Help, calm me. House buying and selling stress

Thanks craftyone, I've reached an all time low today. And my bread has gone mouldy in the metal bread bin, so just beans tonight. Thought I had a yoghurt and it's the Stork!

At least I can look at Ross Poldark later, if the stormy weather doesn't take the electricity off!

So hard doing everything alone isn't it. I'm missing my husband a lot this weekend, but he'd not be worrying about the windows, he'd say the house is a low price because it's being sold as a renovation project. I tried cleaning the glass with the cotton wool but they are just too delicate. I feel as though I've already said this, sorry. I must keep repeating 'renovation' to myself.

I have to take my car in tomorrow for the handbrake cables to be replaced, and have to be up and out with my dog at 7.30 am, so I can get to the garage for 8.30 am. When it's in the garage I have to take myself off and it's at the top of a huge hill, I always dread the walk back up. He charges 1980 prices though, so I'll just walk back slowly, it's worth it!

Off to the beach in the minute, hope the noisy rounders playing family aren't there tonight.

sazzl. good luck with the process and prepare for the stress, I only felt safe once I exchanged and even then was an anti climax and suddenly lots more to do. My buyer had the survey at week 11 because she was suddenly not a cash buyer, also don`t believe everything you are told by your buyer and make your EA work hard for their money

Mosaics, back in the day you could take the pension pot out, so I did and bought a spin dryer. None of us had any advice and ok it was useful at the time when we were skint. I am hoping you get some good news once the weekend is over.

Have had the most awful half hour creating a Gov ID and sorting out my 2023 SP. Seems that stopping my child benefit in 2010 has left me 8 years short of NI - at £730 per year - plus I was contracted out because I was in the Teacher's Pension scheme. The children were 11 and 13 at the time and my SP certainly wasn't on my mind then. If only I'd known then what I know now - I certainly wouldn't have taken my TP so early, it's peanuts.

Thanks for your help today craftyone, I'll have to get onto it pronto. I hate all this responsiblity

The window on the landing is on its last legs, tried cleaning the panes with cotton wool balls and was making scary pinging noises. I'm so fed up!

* Craftyone* you need a ‘keysafe’ it’s saves lots of worries.

The length of time you have to wait does seem to be the length of a piece of string, so many different experiences on here.

Keep us updated sazzl, and do be prepared for your buyer to pull out, it seems to be far too common nowadays. My friend has just spent months driving down to the coast to find their new home and is very upset her buyer has just pulled out. Back to square one. The lesson I've learnt from her sad experience is not to have contact with the buyers, everything must be through the EA.

I am cleaning, honestly - just hoovered downstairs and having a coffee break. Everywhere is really tidy, just needs hoovering and smelly polish on the morning of the viewing.
10 am is a bit early for me to get everything ready and go out before they come, will have to do it all Monday night.
I can't put my electric candle burner on in this heat, it seems to hang in the air as it's so humid.

Oh yes they do need a mortgage but do have half the price as deposit So we're looking at 3months minimum! Thanks for the reply x

Sazzl. Glad you accepted an offer. From my experience please don't get your hopes up it will be plain sailing. Put my house on the market March last year. I accepted my 1st offer June last year she pulled out in September. Accepted my 2nd offer October last year she pulled out end February. Accepted my 3rd offer March we are exchanging on Wednesday and completing on Friday.
Searches can take 4-8 weeks depending on the council. If your buyer needs a mortgage that can take 4-6 weeks after the survey to be arranged. Plus all the other things the solicitor needs to know. This is only my experience others on this forum my have a different take on things.
Sorry to say you are in for some ups and downs.

Weve just accepted an offer a week ago for our house and are hoping to move to the coast. Our buyer is selling to a first time buyer and we will stay with our daughter until we find something suitable. Anyone know how long it will take to go through if all goes smoothly?

Thanks for sharing about the pension info craftyone - I'm just worried about finding another £60 per month for yet another bill, I'm struggling at the moment. This month's pension has just gone on additional bills I hadn't expected as I hadn't put them in my diary , I'll have to eat from the freezer. I don't trust the government and worry that they will increase the pension age yet again It is so dreadful I wasn't informed, I wouldn't have claimed my Teacher's pension so early if I'd known. Selling the odd thing on ebay is helping, but people are very lazy about leaving feedback.

