Moving after 30 years in my house

[Mxflamingnoravera]

After 30 years in my lovely Victorian terrace I've decided to downsize to a two bed new build flat.
I've had back surgery which was not entirely successful and other aches and pains which makes my house too much for me.
I'm 15 years divorced and my son left home 10 years ago, it's time for a new family to love this house and garden.
....
But I'm lost, heartbroken, excited, don't know quite how to get the house sale ready. Can't clean because of my back, and can't garden for the same reason.

I've got a blitzer coming for the garden on Wednesday, and a decorator to paint over old water stains on my ceiling.

But how do I go from all this to an apartment? My son's room is pretty much the way it was when he left for university. His childhood books and toys are still here. I'm overwhelmed by the enormity of my decision.

I've seen an agent, I know what the house is worth. That's not the problem, it's the 30 years of STUFF that feels so overwhelming. Where do I start? Help!

I've found the place I want!

Now I need to sell mine...

It's painted in a bonkers jungle theme but I can paint over that. It's west facing. Overlooks the docks, has parking, a lift, two bedrooms, two bathrooms. A mahoosive balcony that stretches the width of the flat. Omg. I want this one.

Oh wow, it sounds lovely!! Don't forget to visit it at all times so you can see if the neighbours are party animals ;)

Good luck on selling yours fast. Has your son looked at the bedroom photos for a keep/throw session yet?

No of course he hasn't. But there's no rush. When I sell he'll have to!

I'm not sure how I get to visit at night when the agent is not working?

I meant the general area. You don't have to go into the building to hear loud music, someone drumming or the smell of weed. Unless you mean the whole area is gated.

Just visit the area. I did that when I was buying a flat and wasn't sure between a couple. I really hope you get it. It sounds lovely.

Ah, ok, yes, I get you.

What is the next step? I don't yet have a buyer for mine. Can I make an offer? If so what kind of offer is reasonable (it's on at £450k).

I'm going to ask for a second viewing with a friend next week. Should I hold back on offering until then or do it now to show I'm serious?

I know I sound naive, that's because I am when it comes to buying and selling property.

Depends what the purpose of the second viewing would be.

It's to get a view of a friend and possibly my son. It's lonely doing it alone.

Then do that before you make an offer definitely.

Of course. And it's very wise to seek other opinion, people might think about things you haven't noticed. But on the other hand, your gut should tell you if this could be your home.

Imagine coming back from work or from a holiday and parking, going up in the lift, opening your front door and being 'home' Imagine bringing back your week's shopping or getting a delivery, putting it away, cooking, having your feet up in the evening, locking up and going to bed, waking up. Think about all those little scenarios and just get it clear in your head if this is your next home.

@martinisforeveryone This one has that feel.

I can visualise my furniture there, I can visualise getting up in the morning and evenings sitting looking at the sky instead of my phone!

Definitely go for the second viewing with a friend, another pair of eyes is good, they will be looking at the property dispassionately and more likely to see any downsides or problems.

After the second viewing, if you are still keen, contact the EA to make an offer or register your interest. If you haven't got an offer on your house, although the EA is obliged to pass on your offer, it is unlikely that the seller will accept it or take the flat off the market until you have a firm offer on your house.

As regards to how much to offer? I don't know the market in your area so can't advise. The best way to gauge is to look at similar properties in the area, current and recent historic prices, so you can see what they actually sold for as opposed to the advertised price. It's always worth making an offer though, as if it is rejected, you can always offer more.

Good luck with viewings on your house.

I've discovered there is a cladding issue on the building I like which is about to be sorted. Ive also learned that yesterday's flat was bought for £445k four years ago and is on now for ££450k now. Zoopla says it should be more like £480k. I'm mortgage free so cladding isn't so much of an issue.

I'm just about to go and see another in the same building. I'll see how much this agent tells me about the cladding.

No offers on mine yet, it's been viewed twice so far. Feedback is that it needs updating, I knew that, so, onwards and upwards and pray for a blow in from London with cash to splash! . Two viewings tomorrow and one on Monday are arranged. 🤞

Oh. And prodigal son is coming home next weekend! Yay!

Correction, son is not prodigal! Just absent!

"about to be sorted"? Did the estate agent tell you that? Unless there is a confirmed building timetable and you have clarity on how it's going to be paid for I would be very wary.
As a leaseholder you could become liable for very large sums of money so I would ask some very direct questions in writing for the EA. Otherwise there's no point in instructing a solicitor.
Since your own home is on the market, I would line up a solicitor that's been recommended to you. You can always ask for the local gossip if you get a meeting.

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/24161586.cladding-ipswich-waterfront-building-could-cost-30m/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-66310034

Thanks @TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams don't worry, I will not be progressing until I have the full details of the issue. I have the details of the management company and will be chasing this up.

No offer on mine yet.

Two weeks in and no offers. I'm feeling very deflated.

I know it's a short time but everyone round here says our houses fly off. I'm not sure it's true.

I'm feeling very despondent tonight now I've found the place I want.

I've had 8 views in two weeks. I thought the myth was true, but driving home I noticed how run down our area looks. It's got a great primary school but secondary choices are not so good.

I'm not looking any more. If I don't get a buyer there's no point. I might as well get the stuff out of storage...

Come on, don't be defeatist. It can take a good few weeks. You just have to hang in there. It will happen.

It's only been two weeks!
You have viewings which shows there is interest- what feedback are you getting?

Hang in there! Ask your agent to get feedback from viewers.

Yes, don't give up... Selling a house can take a while (as well as being an emotional rollercoaster). You're getting viewings, which is the main thing. I was also in an area where houses supposedly sold easily, but it still took a few weeks to get a solid offer. I wouldn't stop looking either. If the agent can tell viewers that you've found somewhere, that proves to them that you're serious about selling, and they will have confidence that things can move quickly.

BoE base rate held today so you may find that the market starts to shift a bit if people have been waiting to see what happens

Feedback is love the period features, but they don't like kitchen layout and my loft doesn't have a dormer. Not a lot I can do, so I've dropped the price by £15k today.

There no other viewers lined up, a price drop is the only ploy I have. I was always expecting to sell for less than the new price so it's ok. But I'm feeling stodgy about everything. I want to semi retire, (to 2 days per week) today I heard my job will be 2 or 3 days a week from Sept anyway, so I'm forced to semi retire.

My aunt called tonight in a total faff about the lease on her flat, it has less than 50 years to run. I've just discovered the implications of this. If she needs care and we need to sell it, it won't sell. So she is in a position where she needs to extend her lease (at a potentially huge cost) to make the place saleable to pay for four years of care. She will need care, she's neurotic, has two hip replacements that are giving out and causing pain and now has arthritis in her shoulder. She's starting to struggle. I'm her only NOK. I'm also the sole beneficiary of her will. I don't feel able to advise her about the lease issue. She needs legal and financial advice. But she won't take it, or won't stop talking long enough to listen to it.

The garden needs work again, I cannot push a lawnmower but I'm going to have to.

It's all feeling too much. I'm starting to think it would be easier to stay here, and just get a cleaner and a summer gardener until either mum or aunt goes and then I can move with cash. But it feels wrong to think like that. They are both mid 80s. But they could both last till 100. If they do, they'll outlive me.