Help calm me. House buying and selling stress. Part 6

There is a house boom happening, I remember us buying quickly just for somewhere to live, it was a semi in wigston magna, quite new and around 1979. It was easy living there, nice house, nice garden. We went there after selling our first house, brand new detached, same area, large garden but we had overstretched ourselves, could not afford carpets. The semi was better. Our house took 2 days and it was sold, then we had higher offers and being moral, we refused them. The market moved like lightening then, a shortage of houses. I think that is when gazumping became a word. That was a house boom

Seanain I have tried to send you a reply to your private message twice don't think either went through but I will try again later.

When we married our buy was a Victorian end of terrace house. We had little money to spend on it, and I hated it by the time we left some seven years later. Back in the 60's no central htg, no double glazing, it was freezing in the winter, we had to put in an indoor loo. I know those houses now go at absolutely stupid money, (all done up and modernised) probably in the region of three quarters of million pounds!!!

So we then went to a new build terrace - I loved it there, lovely nieghbours, all of us new together, bright and clean. it did hav paper thin walls (to get some extra cash I got a Saturday job in Sainsburys - and one week when I did not go in my neighbour called round to see if I was okay - as she had NOT heard my bath running that morning!!).

Left there as our family increased and we needed space. Edwardian semi that time. In many ways this was nice and we turned it from four to five bedrooms. With a lot of money, could have done a lot with it. Was good for bringing up large family - BUT always needed something to be done.

My downsizing was to a traditional 1930's terrace house, and did have money then to do all the alterations I wished. Good solid home, quite roomy without being too much. Thought it would be my for-ever home, but I am now much better off in my 1980's flat. Did discover than newish and new buil flats all seem to have the kitchen area as part of the Living room - also, room definitely much smaller. Great thing with this 1980's build is how roomy it is - wide hallway, large living room, separate kitchen,en-suite, etc. etc. Also solid weston stone build.

If you are a builder and young, then YES, go for the Victorian and Edwardian properties (or else have loads and loads of money). I do not even see those that sort of thatch cottage as romantic - just somewhere inconvenient and needing on-going money. Fine for a holiday let -but NOT to live in.

Morning all, 20 July, summer is passing quickly. I was woken up by the sun this morning, not my ugly alarm. When I came down I had a wood pecker on the fat balls outside the kitchen

Dentist at 9 am so have to walk my dog first, I'm not great first thing. Can't use the toilet at the dentist so coffees limited!

I promise I am looking at more modern bungalows/houses and now flats, I couldn't bear to have the maintenance issues I faced before, plus I don't have the money. I had to spend so much before Christmas, it scared me, I'm sure the boiler would need replacing this winter, I had been told the 'baffles' needed replacing. The beautiful thatch just came up in the search. I drove past the station yesterday, no-one has been there for a week, and it's looking very sad as the grass is now overgrown. The owner has put a 'hive' in the porch. Tempted to stick my tongue out ;)

Right, better get dressed and walk my dog, enjoy your day

I think an older house can be a good buy if it has been thoroughly modernised. My 30s house is in good condition though couldn't afford to do everything to my previous large Edwardian house. Saying that, I wouldn't consider a thatched cottage or other listed building, my house is a very standard 30s semi.

It seems to me that Shandy is really romantic. I can see why she bought the station, and what a money pit that was.
Let's hope she finds somewhere that's easy to manage but still has some magic.

Definitely no to thatch, can be a fire risk. On one hand I envy your freedom, Shandy but be realistic!

phew, such a lot of chat, just shows that life goes on, no matter what. Take the wasps for example, busy busy increasing their family. Are we all like ants on the earth, hurrying and scurrying in our own worlds but all part of the human population? Each of our `bubbles` is so tremendously important but a bubble it is and we are confined by money, family, health and age

Shandy I think you are looking for perfection, there is no perfection but you can be sensible about location. Get back to basics, transport, shops, buses. Get back to ease and comfort and money efficiency. Part two rules out an older property, a money pit. I had a survey done on a 30s house, someone kind and sensible gently told me about problems, the ceilings, single brick garage, asbestos roof, lead water piping. That survey cost me over a thousand and was the best use of money. Sadly, I need not have spent it if I had come straight here,

IN my post early this morning - the first sentence should have been that is one YEAR ago, this week, etc. etc.....

