House sale - what would you do?

Very good news Luckygirl. Hope all now goes smoothly, you deserve a break. New house sounds ideal.

Here is an update. I have a new buyer for the bungalow who is very keen and seems as secure as one might hope - but as I know things can all go horribly wrong!

I have been to see the alternative new build and it is lovely - ideal for my needs with wonderful views, that are almost the same as the view we had from the cottage that we lived in for decades before we had to make the move to the bungalow. It is a view that has my heart.

It is possible that, because the whole group of houses might not be complete before March 31st (when my buyer here wants to be in to save the stamp duty), I could move in and rent the new place whilst awaiting completion. I would get stung for stamp duty, but not as much as I might as this new place is cheaper. The builder is going to make sure that mine is finished first. Swings and roundabouts.

Fingers crossed - surely it will all go right this time - please!

Good luck Luckygirl.

Good luck with the second viewing today Luckygirl, hope they are proceedable.

Luckygirl thinking of you today, you are due quite a lot of good luck!

I really would go ahead with your cash buyer and keep today's viewings as well. They can be told that someone else has made an offer and after these viewings, if others are keen, you can decide who is the best buyer.
Generally vendors won't accept an offer if you haven't sold so getting your house sold seems to be the priority. If there are short term holiday lets in your area it will be easy to rent short term if necessary.

Luckygirl hope all goes well with the viewings today.

You never know luckygirl the 'second choice' house may work out for the best, sometimes these things do. Good luck for Saturday, it really does your head in though doesn't it!

Fingers crossed lucky girl that everything works out fine for you ?

I think you're right Luckygirl to keep all options open for a bit. Good luck for Saturday, hope the weather is kind.

Luckygirl rant away. I have done enough for that especially when buyers pulled out. And my eventual buyers solicitor was being a nightmare. Hope everything works out you deserve some good news you have been through the mill. ???

Lucky girl I feel your pain we accepted a cash offer full asking end of September 9weeks later just before exchange of contracts he dropped out .Ea had seen proof he had the cash he basically thought if he dropped out then came back offering 26k less we would sell ! So we have waited but have now engaged a Ea who is more local see what they can do .So far our seller is waiting for us .Good luck i would accept offer but until finances check out allow other viewings we will this time

Thank you all for your advice and kind messages. I will see what Saturday brings - assuming the roads are not iced up!

That sounds a step forward lucky. Thanks for the update. Go gently.

I’d sell and rent somewhere until the property you want is ready.

We had two potential buyers one in a chain and one first time buyer who offered slightly less. We chose them as we thought it would be less risky!
At 26 years of age and first time buyer she was the buyer from HELL!!!
It’s an awful business selling houses in England there’s no easy answer I’m afraid-it’s desperate for an overhaul the whole process.
So sorry i can’t be more positive for you??

When we sold our house to move area and downsize we were classed as cash buyers because we didn't need a mortgage. But until our house sold we didn't have enough cash to buy outright.

Sorry to hear that the house you originally wanted has gone, but I would seriously consider going down the rental route and if the builder lets you rent the house that you may want to buy then it’s a win, win.
My fingers are crossed for you! Let’s hope it all happens soon.

Latest development: the builder is going to prioritise the house that I am interested in to get it finished first, and if I am unable to complete by the time my buyers wish to be in, he will rent it to me while the legal stuff is going on.

But if my buyer (who is prepared to wait till March) can complete on here by then, I see no reason why my sale should not also be complete in time if I decide to go for it.

I am going to look in detail at the proposed property on Saturday - it will I know be beautifully finished, as this builder is well known for this, and it has
exceptionally fabulous views. But I need to look at all the other factors that need to be taken into consideration, particularly as it is down a small hill - not steep - less steep than here really - but I had hoped to have the original house where my limp etc. would not have been a problem as it is on the flat. The big factor for me is being back with my friends and part of a community.

Thank you for patiently listening to my rantings - my head is in a bit of a spin.

lucky if you know you would like the house the builder will have ready in April and it’s in the right place why not accept the cash offer and rent for a short while. You’ll have certainty then. Storing your furniture may seem daunting but the company you choose will advise and manage it for you. It does sound as if you need something definite, the not knowing seems to be getting unsupportable.

Luckygirl I would sell and rent. At least you will have the money in the bank. And it will give you a breathing space. Not what you really want. But you have been let down 4-5 times if I remember correctly. At least you would have sold. And that's what you really need for piece of mind.

Sell now and rent.
When purchasing cash is king and as you know speed is important!

Could your estate agent help you/ advise you. It might be that he/she knows of a place you could rent for 6 months or so. If it’s just you it wouldn’t be so bad and it would give you that extra time to have a good look around and you would be all ready to go....
A holiday cottage sounds like a good idea as most owners would be happy to let for a short period. I would stick with the cash buyer.

Luckygirl, what a nightmare you are having. Sell the house you will have money in the bank and something may well turn up just where you want. Bird in the hand and all that. The very best of luck.

It's so much easier to just sell, rent and then buy.

It seems far too difficult to coordinate the buying and selling. Too much stress all at once.

Rent a garage for the furniture (or a place with a garage).

You then have the great advantage of being a cash buyer for a new place. You can jump on an opportunity, get a bargain - and avoid being let down.

Last time we moved, the house we really wanted was quickly sold. We put a note through the door, with our contact details, just in case the sale fell through.

For some reason, the 'buyer' went abroad and couldn't be contacted. The seller lost patience and sold to us - at a discount - as he'd moved and had an expensive bridging loan.

He had no estate agent fees to pay, though - as we hadn't used them - so everyone was happy.