Help calm me. House buying and selling stress *Part 10*

Welcome to Part 10 of this thread. Enjoy!

Yes, sorry Razz has left but send her all best wishes.
DD is trying to buy a little house on the south coast and it's not easy is it?
But hoping to exchange soon.
Keep warm everyone.

Thank you spice. Oh no, not at all easy loopyloo, I hope all goes well with dd

I see a couple of local houses are back on the market, obviously cash buyers waiting for prices to fall further

Heating is sorted for day and night, ufh needs steady control as it takes a long time to warm up and to cool down but the house is comfortably warm as befits my physical age. I noticed that the roof frost remained a long time the other day with no clear gaps, instulation doing its work

Not a lot to do at the moment, house guests, me visiting when the roads are ok, housework is minimal so crafting is in action as I get through winter

We had the Electrician here yesterday, such a nice lad, but it reminded me how much I dislike having builders in and all the disruption, today is a day to put furniture back in place in the 3 rooms that he was working in.
Next year we will have to have new floors in 5 downstairs rooms, a new bathroom (an ongoing battle to get the builders in to actually start the job) and the whole house needs redecorating.
I’m dreading it, but unless we move ( and having read this thread for a few years) that isn’t going to happen, the work will have to be done.
MrOops loves it here and I want to move back home, so we have a stalemate! And the house is now desperate for a do over.

Imagine having to move and then do all the building works as well!!

I think I’m just too old to do it now, but I admire those who still have it in them to buy a fixer upper.

I’m having the hall, stairs and landing done (painting) - he’s been here since Thursday and not finished yet - another week he tells me. Heaven knows what the Bill’s going to be like 😫

I would really like to have my hallway and Living room painted. Will wait until nearly Spring until I get in some quotes. I assume that it will be close on at least a three month wait which will take me well into summer months for the work to be done. Biggest problem will be packing up everything in my units so they can be pulled out away from the walls.

I am so pleased that I used a small local shop to carry out all the work on curtains and blinds here. Couple of days ago, I pulled open the curtains on the quite small window in the dining area of of my Living room and the rail fell of at one end. I did ask one of the men in the flats if he could possibly have a look at it and 'click' it back on - which he did, but then found out that this rail was actually broken. Phoned my curtain lady and she popped in on her way home from work same day, managed to 'tie' it back as a temporary repair and measured up for a new rail.

Have not see my daughter here for over a week. Her youngest (nearly 13yrs), has been very poorly with a really nasty cod virus. I was worried over the weekend about Strep A, but it was not that, then her next one up (works in library - mainly children section), was off colour and tested covid positive.

Posted before I told it so to do.......laptops with their own mind!!!!! Busy week, though, as so many groups having their final meetings, before 'breaking up' for xmas. Had a long chat on the 'phone with daughter last night and the two 'invalids' - more or less 'convalescents' now!!!!! They all seem more concerend about infecting me than anything else. So, will probably not see them for a further few days.

Do feel very, very sorry for anyone involved in home buying.selling even more so at present. With all the changes in finances, mortgages, etc. it mist be making these normal nightmarish time, even worse. Watching the local Rightmove pages cannot see any dropping of proeprty prices locally, but do see so many properties taking a very long time to sell.

Such dreaadful time swe are living through - nurses being forced into taking strike action - surely, they should just appreciate our millionaire government Ministers giving them a weekly round of applause for two or theee minutes and be happy that there are food banks for them to supplement their earnings!!!!!

New curtain rail put up this morning. I have stated previously, I really dislike having anything in my home that is not working properly. So, thanks to my lovely local curtain lady, all is again.
So pleased that the weather is going to get a little warmer.

Some years ago DD1 persuaded me to buy a new build to rent out - it was great, never empty and I had lovely tenants. Then the tax laws changed and I have to declare all the rent and pay tax on it, so there’s little income left over. Covid saw the latest tenant cut his rent by 2/3rds, leaving me nothing! So, I decided to sell. I told the tenant not to panic - but he did and moved out, so now I am paying the mortgage, Council tax, gas, electricity and water charges. The house is in an odd area, so after 3 months on the market, knocking £5K from the very reasonable price - I’m having to put it back on the rental market in January.
I hope it will rent out quite easily, but I really wanted rid of the responsibility.

to be fair, any house will sell if the price is right. I hope you get a good tenant georgesgran, my sister sold her small newish rented house about two years ago. They were glad to be rid of it and the call outs.

