Help calm me. house buying and selling stress. Part 5

True, sadly MIL went into hospital, and is now in a care home, so never went back to her house

omg shandy what the heck is he playing at now, don`t say a word, in fact ignore any questions. He should have done his research beforehand, his problem not yours. Say nothing in fact don`t even acknowledge the questions. Sounds as though he is up to tricks again. Mouth tight shut

Thanks craftyone, thankfully my solicitor said technically we do not have to respond as we have already exchanged. You did warn me!

Just 26 days until 'C day' - but this enquiry has unsettled me a bit. I've not had anything in writing since the offer email from the auction house.

Just drinking my skullcap tea, cat has only just gone out, hurry up!

This thread has just saved me some money! I was going to leave the buyer some money for the extractor fan glass replacement, but managed to find my post about it on thread 3 - happened before his viewing on 13 March so he bid knowing it was damaged. Phew! I'd forgotten about all the storms and floods we had to battle through in February, the sunshine has blanked it all out

Shandy57 sorry you are going through all the stress with this idiot. Like Craftyone says he's to late to back out. Exchange means to late pal you are locked in. If he did try to break it which I don't think he can you could sue him to hell and back. Don't even think about cleaning the station once you have your things out. Sod him.

Guess who was back last night so I'm writing this in my daughter's spare bed. The little found some way it. All will be blocked up tight today just hope it doesn't rain to heavy.

Seeing my son today after he finishes work. Haven't seen him in person since lockdown. It's my birthday. 62 today.

My rude would before little got blocked out. Only did it in *.

Word not would. Not having much luck with the old fingers this morning.

Happy Birthday Whiff and I hope you have an ok one despite lockdown.
On the subject of old peoples houses I think it can be off putting to see a house with a stairlift or hand rails and ramps but once the initial confrontation with our mortality shock is over, if those things are there it can mean the vendors need a quick sale and also that a stair lift would be possible.

Happy birthday to you Whiff, I hope you have a lovely day in spite of the current situation.

If nothing else you have to admire the persistence of your little visitor.

Happy birthday whiff your roofer sounds very good, sqirrel-tight by tonight I hope. Have a lovly day, as much as you can

Shandy your buyer is very devious, say nothing about anything, pay for nothing, don`t clean and no gardening at all. Keep the gate shut and let no-one in. Just concentrate on getting the things out that you want to keep. I can see that he has unsettled you, it would have me too but remember that is the game that he plays. He tries to grind you down. Don`t tell anyone where you are eventually moving to, apart from best friends, leave no forwarding address and try to move away from the village when you buy again

My buyer unsettled me a lot too but in a different way. I went from thoughtful and kind to self-contained and `vengeful` ie I never left the soap, loo roll and towel or the rotary washing line which is now working beautifully here, no bottle of wine. I had a miele oven with several expensive extras, those extras are now on a shelf in my garage here. I replaced all the more expensive light bulbs with very cheap bulbs from home bargains. Serves her right and btw my neighbours in that close-knit small community there don`t particularly like her, she has no warmth, helpfulness or empathy, oh and I was going to clean the pipes under the sink, I decided no and just chucked some bleach down. I bet they are smelly by now . That woman made my life hell. Make that strong bubble around yourself shandy, you and your pets and let no outsider in. Don`t forget to get broadband cut off and telephone and to take readings for the utilities

oh yes, don`t leave a file of helpful paperwork, he will have had all he needs before exchange. He deserves nothing helpful from you, take all the paperwork with you, survey, instructions etc

It is mostly going to be a miserable day weatherwise and it definitely will not be allowed to drag me down. I am going to do the marie kondo in my wardrobe today, must be the uplifting ylang ylang mix that I have put into an aromatherapy diffuser, I am realistic enough to use any help that I can get

I started earlier, have done the skirts and am only removing one and am wearing one I have not worn for a long time. I like more floaty less structured skirts, not the waitrose look. It is a patterned cord skirt, nice and comfy. 2 thin jumpers are also out

