Diary of the Saga of a house seller and purchaser - Part XII - October 2013

1 October: Had a call today saying that our proposed purchasers are keen to have the searches carried out, which means things are still moving with the sale.  So time to seriously start packing up!

5 October:  Had a call from a very helpful person from Severn Trent Water and the meter problem with baby bungalow has now been sorted.

11 October:   We had a good journey up to Derby this evening, apart from the motorway being closed and the diversion signs being rather remiss - or we weren't very observant.  This resulted in arriving an hour later than planned to find that, as the bungalow has been unoccupied for nearly two years, it's become a very convenient parking space for the neighbours, and we couldn't get into the drive!  

There was a very informative letter from Television Licensing waiting for us, explaining what to expect at our Court appearance for not paying our TV licence.  And we haven't even properly moved in or got the TV to work yet! 
Discovered why no decent TV: reception in Mickleover is not the best, all the neighbours having two TV aerials, so that's what we need.  Responded to TL giving them the information, and buying a licence.  But why are they  so heavy handed?!

Joined the library properly, now we have a utility bill from Severn Trent, so can check emails as well as borrow lots of books to read.

Saturday 12 October:  Over the past couple of weeks we have viewed several (many) houses and at last found one which fulfills nearly all our criteria.  Rang to put in an offer - and the number given must be a fax as that funny noise was all the response we got.

12 October:  Our proposed purchasers visited our property today to measure up - for the dog's part of the garden.  The most important part!  

Monday 14 October:  The number we tried on Saturday for the selling agent this time resulted in no ringing tone or fax noise.  Looked on the internet for any other telephone numbers for this new agent, found one and it just rings - and rings.  So tried the original number - and it worked!  Very pleased.  

We have now made our offer and are waiting for the vendors to discuss the offer and come back to us.  Fingers crossed!

Tuesday 15 October:  No news from agent and was going to to Derby, so popped in there when I arrived.  Their news was that our offer needed to be a little higher.  So offered £5k more, which was accepted.

16 October:  A letter was waiting for us at Cromer Close (baby bungalow) re gas and electricity supply, asking for meter readings (already supplied) and for us to register as customers.  

Thursday 17 October: Went for a second viewing, taking the family along.   It seemed noisier than when we viewed before, possibly due to the wet still weather and it was rush hour.  Inside the house it's perfectly OK but in the garden the sound is rather louder.  Will look up what is recommended when living near to a busy road - both for noise and for pollution.

21 October: Registered for gas and electricity, a simple procedure, and sorted out direct debit.  

22 October: Ordered survey of big bungalow from Tim Stubbs, which due to high demand cannot be carried out for 12 days. 5.30pm: call received from surveyor and due to a conflict of interest they are unable to carry out the survey.  This is because they surveyed the house 18 month ago when the present vendors bought the house.  So they've given me the numbers of three nearby surveyors whom they recommend.

23 October:  Booked a survey with Martin Hoskins, to be carried out on Friday 1 November.

Wednesday 30 October:  Took another van-load of stuff up to Derby and put it in secure storage.  The people at Access Self-Storage were very helpful.  The place is open 24/7, so long as we registered by 5pm we could stay as long as we liked putting out possessions into our lock-up. 

Friday 1 November:  Met the surveyor at the house and went afterwards to a cafe for a coffee.  After long explanations from the surveyor, reluctantly we have decided to pull out of the purchase.  What a shame!  So now back to square one but very glad that we at least have a pied a terre whilst we search for another property.

Monday 4 November:  Returned home to find a message from our estate agent and our solicitor.  The people who are purchasing our house would like to move in asap.  In this case asap is two and a half weeks time.

We will have to now rent a larger lock-up as will be between houses for more than a month, so can't expect relatives to have their houses piled high with out boxes.  So we plan to go up to Derby next week to move our possessions into a larger lock-up, so when we finally bring the rest of our stuff up it'll all fit in.

November 7th:  To carry on re sale of our property.  Big hiccup today as had an email from our solicitor confirming that they were going to exchange on our behalf with the price of the property £11,000 less than the price we agreed.  Emailed back immediately in a great panic.  Then looked through our paperwork to confirm that that price was incorrect - and pleased to find the memorandum of Sale which showed the property price, and a copy of this document had been sent to our solicitor on 6 September!

13 November:  Still awaiting exchange, this should have taken place last Friday, so am having to take on trust that this move is actually going to happen.  Perhaps the Scottish system is better after all!  We've said goodbye to many people, resigned from organisations and today even cancelled the telephone and asked for its installation at our temporary property.  Have been in this place before, last year and then, when it all fell through, because people couldn't contact us they thought we'd already gone!  Fingers crossed!


14 November:  Don't talk to be me about storage!  We dropped some stuff off at Access storage a couple of weeks ago and now are having trouble.  Will elaborate further when this is eventually sorted - one way or the other!


