Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

Evening all! Builders have gone for the day, gutters are up. As there wasn't a big enough slope on the roof before it was always noisy when it rained, I'm looking forward to less noise!

Glad you had a fun day karmalady and finally have a date. I'm reading a book at the moment and one of the characters reminds me of you, in the nicest possible way! Have a look, it's 'The End of the Ocean' by Maja Lunde. Guess who I think you are like!

Wow karmalady! You have have had a good day!

I hope everyone is hunky dory, that everything is going smoothly, in life as well as at home. I was thinking back, how life can be so smooth and fine and then all of a sudden we sink, when things go wrong. Then we pull ourselves up by our boot straps and continue on our journey through life. It is nice to be with optimistic people, even virtual

I suppose best we can do is to prep as far as we can. The savings safety net, the meds for when we are laid low, the basic food storecupboard, hobbies to occupy time.

I find it does help to have aims in life, main for me right now is to get straight and sorted again, mini aims are to carry on knitting a nice warm jumper and to hop along with what the cycle of nature dictates such as sewing seeds and to keep a basic level of fitness to help me glide into old age able to remain independent

Thanks for the book ref shandy, I will look it up. I read in bed again last night, only managed 4 pages. I used to romp through books.

A walk through town today, saying hello to everyone I meet, someone has to start the ball rolling, after the enforced non-contact of the last two years

I hope yogi is settling well

Afternoon all. Builder turned up before 9 am to collect some things he needed, I wasn't expecting him. I felt embarrassed in my dressing gown as unfortunately the dog rushed into the room to see him. I'm sure he's seen other house owners in their nightwear, hopefully! I'll be glad when it's all done, my elderly cat is still in hiding and I need to take her to get her claws cut. My father didn't look after his elderly cat, her claws grew into her pads, such neglect.

BAFTA have just announced the shortlist and my daughter's boyfriend's short British Film hasn't got through But it's the journey, not the destination, for his first ever film he's achieved enormous success to make the long list. I've bought him some 'cine camera' bookends and a card, now to find a box big enough and post them off.

This laptop is dreadful, the space bar has now started sticking, it's only two years old.

I feel like you about prepping karmalady, snow is forecast here and I've got enough food/medication etc. I got caught out when my lip was sore because the cold sore stuff was out of date, now stocked up again. I got some sand in my eye last autumn - I was pleased to find I even had some Optrex eye wash!

Just relaxing after walking to the village, off to the beach soon.

Not sure what my 'main aims; are. Perhaps not to get myself into a really stressed state as the time for my kitchen re-fit gets closer (although, I know that no matter what my resolution on this, I will go into panic and catastrophisation mode_.

Think my real aim is just to get through each day as well as possibly, without eating too many calories.

Long-term aim is to live long enough (A) to enjoy my new kitchen, when fitted and (B) would be great to be able to be around when some of my g.children graduate from University. The first two of these will be in 2024.

But TBH, waking each morning and feeling okay is quite enough for me.

Like so many, I am concerned about the incredible increases in energy prices. Not only will this effect us all on our own energy use, but will mean huge increases in virtually everything else as shops, etc will have to pass on some of their increases to the consumers.

I know that if something like this 54% increase had occurred back in the 1980's it would have been the final straw and it would have, definitely, broken me completely. Loads of families and individuals out there now is similar circumstances.

I have a quiet three days ahead of me, although do have my U3A history book club meeting this afternoon. As my nearby daughter is off to have a pamper weekend with her older sister, will not be going anywhere further than my scooter can take me. I will use the time, to continue the painting of my bedroom furniture. I also have minutes from our recent committee meeting to write, and also all the papers for our AGM at the beginning of March to sort out and photocopy.

I was impressed when I received a phone call from local hospital informing me that I was being called in for a further check-up with regard to the growth I had surgically removed three years ago. I thought, when they did that check-up and all was well at end of 2020, that I had been discharged, but evidently they need to do this annually. Made appointment and have arranged for my Son-in-Law to drive me there and back.

This is my first post on this thread. We are moving very soon. At present we are waiting on a response from the vendor’s solicitor answering a few queries raised by our surveyor and then it’s time to agree a date for completion.
My dh and I are both in a whirl and have ‘busy heads’. Last night we were both still awake and up at 3am. Me wondering about silly stuff, him about the new shed he needs to order.

Our new home has wall lights on each recess beside the chimney. The shades are ok but will probably be replaced….. if I keep them. I’ve never had wall lights before.
May I ask. - Does anyone feel wall lights are old fashioned.

Coolgran have you exchanged yet if not you can't sort out a completion date until that's done. It's only when you exchange you know for definite you have the property you want and yours is definitely sold.

