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The decluttering, cleaning, vacating, pandering, nailbiting antics of the stressed out house sellers goes on and on....

426 replies

TerrysNo2 · 24/06/2013 21:22

New thread!

Come share and despair :)

OP posts:
yourcruisedirector · 06/08/2013 09:08

the whole valuation thing is so baffling isn't it squinkies!

terry's we're also expecting to exchange any day now - we thought it was happening last week so have had buildings insurance since then. We've been ringing the solicitor every day and not getting through at all Confused.

yourcruisedirector · 06/08/2013 10:29

May I ask for some advice please? I'm going nuts thinking about it.

We've now had four offers on the house.

House originally up at £275k, now £260k

One at £250k + £5k fixtures and fittings, which fell through when the buyer lost her buyer. She's now marketing at a lower price and has had one very low offer, so likely can't afford what she offered before

One at £242k which has been withdrawn as buyer can't really afford that

Two current offers in region of £245k, both first time buyers. They say they can't afford more.

This is less than we paid 7 years ago! and we've spent about £25K at least improving from a very dirty, dated house to a clean, shiny, modern house with a nice garden and patio. The market is above where it was 7 years ago in our area and ours is one of only two 3 bed places under £300k (there are several 3 bed places up over £400k and over £600K in the area which is very expensive).

We can't really afford to take any of these offers but have been told that we could hold back the garage and make as much as £10k, but it's more stress and worry and both of these buyers claim to want the garage a lot. We're committed to an expensive new house that we plan to live in for 20+ years, but it needs huge amounts of work.

What are we supposed to do? I feel really very misled by the EA about the price we could realistically attain. But it will save us money to go with a first time buyer not in a chain, who can move fairly quickly. We've been on nearly 6 months now.

Any thoughts welcome... I hate this part of the process.

Turnipinatutu · 06/08/2013 12:37

Do you really believe that both the £245k offers can't go any higher? If I was looking at a house marketed at £275k or below, I'd be thinking the buyers are hoping for £250k.
If they're going to dig their heals in, I'd suggest keeping the garage to sell separately to try and make up the difference.

It all comes down to how badly you need to sell and what your bottom line is.

yourcruisedirector · 06/08/2013 12:51

Thanks turnip. TBH I'm annoyed with the EA for bringing people who can't afford the house! We turned down a £250K offer a few months ago when the prospects looked rosier (that's the buyer whose chain collapsed, so we haven't missed out).

I think with two interested buyers then at least one of them must be able to improve. Well, I guess we'll find out...

yourcruisedirector · 06/08/2013 13:40

One of the couples has improved their offer. They sound lovely. I desperately hope we can get to a price we can all afford without the garage faff; I'm not very good at this game Sad

yourcruisedirector · 06/08/2013 16:21

eeeeee they've improved again to £250k - I think we might be in with a chance!!

Turnipinatutu · 06/08/2013 17:27

Great news! And ftb's too Envy Smile

yourcruisedirector · 06/08/2013 17:54

Thanks! Amazing how quickly it can turn around; we were about to swap EAs last week. We haven't formally agreed yet but we feel really hopeful, and I feel like a load has been lifted.

I think I can spare some good luck wishes for you all though!

TerrysNo2 · 06/08/2013 19:50

great news yourcruise onwards and upwards towards new places!

OP posts:
underthemountain · 06/08/2013 19:52

I have got an email to say someone will ring about a viewing but they haven't rung Sad. Had five viewings so far, two seemed keen but nothing further. Am finding the lack of control over the situation very difficult, made worse by it being school hols so I'm just dwelling on it all the time. It has completely taken over my head space-I need a distraction!

SquinkiesRule · 06/08/2013 20:57

Our appraisal came back it's under the asking price, appraiser said he'd pushed it up as far as he could, so now we have to go back to the table, I think they'll offer the asking and pay for all the costs themselves, it's still more than I thought we'd get when we stated getting it ready last year. and it's enough for us to buy again in UK. So fingers crossed it all comes together.
Closing is also sooner than I thought. Confused
What with Dh's work hours and days off changing, I'm completely confused. On what day we are doing anything.

oopnorthmum · 06/08/2013 22:05

ooh good luck yourcruise! fingers crossed. Our viewer has finally given feedback from Thursday, he has been viewing lots and has narrowed it down to 2, .... we are one of them!!!! things could be looking up here?!?
It is awful not being in control underthemountain, I hate that too! good luck everyone

underthemountain · 06/08/2013 22:24

Exciting oopnorth!

yourcruisedirector · 06/08/2013 22:51

Some people are so rude aren't they mountain Shock!

Bodes well oopnorth - 1 viewing? New record!

yourcruisedirector · 07/08/2013 16:47

We've agreed a sale - phew! The relief is incredible. Apparently their rental is up at the end of Aug so will want to proceed ASAP Wink

Turnipinatutu · 07/08/2013 21:34

Whoo hooo! Well done Yourcruised.
Did you get what you needed? And have you secured your purchase?

yourcruisedirector · 07/08/2013 21:58

We'll be ok due to the generosity of family - we can pay the last bit back in a few years, and will still be able to afford to decorate. Phew!

So close to exchange but our solicitor couldn't get through on the phone to theirs all afternoon Shock. Fx it's not because the vendor's had a hissy fit Confused

Manchesterhistorygirl · 08/08/2013 09:33

Joining you all, hold my hand please whilst we sell. I can't stand the stress! I'm not packing until we exchange. Nope, not happening.

Turnipinatutu · 08/08/2013 11:54

Hello Manchester, what stage are you at? Have you had any offers yet?

We should be going up on RM today, after delays of over a week due to major EA server problems. But I have a feeling it won't happen until Monday Angry which would be another weekend of lost potential viewings!
I really want this place sold quickly!

Think I will distract myself by continued decluttering......

yourcruisedirector · 08/08/2013 12:58

welcome manchester and good luck! I'm all in favour of decluttering but I wouldn't start packing until a late stage either!

turnip that's such bad luck with the EA's server or whatever it is - surely they could login elsewhere and upload it? Or have another office do it?

In other news - WE FINALLY EXCHANGED ON OUR PURCHASE! Big lovely house here we come! packing moving crying decorating spending here we come

PastaBeeandCheese · 08/08/2013 18:48

I've popped on and off these threads for the few months we've been on the market but we've finally had an offer! It's above the target price we'd mentally set so we're happy with that!

We've now got to find somewhere to buy...4 viewings arranged for the weekend. All quite different properties so hope something will work for us!

underthemountain · 08/08/2013 19:03

Good to hear success stories-gives me a glimmer of hope! Having kinda decided where we'd like to move to I am getting impatient-but only been on just over a month.

yourcruisedirector · 08/08/2013 19:17

Oh hurray pastabee that's great news for you. What position is your buyer in?

PastaBeeandCheese · 08/08/2013 19:24

Our buyer is selling land to finance the purchase so a bit unusual but that is all going through at the moment so they should become cash buyers in a month or so.

I am keeping my fingers crossed because I have seen things fall through so many times on this thread and in my saved list on Rightmove. It just seems so common in this market.

underthemountain it's taken us 3.5 months to get an offer. Lots of viewings and interest but no one was in a position to proceed. It's a difficult time to sell a house. I read the average time is 4 months at the moment. We sold our first house in 5 days so it shows how things have changed. Fingers crossed for you!

underthemountain · 08/08/2013 19:44

Thanks pasta, will keep the four months in mind!