Steer clear of thatch Shandy. Expensive to re thatch and a potential fire hazard.

Shandy, just wanted to re-inforce what Whiff and others are saying to you. Stop looking at old, falling down pits of houses, and concentrate on finding a really nice , easy to run, etc bungalow in an area you can settle (not the IoW). Do remember that what you can afford to pay should be considerably less than what you have now from the sale.

All of us have commented how much that first year in a new property eats into savings, just getting any new place, no how wonderful, into your own home.

I have returned from a very pleasant couple of hours at the local Cadbury's Garden Centre. Do not go there to look at plants, but there extremely large indoor shops. Their large restaurant is now open (table service only, of course). I treated us to 'lunch' (just me and my daughter) but as it was before midday we had breakfasts - just as good. Sat at one of our outside tables, which are under cover.

On the way home a friend from Loughton phoned to say she would like to take advantage of my daughters offer to drive up and collect her and bring her down her for a couple of days. As we were in my car (on bluetooth), it was easy for my daughter to take over the confirmation and make appropriate arrangements for the week after next.

Going to be busy that week, One day down in Devon visiting my eldest daughter on holiday there, then my friend coming for a couple of days, I will go back with her when my daughter drives her back home - then my youngest daughter and her two little girls coming to visit for a couple of days. Think we will a need a rest after that.

Shandy57 stop looking at listed buildings. You need somewhere which is easy to look after. Gas central heating and double glazing. You had a listed building and look how that made your life very difficult and expensive. Be sensible. I'm only saying it for your own good. Just wish you had a good friend close by who could help you.

Thanks friends. My aunt on the IOW said an odd thing, 'I don't want you on my doorstep' - ? I felt a bit offended. I can't live on the IOW, I just can't do it, cheap or not I would feel too trapped.

This is the house that I would buy if I was a money bags So many beautiful Listed buildings for sale, everyone seems to be trying to sell their money pits.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72557731.html

Loopylo, definitely wasps, not honey bees? I have to phone the council about mine, two nests under the gutters. I do feel sorry for them, where is left for them to nest in the wild.

My bow.

Just added another string to me now. Dog rescuer. I was putting in some plants in the front garden and my neighbours little dog from 2 doors away came to me. She is never out on her own. So took her home. They didn't know she had got out.

Someone has to live on the IoW, but not you Shandy!

Shandy57 please come down to earth. Why look at the Isle of Wight? I know you want to go south but think you are going to shocked not just with property prices but by what your money will stretch to. Remember it's not just buying your new home but all the extra expenses also money to do what you want to do to it. Please take into account everyday expenses council tax etc. I know I and others have said the same thing. But many times you have said to you have to be careful with money. I'm not being critical. But I worry you have your heart set on something that you can't afford and will only get upset . I hope I am wrong and you do get what you want.

A good Sunday....

I really don't IOW is a good idea as it's cut off because of the ferry and it makes it more difficult for your children to visit.

I have found a wasps nest in the trunk of the silver birch. What should I do about it? Masses of them flying around.

Looking after my DD dog today as she is on nights and being a Jack Russell barks at everything.

Have a good Sunset.

Morning all, very hot today! Dog is panting away.

Great news for your GD Franbern, I hope her second year is less fraught, A levels are very hard. I remember helping my daughter revise with her 'cards' on biology, was all gobblydegook to me. I do feel for children during this crisis, I missed a lot of school as a small child because of my 'squint' and never really caught up (I had to have a corrective eye operation - nearly lost my eye, it was grim in 1962 at Moorfields).

Glad you are nearly straight Whiff, marvellous you can just sit back and relax.