I had wall lights in my old house they where lovely modern ones. But didn't want them here . There was a triple branch light so had that changed to normal ceiling light. And have 3 standard lights. One with flexible neck for my cross stitching.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you .

Coolgran Welcome to this site. You are coming to the end of a long journey, and will be soon starting n a much nicer one.

I would not worry, at this stage, on things like wall lights, new sheds, etc. You need to get settled in and give yourself time living there before making those sort of decisions.

With regard to those wall lights, it does not matter in the slightest whether or not some people may or may not consider them old fashioned - it is what works for you in that room that is all that matters.

Good luck in getting exchange and completion and for your move.

welcome coolgran, I empathise with the busy head, I get that too and just now, before exchange, you are in a bit of no-mans land. Just keep plodding away, packing methodically, taking pictures and mirrors down, filling holes and touching up paint. It will help towards that mad rush before completion, when anything gets packed anywhere

I have treated myself today, a nice friday treat. A leather bound book of poems by Robert Frost. It was not even £16 and has lovely reviews

My prep now is to be ready for the painter, by the end of next week. I never leave anything to last minute so my lounge will be empty by tuesday evening and I will do the final skirting and door frame clean next wednesday

Thank you everyone.

The house has been empty since last September for a complete and refurbishment as it had been rented out. The heating has been running every day.

The contracts are ready for signing once the Vendor answers a few questions raised by our surveyor ie certifications for heating boiler, same for new insulation, guarantees for the new kitchen and bathroom. Nothing that will be a deal breaker.
Yes to pp, we are in limbo at the moment and we, and our purchasers are ready to go once we get the ok from the solicitor.
I worked for this solicitor for 14 years prior to retirement so I know them all well and they are very good at keeping me updated.

I seem to have forgotten all about the wall lights

We were very fortunate to find this property just a ten minute walk from our current home.
We wanted to future proof and were looking for a bungalow. …. losing heart at the lack thereof. This is a two bed bungalow with a converted attic that has 3 bedrooms. The two ground floor bedrooms will be used as a dining room and a family room until such time as we may need to migrate to the ground floor.

Thanks again for responding.

Morning all

I'm back after a hell of a move! Took from 8.30am to 9.30pm!!
We dashed out after the removal men had left, found a Chinese take away, sat in my bedroom, only space, and popped open the Champagne. First time we'd sat down all day, didn't even stop for lunch!

When I went to bed I thought, I've got to live like this for the rest of my life Thought the same in the morning, no tree with Robins & Goldfinch to look at. My son said I'm doing absolutely nothing today but by the end of the day we had sorted the living room, my bedroom and the bathroom, sorted the kitchen enough to move about, so I felt a lot better after that.

Still tons to do of course and yes I miss my undercounter lighting too Shandy so pleased to hear you have your roof on and all is good. Still no TV, don't know where the aerial is, there is cable here, so would need to contact the suppliers, but would prefer just the aerial.

Got a quote for doing the base for my shed; £970!! Had to call the fridge engineer in, as fridge not cold enough-£100. Got internet connect Weds late afternoon, so could only get on to sort out emails on Thurs, as had work. If I need to get aerial that will cost a bit and I wasn't happy when I saw how much I had left in the bank after my house sale with all bills paid!

My removal men were excellent, worked so hard. Two more pages to read on here, so off to make a coffee first....

Fran I had an Induction hob for a few months at my last place, I didn't like it, hard to control the heat as it seems to boil up and then turn off and then on again!

Yogi, getting there, better and better every day now

I chose an induction hob, twice after being in a house with one supplied. I love mine, very controllable and also have a timer on two rings. Very clever bits of kit, the heat is only generated between pan surface and ring area in contact. I often use small base pans within larger rings

Inside work is now finished for the day. Large oak bookcase ie 3 feet x the height of the door opening (-1cm) is now in the hall, slid fine on its felt pads, must admit to being very glad of my prepping beforhand. Half the lounge has now been cleaned and is thoroughly ready for next week. I like doing things in hops, never overwhelming like that

I need to refill the traps in my unused upstairs bathroom. They dry up and you get that stale odour. A bucketful of water with a few drops of flora into each orifice, including the loo and it will all be sweet again

I aim to potter outside shortly, the sun is shining, even though the met weather says not, have to take advantage. I`ll wrap up warmly, still chilly out

Yogi. Glad that you are in - shame it was such a hard day. When you are fed and tired, it is normal to feel rather low and see the negatives. Once you get more settled, with your own things sorted out, then the positives will start to kick in.

