Sellers/Buyers roll call Part 4 Keep strong everyone!

[alifelessordinary]

Thought I'd start a new thread as previous one had hit 1000 posts and wouldn't let me reply!

@LookingOptimistic why do solicitors have to be so difficult at times? Hope it gets resolved for you soon.

The indemnity policy came through this afternoon, so we're hoping we might be exchanging sometime next week...unless something else crops up!

Decking *

Just checking in, glad lots of you have moved forwards but commiserations to those who are still waiting.

I'm now starting the buying process but am missing the key part: somewhere to buy. Houses are coming on but if they're any good they're gone in days and the others are all overpriced or wrong location or just not suitable.

I'm prepared to compromise but equally I'm happy to wait a bit longer to get something that ticks more boxes.

WBWIFE Yes, we are both Bristol [high five]

£300k for a rundown bungalow, well, that's Bristol for you!

Sadly many old people do not have savings or pensions, so the house is the only asset; which is why I feel it is actually more complicated to deal with older sellers.

If the house itself is solid and you are planning to put on new carpets at your own cost anyway, then I think it would not cost a lot more, if you just ask your carpenter to rip out the old one, as they are already on the site. I know it is a matter of principle, but sometimes practical way is the only way, unless you are willing to walk away.

@tenapenny2018

We will be doing it all ourselves, we have 2 dogs, 2 house cats and a 15 month old! It isn't the fact of the cost of disposing it's the fact the property needs airing desperately and is disgustingly dirty, and those carpets are causing the majority of the stench. We wanted the property to air with our carpets for a good week so we can get in there and scrub the floorboards and hope the piss hasn't rotted away the floorboards, if they are rotted we will them have to replace the floorboards too, prior to moving in. We won't be putting carpet in until the whole house is stripped, plastered and painted too.

It really is THAT bad, before you even open the front door you cans smell it and when the door opens you have to practically hold your breath. Exactly why she had little viewings and no offers for 6 months

We gave them 3k more than we wanted to on the condition that the carpet and underlay is removed prior to completion so the property can air, so I'll be sticking to our guns on that.

The property should be sold without her belongings in as well which she is trying to leave us, we told her we didn't want anything left and she's essentially trying to leave all her crap with us as she's moving to brean! (Very old washing machine, curtains, poles, large units that takes up the lounge, free standing cages and shelves in the garage which take up half the garage, dining table and chairs and more!)

Last 2 houses I bought recently (within 3 years) we have always been told to take all of our stuff unless the buyer asks for them. Which is what we have done. It states it in the contract to leave the property vacant and cleared of all belongings and rubbish.

4k higher than we wanted to go even!

Tentatively joining...

We’re FTB and have just had an offer accepted on a new build in the South West.

Was on the market at 450 - we’ve had 430 accepted, stamp duty paid, upgraded kitchen and upgraded flooring package.

They want us to complete by the end of June which is a bit earlier than we were expecting, but we really like the property - we can see us raising our future children there.

Solicitors and mortgage advisor to contact this week - we don’t know whether to use the development’s recommended solicitors or to find our own. We don’t know the area or know anyone in the area, so no idea where to start with recommendations!

@YahBasic where in South West? Personally I've used local recommended solicitors twice before and they've been absolutely awful to deal with, this time we went for online conveyancers and they've beenfab at communicating with us

Hi,
Great news to see people making positive progress. It's such a long tense process ! Our vendor has found somewhere with no upward chain so I feel there is a potential end in sight now! Next step seems to be beginning to pack non essentials (we are transferring some bits to a family member's garage).. where to even begin? How did people prepare to move without feeling like you spent months in an empty/boxed up house?

How did people prepare to move without feeling like you spent months in an empty/boxed up house?

We started packing all the non essentials; DVD's, unused crockery and other kitchen equipment, most books etc. It gives you a good excuse for a clear out.

Welcome @Jouley - I am risk averse so won't be packing up until we have exchanged on our purchase . I've begun decluttering though and will be doing that for the coming weeks. Also toying with the idea of having a packing service this time round.
This is the week I really hope we can tie up the existing enquiries and move towards exchange on our sale
(I have been saying this since January however)

We’re Bristol moving to Taunton @WBWIFE - we’re going to see if our mortgage advisor can recommend anyone and go from there!

