find an upside to every decision you make from now

Could you not rent a tiny dog friendly holiday cottage somewhere on a monthly basis mw? There are a lot available at this time of year for a cheaper price and maybe you could even try a month or two away in a different part of the country just to give you a change of scenery and a new perspective? Instead of ploughing money into your existing house, give yourself a break and a rest.

Not sure why you are looking at a large rental property. Surely, if you decide to go along this route, it will very much be a temporary solution, and it would be best to keep it as economic as possible.
Yes, you will need to continue to pay Council Tax on the house if you move out and leave it empty - but you can apply for a discount.
Most EA's tie you into a 13 week sole seller contract. As soon as that comes to an end, then you can do as you wish with regard to disposing of the property. So, assuming you entered into that contract about the end of September, it means that come the New Year they cannot charge you for whatever you decide to do.
You need to get it to auction as quickly as possible, an empty property tends to deteriorate much quicker than one that is occupied. Why do you think you will not make the January auction.
You will also need to set a definite, but realistic amount which will be the rock bottom you will be prepared to accept. And take into account that 3% plus 20% Vat off that amount.
Assume you will be looking at something like a six month rental contract - so the cost of that will also need to be taken into account. Removal costs for larger items, also.
Mw - you really do need to very carefully do all your sums - to ensure that at the end - house auctioned and sold, rental completed, you will have enough money to purchase something suitable.
Do hope it all works out well for you.

Mosaicwarts I am almost sure you won't have to pay council tax on your home as you won't be living in it. I didn't have to pay any on my mom's house when she lived with me. Just insurance, gas and electric. Don't think I had to pay water bill either. But check with your suppliers. Also don't forget to tell your insurance company that the house will be empty.

Hope all goes well for you from now on with the rental and auction. You need some peace of mind. Sending you a hug.

Thank you for all your kind words.

I woke up in the night with anxiety last night at the amount of work I have to do - if the house is to be gutted, I won't be leaving anything I could possibly sell.

I'm also anxious about the thought of paying two lots of council tax each month, as the rental is large I think it might also be D. I need to look at the house insurance costs too. I rented flats as a youngster, but it was always very informal in those days. I also need to look at my contract with the EA and see how long the period is after leaving them - I think I'm going to miss the January auction.

I rang at 9 am as the young lady recommended - the letting agent isn't in until 10 am, I've had to leave a message. I realise I do still need to be near my husband in the cemetery, it is an invisible tie.

I agree. Don't prolong the agony (at least it sounds agony to me) let it go and move on. Get your breath back and prepare for a new 'normal'. ?

I agree with Craftyone. An auction can't be worse than what you've had to endure. Also a time in rental will give you a better chance to practice a normal lifestyle. Not having to prepare for viewing or workmen every day. It will be like a holiday.

what I am seeing is prolonged agony. This buyer is not going to buy, he is using whatever excuse, he has not sent people around for quotes. I would not spend a penny more on the property. Your last statements mosaics were the best, for you, to get that rental tomorrow and prep for auction. You need closure

MW - is it worth you getting a damp/timber report yourself so you can show it to any prospective buyer and it can be included in the pack given out to interested parties by the auctioneer.

MW I am so sorry to hear your news. I hope you are able to have a quiet evening and possibly a stiff drink to fortify you!

Oh Mw = the agony continues.
Have you ever had such a report on your wooden flooring?
Many, many decades ago I used to work for such a company - it should not take long for a rep to do the necessary checks in your house, and then a report can be issued. If there is no evidence of any sort of wet (or far worse, dry) rot, then perhaps the mortgage company may be happy to proceed.
3% plus VAT sounds an awful lot - double that charged by estate agents. Still, I suppose that it is a far quicker way to sell a property, and the agreement is virtually immediate.
Hope you manage to arrange the viewing on the rental property and it is suitable.