Cleaning today, didn't do any yesterday, I just can't get going, still so humid here. Bought some cotton wool balls to clean the windows, they are so delicate. I always have fresh flowers in the house and bought some gladioli for a change - they've all come out at once, it's so hot. I sent my friend some 'letterbox' flowers from Bloom & Wild, the company advertising on tv - she was delighted with them.

Have a great day whatever you are doing

I get paranoid about losing my front door key. I did hide a back door key in the back but have since put a bolt on the gate and its too tall for me to get over. The main door key is a special yale security key, I could not get it copied without the card attached to the spares. I will get 2 made, one for dd and one to hide somewhere safe in the front or side. I am going to have to bury it in the soil but I need that reassurance.

I am liking the better news from some, that moves are happening. Such a lot to do by yourself and I don`t just mean packing

Mosaics, I took a similar government offer in 2016, paid a big lump sum out of my savings nd get an extra £25 a week. I was not eligible to pay the NI extra, which would have been a very much better route. That £25 a week makes quite a difference. I had to pay over £21000. I would do what your IFA suggests mosaics, it is hugely good value at £3600. I have to live another 11 years to start being in `profit` but I look on it as an annuity, which it is. I like having the government security and don`t forget that it goes up with inflation

Hi Whiff, it was our first big argument I thought Steve had the key, he thought I had it. Scary your back door key was the same as everyone elses! The day my SIL rang to say my Mum had died I went to the village shop for smokes - I'd given up but felt desperate - couldn't find my keys when I got back and broke a window. Unfortunately the glass went all over my son's toy stuffed gorilla that he loved like a brother and he had to go in the bin. I'm not sure my son ever forgave me!

I can't get going today, have just got back from a very hot beach. I need to clean the annexe, then the rest of the house seems manageable. It's like having two houses. Just had a call with another viewing on 13th August - I'm at the fringe the day before, will have to have the house ready on the Sunday.

Have just paid the aga/boiler service, no idea how much the boiler 'parts' will be when they arrive but need to keep the boiler going, it's 18 years old. My Teacher's pension isn't in the bills account yet and I've got a big oil bill coming, hope it is credited on Monday. I've just had a letter from my IFA saying I could increase my state pension by £1239 per year b y paying £60 per month NI for the next five years. I don't trust the government and don't want to do it.

Argh just had an email reminding me my car breakdown is due for renewal. Bills morning today!

Mosaicwarts you saying about getting locked out reminded about when we first moved here. It was a Yale lock in those days. Didn't realise I had left my key on the side . When shopping with my then 2yr old daughter. Only found out when we got home. Went to our neighbours he said no problem as their back door key was the same as ours. A builder built the 4 houses and all the back doors had the same locks. Needless to say we had the lock changed.
Filled 3 boxes so far just having a drink. Fingers crossed for your viewings.
Synchroswimmer that's a good tip wish I had know that before.

Hi all, a sunny summer's day here in Northumberland, Starting on my thorough cleaning routine today ready for Tuesday's second viewing, and the first viewing on Wednesday. I do so hate cleaning and these summer spiders are spinning webs everywhere, such artistry but they can't stay now I'm on the market!

Good luck with all your organising Whiff, so excited for you! Will be me one day, fingers crossed. Will you put the new door key on a string round your neck? Steve and I were moving into our first house (I've only had two) and the front door slammed ... with the key inside Had to get a lock person out to fit a new lock! Don't know how the play went ... I daren't ask. My daughter's new boyfriend dropped out, and the new actor had to learn his lines in four days She said rehearsals were difficult on Thursday so I'll wait for her to contact me. I've arranged to go with my son next week, I was shocked at the rail prices without a rail card, but wasn't worth spending £30 on one for one trip. Going anywhere always expensive for me as I have to put my sheltie in kennels the night before as I'm getting the 8.09 am train - and as I need help getting on, have to be at the station at 7.40 am. I wish I could jump on and off trains like other people but I'm faint with fear at the thought of approaching the gap

I like your tip SynchroSwimmer, thanks. I still have widow's brain so couldn't answer them anyway, probably.

Have a good day everyone, I'm off to the beach with my doggo

I quietly observed a good tip on the house “questions” problem from an old boss - a professional property director....