16 November: STILL awaiting exchange - no idea why!  And the prospective purchasers would like to move in by the end of next week.  It's almost getting to the point of 'no can do' so far as moving out our stuff is concerned.   We're now thinking that our remaining possessions may not fit into a sprinter van plus our two cars - so what to do?  Freecycle seems very quiet at the moment, a charity I approached re giving away some furniture can't collect until after our proposed removal date, and it would be rather a shame to take excess stuff to the tip.  Someone mentioned a charity called Anode (http://www.anodecharity.co.uk/AboutUs.html) which takes stuff to help people start again.  But they're not open 'til Monday morning.

18 November:   Anode can collect stuff but are choosy about what they take but at least they will take some items and it will be nice to know that someone else will enjoy using them.

20 November:  Today we hired a sprinter van again, loaded it up and drove up to the storage locker.  Emptied van with help of two willing(!) younger people.  Stayed the night in our baby bungalow, exhausted - and this is only day one of the marathon.

21 November: Returned to Paignton in sprinter van, loaded it up again (how did we accumulate so much stuff?!).  
Took some bags of unwanted items to the local charity shop  - mishap on the way as I opened the car door a bag fell out and a glass smashed in the street.  Luckily a local hairdresser was able to load a dustpan and brush so it could be cleared up.  It would have been funny if the 'workers' loading the van hadn't been waiting for their snack lunch!
Anode called with trailer and took away a few pieces of furniture.  
We stayed the night with some friends, enjoying a fish supper and film. 

22 November:  Finished loading the van, last clean of the house - still hadn't heard whether we'd actually sold or not but felt we had to proceed anyway as if we didn't then we'd be in real trouble as we had to vacate today.  Although we took a trip to the tip there were still some items which we didn't get chance to dispose of - but we feel that having to move out in such a rush meant that the purchasers couldn't complain too much if the place wasn't completely cleared (we did get permission from them first).

Digression re cats: We were about to leave - and couldn't find one of the cats - how to they do it?!  I'd sprayed a special cat-calming spray around the place which had worked when we tried it a few days ago.  
But Tiger decided she'd rather be calm outside, sitting on the compost bin.  We tried for nearly an hour, but every time we got near she scampered off, more wary than before.  In the meantime, Malcolm was happily sitting in the middle of the deserted living room floor, looking rather bemused and wondering where all the furniture had gone.  
We decided that David would have to leave or he'd be too late returning the van and that I'd stay and summons help later from a friend.  I think Tiger picked up on this as she then allowed herself to be picked up and put in the cat basket.  However, she wasn't quite to happy when we put Malcolm in with her and tried to escape. 
But once in the basket they were quiet, so we put them in the car and I made a hasty exit, to start the 230 mile journey up to Derby.  The cat spray must have worked as they were pretty quiet all the way up the motorway, only murmuring when there was a change of speed.  
I didn't dare stop for a drink or to use the facilities so drove all the way non-stop only slowing down for the three traffic jams on the M5.  But we still did the journey in just over four hours and when we arrived we carried the basket straight out to the conservatory, where we'd set up camp for them, complete with cat flap out to the garden.  
As they'd been so long in captivity I took them straight out into the garden, then showed them their food and places to sleep.  Later I showed Malcolm how to use the cat flap and also took him on walks to neighbouring streets to get his bearings.  Often he's more like a little dog so we enjoy short walks together.
But to return to the actual house sale:  we left David driving the van up the motorway and me following with said cats and various fragile pictures.  Half way up the motorway I had a text to say that we'd actually exchanged contracts! Hoorah!!  Then later a text to say that we were rich as we'd sold!

23 November:  Obviously too much excitement yesterday as today have gone down with a terrible flu-ey cold.

28 November:  At last the money for the house has come through.  I don't feel happy having all that money, it was much better having money invested in bricks and mortar (is that a British attitude as people in other countries are happy to rent all their lives and have a portfolio of investments?).  So now need to spread the money around, so that there's no more than £85,000 in any one bank (or banking group) per person, for compensation in case the banks go bust - not something we'd have thought about before the Northern Rock fiasco.  For more information on this, see: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/savings/safe-savings  and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/savings/9280429/Keep-your-savings-secure-when-banks-get-into-trouble.html

Diary of the saga of a house seller - and buyer.  Part XI - September 2013





1 September: Firstly this month here are a couple of tips for house moving from the a pinterest page: http://pinterest.com/krystalbranom/move/






Instead of wrapping your dinner plates in newspaper - layer them between polystyrene plates, useful for picnics afterwards.




This pic speaks for itself.  Apparently, it saves packing all your clothes and then unpacking them later and hanging them up:

Another couple of useful sites:

http://thejoyfulorganizer.com/2012/05/15/get-moving-2/

http://pinterest.com/pin/261138478366588175/

8 September:  We have just returned from our annual holiday on the narrow boat - this year a leisurely week on the peaceful Kennet and Avon Canal, near Bath.  

Whilst we were away the phone reception was dire so we nearly missed some people who were requesting a second viewing of the house.  Subsequent to the viewing they made us an offer which we were pleased to accept.  