Everyone who has moved has said how much money they spend during those first few weeks, - indeed, actually first year. Think, that perhaps the position of the tv aerial should be one of those things listed alongside gas and leccie meters, etc. Has your son looked into the loft? For the time being - or even for longer term - you could purchase much cheaper an indoor aerial. I was under the impression that these would not work with modern tv's, but purchased one for the spare bedroom and when there was a problem a few weeks ago with my aerial socket, my Son in Law plugged that aerial into my Living Room smart tv and Humax - and it all worked perfectly.

With regard to the hob - when I moved into the flat, it had/has a ceramic electric hob. All my life I have only EVER used gas hobs. Indeed, when a few days after I moved and had taken out the freezer installed under that hob (don;t ask??), I was cleaning that area out and found the properly capped off gas pipe and did sit for a few minutes tussling with the idea of having that restored. So glad I decided not to. Took me just a few weeks to find out the difference in using an electric hob to gas. (Slower to come to boil, BUT turn off completely well before finish cooking). Induction hobs are by far the safest type of hob and I am really trying to future proof. My youngest daughter thinks they are the greatest invention for the kitchen ever. As I have replaced pots and pans over the past three years I have done so with ones suitable for Induction - have had it in my mind to go along that path when I could. All electric type hobs do that On/Off. Controlled quite easily by turning them down low once boiling is reached.

No interest in under-counter lighting. My nearly square kitchen is very well lit, the only extra lighting I like will be the one over the hobs which will come from the cooker hood..

Coolgran People need to get into the habit of keeping a file with every piece of paper they are given for any work or update or service they have carried out in their properties. It is so important that all of these are available for solicitors these days. I do keep this sort of file and it is kept with the deeds - so that this one large file can be handed over to Solicitors when flat goes on the market. It is possible to sign waiver letters if such documentation is not available, but that is very much second-best. Copies of some such certificates can be obtained. When I moved, I could not find the certificate for my 2-year old combi-boiler (it could not have been given to me), but my Solicitor directed me to a site on-line - where I could purchase replacement for under a tenner.

Do hope you can finalise the move very soon.

For our flats, I have spent sometime writing a whole load of the sort of extra information that I have discovered that Solicitors ask. Brought this all together in a double sided sheet, which I will now send out from the Management Company alongside the official form we get when flats are sold. Hopefully, this will help to speed conveyancing.

Afternoon all, sunny but cold here today.

Good luck Coolgran65, I hope your exchange date is sooner rather than later, I remember my frustration at my vendor ducking and diving the decision, the delays cost me another five week's rent as well as an oil order.

Well done Yogi, a happy end to very long wait, wishing you much happiness in your new home. I miss my birds too, I've now got a robin that comes to see me on my dog walk

Lovely to read everyone else's news, I can concentrate again now I no longer have buckets to dance around!

Just popping in to say my work is nearly finished. Resin roof poured on, gutters up, lounge/kitchen ceiling frame built, lantern discarded, ceiling boards replaced, plastered, painted and holes cut and spotlights replaced. Soil pipe restored.

Skip went yesterday and I parked in my drive for the first time in five weeks - handbrake still not holding. What a bore, it's booked in for replacement cables on 16th.

We have heavy rain forecast and the builder turned up by surprise yesterday afternoon to reaffix the big cement ridge tiles on the side of the roof - they were blown off as the flat roof started tearing off, the noise was terrifying. I'm glad it's done, the tarpaulin was weighted with long planks which bounced up and down noisily in the wind, gusty again today.

Now I've relaxed, on reflection I feel angry the insurance company tried to force me to accept the cash settlement without the scope of works, the delay caused me so much anxiety. The quote arrived just a day before my claim would be deleted due to lack of acceptance.

I am so grateful to the loss adjuster who took time out to speak to me on the phone - he said he wouldn't deal with my company as it was one of the worst for offering low payouts. I've thanked him on his FB page, without any detail as I couldn't engage him. When the scope of works finally arrived, the cash settlement offer was priced for a cheaper roof finish. I shouldn't have had to negotiate to get the money for my roof to be restored to its original condition, it is supposed to be like for like replacement. I don't think I'd be in this position without my surveyor helping me, I know I have been lucky. I was also lucky the claims handler became my sole contact at the end, and he did do everything in his power to help me.

I saw a saying yesterday 'the squeaky wheel gets the oil' - I do think my complaint, copying in the CEO, accelerated my settlement.

