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Original poster

Small gift for person buying our home?

66 replies

Newname211 · 15/07/2023 20:21

The person buying my home is moving here from a different country. Our home isn’t a big/fancy house or anything, it’s very modest.

The buyer gave us a very fair price and has been lovely through the whole process, so we want to get them a small “new home” gift.

Obviously the obvious choices are a plant/flowers or booze, but personally I don’t like those kinds of gifts so try to avoid giving them! I also hate wasting money on something that might not be appreciated.

I was thinking of making a small pack with local info and info about the house (eg where tiles/flooring/doors/door handles came from incase of repairs/replacements being needed and so on) and local contacts like our gardener, window cleaner etc, nice places to eat that are close by (since she’s new to the area) and then making her a small “welcome” hamper with essentials for the first few days (eg hand soap, toilet roll, washing up liquid, tea, coffee, sugar, bread, and leaving a note saying there is milk and butter in the fridge) - along with maybe a few disposable cups and leaving our (good condition) kettle?

If you were buying a house in a different country, would you appreciate this?

Buyers goods are already in this country in storage; buyer is travelling the day before the move.

OP posts:
guzzleandstuff · 15/07/2023 22:06

@Newname211 - I didn't say most people I said many people.
You only have to read threads on here about people throwing gifts of food away, or cakes that others have baked going in the bin uneaten or about food left at the end of holiday home/ AirBnB stay getting chucked. It is not unknown.

However it was just an observation. If it's not something you've seen fair enough.
It's a nice idea OP

Original poster
Newname211 · 15/07/2023 22:13

guzzleandstuff · 15/07/2023 22:06

@Newname211 - I didn't say most people I said many people.
You only have to read threads on here about people throwing gifts of food away, or cakes that others have baked going in the bin uneaten or about food left at the end of holiday home/ AirBnB stay getting chucked. It is not unknown.

However it was just an observation. If it's not something you've seen fair enough.
It's a nice idea OP

Wee, I wouldn’t eat food that an unknown persons had cooked - but I’d be perfectly okay with sealed food.

OP posts:
Gargantuan2023 · 16/07/2023 06:46

Lovely idea. We left a bottle of Prosecco and a very clean house. I was fortunate to have extra help and my mum went round one last time after we all had left, hoovering and mopping. I had done it before but she did final touches.
When we moved to next house, they left a lovely letter saying they hoped we would be very happy there and house was very clean too.

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Wilkolampshade · 16/07/2023 07:03

To leave info and guarantees/certificates is normal, in fact, the latter should have come up in the conveyancing really.
Personally, I'd find the fridge stuff over the top. You don't know what they eat, food intolerance, allergens cultural or religious preferences may apply anyway.
Bunch of flowers and a card is fine.

Sunnysidegold · 16/07/2023 07:22

Even if someone had food intolerances or were weird about eating sealed butter from a working fridge, I'm sure they would appreciate the kind gesture.

Our sellers left a vase of lovely flowers and a nice card wishing us the same happiness they'd had in the house which was lovely.

They also left all the instructions for the fridge and oven and left a list of companies involved - like who fitted the kitchen, etc. They left the paint tins in the garage all labelled with the rooms which was handy too.

B1993 · 16/07/2023 07:34

I like the idea of a hamper. I'd add in locally produced items if possible.

spiderlight · 16/07/2023 08:32

I think that's a lovely idea! When we bought our house, all we were left was a garden full of dog poo!

Leapintothelightning · 16/07/2023 08:44

We left our buyers a bottle of Prosecco and £4. And a card that gave some info - there was paint in the shed for the fence, paint in the loft, the password for the thermostat etc and said we hoped they'd be as happy there as we were.
The reason for the £4 is that they added £4 onto the end of their offer stating it was their lucky number so we thought it would be a nice touch to give the £4 back ☺️

Marlaysydney12 · 16/07/2023 08:51

We moved from overseas and the first couple of days ate tricky! A kettle, couple of mugs, teabags etc. would be lovely.

Original poster
Newname211 · 16/07/2023 10:56

Gargantuan2023 · 16/07/2023 06:46

Lovely idea. We left a bottle of Prosecco and a very clean house. I was fortunate to have extra help and my mum went round one last time after we all had left, hoovering and mopping. I had done it before but she did final touches.
When we moved to next house, they left a lovely letter saying they hoped we would be very happy there and house was very clean too.

We HAD scheduled to have around 10 family members on hand on the day of the move to help with childcare, dog care, physically moving stuff etc. - Family members were using a day of annual leave to help.

Unfortunately, the entry date has been delayed and now we only have very limited help, since everyone had already scheduled time off to help on the previous date!

OP posts:
Original poster
Newname211 · 16/07/2023 11:00

Wilkolampshade · 16/07/2023 07:03

To leave info and guarantees/certificates is normal, in fact, the latter should have come up in the conveyancing really.
Personally, I'd find the fridge stuff over the top. You don't know what they eat, food intolerance, allergens cultural or religious preferences may apply anyway.
Bunch of flowers and a card is fine.

It’s an old house so not much is under guarantee tbh, but all relevant guarantees have been provided months ago.

The “fridge stuff” is literally a pint of milk and a tub of butter.

OP posts:
RosesAndHellebores · 16/07/2023 11:01

@Newname211 actually, I'd focus on the spotlessly clean rather than worry about gifts. Hire a cleaning company to do it once the place is empty.

The last couple of contracts regarding house sale we have had have stipulated that our house and the one being purchased is cleaned to a professional standard. It's pretty standard nowadays. Anything else is minging.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 16/07/2023 11:03

Brilliant idea, v v thoughtful. I'd love a little hamper for first few days and practical info about house.

