Live webchat with Kirstie Allsopp, TODAY, Weds 28 March, from 12.30pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted to announce that Kirstie is going to be hosting her first ever online webchat on Mumsnet from 12.30 to 1.30 pm on Wednesday 28th March, where you'll be able to chat with Kirstie, and tap into her expert knowledge on home-making and DIY. Known for her forthright views on parenting, home-making, decor and passion for crafts, Kirstie will offer honest advice to all Mumsnetters. If you're unable to join Kirstie at 12.30 on Wednesday, post your advance questions to this thread.

The webchat will celebrate B&Q's partnership with Mumsnet which is scheduled to launch 16th April.

On L,L,L yourself and Phil always manage to knock off a substantial amount off the asking price. What's the trick in getting £20k off? Is it worth explaining your current situation, why you think the property is worth less etc, or just go straight for the kill?

Hi Kirstie, what would you advise?

We own a property that we rent out and live in another which we own. Both are mortgaged but not to the hilt. I really want to buy another property to let and take advantage of the current market. Husband is dithering. Would you? And can you come round and persuade him I'm right, in your dulcet tones? Thanks!

I really think kirsty craft parties would be a hit, virgin vie is so last decade, ladies want to make pretty things with their friends, buy lovely fabric and vintage buttons and drink wine!

@jaquelinehyde

Hi Kirstie,

I am shockingly bad at doing anything crafty or arty so homemade stuff is out of the question and I have no money so can't afford to buy any of your lush homewear items. What do you suggest I do to make my home resemble something more than a jumble sale?

I promise you you are NOT as bad as you think you are, I have really learnt that over the last fews years, why do so many women think they can't do things? we question ourselves to an amazing degree, you just have to find your forte. What is favourite colour? focus on a theme, whether that's a collection of items of one colour, or a type of animal or motif - there's a great book called Found, Free & Flea by Thereasa Surratt that is great investment.

smug that's a fabulous idea

Kirstie,
We're moving house in 4 weeks, baby due in 8. What are your top tips for moving?
(Love your craft shows)

@TheMulberryTree

On L,L,L yourself and Phil always manage to knock off a substantial amount off the asking price. What's the trick in getting £20k off? Is it worth explaining your current situation, why you think the property is worth less etc, or just go straight for the kill?

The key is honesty and confidence and knowing how far to push it, if you really, really want something and you think it's a fair price don't take the risk, twice in my life I have had to pay more than the asking price for somethig I wanted. It may seem like we always get money off but often we're struggling to get the client to be realistic and just secure the property. It is very regional and agents will tell you what the current percentage off is, it has a lot to do with the circumstances of the seller, obviously.

@nannyn

Kirstie, We're moving house in 4 weeks, baby due in 8. What are your top tips for moving? (Love your craft shows)

I have a moving system called The Bingo Method, it involves nuumbering each room and then each box accordingly, I con't fully exlplain in here - I really hate to do this as it seems a horrid plug but Phil & I have an iphone app with lots of tips for buying and moving!! But for you at this stage the key is to make sure you are not lifting the boxes, so they must end up in the right place - and kettle, milk, mugs, loo roll, towels for 2 & sheets for your bed must stay with you in a small suitcase that's like the one you have for taking to the hospital!! Does that make sense? Make your bed as soon as you arrive, there's nothing worse than having to do it at 3am when you are dropping with tiredness.

@Smugfearnleyshittingstool

I really think kirsty craft parties would be a hit, virgin vie is so last decade, ladies want to make pretty things with their friends, buy lovely fabric and vintage buttons and drink wine!

I think you are quite right, I've been involved with @BandQ You Can Do it Classes, must be careful not to mix booze & drills but there would be all sorts of things you could do.

Hi Kirstie,

From what you know of the London market, is it a good time to go into the buy-to-let business right now, and what kind of things would make you buy a flat as a landlord, and what would you avoid like the plague?

Thanks

Have I missed Kirstie?

I'll crack on anyway, Hi Kirstie.

We currently let out a one bed flat and want to sell it at the end of the year. My Dh thinks it'll be better empty and a bit more like a show flat to get it shifted faster - do you agree?

We've been trying to shift it for two years and nothing. It's driving us bonkers as we have to rent a house until we can sell it to get the equity to buy our forever home.

What would you advice be?

