Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

I am sure Spice that lots of companies are playing the "Covid delays" card to cover up their ineptitude.

Shandy the bikes are in the garage but it's impossible to get to anything in there without climbing over them. It's smaller than our old garage.

We have glass in the window and an apologetic email citing " delays beyond our control". Another company we won't use again...I have a long list!!!

When we bought our dining chairs and table they were marked for delivery this week. A few weeks ago we were notified there was a delay and they would be delivered on the 21/8. Yesterday another email arrived advising that our order would now arrive in the warehouse on 14/10. So, from an agreed 6 weeks wait to at least 16 weeks! I have emailed the company and told them that we will cancel the order and they can refund the cost. No answer from them yet and I suspect it will take a phone call or two to reach a satisfactory result.

Even more annoying is that the hall table ordered at the same time was in stock and they will not deliver that until the whole order is ready. The warehouse is about 10 minutes from where we live.

I'm normally fairly complacent about these things and just accept that it is the case and I have no choice but to wait. However, both of us have said in this case enough is enough.

Very pleased for you Pittcity, it's a worry with this odd weather and storms predicted, but I'm not as fearful now I have a solid roof - touch wood! Luckily sleeping on the sofa worrying the chimneys might come in is a distant memory.
So are your husband's bikes in the hallway until the shed is built? Happy times making your house your own, I've just received my F&B paint sample. I need to buy another roll of lining paper to do my 'swatch'. I agree with your comments about house prices rising, my friend's seller hinted at this when she said she was having difficulty finding anywhere. My friend has been waiting five months now, and isn't hopeful it's going to happen.

I've just popped in to say I now have a magnificent dog stroller in my lounge so my glass is 'half full' today! Luckily I'd left a note for the driver as it arrived when I was away at the vets. I won't buy anything again in this way as I spent a miserable day yesterday wondering if I'd been foolish. Life is so different when you live alone with time to think. I did find the seller on Facebook and she has photos of a very large and happy family, I doubt she gave me a second thought yesterday.

I just want to say this is a nice thread, I enjoy your posts.

Good news the window pane has arrived and will be fitted this afternoon. I had a good moan when the company had the cheek to ask for payment before the job was finished.

DH has accepted a quote for his shed and somebody is coming to quote for the other couple of small jobs left tomorrow.

Then it's just decorating and carpets....getting there.

My house hunting friend is viewing another couple of properties near me. We are both shocked at the asking prices. They have risen significantly since we bought 5 months ago. As she sold months ago she has lost out on the price rises.

Morning Franbern, I've got a memory about your graph paper, was it reluctantly given by one of your grandchildren Great idea, thanks, I will have to try harder at maths, numbers do befuddle me.

Just popping in to say I've received a text this morning about my purchase, 'sorry, I meant to text yesterday'. Apparently it is on its way, but I haven't been given any tracking details, I'm going to ask as I have a vet's appointment.

Have a good day everyone

Shandy graph paper is the ideal way when making tenplates. You can get a pad of these for little more than a pound. I have very carefully measured out my kitchen, on a graph sheet, and then cut out small pieces for such items as washing machine, oven, dishwasher, sink, etc. etc. I spend ages playing around with this.
Our block of flats ares side-on to a Main Road. Benefits are that there is a bus stop right outside, and opposite. Yes, we do get some traffice noise, but have quickly become quite used to that. At least, when I stand on my balcony I can see people around - which was great during lockdown periods over past 18 months. During the night traffic is very minimal, so even with my windows open all the time, has had no effect whatsoever on me. A further benefit is that this Main Road is lined its entire length with gorgeous cherry trees, as I am on the first floor, I look out, from my Living room, directly to their tree top greenery, and in the spring, the wonderful pink cherry blossom.

This is the first time I have ever lived on a main road, and I was a little concerned - but it has actually proved beneficial.

Sorry to read that neither viewing was good kissngate but wherever you buy must feel 'right' as it's hopefully the last ever move. Thinking about my childhood on the main road there were far less cars in the 60's, I can't imagine what it would be like now. More houses are coming onto the market here, I hope some new ones come on in your area for you to view.

Size can be a problem can't it. I've just bought some newspapers to make a 'sofa' template as my lounge isn't very large either, I don't want to go too big and end up sidling out of the room past it.

