Help, calm me. House buying and selling stress

I thought of you last night when he texted craftyone, he asked if the garden vision was a Japanese ornamental garden. I feel ashamed the garden is such a tip, but at least he saw where I was going. The inspiration was the Chinese Garden of Friendship at Darling Harbour, I got the pagoda and the bridge and somehow it all fell apart. Ground too hard, bridge didn't go across the pond, argh.

Thank you for the tips about packing and being practical. Do you think I should believe it is going to happen and start planning as though it is?

I have had a tentative peek at the local rental properties tonight, there is a two bed cottage near one of my daughter's friends parent's farm (not sure of apostroffs) - £600 per month, heating included. Having a bath in a warm bathroom would be such a treat! Will have a phone around tomorrow to see if anyone will take a cat and a dog, that will be the stumbling block.

Watch this space tomorrow - will he withdraw, or will he up his offer? I'm on for offers in excess of £400K - he's offered £350K. Next door's ugly small bungalow is on the market for £299K.

I will remember your wise words that the house is only worth what someone will pay for it and so far, 21 people have seen it and only two have offered. We'll see!

Thanks midgey. I could do with a bench. Its awful thinking about how to assemble these things and how to get them into the garden

Mosaics I am beyond delighted. What a coincidence about the notes but you are right to ensure that everything goes through the EA now. It has to be someone objective dealing with this, at this crucial stage. Don`t be worried if there is no survey. Practcal head on after a couple of days of coming back down to earth. Your EA might at this stage be able to give an idea of time and a genuine cash buyer will want to get moving in 12 weeks maximum, maybe even 6 weeks.

Packing first, room by room and very soon you will have an idea of removals dates so where will you go? Where will you store your things? You have a dog so finding somewhere to rent will not be easy. No two ways about it, you must go as soon as. This is the second stage and not stress -free mosaics. Have a good nights sleep, you deserve it

Craftyone now is the time to buy garden furniture! Lots of end of season bargains if you look.

Thanks Ellianne. I'm a bag of nerves and will find something to drink! I'll have to have a gin and hope I don't cry, mother's ruin and all that.

I didn't mention it before but I gave the viewing agent a list of notes, as he hadn't been here before, with my mobile number in case he needed an urgent answer to a question from the viewer - unfortunately he misunderstood its purpose, and gave the notes to the viewer I suppose it worked in my favour as the viewer texted me last night to say how delighted he was with the notes and asked some questions - and again today. I'm nervous he may text me tonight, hopefully he will realise it is inappropriate and refrain. I had not intended him to have my number, and if we go ahead, will direct all future enquiries through the EA. I have been learning through these threads!

That's good news mw, well done. Exactly the sort of buyer you wanted and I agree asking for a little more won't turn them away.
Yes, Brexit could play a part in house prices plummeting but there was no sign of any drops happening in London last month when we left and that is usually where the trend starts. We also were prepared to rent if necessary bit luckily didn't need to.
Sleep well tonight, you deserve a glass of something nice!

Drum roll please! My second viewing on Saturday - a cash buyer - has put in an offer. It's a low offer, but the thought of leaving here before winter comes fills me with relief, I could do a jig! I know not to as it could all fall through by tomorrow, don't worry!

The EA assured me that asking for a little more would not lose him, she has worked at the EA for 22 years and has often negotiated on behalf of clients. She has phoned him and he is thinking about it overnight.

Apparently the Brexit uncertainty is predicting house prices are going to fall? A win some, lose some scenario - I'm going to rent for at least six months if and when my sale happens.

Have a good night everyone, so great to be back on line, Talk Talk had fibre optic problems here and it's only just been fixed. Awful not being connected!

Craftyone thank you for that. The owner before me had it put down as she didn't want to have real grass. I will get my son to dig some holes and see what has been hidden . Thank you for the link.

whiff that means plants sitting in wet for most of winter, we are forgetting that it normally rains a lot. Your borders should still drain well and perhaps the garden has been put on top of builders compacted rubbish, holding water in the rain. Perhaps the artificial grass was put down to sell the property. Very many gardens were put on this dreadful hidden rubbish and years later are showing signs of yellowing and/or poor plant development. Depends on what you can physically do but I would personally explore a couple of deep holes, to see what is going on below the surface. People on a big development here are finding all sorts including big plastic dumpy bags. A lady I was speaking to at the garden show has had to do similar, as will my 2 neighbours one day because their gardens will not thrive

I should think that the cheapest `quick fix` artificial grass has no drainage but good artificial grass would have it
www.forevergreenlawns.co.uk/faq/artificial-grass-drainage-problems-prevent/

I've never really had green fingers but some of you here have made me realise the importance of the garden in our new home. I'm going to take a good look at it this week and work on it a section at a time. The past few weeks have been useful to work out where the sun is at different times of the day and where we are going to sit when.