Hello all you lovely people - I haven't posted before but I've followed your inspiring stories and I'd be really glad of any advice over the forthcoming months.
We've lived on the south coast for 40+ years and our house will go on the market next month so we can move 500 miles north to be closer to our only family in the UK.
Our local estate agent says our house will sell easily and as we will be downsizing, that's a positive. But it's still a daunting prospect! DH is 75, I'm 70 so we are looking at it as a Great Adventure.
Being so far away from our new area is tricky for viewing - it's too expensive to view just one or two houses at a time (flight/hotel etc) so we think it's maybe best to wait for a confirmed offer on our home and then view as many properties as possible on one visit.
I worry that we will commit to buy a home as a compromise and then see the perfect one come up for sale!
Thank you for any input and hopefully this isn't too muddled

Georgesgran I thought if your property was empty you didn't have to pay council tax or water rates? We didn't have to when my mom's house was empty but then again it was 2017 so perhaps I am wrong.

Jackaranda sorry to rain on your parade but estate agents always say that your house will be easy to sell. I hope it does but be prepared for a very stressful time lots of tears and sleepless nights. Until contracts are exchanged on your property and the one you want to buy nothing is certain. Long timers on this thread know that only to well. I am not the only one on here to have in my case 2 buyers pull out on me the first one day of exchange and 2nd 4 days before.

But moving for me to my bungalow was the best thing I have done since my husband died. I feel like I have always lived here. I live my life to the full I no longer just exist as I did before my move. I live in the north west and the people here are the salt of the earth.

The rule used to be unless you had accepted an offer on your home no estate agent would let you view any properties perhaps that's changed ?

I am very lucky the bungalow I wanted to buy the executors of the will kept it for me each time my sale fell through.

When I joined this thread in March 2019 I was at the end of my rope. But Karmalady in her old name and Franbern where here and other long timers to offer support and advice and shared their stories. And I knew I wasn't alone and it had happened to others.

I was to view 6 bungalows over 2 days this was my 3rd bungalow to view and viewed another one while waiting for my offer to be excepted. But as soon as I saw it from the outside fell in love with it and it felt like home when I walked in. I didn't have blinkers on and saw straight away all the things that needed doing.

It pays to have a good survey done that way you have no surprises . I knew what needed doing and in what order from the survey.

I wish you and anyone selling and buying good luck and you need to develop a thick skin. You will need it.

Karmalady - I would, up to now, have agreed with you that anything will sell at the right price. The house I bought was one of the last few the builder had for sale and they were taking offers. It was a good buy, in that the houses on either side were .£50-£60K more only a few months earlier. As for selling it, I’m only asking £5K more than I paid for it 12 years ago - just to cover expenses. An exact house to mine, on the same development is on the market for £20K more! However, it’s such a strange area for buyers, but I’m hopeful of another tenant in the New Year, as I’ve had it completely redecorated throughout in neutral colours and it’s ready to move into - fingers crossed. A bungalow next to DD2 has just sold in a few days at well over the asking price, but in a ‘good’ area.
Whiff it’s the opposite regarding Council Tax here - 100% if the house stands empty for a year, then it doubles and trebles!! When my DF died in 2007, I had his Council Tax to pay until I sold the house, even when builders were there in doing improvements. Our only exemption is if a property is totally uninhabitable and under substantial renovation.
I’m sure it’ll all come to pass.

Hello I have been here befos eere but it seems we may be back in the game of house buying and selling. We moved here two years ago and haven't settled. We want to go back down south but we moved her to be near DD2. How do we tell her? Will she go nuts? The other problem is the difference in prices. We can downsize a bit but will it be enough? It's a dilemma.

a new build is always more expensive than second hand, it has a premium built into it and was what I expected when I bought my new build and also the previous house, which was also a new build. As soon as it becomes second hand, then it loses that premium and becomes just another house on the market. Now at 12 years old there is no guarantee left and buyers factor that into what they would pay. It does also depend on the area of course and if the area is generally becoming more attractive to purchasers, then prices will rise throughout

I do wish you luck georgesgran but what we want and what buyers would pay could be very different. A couple of times we bit the bullet and sold cheaper than what we believed the house was worth, purely to get on with our lives

Bigbertha, just put on those big girl bloomers and tell her straight. Do it while you are still able and if you can afford it

Jackaranda welcome to this thread. Do hope your journey in the coming year is going to be a happy and successful one. Just think, this time next year - you could well be well settled into your new home.