Feeling a bit meh tonight, I think I might have been 'scammed' on Gumtree. I paid £90 for something that was supposed to be sent today by Fedex - seller hasn't got in touch to tell me it's coming, and has ignored my email asking what is happening. Surprisingly Gumtree have emailed me to say they've 'nudged' her to reply. I am a pessimist, let's hope I'm pleasantly surprised tomorrow

House on main road has plenty of buses and plenty of cars, wagons, motor bikes etc. The property is stunning and the young couple who modernised it did a brilliant job. They are ready to move on to next project. Yday my OH was very keen however hes slept on it and thinks the road noise would be an issue. We viewed another today which was the opposite. Quiet sought after road not overlooked at back, good sized completely overgrown garden. However it was tiny you couldn't fit a double in second bedroom, the lounge wasn't big no room for sofa and two chairs, although a previous owner had added a conservatory off kitchen and serious money was needed to modernise. Unlikely to go for either.

Good luck kissngate, I am glad some more houses are coming onto the market for you to view. Is the one on the main road on a bus route? When I went to Exmouth and travelled around on the bus, there were lots of bungalows on the very busy main roads. Hopefully triple glazed?

I've just popped in to say I've finally found my teddy bear coat, it was in the chandelier box! So pleased I've found it, hopefully my camera will turn up sometime soon too.

We are starting to view property again and keeping probate house on back burner for time being. Viewed one on main road at weekend, beautiful modernised bungalow downside was the road. Viewing the opposite tomorrow totally unmodernised but in quiet road. Will see how it goes.

Morning all, like an autumn day here today.

Great to see you Spice101, sorry to read that Covid is still causing you problems there. It is frustrating, I desperately need a sofa but want to 'try' them before I buy. I dont feel comfortable travelling into the busy areas where the shops are yet so am still sitting on my 'planks'. Stay safe and well.

For the past week I've been trying to sell an Ikea unit on Fb for £20, and last night got a message - during my favourit programme! - asking if it was free. People are very cheeky, it's very obviously not. I'm going to keep it and paint it.

I hope everyone has good news on their sale/purchase this week, my poor friend is so frustrated trying to sell.

Spice so sorry to learn of all the problems you are having. Fortunately, even during our Lockdowns we were still able to have work done in our homes as 'Construction' was excluded from many of the rules and with windows open and the use of masks and lots of hand washing builders were able to come in and do their work. At present, any home improvement company is like gold dust - they are all inundated with work and if anyone is fortunate enough to get someone to quote, will probably have to wait for months to get the work done.

I am hoping that this will sort itself out over the next year. I am still hoping to be able to have a complete kitchen make-over - but not until sometime next summer.

There is little doubt that, whereas, strict lockdowns (as in Oz), will hold back the spread of the virus - the only long-term way of dealing with it is via the vaccines. UK in now trying to get all 16 years plus vaccinated before the new school year commences. Although infection rates seem high in UK, those vaccinated do get a far less intense illness.

G'Day to everyone from a wet, windy and cold Melbourne.
We have been in and out of lockdown for what seems ages and just as we were about to come out the lockdown was extended yet again. Now up to our 6th lockdown in Melbourne and even when out of strict lockdown are still living under restrictions which impact on daily life.

It has been really frustrating as it means workman cannot come in to do things. MrSpice is having a new --"man cave"--shed built which will mean that all the machinery and tools etc. now housed in the garage will move into that and his car able to be in the garage. However, the concrete slab which was to be poured today is on hold until we are out of lockdown by which time the concreter will have other commitments. So, who knows when it will be done.

I have had a bit of a field day buying online but as I'm still waiting for most of those purchases to arrive I'm not sure if that venture is successful. I'm very wary as I really like to see and feel a product rather than buy it from a photo. However, I'm waiting on a couple of bed frames for the spare bedroom. Still waiting for our dining table and chairs plus a hall table to be delivered. Was supposed to be here last week but has been delayed for a few weeks.

Since moving I have wondered if we did the right thing buying this house but seeing what is going on at the moment with the housing market I have come to the conclusion that we would have been in quite a pickle if we were still looking. There are still very few properties coming on to the market and the prices of those that are is crazy. Way above what we paid for far less property.

I do hope that those of you in the process of buying or selling make real progress very soon.

Take care everyone

The shed is for bikes mainly, DH has at least 3. The lawnmower and a few boxes of garden bits and bobs will live in there too. The garden bits are in the bin storage at present and the bins are outside.
Most of our tools already have places in the garage, but they are difficult to get at without climbing over bikes!!!

hang. I wish we could edit, my fault for not previewing.

Oh no so sorry Pittcity, I won't ever mention the weather again! My friend's daughter is getting married today and it's raining here too. I hope your builder can get the window glass quickly.