Original poster
Newname211 · 16/07/2023 11:07

B1993 · 16/07/2023 07:34

I like the idea of a hamper. I'd add in locally produced items if possible.

Yes that’s what I’m doing.

Tea is Scottish blend tea.
Loaf is from a local artisan bakery.
Shortbread for biscuits.

Butter and milk just from supermarket.

Also including 4x loo rolls (in a packet) a packet of scourers, a small bottle of fairy, small jar of coffee, biodegradable paper cups.

Any other ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
Newname211 · 16/07/2023 11:10

RosesAndHellebores · 16/07/2023 11:01

@Newname211 actually, I'd focus on the spotlessly clean rather than worry about gifts. Hire a cleaning company to do it once the place is empty.

The last couple of contracts regarding house sale we have had have stipulated that our house and the one being purchased is cleaned to a professional standard. It's pretty standard nowadays. Anything else is minging.

I don’t know where you are, but that isn’t possible here in Scotland.

The keys are all exchanged at the one time - so our removal van arrived at 9am, loads up the van. Once van is loaded we leave here with the keys, drive to drop them at lawyers, drive to collect our keys at other lawyers, then go to the new house to let the movers in.

There is no time between us leaving and buyer arriving as we cease to own this house.

OP posts:
WillowtreeHouse · 16/07/2023 11:14

When we moved into this house nearly 20 years ago we had bought the fridge from the previous owners. It was stocked with milk, a cheese board, eggs, bacon and a homemade quiche. (It wasn't leftovers it was all new). On the side there was a basket with bread, fruit and scones. I was gobsmacked by their kindness, they were just lovely people.

Teenangels · 16/07/2023 11:17

I was going to do this for our buyer and then they turned into nightmares even vetoing certain dates as they were not as lucky as others dates in their culture. When they were pushing to move ASAP.

I did not leave anything other than keys.

RosesAndHellebores · 16/07/2023 11:18

@Newname211 then you have it professionally cleaned the day before! FFS you can't leave anything but a spotless house.

Packers pack everything that is non essential the day before moving, cleaners come in at 8am on moving day. It really isn't difficult.

Allinadayswork80 · 16/07/2023 11:18

What a lovely gesture! I don’t think you need much more than what you’ve already planned. What a kind thoughtful person you are, I hope the kindness is paid back to you in other ways. Happy moving!

Original poster
Newname211 · 16/07/2023 11:21

Teenangels · 16/07/2023 11:17

I was going to do this for our buyer and then they turned into nightmares even vetoing certain dates as they were not as lucky as others dates in their culture. When they were pushing to move ASAP.

I did not leave anything other than keys.

Our buyer has been great - obviously it’s been a little more complicated because they have been selling in one country and buying in another, so there have been some hiccups with getting things tied up due to the differing legal processes. They have really pushed to get things done by the date set (in Scotland, things tend to move faster as home reports are done in advance of the house going on the market) and they have paid extra to get certain things moved along faster to suit us.

OP posts:
Original poster
Newname211 · 16/07/2023 11:25

RosesAndHellebores · 16/07/2023 11:18

@Newname211 then you have it professionally cleaned the day before! FFS you can't leave anything but a spotless house.

Packers pack everything that is non essential the day before moving, cleaners come in at 8am on moving day. It really isn't difficult.

🙄🙄🙄

so where does my stuff go overnight?

What you are saying is not at all the norm in Scotland.

The house will be clean. It’s not being sold as a show home; it’s a modest, older home, and is priced to reflect that.

OP posts:
Teenangels · 16/07/2023 11:32

Newname211 · 16/07/2023 11:21

Our buyer has been great - obviously it’s been a little more complicated because they have been selling in one country and buying in another, so there have been some hiccups with getting things tied up due to the differing legal processes. They have really pushed to get things done by the date set (in Scotland, things tend to move faster as home reports are done in advance of the house going on the market) and they have paid extra to get certain things moved along faster to suit us.

Show quote history

For great buyers I would have done the same as you but they also on the day of exchange wanted a 15K reduction.

i left the house spotless and after a month they sent a solicitors letter stating that we had left rubbish in the loft, it was paint for all the rooms that was labelled and spare wood for the wardrobe if they wanted to change the configuration.

RosesAndHellebores · 16/07/2023 11:38

@Newname211 in the removal van, on the remover's premises.

I think you should let your purchasers know the house won't be spotless so they can arrange cleaners before moving in tbh. I'd appreciate that far more than a pint of milk and bunch of flowers.

I'm in England, not Scotland.

Original poster
Newname211 · 16/07/2023 11:41

Teenangels · 16/07/2023 11:32

For great buyers I would have done the same as you but they also on the day of exchange wanted a 15K reduction.

i left the house spotless and after a month they sent a solicitors letter stating that we had left rubbish in the loft, it was paint for all the rooms that was labelled and spare wood for the wardrobe if they wanted to change the configuration.

Show quote history

Yikes! I’m going to make a clear note explaining why we are leaving tiles and paint in case this happens!

Fortunately we painted the whole house white prior to selling so there is only one colour.

OP posts:
MenoRageisReal · 16/07/2023 11:43

RosesAndHellebores · 16/07/2023 11:38

@Newname211 in the removal van, on the remover's premises.

I think you should let your purchasers know the house won't be spotless so they can arrange cleaners before moving in tbh. I'd appreciate that far more than a pint of milk and bunch of flowers.

I'm in England, not Scotland.

Oh fgs stop yapping on about a system you know nothing about then! OP is right about how things work here in Scotland, it's the norm. Hud yer wheest.