In limbo - house on market, not selling, can't move on in more ways than one

[dippingmytoeinagain]

Hello all
I split with DH some 18 months ago (initiated by him) and he moved out straightaway (he'd done his behind the scenes preparation!). House went on the market 6 months ago - too big and too expensive for me to stay here with the DCs and to be honest, I would really like my own place for my new start.

But...house not yet sold and I'm feeling in a complete state of limbo. Budget for new house will depend on what this one sells for, which will dictate the area I buy in. I can't put any energy and enthusiasm into looking for a new place as there are too many unknowns and am feeling really low about the whole situation. I've done some superficial decluttering but can't do too much as I have no idea when the house will sell and what I (and he) might need for our new places.

Can anyone who has been through the same thing give me any words of advice or encouragement, or if anyone who is going through the same wants to jump aboard, please feel free! I would love to be able to have this period of uncertainty over with...

Thanks all for listening

All I can suggest is you put a rocket under your estate agent or threaten to change to a new one. Get them to put more effort in, have a game-plan, feature your house more prominently in their advertising, line up more viewings (assuming not many people have been round)... and if you have to drop the price for a quicker sale, do it rather than keep forking out.

Thank you - good advice...I so dislike speaking to the estate agents but will give them that rocket tomorrow and then sit down and do some sums...here's hoping...thanks again

Would it be possible for you to rent your house out while you live in a smaller place? Rental market is booming and you'll probably make a profit on top of your mortgage and expenses.

That is a possibility but in my heart of hearts I guess I just want rid of the place, free up some equity and no longer have the old family home to fret about and maintain. Parting with it is going to be a huge wrench and I want it over and done with. I think both Ex and I need to accept that it was probably over valued (although in line with other properties nearby - which also aren't selling!) and redo the maths.

You have to be careful with some estate agents as they will give you a ludicrous high asking price valuation just to get your house on their books or, if they sell you marketing and legal services, will do so simply to get money out of you IMPO.

Be very wary of all the estate agent house price ramping at the moment - you can end up with your house sitting on the market for months and perhaps years.

Yes, you want a good price for your house but weigh up whether the asking price is realistic or not.

Best of luck.

^ This. You need to check if the price is realistic.... I'm some way after a divorce and have sold to start a new life in a new area. I was criticised and told that the asking price for my house was too low. I stuck to it, (with the asking price allowing for an offer). I was lucky and sold for what I wanted to.
Look at the de-cluttering a different way.... Do you want to take the 'junk' with you? Or maybe streamline things so what you have in a new home is what you love and want to keep?
Good luck.

I'm waiting for a sale of the family home so I can get on with my life. I left XH 3 years ago and he stayed in our house with the older DC. We have a buyer but it is stalled at present...
I share your frustration OP.

Have a

Thanks all
Have decided to give one agent the boot and allow the second, sole agency with a deadline otherwise the house is coming off the market for a while and putting it back on in the new year. Not ideal but I am happy with this. In the meantime, I'll be getting on with some serious clearing out and getting rid of the stuff I know that I won't want to have in my new place.

Good luck to you with your sale Kouign - I hope things pick up soon