I miss my bespoke garden shed, the shed here is very flimsy but serving purpose for the moment. We paid a lot for ours to be built to our specified size, it was really well made. Is the shed just for your husband's use? I recommend a 'peg wall' where you hand and draw around tools so you know where they 'live'.

I'm waiting for my 'Two Fussy Blokes' painting rollers to arrive, and will be painting the beige vinyl kitchen cupboards in a beautiful blue called Mermaid for a Day.

I'm also very excited to receive my new dog stroller - my dog is becoming increasingly immobile, and I've got a fantastic one coming from Gumtree.

Have a good weekend everyone

Shandy your mention of better weather put the kybosh on it and it's turned very wet here. The builder (singular) is pressing on regardless. Yesterday he replaced all the gutters in the wind and rain and this morning he is removing a window and door. He was contracted, at the last minute, by the company we are paying. They dropped of his materials but have left out 2 key components. He's been to buy plasterboard but one window pane is missing. We'll have to live with a boarded up kitchen window.....for how long is anyone's guess!!!

DH is getting a quote for a bespoke garden shed today as he says the ready made ones are too expensive????

Still waiting for calls from several people re a few small jobs. The end of the list is in sight if we could only get the help.

Morning all, woke up to rain battering the windows this morning, weather changed yesterday, the sea was really rough last night. The RNLI have been out to three near drowning incidents on my beach this week, all happy endings luckily. I was sorry to see there were people in the estuary again last night, so dangerous. The estuary moved during the bad storms in April and people aren't walking over to the sea which is further over, bigger bolder signs are needed to warn of the danger.

Good news Pittcity, I am glad your work can happen during the better weather, I hope it all goes well. Hopefully I will see the roofer next week and the cement pieces can be taken out of the flashings and the ridge tiles repaired properly.

My friend sold in April and found somewhere, but lost her buyer because her chain was, and still is, incomplete. Apparently the seller is 'looking' but still hasn't found anywhere, my friend thinks it is all going to fall through too.
She has had to go back onto the market and people are giving her ridiculous feedback, it's so stressful, she has now been trying to move since 2019. I told my agent I didn't want to hear it, only offers, the repetitive feedback of 'too much work' used to depress me further.

Have a good day everyone

Good news here. Our postponed work will be starting this afternoon and continuing tomorrow. I don't know how working folk are supposed to cope with tradesmen chopping and changing.

We still have several small jobs that DH thinks he can tackle but I know he can't. I've left so many messages and had no return calls. I'll ask today's crew if they can help but won't hold my breath.
It would be easier to find a genie in a lamp than an available workman.

I'm so glad we moved earlier this year as there is now nothing new going on the market here. A friend sold in May and has had a purchase fall through. She can't find anything else because there is no choice, we had a lot to choose from.

Franbern - we aren't living in our own house as we sold last year so staying put is unfortunately no longer an option. Execs solicitors not responding at all to ours and that includes answering questions on the property. No date on horizon for moving in. Theres more to it but basically they offered an empty probated property for sale when they shouldn't.

kissngate so sorry to hear of yet a further delay for you. I do know that feeling, of being kicked in the guts. Can the Solicitors give you ANY time by which they hope for completion now?? I know that at times like this, there is a feeling of just not going to bother to go ahead, but to stay where you are.

This happened to me the first time I put my house on the market, back in 2015. Offer accepted early June, new purchasers desperate to move in as living with in-laws and baby number 3 expected imminently. Thought it would be all over and dusted within three months maximum and geared myself up, psychological for that move.

Then it just went on and on ......not even the mortgage survey carried out until October, then nothing. By Christmas I was close to a breakdown and was really unwell. In the January, I just pulled the plug and decided to stay put. Took me nearly two years before I felt up to starting the whole process again.

why oh why is selling property (our own homes type property), so dreadfully difficult and expensive in England?

I really do feel for you and hope you come to the best decision for yourself.

No Shandy they aren't we have already put that to them. In fact I would say the opposite they want more money due to rising prices.

So very sorry kissngate, I wish there was something I could do to help you. Are the executors willing to accept a lower price as you will have to pay full Stamp Duty?

Not going into much detail but it isn't our fault or our solicitors,
informed today sale not happening by 30 September to say we are upset is an understatement. Not sure what we are going to do.

Sorry you are suffering too Pittcity. I've starting putting Vic under my nose when I go to bed so I can breathe in the night, my nose is so blocked up, ghastly. I must be snoring horribly. There are fields of gone over rape to the side of me, I feel like it's been months too. Lip is so sore I don't know what to do with myself.