Want to move house but ....

Definitely definitely ask the opinions of a couple of estate agents. Their advice is free. We have moved a few times and have found their help invaluable. They can take everything off your hands.

I really do feel for you, it’s hard enough moving house when older but especially with a husband who won’t decide or help.
Get on this problem right away as you know you need to, which means being firm with your DH about it. Get two different estate agents to come and do a valuation on your house.Don’t do much with the house other than everything being clean and tidy.New owners will change kitchen and bathroom anyway.
Make a list of must haves for the next move and the town and location that interests you.
Doing those things is a step in the right direction and doesn’t mean you have to follow through if you change your mind.

I feel for you.

Perhaps sell as it stands, in need of renovation? Take a lower price - condition updates and improvements cost money as well.

Hi, am also Midlands area and want a granny flat as can’t manage the front and back gardens and it’s getting too expensive to pay others… I’m no real help but do understand why you are looking to move now and not later…agree with Skydancer, go into local Estate Agents who I think would be interested in selling your present property and finding you a new home. Good luck 💐

Yes absolutely ask the advice of some estate agents.
It doesn't commit you to anything and won't cost you anything.
I find writing lists very helpful.
Start to think about where you might like to move to and start doing research.
Best wishes with it all

I understand your predicament. Your husband is finding the thought of moving difficult and under the circumstances he is probably behaving irrationally! My husband has Alzheimer's Disease and it does make everyday life very complicated at times . I recognize the term ' how do I get through to him' and know exactly what you mean ! May I suggest you speak to an estate agent , your husband may listen to him/ her!
My husband has not had a stroke but his decision making is not what it should be - does he listen to me - 'no', is the short answer to that. It never used to be like this and it is not easy to acknowledge the change in him . Please get someone else to speak to your husband about the consequences of remaining in your present house , he may take notice of someone else. Thinking of you.

Do think about contacting GP surgery about health issues. There may be more help available than you realise.

Also if your husband is shown a pleasant flat or small house he might be able to visualize it and get used to the idea. You have to box clever, I find . Pick the right moment.

Do not underestimate the stress of a house move. It might seem a good solution, but takes its toll.

I would definitely move now. Do not bother with repairs etc, just pay for a good clean and rubbish removal and find a place that suits you better. Sheltered housing would be a good option but I imagine there might be a wait for that. If you choose a flat make sure there is a lift if you are not on the ground floor. A communal garden would be pleasant, or a decent balcony. A spare bedroom would give you extra space if you have a lifetime of belongings that you "need" to keep.

Good luck. I can see my DH being equally reluctant to move even though he cannot do his share in maintaining our 5-bed detached house and garden - and has never really had the inclination - but after a year of cancer treatment for me I realise I can't do it all any more - and don't want to.

A feel my DH is being very selfish in not at least seriously considering making a move now, while we still can.

I couldn't have persuaded my DH to move, though we should have years ago.
He died 4 years ago and at last I have made some decisions.

I am going to move next year.
I have had a couple of valuations though like yours I fear a structural report and home report will be far more realistic.
I need to sell before I can really look at other properties and am trying to keep my expectations reasonable.

I hope you can take control now so that you can choose a place together.
Good luck!

I think you need to sell and move to a smaller, more manageable house. The flooding might be a bargaining point for potential buyers. Even if you have to sell it for a lower than expected price, just get rid of it. I’m sure a builder will be interested. Good luck !

For part 3)

There are companies that specialise in sorting out houses after problems - next door used one when their plumbing burst (their insurance company sent them in). They will assess the damage and do what they can and recommend builders and decorators etc. We are too far away for this particular company to help but perhaps your house insurers could recommend someone

Perhaps it's time to put yourself back on the radar?

It's a big job, moving.

Are you on Facebook? There are people who can come in and declutter for you, it’s become a thing. Maybe tackle your ‘stuff’ first? As a goal? then work on your husbands mindset in smaller chunks?

I would get 3 valuations from estate agents and find a good solicitor.. Get a cleaner in to give a thorough clean.. and be prepared to wait for an offer before looking seriously at other properties.. Just do some research on rightmove or similar so that you know roughly where you'd like to move and the sort of property you wish to move to..
When it comes to the actual move find movers who are prepared to pack everything for you.. It does not have to be stressful if you take it a step at a time.. You'll probably have to take a lower realistic offer but much better to prepare for your future now..
and I would say don't bother to do any repairs.. goodluck

I feel fir you, its easy to just keep plodding as many do, including me. Get a few free valuations for your property, I am also West Midlands and that is what I would do. Then you will know how much money you will have to get another property and what your money will buy you. Another idea if you have no family, is a retirement property to rent, you could buy a cheap one as people with families may avoid because of the amount in fees you have to pay on your death.
Good luck, find out your options then you can present your husband with the facts.

We are moving, DH is in his seventies and in ill health, I am in late sixties and have certain health probs, the way I see it is best to do it whilst we can, if we leave it any longer it will just get too difficult. Like you our house is much too big for us now.
Ring a couple of local estate agents, they will be only too glad to come and give you a valuation, this doesn't bind you to anything and is free, they should also lay out what to expect when you put it on the market, and what their fee will be.
None of this is a commitment to sell so just ask your DH to do this much and let him hear the estate agents out. This could persuade him. If it doesn't try your best to put it to him without rancour that you both really need to sell and get somewhere smaller and easier/cheaper to heat, is not really practical or logical to stay where you are. Why not look at some nice little properties on Rightmove within your price range in a location you both like and let him see what is available. Hopefully he will be attracted by some of them.
Doing jobs to the house to make it ready for sale isn't strictly necessary unless it is a complete wreck, just get rid of clutter - stuff it in cupboards etc. or get a charity to pick it up if you want to get rid of it - just do a good old tidy up, perhaps invest in a professional cleaner to do a deep clean top and bottom, look someone up on google and check the reviews, you could also ask a local trades person to give a lick of paint here and there, we used someone off this site
www.myjobquote.co.uk/
but there are sites like 'checkatrader'.
Hoping you manage to navigate all this and do ask if you need any more advice.
Take care
xx

I moved in July. From a 3 bedroom house to a small 1 bedroom gf apartment. Early 60s, health issues. Best thing I've ever done. Retirement complex.

Speak to social services. You may be eligible for an extra care apartment.

You could sell your house at auction. They actually attract quite high prices nowadays, bidders get carried away by the prospect of a bargain.

Luckygirl3

Do not underestimate the stress of a house move. It might seem a good solution, but takes its toll.

Yes, it is stressful and tiring, even if you pay for as much help as you can. However better to do it now rather than wait until you don't have it in you to do it.
We moved four years ago and life is so much easier in a smaller place with a management company and planned maintenance.

pen50

You could sell your house at auction. They actually attract quite high prices nowadays, bidders get carried away by the prospect of a bargain.

You can only do this if you can find somewhere to live whilst you sort out a new home. Normally you would need to complete the sale pretty quickly and it's unlikely that you could get an offer accepted on your new home before the old one is actually sold.

We were prudent in deciding to downsize a couple of years prior to retirement from a 4 bed detached house to a 3 bed semidetached bungalow (in truth in our case the bungalow cost us £15k more than we got for the house but it is in a more expensive area than the house)
It took us a year to sell our house and we were seriously considering selling to We buy any house.com
uk.webuyanyhome.com I’ve no idea what they are like to deal with as we didn’t approach them in the end, so this isn’t a recommendation for them. You will get less than the market value of your house from them but there would not be any estate agents fees so you’d save on those to counter that to an extent
I hope you manage to convince your husband of the benefits of moving, it will be worth it