He just answered “unknown” for every single question

I've mentally lodged that one for future

Just set up the redirect for my mail for the next 3 months. Made it all real I am moving this time. Next set up the insurance on the bungalow from Wednesday as once the contracts are exchanged I am liable for the insurance on it. I will notify everything else on Wednesday once I know we have exchanged. Lot of calls to make then. Good job I make lists.
How did your daughters play go Mosaicwarts?
Ellianne try not to worry about your things I know that is easier said than done. Did you take out all the insurances?
Craftyone your husband was a structural engineer mine was a draughtsman. The last 4yrs of his life he and a business partner rented at factory and manufactured and fitted steel fabrication buildings, staircases etc. Before that he worked from home for 7 yrs draughting for various companies. He had a good reputation and never needed to advertise as a lot of the companies he had worked for gave him work. He started as a draughtsman when he was 17.
Better get on with the packing. Have a good weekend everyone.

I'm sure you will love your new town Whiff and make lots of new friends. Not long to go now.
I was a bit disappointed with Pickfords. I had an email two weeks ago from the estimator to say our dates were still available, but when we phoned head office to pay yesterday the dates next week had been given to someone else! I felt they could have checked with me first. A warning to others to be assertive and keep checking and rechecking the move can be accommodated. We eventually found another company who can move us out on the date but can't get us in for a few days as they have other jobs on. Still, beggars can't be choosers, so fingers crossed. Just a bit nervous about our stuff being loaded, unloaded, reloaded. I hope they are careful.

Paid my estate agent today. Did my last shop in town. I will get on with packing the things I won't need tomorrow that won't that long. Pickfords are coming on Thursday to take everything and put into storage for a while. I will spend the night at my brothers and sister in laws. My daughter and grandson will pick me up from there. So Wednesday will be my last night here after 34yrs.
Don't know if I said but in the bungalow there are 2 fitted wardrobes in what will be my room that need to come. Also the 3 carpets need replacing and the hall flooring. It makes sense to have that done before I have my furniture delivered. Once I'm in I can organise my new kitchen and shower room. I will decorate next year.
Sorry to hear about your friend Mosaicwarts. Hope she is coping. Ellianne did you manage to get a removals company?
Both the children went to the university of Liverpool my late husband used to love it when we visited our daughter. Over the years I been to lots of places up there and am nervous and excited about the move. It will be strange as apart from my family no one will know me. I will be the one with the funny accent. It's going to be fun meeting new people .
Hope everyone has a good weekend.

I was on another website last night where someone said it's a red flag if a buyer doesn't organise a survey within two weeks of offering, good to know.

My best friend has just found out her buyer is withdrawing her offer, I feel so sorry for her

Have a great day all, first day of my daughter's play at the Fringe today. Break a leg!

The sea always makes one's own problems seem very small. Xx

oh thank heavens for some good news and hopefully more to follow.
We went to crosby beach often when I was a child, also loved ainsdale and the sandhills. I am a Liverpudlian and we knew many Liverpool architects in the 70s, husband was a structural engineer, trained since age 16 in a city centre company, was with them for 44 years. We went to very many business dinners with loads of architects

Oh Whiff, Crosby beach is amazing! Went to have a look at the Iron Men (Another Place) there.

Like you Mosaicwarts I won't be far from the sea. A short bus ride to Crosby beach. I love looking at the sea not on it or in it. Fingers and toes crossed you will get good news before long. Unfortunately I don't drink due to the amount of tablets I take. Used to love a glass of St Emilion.

Fell asleep after long dog walk, congratulations Whiff, marvellous news! Get the prosecco out and put those tissues away now! After all this time I now know where you're going - my ex went to Liverpool Uni to study architecture in the 70's, I only went there with him once. I remember his Uni friends were in the most magnificent house. Good to end the day on happy news.

You're on the ball there Whiff. Just phoned a dozen or so companies, all fully booked! Not good!

Ellianne. Thank you. I paid Pickfords the other week when they said they wanted to move then. Because I always take out all insurances including cancellation / postponement I only had to paid £91 which was for another cancellation/postponement waiver. I'm moving from West Midlands to Crosby , Liverpool. Hope you get your removals booked.