@Jouley - welcome! Like @TiddleTaddleTat I wouldn't start packing until exchange. Our sale fell through just before exchange a couple of weeks ago so I will not count my chickens until they've hatched. That said de-cluttering is a good idea - no point taking unwanted items to your new house.

So we had four viewings at the weekend - no feedback yet as our EA (and the entire office!) have gone skiing on a 'prize' break.

A really odd thing happened yesterday. I was putting the rubbish out and there was a couple outside the house obviously checking it out. I got chatting and ended up inviting them in. House was a bit of a state as all the children were home and I was baking a birthday cake. They seemed really keen and I gave them my mobile number. How weird would it be to sell to them! Obviously would avoid EA commission (£12k plus) but would it be a nightmare?

sandybayley If the couple found out about your house via the agent's advertisement (whether online or the "for sale" board), even if they did not view through the agent, the agent will still ask for commission, And if we are talking about £12K plus (that sounds like London or SE), I think they may take you to the court.

Bear in mind, most of agent's work is done actual after a sale is agreed, including checking the buyer's evidence of finance, chasing solicitors on both sides, and being generally thick skinned to deal with other awkward problems etc.

Also personally, I would not invite random strangers into my house, just because they claim to be potential buyers, particularly if I have children and valuables in the house.

Morning all! We've survived the weekend in temporary accommodation, and I've emailed to the solicitor to say 'thanks for completing stage 1, let's push push push to complete stage 2 now!'

She says it'll be 2 weeks, this being week 1, but she's had some more responses to enquiries back this morning which is good. It's my birthday next week, what an amazing present it would be to have this whole nightmare over!

We've had to pack before exchange as that would only give us one weekend to pack! We started decluttering as soon as offer was agreed, and have been doing so for 4 months!! We move on friday and we're still doing tip runs it's ridiculous! We are replacing nearly everything though so all of our old pans and beds are going first thing friday morning. We started packing boxes about 4 weeks ago bit by bit and starting with things we don't use often.

This weekend everything apart from the things we need this week and the things going to the tip have been packed. On wednesday I'll make sure all washing is done and I'll pack us a suitcase to get us through to monday when things should be straight again.

It's very stressful though and we've learnt now not to hoard things.

TokyoSushi You shall prevail!!

YahBasic Good luck leaving Bristol!

It is depressing the money you can buy a 5 bed detached house in Taunton will only get you a 3 bed ghetto terraced house in Bristol.

I didn’t want to start to pack before exchanging but like @hartof it would leave us with only one weekend to pack. We’re meant to be exchanging in the next few days, hopefully tomorrow. We’ve done several tips / charity runs and the place is a right old mess. I can’t relax into it until exchange though!

I can't imagine leaving the packing so late! The weekend before last I was very negative about the whole thing and did absolutely nothing - I really regretted it this weekend!

Fingers crossed for exchange tomorrow @ALadyofLetters

Due to all the delays we didn't start packing until late afternoon on Thursday and were completely moved out in time for school pick up on Friday, it's not for the faint-hearted, but it can be done!

So don't panic if you end up with a short turn around time - you can do it!

Oh definitely @ten - although I’m from the North originally and what we have just offered to get a 4 bed detached new build, would get you 5 bedroom character property with about an acre of land!

Going through all the paperwork, linking in with our mortgage advisor and lining up a solicitor are the jobs for the week!

Impressive speedy packing @TokyoSushi ! Can't believe how quickly that wrapped up in the end.

I've been chasing sols and agents today, waiting for a couple of enquiries back from third parties before we can exchange... preying it hurries yo and we can set a date for exchange this week. The Brexit stuff is giving me jitters although don't know what tangible impact it would have on the sale it just adds to the general stress this week!

... also have the survey on our purchase tomorrow which is a bit scary as I'm sure there's lots to do!

Argh I just want it to hurry up!
In the grand scheme of things, it's so far only about 6 weeks since I put the offer in, but my side is pretty much done, I just haven't heard anything on the sellers side since Tuesday. I'm ping to email sold and EA tomorrow for any update. But considering the suggested completion date is coming up fast,they need to get a move on...

Steel yourself @Thekitten we are at about 17 weeks in selling a chain-free property, it can take longer than you'd like and you need nerves of steel!