During past times, I had clothing for craft courses, home, shopping, casual for days out, visiting, evening now and then, the one cruise, allotment work, decorating, cycling. Sigh I did get rid of some but have now realised that I can combine categories ie gardening/cycling/garage crafting, that leaves comfy casual/shopping/home/visiting and a maybe holiday sometime in the future. The easiest one to combine is the gardening/cycling/crafting one ie sweatshirts, t shirts, old casual trousers. Then of course the weather is so variable, sigh, it isn`t easy and I don`t have the mindset to waste money, just because

Yes, I also changed out the expensive light bulbs for the less efficient ones. I also took with me three nearly new shades that I had only purchased earlier in the year. They were two white ones from the hall and landing and a blue/white one from my bedroom. All three of these are now in use in the flat, so pleased I brought them with me,
I left a file of paperwork for the central heating and all the kitchen equipment I left. Wonder if I needed to have bothered as I think they have totally re-modelled the kitchen, etc. But it was no use to me.
Must say I was most grateful for a similar file that was left for me at the flat.
Once you have exchanged you do not need to answer any more of those questions. His solicitor should have sorted those out prior to exchange.
Last year, that final week, there was a delay on Exchange - due to the young purchasers at the bottom of a very small chain using one of those on-line conveyancing companies that no-one seemed able to reach.
I had five days of living in hell.......then my Solicitor rang me on the Friday afternoon and he sounded so serious I got myself into a total panic. He asked me to promise him something......
I asked what (thinking all sorts of dreadful things), then he lightened up and said 'Promise me you are not going to try to change your mind - as I have just exchanged contracts'!!!!
Once exchange takes place, a legal contract has been made and the financial consequences of trying to back out enormous.
So, Shandy, just ignore those questions.
Whiff, do have an enjoyable birthday -cake is always good!!!

Morning all! Overcast and rainy here.

Many happy returns of the day Whiff! I hope you have a lovely day full of surprises

I woke up late and haven't got dressed yet, it's the start of picture day, I'm sure once I start it won't be as bad as I am imagining.

I am sorry that I have ended up with this gameplayer of a buyer, but my aim was to sell the house, and with your help! it's done.

The windows really are on their last legs, he is going to have to spend huge amounts of money as well as jumping through all the listed building consent hoops. So odd the window man never sent me his quote, the mortgage surveyor said it was because he didn't want the work. Listed building consent will be needed for the damp work too, good luck to him with that, makes me shudder just writing it. I wish I'd persuaded my husband to buy the modern house we liked in Hexham, I think I 'd have been happier there.

I am just so glad he has exchanged - I can't imagine what discount he'd be trying to negotiate now! The speculation about house prices is rife, I feel for anyone facing negative equity.

I will leave instructions on top of items where I still have them, but no welcoming note or wine, his behaviour throughout has offended me. I will take everything I didn't mention on the F&F list. I have paid rent until August and will make every effort to move away from here quickly, and will keep an eye out if he has a skip ;)

Have a good day everyone, especially you Whiff! xx

you are so inspiringly upbeat lately shandy, nothing seems to phase you any more, such a change from the wobbling jelly that we first met. You have found your inner strength, I love it, we all do

Franbern I brought all my lampshades and was very glad of them. I only had to buy 2. Shandy that is another for you, I already mentioned carpets and curtains, ask also for lampshades. It would be so much easier if the new house is obviously a probate sale

I have been good, no saint with my food but am keeping my veg intake high, getting a weekly box helps as I cannot abide waste. I made juice from carrots, lemons and celery, enough for 2 days, fed my wormy hotbins with lots of peelings and de-frosted spinach which I cannot use. I am also getting a bowlful of salad pickings from my trugs every morning. I tend to be good until lunchtime [grin}

So I have washed up, fed the worms, decided on fish for my lunch and no excuse, up I go to try and get that category of workmanlike clothes together. Grin and bear it and no doubt it will take a load off my shoulders

Happy Birthday Whiff.