Off to get my sacks of bird seed from Homebase, half price at the moment, hope I can lift 12.75 kg bags! Have a good afternoon

your journey with the insurance co shandy has caused you so much stress, they try and wiggle out of many claims, son told me a few tales from his past life, working with an insurance co. That reminds me that I should go around the house garage and garden, when I am straight. Photos are needed, to be filed as evidence, proof is needed for contents. I did it once previously but everything has changed here now. It is a lot of work to do but worth it, if ever needed

I got outside in the sun, until lunchtime, had some things to do in the garden, all done and garden shoes now cleaned. I always like it if I can get into fresh air

Energy bill has arrived online, I compared accurately to last year and have used 25% less energy and paid 25% more. I am thinking I might up my standing order a bit every month, I really don`t like to be in debit by £70 at this time of year. I already upped my monthly SO but will be better if I add another £10 pm. They are quick to return money if I have excess cash, I only have to ask

Reducing energy by 25% was painless,mainly I think by not using standby and making sure that the standby lights are all out when not needed. Air fryer, undoubtedly helped. 1/4 kwh. to bake something when I would have used the small oven at maybe 3kwh. I just made a really nice minestrone soup, minus pasta as I will keep it in the fridge for 4 days. 6 minutes in my pressure cooker, set on induction timer and will cool itself down, instead of 25 minutes on the hob in a pan. I want to make a goulash next week, for ready meals. I think I will use the pressure cooker again. 20 minutes compared to 3.5 hours on low in the oven, shin beef

Afternoon all, no beach today as so very gusty, the dog has been shopping at PAH instead and got lots of attention.

Heard a huge crash earlier and my heart went into my mouth - the water butt support had failed again and the butt was on its side in the garden, luckily still attached to the gutter. The support was four separate pieces of lightish plastic that you had to 'slot together'. It's the second time this has happened, I'd forgotten. As I was going to Homebase anyway, I've bought an all in one support. Butt is half full but still wobbling about so I've put concrete two tiles out of the rubbish inside it temporarily.

That's a great energy saving karmalady. I was scared in the house alone for months after my husband died, and used to keep my lamp post on all night (no street lights at all). I did see the difference in my bill when I stopped, even with the energy bulb I'd used. I have noticed on my nightly dog walk that houses seem to have one room lit only, it's good practise to only light the room you are using.

You've reminded me to buy some unscented candles, when my power went off it was choking having my scented candles lit together - carrot cake, Christmas Eve and fresh linen! Urgh!

re the scented candles. I have managed to gift my remaining yankee candles, they were choking me too. I like the stearin candles, made from plant material and not nasty paraffin wax. The ones I have are called blockljus, ikea also sell stearin candles. I still have lots, something else I overbought in the past.

I opened the lounge vents earlier when I was cleaning, it is certainly colder now, getting dark, no sun. I am going to close them, I would not close f the stove was on

Our local British Diver's Marine Life Rescue are looking for bath towels. I bought new brightly coloured towels and haven't unpacked my 'self catering' white ones, am now glad to bless the rescued seals with them.

Franbern Indeed I do keep a Folder for everything.
Our purchaser's solicitor asked about a clause in our Lease regarding the ground rent and we were able to pull out a letter dated 2007 which clarified the position. It is the Vendor of the house we are buying that we are waiting on providing clarifications/Certificates. We hope their delay in responding is because they are obtaining what is necessary. You'd think their solicitor would be in touch to say at least that the matter is in hand.

Yoginimeisje such a long moving day...... but you got there.

With regard to energy we are moving to a slightly bigger property and I'm a bit wary about the amount of energy we will use. We'll need to take note, dh is careless about 'standby', and would let the heating rock on until he's peeling off a layer. We weren't looking for a bigger property but had to compromise on this to get the future proofed ground floor living we wanted.

The back garden is bigger than what we currently have, My lovely 'fairy glen' with apple and plum trees making a canopy over the patio, ivy covered walls and climbing roses, it will be so missed.
Our new back garden has a modest grass area and plenty of nice paving and is surrounded by a 6' high white wall, so is nice and private, but it is sterile. No planting and no character. We have at least 15 large outdoor pots to take with us. Most of the pots are from my patio and contain mature shrubs. In others I've dug up roots of Hostas, Japaneze Anemone, Ferns, Cosmo Lucifer, and my special Oriental Poppies, plants that have plenty of roots to spare and our purchasers were quite agreeable.

We are leaving them our freestanding dishwasher (only 2 years old) and our tumble dryer in the garage (it's about 8 years old and working perfectly) ... without asking for any payment and they have been so appreciative about this.

Back on the energy saving ....... I've never ever owned a pressure cooker, the contents of my mother's pressure cooker hit the ceiling once!! Perhaps I should be a big girl and go for it.

