Well knock me down with a feather

[Rhubarbgarden]

Mr Rhubarb liked the house we viewed today. Very much so, in fact. He liked the high ceilings and the light-filled rooms, and the presence of all the original fireplaces and some nice floorboards and parquet got him all enthusiastic. Who would have thought it? For the first time, he didn't come home saying 'nah, our house is better'.

It was all a bit chaotic because baby Rhubarb was crying the whole time and small Rhubarb was running around and making escape bids, and being all shouty and high maintenance, so we are going to go back for a second viewing on Wednesday when small Rhubarb will be farmed out.

That is all. Sorry very self indulgent thread but I am so at this turn of events I needed to share!

There is always private, but that costs more than a year or so's rental...

How much do you eat out (in reality as opposed to fantasy)?

What about a classic Brighton terrace like the one noddy linked to? Or is the terraced-ness a dealbreaker?

If so... would you consider Hove and semi detached? There are a couple of lovely semi detached Regency villas there, requiring much less work, within your budget. And the layout is much better (ie less of the house is underground).

Sorry, realise my reality opposed to fantasy comment sounded rather snippy! Just thinking about my own DH - I know he would be very swayed by having lots of nice nearby restaurants in theory, but in reality we live near loads of restaurants and only actually eat at about 3 on a regular basis (and that's not that often).

oreo would consider it if the asking was 10-15% lower, but as it is not worth a view for us. No off-road a downer and it's a little far out of major centres (Chester, Manchester), but is a lovely village with good schools.

RC that house is gorgeous! Just gorgeous. Wow. Buy it!

Minipie you are on the nail about 'fantasy' restaurant trips! however hopefully that is just temporary while we have new ds who can't be left for long. DH is very food motivated, and we do eat out a lot when not in new baby lock-down.

The regency terrace that Noddy linked to is beautiful but the location is not great, and there's no garden - well there's a small patio but I need grass and trees I'm afraid, which writes off most Brighton houses for me. We very nearly bought a house on Montpelier Terrace a few months ago (terraced not a problem), but in the end the small garden was just too much of a compromise. The large garden at the Clifton Road house is highly unusual.

The basement is actually an asset because it could function as a semi-autonomous base for my dad, who is obsessed with 'not imposing' and rarely visits us as a result. He also hates London but loves Brighton so we would see a lot more of him.

Anyway. DH and I just sat down and wrote out pros and cons for Brighton, Godalming, and staying put. And Brighton was still the winner despite everything. We just really love that house, and the location. So, we just rang the agent and made an offer! Eeek!

oh very good luck with your offer!

Oooh! Best of luck

If that's the location you want, and if you love the house, it doesn't matter how many more pro points a house anywhere else might have.

Offer rejected. Unsurprisingly - it was low. Now contemplating how much to go up by and how long to wait!

Definitely wait a while I'd say (assuming no indication that there are other buyers sniffing around). otherwise you'll give away your keenness ...

Yep. Do you think tomorrow is too soon?

I'd say to the agent "well if our offer is too low, what will they accept"?

A clever agent will probably just say "no you tell me what you'll offer" but sometimes you can get them to make a counter offer and then that helps as you're in a negotiation rather than just throwing out numbers yourself iyswim.

If you can't get them to make a counter offer, I'd wait at least a few days (eg till end of Monday) before making any higher offer. let them sit and start to wonder if they have been foolish in turning you down.

Unless there are other bidders on the horizon, in which case I would make a revised offer sooner (like tomorrow) - but say you won't be going up any more in a hurry, otherwise the agent will simply turn it down and wait for you to raise again.

It's only been on for a week, so being realistic very few vendors are going to take a low offer that quickly.

You basically have to decide how many other £1.3m buyers there are in Brighton at the moment (looking at how quickly other places have sold). If you think the answer is 'lots' then you may as well up your offer sooner. If you think 'very few' then you need to wait long enough for the vendors to realise there are not a host of people waiting to pay (close to) asking price.

E.g. the Georgian house I liked has been on for a year - because it's both too expensive and there aren't many 800k buyers in that area.

Is there a chance you are being a bit indiscreet with that info Rhubarbgarden?

Really expensive houses in Brighton don't sell that quickly the influx from London has really slowed. It is definitely very expensive for teh level of work and the pub and road nearby plus the schools. Wait and see or if you have an absolute max and love the house put that forward Good luck!

Bibbity you are dead right I will ask for it to be removed. Thank you.

Whats this? An offer? I only went to walk the bloody dogs! I always miss the good stuff!

I knew you prefered the brighton house

Eeeek excited!

DH has started looking at tiles. He must be keen!

Ooh how exciting. I was thinking because for once I have nothing going on in my own life to mull over, that if you get this house, after it is done up and finished, would selling the flat and buying a small one in London be an option?

If DH finds the commute gets too much he could stay 1 or 2 nights to break the week up, you have a base for nights on the tiles at the theatre, or just a good investment.

Oh well, I'll just have to buy the Godalming house, then.

Oreo I've suggested that lots of times but he doesn't want to do it. We'll either sell the flat later and put the money into the house, or just rent it out.

Go for Brighton , far more exciting place for your DC to grow up in.

Good luck with it

I have lived in Brighton for many years - don't write off the schools! Middle Street is very good and I think that is your nearest one. I have several friends whose kids went there and did very well, or are there now (and thriving).

Lovely area for kids - central and within easy reach of lots of drama/music/dance groups and nice parks. I lived very near there when the kids were tiny, then we moved out to Hove (also nice!)

My kids went to Stanford (Infant and Juniors) and were very happy and did well. Not sure if the catchment has changed now, but you could check that.

Brighton is a great place for all ages! I love it - wins hands down over Godalming in my book.

I would be slightly put off by being near to the Crescent - but having been there as a customer (they have a quiz, or they certainly used to) it was fairly quiet.

Good luck - I know exactly where the house is and have admired it as I pass by.

Thanks Flicka that's all v useful. I'd be very happy to get the kids into either Middle Street or Stanford. I'm a bit worried the house may be outside the catchments of both though - or indeed any! I keep reading about there being problems with school places for the Seven Dials area.

My Brighton friends have been checking out The Crescent for me the past couple of evenings. They have concluded it's pretty quiet and pretty nice. So that's encouraging.

It has been an absolute killer keeping myself from ringing the agents today and upping our offer. Must hold out till Monday!

I am the agent...watching you...