This begged the question of do we still buy the tiny bungalow (now in brown typeface on here, to save confusion)?  We decided it was still a good idea for two reasons:

1. The house sale could still fall through.  Perhaps it's time we adopted the Scottish system whereby once a price is agreed upon, the deal goes ahead, no waiting until contracts are exchanged before really knowing that anything's actually happening.
2. It will put us in a good position for purchasing our new property.  We'll have nothing to sell and the cash sitting waiting in the bank account.

A tiny bungalow in 1922: a bit smaller than the one we're buying - but not much!

So, after several telephone calls and emails, we eventually heard from our solicitor (after a couple of sleepless nights) that everything is now in place so we can exchange on the bungalow this week and possibly even complete!

9 September:  Today's 'funny'.  I saw a possibly suitable house on the internet but no room sizes were given, so emailed the agent and here's her reply: 
'Thank you for your enquiry regarding the property at ---.  Unfortunately room measurements are not available although the property is unique and all rooms are of a good size.  If you would like any further questions answered or if you would like to arrange a viewing please do hesitate to contact me.'  
So I still don't know!   ... as my father used to say 'what a way to run a railway'!

10 September:  Still had not heard from our agent re sale of this house, this evening I emailed him and apparently the paperwork is in the post.  We're very glad to hear that as we wondered if everything had gone pear-shaped again!

11 September: Regarding bungalow completion this week there appear to be two problems:

1   Our solicitor has been told that the mortgage company is still not happy with the legal paperwork, especially regarding the planning permission/building regs (http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/buildingregulations/) for the tiny side extension.  Considering this was built in 1988 I shouldn't have thought that planning permission was an issue.   This isn't something which has been mentioned before is it perhaps a red herring.

2  The mortgage company say that the solicitor hasn't asked for the money - and that it's too short notice to release the money in time anyway.

Do we believe this?  And why the stalling?!

12 September:  Telephone call received from our solicitor today to say that completion unlikely to take place tomorrow. Rather a nuisance as plans have been made. So have now unmade them, although all the furniture which is to go on the van and has been carried, some of it down two flights of stairs, is to stay in the front hall.   Completion is now likely to be in about a week's time.  Fingers crossed.

18 September: Email received from the vendor of the bungalow to say that there were big problems because their solicitor couldn't get hold of our solicitor.  Found out eventually that it was because their solicitor  had got into a muddle was ringing the wrong number. One problem solved.

Nothing to do with house move but made me laugh!

20 September:  Everything is being held up as we haven't sent proof of having taken out house insurance. So emailed a copy to our solicitor

23 September:  Rang the mortgage company to see what's what.  And apparently everything is being held up, not because we hadn't produced proof of house insurance, but because we hadn't noted on the insurance that the building society had an interest in the property. Subtle difference.
So rang the insurance company and they faxed a copy of revised insurance to the mortgage company.  When that had been received they reassured me that the funds will be released tomorrow so we can achieve completion.

24 September:  We are now the proud owners of a tiny bungalow!

25 September:  Survey and valuation of our house took place yesterday.  The person who carried it out was very nice - and not just because he said there were no big problems with the house, just some wear and tear which was to be expected.

26 September: Hired a long-wheelbase Transit van and, with the help of several kind friends, moved masses of furniture and boxes up to the little bungalow. After a couple of days of unpacking and sorting it's now a nice little 'pied a terre', complete with washing machine, cooker and fridge. 

27 September:  We tried to join the local library but no luck as we don't have any sort of up-to-date utility bill to prove residence.  However, the librarian allowed us to take out temporary membership, which means we can borrow up to four (free) books at a time but no chance to go on the internet.  The one thing it would be so useful to do as we aren't yet connected.

30 September: Returned home, with lots of empty boxes ready to fill again, and contacted the utility companies.  Gas and electricity were straightforward, but water was problematical as we needed to have given them a meter reading - but we didn't even know there was a meter!  So have asked daughter to look for us.   She eventually found one between two properties - which may or may not be ours! - but couldn't read it as the cover was ill-fitting, resulting in soil and dirty getting in and scratching the cover.  As she was unable to read it we will need to contact the water company again.  Moral of this tale:  ask if you have a water meter before moving in, and its location.

To be continued ...