I hope everyone still to sell or to exchange has a productive week. I'm not sure, even with hindsight, how you can make the process any easier for yourselves other than to keep the communication going with everyone.

I have noticed that because of the artificial grass the borders hold the water. Does anyone know what plants like to get their feet wet when it rains but can thrive in dry soil the rest of the time?

I think I will start to explore the beaches in a while, not yet, not until the garden is whipped into shape. Its very time consuming and ache-making, got to be selective about things I do, even down to having quick food. I go to sleep with alexa doing waves for a while, its lovely, sets my mind to thinking of nothing

The garden is a proper money grabber, I could wait but like a neighbour once said when he `lost` 70k selling his house, at his time of life he needed to be quick. Next buy is another bistro table and 2 chairs, identical to the ones I already have, the most comfy outdoor seats I ever sat in. These are for the sunny patio and they can be moved together if I have visitors. I enjoyed sitting out with my coffee but it is getting cooler in the shade when the sun goes elsewhere, so I want to sit elsewhere

I did the stone and mank clearing with my gate tight shut today and am ready for the apple trees and miscanthus with the silver tops. I ordered 2 smart water butts yesterday and a hole saw, you just attach it to a drill so that the butts can be joined. I will be cutting downpipe and fitting a diverter so the tank fills and then the other tank fills. My pieris and blueberries need the rainwater

Being busy is good, beats sitting waiting to get old

Thinking of everyone on here this morning. This is such a nice thread, I've been having a look around and am shocked at some posts.

My son is coming today so hopefully he won't mind taking us to the beach, I'm too nervous to take the car on the road.

Have a good day everyone.

I like to read your `settling in` tales whiff, stay in touch. It is nice to read positive news and good advice. You are one of those who does not sit back and wait for things to happen, pro-active, one of the strong women I see on the thread.

Re my neighbour, don`t get me wrong, he is not scary, just a man who once was in charge of people and decisions but is no longer in charge and who has obviously made poor choices in life. Some men are drawn to strong decisive women, whilst meanwhile many widowed strong decisive women are not drawn to and do not want, any relationship with any other man. My husband earned my undying love, ups and downs, thick and thin, sickness and health. I would not dream of spending my last quarter of life looking after another man. Many widowed and divorced men attach themselves quite quickly to a woman, for their old age. It is the opposite with many women

Yesterday I attended a garden club event and was chatting to several nice people, I am ready to join

Wishing everyone a happy Sunday tomorrow, feels like autumn is here.

Anyone know where I stuffed my electric blanket when I was tidying the house for viewings!! It's hiding somewhere - with my hairbrush!

Mosaicwarts
This house will obviously be a family house ( 4 beds)
New kitchen needed. Besides that, it's too small for a family.
To reconfigure these 2 rooms you would have to loose the dining room and 1 bedroom which brings you down to a 3 bed.
Looking around and seeing what's available for £500,000 it's a no brainier.

Didn't realise it had been over a week since I viewed this thread. Such at lot has happened to you all.

Nannytopsy one of my estate agent was going to exchange and complete on the same day . At 9am on the day the owner of the house they were buying decided not to move. They had there whole house ready to go in a hire van and cars. She said she should have known better. My solicitor was adamant that exchange and completion should not be done on the same day. My buyers solicitor was pushing for it. We exchanged on the Thursday and completion was on the Friday. Do not let the removals take your furniture etc until you have exchanged. Until the contracts are exchanged you are not safe.

Franbern hope you are feeling better. I know you have health problems and selling and buying must taking its toll on you. Look after yourself my best wishes go out to you.

Mosaicwarts I hope you have some good news about a sale soon as you seem to being having worry on top of worry.

Craftyone I hate creepy men. Does he really think you are grateful for his help. Why do some men think just because we are widowed we are looking for a replacement husband. I know this sort of thing happens to independent divorced women also. Some men find it hard to believe an older woman is quiet capable of looking after herself.
To everyone else I haven't named I hope all is going well with you.