Drove to B&Q. If there had been a queue, would proabably not have waited - it was raining quite hard when I got there. No queue, lovely assistants assuring me that all the trolleys had been disinfected. Only one path into the store, and inside all aisles had footprints showing way to go,. Large store so the people in there did not get in each others way.
I went direct to the Garden centre area, and purchased some things for my balcony.
Also was able to get a yard broom and a scrubbing brush. Had needed to borrow these from my daughter when they were cleaning off the tiles on my balcony.
Was so delighted they were open. People on the tills all had face visors and gloves, also screens at each till. Well Done B&Q. I thanked them all for being open.
Got pyramid type things of Sweet Peas - be lovely when they flower.

Lovely post, Franbern, just the cheerful message needed this morning. And Shandy is quite amazing. Having followed with great sympathy the terrible tribulations of the sale, am so impressed by the energy with which you are emptying the house. It is so hard to do this on your own and you are so nearly there.

oh I am so pleased Franbern, so happy that you can add some more enjoyment to your balcony for summer sitting. I wish garden centres could open too but they are unlikely for a while longer

I went through all my clothes and now have more of a weight on my shoulders than ever, I can see why I stopped sewing. I `found` 2 drawers full of trousers, tops and skirts, I think I have not dared look until today. I know why I have so many clothes, it was over compensation after my husband died. I have filled a black bag which will stay in the garage until the charity shops open

Lunch next and a break and hopefully a film, I watched the Downton film yesterday, pleasant escapism and not mind blowing so it did nicely. Tomorrow I will stash my shoes and boots, I have emptied 2 drawers out of an elfa storage unit which I put into a wardrobe dark corner. High time I put these items of footware away properly. I will never have to buy another pair of shoes or boots and probably never sandals. Why did I do it? it was psychology, like comfort eating

Thank you all for your birthday wishes. The roofers spent over 2 hours blocking every possible way the little meance can get in. They screwed down everything that was loose. Put thick hard plastic lipped under the edge of the tiles into gutter all screwed down. Just finished all that as the heavy rain came. Be back Monday to do all the pointing on the gable end and garage. Phoned pest controller coming tomorrow and have a could look around and see if there are any other entry points. Hopefully have a quiet night. Also phoned my kitchen / bathroom guy. To ask if everything is ok now they will come and strip out all the old loft insulation as it will be s breeding ground for flies. Eggs and maggots yuk. Had enough trouble with flies after the mouse droppings. They said yes just let them know when. New can't be put down under after shower room done. As ceiling got to be replaced.

Got Sainsbury's delivery later. My son is popping in after work. It's was nice having my birthday breakfast with my daughter and grandson. He helped me open my presents. They had flowers sent to me yesterday. Today I had a really good pair of leather gardening gloves that can be tightened at the wrists and lovely soft lining. . ,10 solar lights for my garden. Things that I had been talking about for some time needing.

Hope you all have a good day.

To Whiff, hope you have a very Happy Birthday with some ????

To Shandy, you are really close now and I really can’t add to the great advice already given to you. If you watch Homes Under the Hammer you will see that people leave auction properties and gardens in a huge mess ! Your buyer does not deserve you so I would just remove the things you want and leave the rest for him to dispose of as he wishes. If he has to spend money on skips so be it! His problem!

To Franbern, I could have written your post re B&Q. It will be good to have garden centres open again but B&Q have most of the things I need and I love buying the plants ‘ past their best’ from them. Usually a little tlc is all they need. I have a beautiful white hydrangea from them that I got for £3 last year and reported in a larger tub. It gave us lovely blooms last year and is covered in buds this year too.

Repotted not reported !

Message deleted by Gransnet as it contains identifying details.

Hope you had a happy day Whiff???

mydragon, I don`t think you should have mentioned the village in which shandy lives, too many rotten people come out of the woodwork. I would copy then ask the mods to delete the post and then paste in a new post but leave out the name