We live in an age in which we are saturated with images. They stare at us from posters and the pages of magazines, they flit across our television and computer screens, they adorn our food packaging, our clothes and accessories. Whilst many of these images are purely commercial, the ubiquitous image has not left the art world untouched. Andy Warhol declared the death of art and stood for the democratization of painting – advertisements can be high art, art can be advertisement. The widespread nature of images has only increased the demand for art in peoples’ homes. Cheap full color reproductions and posters of paintings can be found from student rooms to hotel foyers. In the decades after the explosion of mass-produced images, many artists moved away from traditional formats and embraced a broader and more all-inclusive package of subjects and mediums. Art lovers followed suit, buying ever more extravagant pieces that moved further from the traditions of yesteryear, constantly searching for the newest sensation. Where then does this leave painting? Contrary to the popular view of contemporary art, many of the newest and brightest young artists have fully embraced painting, reviving it and transforming their canvases into extraordinary works of skill and talent. This renaissance of painting can be seen in galleries worldwide. However, when one can buy a very pleasing colour print for £5, why should one buy a piece of original art? A painting is unique – you are the owner of a work, the only one of its kind. So much more substantial than a print, you have a piece of heritage. When buying paintings, you must only choose that which you truly love and can imagine yourself living with. Paintings come at a price, but a high price is no guarantee that your painting is a good investment. As with all things, fashions and tastes change. Paintings that were once immensely popular can fall out of favour rapidly, whereas unknown artists can shoot into the spotlight overnight. A painting you love can be treasured by you and your family for generations to come, irrespective of monetary value. The qualities that an original painting possesses cannot be replicated even by the most advanced print technique. An original is so much more vivid, more alive than any reproductions they've seen, but often they can't put their finger on why exactly this should be. Perhaps the ephemeral superiority lies in the details that come together to make the whole: The look of the paint - a soft translucent sheen or the crystallized pigments that change subtly as you move through the room; brushstrokes, the textures of the paint, the surface created by movements of brush, palette knife and sponge; The three-dimensional quality of a painting on canvas or board, which gives it a tremendous sense of presence. When displayed, an original painting will transform a room, altering the space around it. A painting is so much more than just an image. It is the unique mark of an artist, a document of their creativity and energy. In a world full of reproductions, watered-down visions and genuine fakes, an original painting stands as a capsule of authenticity – a direct link to humanity and the spark of creativity of another human being. Paintings are personal in an impersonal world, a token of love and passion that reconnects us to ourselves.

We live in an age in which we are saturated with images.  They stare at us from posters and the pages of magazines, they flit across our television and computer screens, they adorn our food packaging, our clothes and accessories. 

Whilst many of these images are purely commercial, the ubiquitous image has not left the art world untouched. Andy Warhol declared the death of art and stood for the democratization of painting – advertisements can be high art, art can be advertisement. The widespread nature of images has only increased the demand for art in peoples’ homes.  Cheap full color reproductions and posters of paintings can be found from student rooms to hotel foyers.

In the decades after the explosion of mass-produced images, many artists moved away from traditional formats and embraced a broader and more all-inclusive package of subjects and mediums. 

Art lovers followed suit, buying ever more extravagant pieces that moved further from the traditions of yesteryear, constantly searching for the newest sensation. Where then does this leave painting?

Contrary to the popular view of contemporary art, many of the newest and brightest young artists have fully embraced painting, reviving it and transforming their canvases into extraordinary works of skill and talent. 

This renaissance of painting can be seen in galleries worldwide. However, when one can buy a very pleasing colour print for £5, why should one buy a piece of original art?

A painting is unique – you are the owner of a work, the only one of its kind. So much more substantial than a print, you have a piece of heritage. When buying paintings, you must only choose that which you truly love and can imagine yourself living with. 

Paintings come at a price, but a high price is no guarantee that your painting is a good investment. As with all things, fashions and tastes change.  Paintings that were once immensely popular can fall out of favour rapidly, whereas unknown artists can shoot into the spotlight overnight. 

A painting you love can be treasured by you and your family for generations to come, irrespective of monetary value.

The qualities that an original painting possesses cannot be replicated even by the most advanced print technique.  An original is so much more vivid, more alive than any reproductions they've seen, but often they can't put their finger on why exactly this should be. 

Perhaps the ephemeral superiority lies in the details that come together to make the whole: The look of the paint - a soft translucent sheen or the crystallized pigments that change subtly as you move through the room; brushstrokes, the textures of the paint, the surface created by movements of brush, palette knife and sponge; The three-dimensional quality of a painting on canvas or board, which gives it a tremendous sense of presence. When displayed, an original painting will transform a room, altering the space around it. A painting is so much more than just an image. It is the unique mark of an artist, a document of their creativity and energy. 

In a world full of reproductions, watered-down visions and genuine fakes, an original painting stands as a capsule of authenticity – a direct link to humanity and the spark of creativity of another human being. Paintings are personal in an impersonal world, a token of love and passion that reconnects us to ourselves.

So Why Buy Art?

• Original art is unique.  As a personal expression, art reflects emotions, experiences and individuality of the human experience.  In a home original art is a powerful statement.  If we are able to connect with the impact of original art, the expression of personal identity is enhanced in our living space which adds to the quality of life.  
• Original art improves our environment.  Imagine bleak, bare walls or walls covered with factory produced reproductions compared with one filled with emotionally charged original art that reflects the taste of the art buyer. 
• Art connects people in a real way.  People reflect on and comment about original art. 

Diary of a house buyer - and seller  Part VI, September 2012

4 September: Just returned from an afternoon walk at Oldway Mansion (http://www.torquay.com/attractions/ oldway-mansion-paignton) to see a BT van in the drive, someone come to check our line – with no advance notice!  There seems to be a problem with the line so therefore they’ll be unable to connect us on 6 September.

6 September: Another operative from BT came, said the line had been mended, so now we could be connected up.  But that we weren’t to use the phone/internet for several hours.