'must be careful not to mix booze & drills'...love it! Like a very sensible auntie. Loving the advice, esp on making a house a home.

@whoknewthat

I read an interview once where you railed against mothers who pretended they led very successful lives without an army of back-up and paid help.

I wanted to thank you for that, it made me feel much better about myself (although secretly I knew that anyway).

So my question is, which do you think is the most important bit of parenthood that you would never miss, however important your other commitments, and how do you prioritise?

Events at school, plays, assemblies, sports days etc We almost never do things without the kids at the weekends and I very, very rarely work at weekends. Lots of people ask me to do things locally that I would love to help with but I have to say no. I would love to exercise in the mornings but I won't because if I'm not away working it's really important that I am there when they wake up, and they can come and cuddle in my bed, not find an ubermom in jogging kit! But I am SO lucky in that I can work in the term time and not in the holidays and have consistent care all week. The important thing is that you can only do what you can, we all push oursleves and feel this terrible guilt but I know that is distructive and doesn't make me a better parent.

@mamalovebird

Have I missed Kirstie?

I'll crack on anyway, Hi Kirstie.

We currently let out a one bed flat and want to sell it at the end of the year. My Dh thinks it'll be better empty and a bit more like a show flat to get it shifted faster - do you agree?

We've been trying to shift it for two years and nothing. It's driving us bonkers as we have to rent a house until we can sell it to get the equity to buy our forever home.

What would you advice be?

Don't kick the tenants out, give them a good discount on their rent if they agree to be very flexible with the agent and keep the house tidy for viewings. Unless you think they are making it really difficult to market the property at all, which can happen. Selling a rented property is a tricky one because you need the tenants onside but why should they be keen on losing their home?

@badtasteflump

Kirstie - Have you honestly never got it on with Phil, even a little bit? Not even when he was in the hot tub?

I love you btw

Never, ever, ever in any way - after all these years if we had had a quick snog we would have fessed up but there hasn't been anything.

Hi Kirstie

You have fabulous style where do you shop for dresses? What kind of top would you wear with a 50s style skirt? I have a similar shape to you and love vintage. I am fine with dresses but struggle with seperates (biggish boobies!)

Martha x

OOOH God!! I thought I had missed her
Sorry I am late.

What's the app called Kirstie?

We are due to move in a few weeks - any help gratefully received.

Can't believe you answered that! Thank you!

Oooh could you get the app onto android too please, thank you, please, thank you

Hi Kirsty,
I am interested, do you feel pressure to live up to your public image? (ie domestic godess) Do you every just throw some chicken nuggets and chips in the oven for the children?

Also, do you love being related to Cath? Are you close? There seems to be quite a cross over in your styles.

@CuppaTeaJanice

Hi Kirstie,

Was your move to presenting craft based programmes prompted by the recession and subsequent stagnation of the property market? Or have you always been interested in handmade crafts? Which of the two genres do you have most passion for?

I have always been passionate about crafts, my first proper job was on Country Living Magazine. But L,L,L is still going very strong, we've never had better figures. The show is about buying a home NOT a property and in any market people want advice about that. So working on the two types of show covers pretty much all my interests aside from my kids, who I'm never putting on the TV!

Thanks Kirstie

He's just come out of his 12 month contract and he's now a rolling month one. He knows we want to sell it but he's a young lad that doesn't really keep it as tidy as he should. I guess we need to sit down with him and maybe negotiate a discount on his rent to encourage him. We also need to tart the place up (new kitchen cupboard doors/new bathroom tiles) which DH reckons will be easier if there is no one in the flat.

We could probably afford to have it empty for 6 months or but then if it doesn't sell, we'll have to rent it out again and we're back to square one.

Decisions decisions, thanks for the reply/advice! I'm going to copy & paste it I'm so excited :)

@MrsCobbit

Hi Kirstie Love your programmes, love your frocks. Who does your hair and would you trade a downstairs loo for a walk-in larder???

This depends on the age of your kids and the age of the people who are most likely to find your house appealing, I love having a walk in larder, I stood my ground with my OH on this one and I'm very glad I did - But anyone potty training a child or with children under 5 does really appreciate a downstairs loo. As my son says "a very hard choose"

I want you to know that I am still waiting in for my furniture, and have been from 7am.

It's from Homebase!