Ellianne I can hardly believe I've been on here for a year, I don't know what I've had done without the site. I seem to be more and more isolated here, somehow this fourth year is the worst. I still dither about staying, then bump into someone from the past, and again determine to move away. Good luck to your daughter, we are all waiting for the good news.

I looked at the Isle of Wight yesterday for the first time, it is cheapish because of the need to pay for the ferry to the mainland. Realistically I'm not going to be able to go off gadding around the world regularly, the airport is only at Southampton, I could always go over and stay the night before if it was an early flight. I rang my aunt and asked about areas I should consider, she recommended Bembridge. Being cut off by bad weather when the ferries can't operate does bother me, but do I really have to be anywhere?

Sunday again. I do miss family life and the routine of making a big lunch.

Enjoy your day whatever you are doing

Ellianne, was thinking last night - that a week ago this week, was when my nearly to completion sale so suddenly fell through, ANd I was starting to become quite ill with what turned out to be a non-malignant growth in my bladder. Thought at the time, I would have to delay whole thing for another year.

PHEW!! So pleased I did not - who would have thought then what 2020 was going to be like. Thanks to my lovely Estate Agent, who found a replacement purchaser for my house in four days *(at a higher price), and my re-think about a float I had seen months earlier (now decreased in price), and the excellent NHS service I received back then - Means I am now so happily settled here.

Really strange when you think about about it.

Do hope well goes well for your daughter.

I envy Whiff having all her curtains sorted out. Spoke to my curtain lady yesterday, and she confirms that she is about to start making mine mid-week and should be ready about 7-10 days later. I am very impatient about these, no reason, just so looking forward to getting them in place.

Bless him Franbern. Of course, he wants to see all his friends and get on with his learning. Congratulations to your GD and her excellent results.
Glad you have nearly got everything straight now Whiff. It will have been worth all the upheaval. I will be following your lead in September/October once the family is settled here.
A year ago many of us were at that final hurdle of exchange and completion. I can't believe I'm on the same merrygoround again with our DD. It's just as nail biting. It would be funny if she got her house the same day as we did, August 9th although we didn't move in until 11th due to the removals.
Your calm me thread lives on and on craftyone! Good luck to all the others in the process!

just popped in to make you smile. My ten year old g.son was asked by his Dad what he particularly wanted to do during the Summer Holidays and his reply...........'Go To School'!!!!

Franbern good news for both your daughter and granddaughter. You must be very proud how they have coped with everything.

Just back from a very pleasant couple of hours trundling along the Promenade. Lots of traffic, petty busy, but by no means manic and everybody being very polite. All the shops and stalls on the front are open, but could not see any rubbish anywhere.

Seems an age ago that I was able just to trundle across the main roads without a thought for traffic. I had to stop for a time to take a phone call from my eldest daughter, just a chat. She has finally received a date during first week of August for a liver scan that GP told her she needed a month ago. She will be able to return to her office for, at least a couple of days each week, as from 3rd August, which has made her very happy .

She also gave me some excellent news about her daughter in first year of A Levels. Her projections are excellent, 2 x A and 1 x B, which will get her a place on the best of Uni courses that she wishes to attend. She is a funny kid, very self-deprecating - so talking to her I can get the feeling that nothing is going well. Hard for them having this last term just doing home learning - but she seems to have coped very well. Has made me so happy, I have to admit being very selfish about everything,

Shandy, glad you have arranged to look at Kent. Should think it would meet so many of your requirements - much warmer than where you are, easy by rail and road to London, some sandy beaches, and prices not too high. I assume you have decided not to look along the East part of the south Coast around the Hastings area now.

Will be interesting to learn how you get on with your visits.

We decided to delay the visit to the Garden Centre until tomorrow.

The spare bed is put together mattress on my new mattress in there as well to air out. All the furniture back in . Just need to sort everything out between the bedrooms. It's the first time since moving I have all usual able rooms. Not bad I haven't been here a year yet. 9th August it was mine and collect ed the keys on the 10th. My bench from Wayfair arrived today. That's a job for a dry day.

Enjoy your zoom chat Craftyone. Glad you got your train booked Shandy57.