Do take some time, and read these threads right from the first one, as you will learn of the many heartaches and problems that can occur, although most of those earlier contributors are now well settled in their new homes.

Many EA's overprice a property in the first instance, in order to persuade you to go with them as sole agency. Then after a few weeks they come back saying that YOU are asking too much and you now need to lower the price

With regard to purchasing property at a distance, you need to really ensure that you climatise yourself using sites like rightmove. Get to know properties and property prices in the area you are looking. Know the tick list for the properties you would be interested in viewing. Most Agents will not permit you to view or accept an offer until you have a firm offer on your existing property. So, whilst waiting for someone to make you an offer, just use your laptop/tablet really to get o know property in the area you are going to.

In the meanwhile, start to get rid of loads of stuff. De-cluttering fully can take several goes. Downsizing can also mean requiring new furniture. Be really strict with yourselves in getting rid of things.

Be prepared for disappointment, people do pull out of purchases, often quite late, until contracts are actually signed and exchanged, nothing is definite. Work out your finances carefully, what is the genuinely lowest price you can accept on your existing property in order to purchase your new home. Be realistic about the costs of moving - there are Estate Agents Fees,Solicitors fees, Removal Company costs - and these will be considerable with a move over such a distance. Do not penny pinch on these, as you are older pay out for the company to do the packing for you, and sometimes the cheapest quote can turn out the more expensive if the company is not a good one.

Work out your check lists for a property you wish to purchase -ensuring it is well future-proved. (Near to shops, public transport, pharmacies, not too far from local hospital, GP surgeries, dentists, etc. etc.). Work on the fact that you may, either one or both of you, be able to drive in a few years time, either no or not too many steps/stairs. Showers or wet rooms rather than baths. Economy of keeping property warm (energy prices are going to increase).

Three lists, (A) Must have (B) Desirable to have (C) Can compromise on.

The chances of a perfect property to buy coming up is remote. BUT.....think about how you can make any new property your purchase perfect once you are living there.

Allow a goodly sum of money you will find yourself needing to spend in that first year or two in the property. Most of us have found this to be far larger than we had reckoned, on changes, decoration, curtains, flooring.carpets, new furniture, etc. etc.

Thank you for your very helpful replies - Whiff I am prepared for a stressful time but it's good to be reminded. I've started a new Move folder so all my research etc is in one place. I'm keeping my eyes set on the final goal and will just have to take each day/setback at a time - that's the plan anyway! I'm glad it worked out so well for you and you are happy in your bungalow.
Franbern thanks for your good wishes, we have been hoping to move for a few years so fortunately I'm familiar with Rightmove etc. I'm going to read through the previous threads with interest, that's good advice. Luckily I'm very minimal and have been decluttering for the last few years but I'm sure I can sort through even more. It's a good idea to have the removal people pack for me, feels extravagant but well worth it I'm sure.

Jacaranda - Another thing I would add is to create a file ready for filling in the form which is part of the exchange of contracts.
If you have lived in your current property for a while and had work done previously e.g. new extension, you would need the relevant paperwork to show that the building works had planning permission and had passed all the building regulations.
I had lived in my previous property for 50 years, and it took me some time to gather all the necessary information that was wanted.
Good luck with your house search.

Take your time selecting your conveyancing solicitors. Good idea is to have one close to where you currently live. Then paperwork can be dropped in by hand, not put in post, etc.

Thank you Maytime2 I'll look out any paperwork for the exchange of contract forms.
Thank you too Franbern much appreciated..... that's a good point, I'll check out the local conveyancers this coming week.
My DH has memory problems so most of this is up to me, which is why I'm trying to tick all the boxes early on. I've had a quote from some local removal companies and completed the EPC requirements. So much to consider!

Good morning, just rejoined briefly under a new name to say 'Merry Christmas' to you all!

I've been dealing with some unexpected life changing events and hope to be back again sometime next year.

Have a lovely time with your family and friends and I hope 2023 will be a happy healthy and peaceful year for you all.

Bungalow Blues If you are who I think you are I hope that 2023 will also be a happy and healthy year for you too.
I really do miss your daily observances about life in general.

Bungalowblues good to see you.
Hope the unexpected, life changing events are not causing you great difficulties. Wishing you peace and happiness at Christmas and all the best for the new year. Good to know you will return eventually.