7 September: At last we have phone/internet!   Now we need to tell everybody and seek some sort of compensation from Talktalk for the extra costs involved.

13 September: Just returned from Derby where we saw two bungalows which could be suitable.  We were looking as the house we were originally to move into has had an offer, but not too much as no point in looking to be disappointed.  

We were lucky to be able sell on the house survey which we’d paid for, for just over half price, which recoups some of the money expended on the house - and lucky for the new purchasers.   Perhaps in the long run it'll be better as we'd really rather have a bungalow than a house - easier maintenance.

The good news is that our new bed  (it was to be new house/new bed!) has arrived and it's magic.  It has controllers on both sides of the bed and the mattresses can be raised and lowered, either separately - or together.  I just hope I don't get sandwiched in the middle!


15 September: No more viewers, despite the house having a big spread in the local paper last week.  Sounds like we are definitely back to square one - but at least we now have a (comparatively) tidy, minimalist house.  I'm keen to do more unpacking and sorting, once the weather deteriorates.  

In the meantime, it's a lovely Indian summer, so the solar panels are doing us proud.  The end of this month will be exactly a year since they were fitted so we'll be able to see how much benefit they've been.  We have had a reduction in electricity bills (although haven't noticed much as the cost of fuel has increased astronomically) but by the looks of things we may be on target for as much as £1,600 in feedback tariff - not a bad return on the original investment of £13,770 made last year.  It's a pity that potential buyers don't realise that this amount of money is guaranteed (tax free) for the next 24 years.

20 September:  Today we had some viewers, a young couple who are very busy, so can only look at prospective properties at weekends.  They're looking at about ten houses every weekend until they find somewhere suitable.  This must be quite boggling (did that last house have a sunny garden - or was that the one with the pokey loft?).  However, the upshot was that they wanted a more 'useable' garden, somewhere safe where the children could play and didn't feel that our garden fitted that category.  I agree totally as it's so important to have a child-friendly garden.

28 September:  Today it's exactly one year since the solar panels were fitted and we have made £1,604.25 profit - plus the reduction in electricity costs over that period.  This scheme was certainly worthwhile.

29 September: Still awaiting the compensation from Talktalk for loss of service for nearly six weeks which, it was promised would arrive by yesterday.

Diary of a house seller and buyer - Part V August 2012 (note I've started putting the year, in case we run on into 2013!)

4 August: Apparently there may be another person who’s interested in another property near here, a very similar one but with a bigger garden, and that one’s already under offer.  So perhaps a chance here.  If so, will be likely to have heard from our Agent by the 7^th or 8^th .  Fingers crossed.

7^th August: Haven’t heard from anyone, except from the Agent of the house we wanted to buy, to confirm that we would not in a position to go ahead.  Apparently the vendor is to rent out the property again for six months, whilst keeping it on the market, so fingers crossed.

8^th August: As we haven’t heard, we’ve decided to put away all the boxes and tidy up in case the Agent brings anyone round to view.  We think it would be a good idea to rent out the rooms on our ground floor, on a short let, until we’ve sold properly.  What a lot of work!

9 August:  The garden’s a jungle, probably because of the weeks of torrential rain we’ve had, so no chance to get out there and weed.  And also the lovely sunny weather we have now has encouraged the plants – and the weeds – even more as they have lovely damp feet..  It’s amazing how much convolvulus there is, although probably no more than usual, it’s just that I haven’t been on top of the job.

10 August:  Our agent visited today, naturally laid most of the blame at our solicitor’s door, which may or may not be correct. But we’ve resolved to pester everyone more next time – both agents and solicitors – and also to move out as soon as we’ve sold.  The people who could have been interested in this house have chosen the other one which they viewed, well at least that takes on more off the market and gives us more chance to sell.

The agent suggested that we limit any packed boxes to one, or at the most two, rooms, leaving the kitchens and bathrooms as free as possible.  The thinking behind this is that kitchens and bathrooms have fixtures which will be staying so it gives buyers more idea of what those rooms will look like.

11 August:  I’ve unpacked most of my craft stuff and set up a craft room, it’s great!  David’s unpacked his tools up in his shed, so he’s happy too.  I’ve also been sorting through boxes as they’ve been unpacked and got rid of more stuff, so that’ll save time when we do eventually sell again.

16 August: Our phone should have been reconnected today, having had no phone/internet for over two weeks – and guess what? Nothing happened!  So rang up talktalk and apparently we have to start all over again and apply for a new number.  To access this information has taken nearly two hours of telephone calls, explaining the same thing over and over again.  …. Will be new telephone will be installed in three weeks’ time.  This has severely curtailed my internet use!

17 August: House was in local paper again today and produced one interested party.  They are to view on Monday – help! – the place needs cleaning and tidying.  How do we manage to make the place such a mess?

20 August: Well, what a hard two and a half days’ work! -  but the place has been transformed.  We won’t need to clean again for ages.  The viewers came, loved the house and found it very suitable for their needs.