Still no answer from Pickfords about my missing items and other complaints. My daughter has been away for a few days but is going to get back on them. Normally I always sort things out for myself but she is a lot more forceful than me.
My daughter and son in law found mouse droppings in the loft had the pest control man came and put down bait in the loft in the kitchen as he found droppings under the sink unit. He came back 10 days later and nothing was eaten. Yesterday I found a fresh dropping in what is my bedroom. I quickly closed and sealed the door with foil and tape. He came this morning this time put traps and bait in loft ,bedroom and kitchen. Hopefully this time the mouse or mice will be caught.

Found a craft group to join at the library and a possible fitness group if they have a vacancy. If not they may be able to tell give me the details of other groups.
My brother and sister in law are coming tomorrow I can't wait to show them the bungalow.
Met some of my new neighbours everyone was friendly. Been out and about with my free bus pass.
Hope you all have a good start to September.

mosaics, fuel line blockage? sounds similar to what happened to me a long time ago, motorway and pitch black with 3 young children in the car. I crept off the motorway, heart in mouth, very dark and woods. Had to find a phone box on foot, terrified. AA got me going and followed me for a bit. Car was not really responding and trying to conk out. Short term fix was revving the engine, was a volvo, never had one since, felt like a very dangerous situation in more ways than one. Dirty fuel they said

Why do you think her house is over priced petra?

I had a wonderful opportunity yesterday to play House Doctor.
A friend of a close friend ( I have met this woman twice) is trying to sell her house. Price £500,000.

My friend had told her that I'm very good at this. All 3 of us met up at my friends house. I asked her how honest she wanted me to be ( she has had 20 viewings in 9 months)
She said please be honest, I'm desperate to sell.
I loved it.

I won't be personnel here but I did phone my friend later and say she hasn't got a hope in hell at selling at that price.

Nanytopsy
Exchange & and complete on same day. To be avoided if possible.
We did this on our last move ( 5 years ago)
OH had to go to the bank.
I took a nervous breakdown inducing call from the solicitor ( their mortgage hadn't been confirmed?
OH not answering his phone ?
Jump in car to go to the bank.
Stopped at the lights and my legs just went into the most awful shakes ? Couldn't move.
Anyway, it all got sorted. That's when I started to have dark thoughts aka hiring a hit man to 'sort out' ? The solicitors and the estate agent.
Wishing you all well on this very emotional journey.

Have just caught up with the other posts craftyone - how horrible your new neighbour behaved in such an inappropriate way. I was listening to Radio 4 and a visually impaired person was describing how unbearable it was to be constantly touched and pulled about by people every day of her life, thinking they were 'helping' her, when she was perfectly capable of helping herself without their interference. I hope it doesn't happen again and he gets the message from your blinds being drawn.

So sorry Nannytopsy, I am very sorry you have been let down in this way. I do hope you have good news on Monday morning.

Thanks for asking about the viewing craftyone, the 'Saturday' agent was very pleasant and came for a familiarisation tour at 2.30 pm, I got away just as the viewers arrived at 2.56 pm. The viewing agent really liked the house, and as he used to work at Alnwick Castle, that's a great compliment! I hope this couple are polite enough to give feedback early in the week, unlike the other second viewing people. I've now had three second viewings in three weeks, I am really tired. Car boot was a wash out this morning too, got there at 8.15 am and it rained at 10.15 am. Made £22! Nice atmosphere though and my daughter said she enjoyed it.

I'm feeling really anxious - I've had lights on my dashboard for over a week now indicating a mechanical misfunction. The garage looked at it Wednesday and said he'd reset it, but they came on as I drove home. I popped in again yesterday and he said he'd find out what the 'error message' is. Driving back from the beach this afternoon with my dog I had my foot on the accelerator, and can only describe it as the car 'swallowing' ... acceleration was interrupted. It's a really narrow fast windy road without anywhere to stop, I was terrified I was going to conk out. Have to collect my daughter along the same road tonight at 6 pm from the station. I'd normally be going out later with the dog but don't think I'll risk it, I'll drive it one more time tomorrow as I've got to take her back to the station in the afternoon, she's flying to Belfast. So horribly stuck here without a car, it's a mile walk down to the village to get a bus - and they are only every hour.

Have the best evening you can everyone x

oh that is bad nannytopsy, your solicitor has to exchange on monday morning or the removers have to back off. This is a terrible nightmare for you

Mosaics how has it gone today?

The solicitor says that they “left a message” at the buyer’s solicitor about completion but didn’t get a reply. Didn’t think to ring again then? Apparently you can exchange and complete on the same day if your nerves can stand it!

But Nannytopsy you haven't even exchanged contracts yet! Surely your removal people will have to wait?