The next sibling down from me is 71 and lives in western australia, her husband is near to 80. They had that downsize mentality that was not really downsizing, years ago they had a small farm. They moved just before me, to east of bridgetown, a plot with a bit smaller house but again a few acres. They have had to evacuate, big bush fires and they will be lucky if their house is still standing. 9 puppies, 2 dogs and a cat. Another younger sister really did downsize, to albany, to a bungalow, where the temperatures are much cooler than the 41 degrees in bridgetown. She had that sensible head

Downsizing is difficult,no doubt about it, getting rid of furniture is easy if it is wanted by family but there is a limit on how much can go to family. I know I detach myself at times, when things need to go. Once I went with my husband, when he had jobs to do at a brand new old care facility at bath, I saw the accomodation and the lovely atrium. Accomodation was a tiny living room with a small kitchen on the side, a very small bathroom and a bedroom that only fitted a single bed. These were bought properties. The last downsize. Seeing that did affect me, even though I was only 60+

I want to be in control of where I live and how I live and that means having a hard head. My sister in law, who has ended up, with good mental capacity, in a care home because she lived in a house that she made no effort to downsize from because she could not face it. Her children took the decision and that is that.

Energy efficiency, small garden, easy clean home, low maintenance. People to call on when needed. Buses, easy walking to shops and facilities. Storage. Always trying to keep savings for paid help such as a cleaner, a gardener. That next stage to allow us to stay in our properly downsized home, perhaps to the end, if health stays with us

coolgran, I have a house with stairs, no extra room downstairs but my future proofing is the downstairs toilet, that stair lift which I could easily have in the future, my walk in en suite shower from my bedroomNo-one has to live on the ground floor when elderly. My mother managed very well with a stair lift, in fact she loved that she went upstairs to bed, she had RA very badly and was quite disabled but she would never have said that the only future proofing was by having facilities on the ground floor

whoops, that was a slip. I said us, of course I meant I, as I am widowed and alone. Naturally I still think of me as us because I am still us as in married

In defense of single storey living can I just say how very appreciative I am of living in my flat. Did wonder, before I moved, how I would take to it after nearly sixty years living in a house. But it is wonderful all of the time, and beyond that on those occasions when I have not been feeling too well. Not even tempted, no matter how poorly I feel, of just staying in bed, can get to next room to my lovely riser/recliner chair. And kitchen and loo is just a few steps away.

I am so pleased that I DID give a lot of thought, and went for a flat on the first floor (not a ground floor garden one that I first thought would be good). So, that wonderful feeling of security, able to leave windows open when I go out in Summer, BUT, if I am not carrying anything heavy I do use the stairs (not the lift), to prevent what is called 'bungalow legs'. The flat does have very large rooms, and an enclosed, very private balcony. It will be my LAST home.

I did look into stairlift idea at my house, and nearly went down that route. However, after talking to people who had them, decided it was not the best answer. Yes, it enables you to go upstairs to bed, but does not solve the problem of taking things up and down stairs (unless there are more than one of you living in the property.

But, obviously....each to their own. Does need a lot of careful thought and a real decision realistically, on any problems which may effect you as you grow older.

Also, it is obvious that flats are more economic in terms of energy use. I think most of my bill is to do with so many items being on stand=by. But I have these for my convenience. Most modern tv's do not even have such a thing as an OFF switch, My Humax stays on stand-by so it can record things at any time that I have set, I do turn my microwave off with its Eco switch, and my hot water heater is switched off totally just before I go to bed,

On the occasions when i am wandering around the flat during the night, I am always astonished as to how many little red lights, etc seem to be glowing everywhere.

karmalady It's great that your home will suit any future proofing that could be possible. We tried to work it, but it isn't to be.

I don't agree when you say that 'No-one has to live on the ground floor when elderly.' I'm sure there are situations where this is necessary.
But I never meant to infer that the only future proofing was by having facilities on the ground floor. I'm sorry if my post came across as such.
I do agree that no-one has to live on the ground floor if they don't want to, and if it is possible not to do so.

We considered that in the future if required a stair lift could be a solution but decided against it.
A stairlift isn't the complete answer as mentioned by Franbern about taking things upstairs. Also, with us not having a downstairs toilet (an extension would be needed to have one) and considering medical conditions that require frequent toilet visits, we opted to look for ground floor living.

As it happens we couldn't find a property with only ground floor living.
Our new home is a bungalow with a loft conversation which has 2 good bedrooms and facilities which we will use, There will always be the original downstairs two bedrooms and family bathroom downstairs if or when needed. Indeed, hopefully they will not be needed and will remain the dining room and family room that we will use them for, for now.
In our early 70s this was the time for us to make a decision.

Yes, careful thought is needed so that we will hopefully grow older in a home that suits us as well as can be.