21 August:  A low offer has been received which we rejected, this was increased slightly but it’s still too low, so now it’s back with the agent, seeing if he can encourage the proposed purchaser to make more money available.    

In the interim, we found a house many weeks ago which looked very suitable but was far too expensive.  It’s now come down in price – still too much – but we could make an offer.  Just to see if it’s in the frame, I’m going up to Derby to view it and then perhaps make an offer and see how much will be accepted.

22 August: Offer withdrawn as prospective buyer’s buyer has pulled out, as he’s not happy with the state of their garage wall.

So back to square one again…

I popped in to see the agent today, to explain about the benefits of the solar panels.  He thinks we should lower our asking price – even if we’re not prepared to accept much less, which is certainly worth thinking about. 

24 August: We have the chance of some good tenants for downstairs.  She works full time and he would only be here at the weekend.  This sounds good.  The downside is that we’ve got rid of so much stuff, so we’re now going through our (already packed) boxes to see what we have which could be used to equip the downstairs accommodation.  So we’ve been busy unpacking, sorting and … stuff.  Hard work.  All the empty boxes are to be flat packed and stored in the attic spaces, although we’ve decided not to put any other things in the attics or they’ll just multiply and end up being more work later.

25 August: Our new bed’s coming in two weeks – yippee!  Then we can put our bed downstairs for the new people.

Had another viewer, a distinct possibility but they haven't yet put their house on the market, in which case they could be many months!

The saga of the new telephone continues, with a letter just received giving out bank details, ready to set up the direct debit – but it’s in the wrong name! – if the bank is approached with those details it’ll hold up it’s hand in horror and refuse to honour the request.  This is very strange as we’ve been with Talktalk for over eight years, so you’d think they’d have copied our former details onto the new contract!

Diary of a House Seller and Buyer
Part IV, July

1 July: Just returned from a weekend in Derby. The survey has been received by email, with hard copy to follow by post.  It looks very comprehensive.  Lots of little things need attention.  Some of them urgently. With surveys it's quite a challenge to work out what matters and what can wait - or even be largely ignored.  

Surveys are set out well these days, with sections for each part of the property, so, although it was very long, it was comparatively easy to understand. There was a summary, with recommendations for work to be done.  A section of legal stuff which could be forwarded to the solicitor:  what the surveyor thinks the solicitor should investigate.  Finally there were suggestions about general property upkeep.  So a good aide-memoir for the future.

This morning we re-viewed the property, spending enough time to see everything properly, instead of being rushed around.  Much of the place was better/bigger than we remembered.  Having viewed the survey it was interesting to spot what had been highlighted as important. Also see what we thought of the recommendations.
The owner appeared and we had a useful chat with him about small concerns. He is to sort out some of the problems - and leaving other things for us to do if/when we see fit.

So, we feel much easier now, especially as we can see clearly what needs to be done.  Today we thought about where to put the furniture. Then what needs to be bought, such as fridge/freezer, as the agent's details of what was to be left behind were not too clear.

2nd July: Contacted solicitor to ask him to go ahead with the purchase.

4th July: American Independence Day!  And for us, there's lots happening.  According to the agent, our vendor is sorting out the small outstanding jobs which need doing, such as cleaning out drains, and fixing missing roof tile and securing guttering.

Our solicitor has returned paperwork to our buyer's solicitor and is dealing with the paperwork for us re the purchase.   He seems to think it won't be long before exchange of contracts (I wonder what 'not very long' is in solicitor-speak?).
We are still busy packing up and sorting and getting rid of stuff but it's amazing how much is still to be done.  
It's also frustrating when things break, such as the light in the downstairs kitchen's stopped functioning, so it's had to be replaced (won't be our problem soon ...).

Once it stopped raining, I had a wander round the garden, taking cuttings from favourite plants to put in pots and take with us.  If they survive it'll be a nice reminder of our lovely garden here (see photo opposite and above).
  
5 July: I've been busy make a mosaic house number for the new property.  The idea was to use broken up crockery with added bought mosaic pieces.

The mosaic house number gradually being cleaned up.

It's very easy to do:  Take a piece of wood, draw a design on it (no need to be too accurate as these marks won't eventually show).  Cover a small area with pva glue then, with a pair of tweezers, place the mosaic pieces, leaving plenty of space for the grout which will ultimately hold the thing together.  When the glue's dried, grout the whole piece, scraping off the excess.  Then carefully remove any grout which has dried on the mosaic pieces themselves.  This part takes ages but it's very satisfying when the pictures eventually revealed - and voila!

6 July: Received a phone call from seller's agent to say that the damp people had detected no damp in the property - very good!

10 July: It's all been very quiet for the past few days.  We've given away lots of stuff on freecycle but it's amazing the stuff which no-one's been interested in.  Perhaps it's because the weather's improved and people are out doing stuff.  

One lodger is departing at the beginning of next week, so we'll be able to sort out his room and give it a good clean.  The other lodger wants to stay until about the 8th August, I said 'fine, but you may find your furniture disappearing under your nose', which he doesn't seem to mind.

11 July:  I'm looking forward to exchanging contracts as then I'll be able to post info on here about where we're going.   In the interim, I've been making sketches on scrap paper of how we could alter the new kitchen.  
At present it's a good-sized room, but there's no utility room for the cats to call their own.  At present we have the washing machine in the utility room, plus scratching post for the cats, together with places for them to sleep and a cat flap for them to come and go as they please at night.

As the new kitchen is L shaped, it's only a matter of putting up a wall (see dotted line on diagram), leaving two oblongs.  There's already a window, which we could alter into a back door (to install the cat flap).  This would make it straightforward taking the damp clothes from the washing machine to hang out in the garden to dry.  It would also mean if someone in the garden wanted to use the cloakroom, they wouldn't have to walk through the house, bringing in mud and dirt.  

12 July: Am feeling nervous as have 'let go' lots of stuff - either on freecycle (http://www.freecycle.org) or to a friend who helps young people starting out who have no furniture of equipment.  
It feels marvellous that these items will now have a new lease of life and be enjoyed and used, whereas here they were 'surplus to requirements'.  But some of these things I loved, am sad to say goodbye to them and hope people like them as much as I did.
13 July (Friday 13th): Sent off deposit to removers, by return they will drop off a load of boxes (included as part of the deal, tape and paper is extra).  
Also heard from the purchaser's agent that the works outstanding will be completed by Wednesday, so someone can pop in and inspect them.

20 July: Outstanding works to new house have been satisfactorily completed.  So am getting excited about moving in and altering new house to suit.  Have been thinking that, if we're going to put a new roof on the kitchen, it might be worth at the same time extending the back bedroom and adding an ensuite.

24 July: We've been down to Cornwall for the weekend, to sign contracts for buying and selling and at the same time saying goodbye (for the moment) to many friends.  However returned this evening to problems with our buyer ... watch this space.  We were to exchange this week and, hopefully, move in two weeks ...  So now may need to cancel the removers, the new talktalk telephone contract - and the new bed!

24 July: Last weekend we visited our solicitor to sign paperwork for sale and purchase of the properties. However, when we saw him on Saturday the solicitor was bemused as he hadn’t received anything from our purchasers. 

25 July: we've just had a call from our agent to say, mysteriously, he can’t get hold of the purchaser(!)

28 July:  Today, Thursday, finally had a call from the Agent saying that apparently the purchasers had had a row and ‘he’ had gone off last Friday – and no-one had heard from him since, not even ‘her’.  So perhaps this sale may be off, unless they (a) get together again and (b) still want this property ….. rather a long short.

31 July: On top of all this, our telephone provider decided to cut us off!? No advance notice.  What they imagined we were going to do until we moved, I do not know.  We have no phone, no internet.  I’m devastated and don’t know what to do! 

I spent nearly an hour, spread over three phone calls, yesterday trying to sort it out – and the soonest we can be reconnected is two weeks’ time!!  Bad management.

They admit their error and have filed a complaint for me.  If we are selling the house – and possibly buying one too – then a landline and email are vital.

Diary of a house seller - and buyer - Part III, June 2012

11 June: We've been looking at prospective houses and have now learned the following:

• house viewing is tiring and frustrating.
• every house I've looked at I've loved!
• being able to look at details and photos is a great help, especially being able to access the details quickly on the internet.
• estate agents are not as helpful as they could be.

I thought it was possible to give requirements to an estate agent, they'd trawl through the properties on their books and make suggestions and then we could arrange viewings.  But it's not so!


This past week it's been more of a case of finding houses for ourselves on the internet and then asking agents for more information and to view.  It's not been easy to get hold of details, with viewing often taking several days to arrange. (15 June, have just had a response to our email to agent sent eight days ago, requesting a viewing.)


Many agents are very professional.  But there are others who've often arrived late for viewings, they sometimes don't know much about the property and don't even have a copy of the details to give us.  Then they've rushed us around the houses - one time with less than 20 mins being allocated - before they're on to the next client.


Another pitfall has been photography.  It's misleading where the photos on the details are distorted and make the room/garden look far bigger or smaller than they are.  For instance, one set of details made the garden look very big - which we want - and when we got there it wasn't: a waste of everyone's time.  


Another showed a lovely house which was at the top of our price range and from the details looked in good condition.  When we subsequently viewed the house there were several half-finished projects (none mentioned in the details), the cost of which would have taken us way out of our price bracket: so again no good. 

We've been taken around with other prospective purchasers, which we haven't minded, except that the agents don't seem to want the two to meet: rather like  'musical chairs'.  


One property we had to wait over 48 hours to view.  Then, when we got there, the tenants were there (6 of them!), plus the vendor, the agent and two other viewers.  As you can imagine, we couldn't wait to leave that house.


Eventually, we've narrowed it down to seven properties, all of which have their good and bad points.  Do we go for:

• detached or semi?
• too small or too big?
• views
• near to shops and bus route
• secluded garden
• big garden or small garden?
• garage/workshop
• older or newer
• sun at back or front?

Life is so much easier when there's less choice ... then we'd buy any house which was for sale and then alter it to suit us.

... Well, at last we've put in an offer for our chosen house, which inside is very similar to our present home. Fingers crossed ....

12 June am: No news regarding house, so rang agent who relayed the information that Mr house-vendor had accepted the offer but that Mrs house-vendor would not accept, she wanted up to £25,000 more.  A difficult situation. 
pm: Good news this afternoon as our offer has been accepted.  Our next steps are:

• Send two forms of our id to the agent, at least one of which must give our address, together with solicitor's details.
• Instruct our solicitor
• Instruct a surveyor
• Keep sorting and packing. 

Talking of sorting and packing, I've just thrown away at least 20 glass coffee jars used as storage containers.  It's amazing what we've accumulated over the past five years or so living here.


15 June: The surveyor has been briefed and will phone us after he's carried out the survey early next week.   

We had a morning off today and visited the Devon Guild of Craftsmen, in Bovey Tracey: http://www.crafts.org.uk/ to see 'Engaging the Senses'.  The Devon Guild is always good for inspiration.  Most of my craft stuff has now been packed so it's more for ideas.  
I'm missing it already!  


(Which leads to the question: is sorting out possessions a creative activity?  I certainly feel better once things are tidy and organised.  And amass ideas along the way.  Must remember to make a note of them for when there's the opportunity to start making again.)

Our purchaser has made an appointment come and measure up to decide where furniture is to go.   Am looking forward to doing that in our new property.  


It'll be great when I can publicise on here which is our new abode ....    The living room is as large as the one we have here - 25' x 15' with the kitchen being little larger but with two corners missing - one for a sort of study with French doors to the garden and the other corner is where the cloakroom and stairs are situated.  The kitchen's fabulous and the whole house is well decorated and up-to-date with only a few things to do, including some new windows and attention to part of the roof. 



If, after this remedial work, there's enough money left over, we'd like to attach a conservatory.  
Facing north, it won't get too hot in the summer.

A beautiful conservatory -









One fun job we'll soon be tackling is the garden.  It's a blank canvas of decking, flat grass and raised beds, with a shed at the far end. It isn't a jungle so we won't be intrepidly hacking back overgrown bushes and weeds.  


19 June: Bad news, survey not looking good, so have pulled out and we're now back to square one ....


21 June (first day of summer, so torrential rain): Very glad we viewed lots of houses as returned to our file of 'favourites', found that two have now been sold, so we need to act quickly.  


We've made an offer on another, very different, house - a 1930's semi.  


It's funny how, when house-hunting, we started out with a list of 'vital' features. Then gradually, the more we search, the list has changed.  So, instead of going for a dormer bungalow, we've now put an offer on a three storey house ...  
After some bargaining, the offer's been accepted.  Our solicitor and selling agent have been informed and surveyor booked, so now we can go away for the weekend with a clear in-tray.

This house has plenty of room, the garden is long and interesting and faces south.  There are three and a half bedrooms, two bathrooms and plenty of parking.  It's on a main road so convenient for bus, pub and park but not alas near to a corner shop selling milk and papers.  

The kitchen is 'L' shaped, with part of the dining area having 'glass' roof, rather like a conservatory.  

Whether this'll be chilly in winter, we're not sure but if so we'll put on proper roof and attach a conservatory to the back.  The cats'll be pleased about this as, until we make arrangements for them they'll need to sleep in the shed or garage at night.

26 June: Large letter in the post regarding our sale, with various forms attached for us to fill out, regarding (a) what we're leaving behind (b) legal stuff (such as, who owns which boundaries, whether we've had problem with neighbours, any guarantees re windows, electrical work etc).  I presume it's easier for us to fill these out as it saves a great deal of our solicitor's time (therefore money).

We had a great weekend on the Isle of Wight (or Isle of Weight, as the food was excellent!).  The weather was kind, although rather blowy on Saturday.  That day I had a taster of line dancing (great fun) and ceroc dancing (ditto). 

This was followed by an interesting walk near Bembridge, looking at the Bembridge Limestone and Bembridge Marl, with a seam of Chalk running through the middle.  I picked up a lump of (presumably Bembridge) Clay off the beach and hope to make something with it to remember the weekend.  (see photo below: Bembridge Marl with line of grey clay at the bottom, spilling onto the beach)

Having studied the area for his thesis, the tutor was very knowledgeable, and patiently explained the geology of this part of the Isle of Weight, with particular emphasis on ways to combat coastal erosion  (See: http://www.coastalwight.gov.uk/ and http://www.dinosaurisle.com/geological_history.aspx).

4.55pm had a call from the surveyor to say he'd carried out the survey this morning and found various small problems which he'd be listing in his formal report.  They were to do with general upkeep of the property - slates off roof, guttering not adequate/secure, damp in kitchen floor, wiring needs attention.  He is going to investigate more to see how much this remedial work is likely to cost.  Perhaps it's what we should expect when the house has had tenants and the landlord hasn't been able to have access to carry out such work.  But we need to factor in the cost of this work when working out the cost.