Help calm me. House buying and selling stress. Part 6

Do not think there will be any Lockdown during December. Maybe in the New Year - but localised ones. This populist government no way will have one of Christmas, and their financial interests would not permit anything to interrupt the pre-christmas spending spree,

The virus is not just going away, and will probably be more virulent during colder months, when more of us are staying indoors without any windows open, etc. I am going to try to 'air out' my flat regularly each day once the central heating goes off.

In the meantime, like Whiff, I am not putting my life on hold, which is why I have continued throughout to do my own weekly supermarket shop, and do not go OTT with washing down every piece of shopping and parcels entering my home.

Sad for your decorator, Whiff, and rather short sighted on your neighbours behalf. Could she explain how it was too dangerous? - imagine any room being decorated keeps windows wide open etc.

My guest bathroom is being completely re-fitted at end of August (two weeks work as it will involve moving plumbing and electricity). Be so glad when that is finished. I am on tenterhooks at present waiting to hear from my lovely curtain lady that those are ready for her to come to put up (first need her fitter to come in to put in new fittings for them). Once the bathroom is complete, will not be having anything else done at least until next year. Will not be able to afford it for a start. The bathroom people are also doing some work on my radiators (putting on individual controls), and changing the large one in the spare bedroom, for a much smaller one in a different position. Once they have finished, I will decorate that bedroom, and also, during the winter months, my own.

Only thing left will be a decision about whether to have carpet or laminate flooring put down in Living room and Hallway- when I can afford either.

Glorious clear blue sky here today - set fine for this weekend, which is good as I am being taken to meet my two youngest daughters and their three little girls tomorrow in a park.

Crossed posts Craftyone. Enjoy your bike ride. I take you take a drink and snack with you. Should be a nice day for a ride.

Lovely sunny morning here. Just pegged out my new sheets.

My decorator came yesterday starts work on Monday. So next weekend my spare room will be all done. Found out my neighbour across the road isn't going to have him decorate for her at the moment as her daughter's don't think it is safe. She was in my home the other week stood right next to me and my decorator as I showed her want I had done and she talked to him. She hasn't got my health problems and goes out most days. Don't see what the problem is. I know some on here are shielding because of their or loved one's health. Thursday was the 2nd time I had been on the bus to go too my local Aldi. Saw several people in the store with masks on but not covering their noses. Unless you are going to wear them correctly what's the point. I wore mine on the bus and in the post office but after disinfecting my trolley and used the hand sanitiser took it off in the shop. Put it back on before the taxi came. If we have to wear them in the shops of course I will. And just have to keep lifting my glasses as they steam up.

I'm not one who has wiped down my shopping like I've heard some people have been doing. I don't want to catch it but if I do I will fight with everything I've got to survive. But I haven't put my life on hold for it. Having the spare bedroom done will be the last thing this year done in the bungalow. Having hall and living room decorated next year.

Going tackle the front garden soon as I have plants I want to put out there.

Have a good day whatever you are up to.

I have made the soup, thought about my lunch, picked some berries, had an aeropress coffee. So far am liking the new cupboard arrangement, its only living with something that confirms storage, not the theory but the actual use.

I am biding my time, will be going out in an hour, to try out a longer hilly cycle route. Not sure about directions so I have decided to take my electric bike, just in case that very long upward hill gets the better of me

It sounds as though we could well be in lockdown over christmas, hope not, the worst psychological time for many

A big welcome to you May7.

The best advice I can offer right now is first to make scale drawings of the rooms and your furniture, this was a life saver for me and so many times I tried to squeeze a quart into a pint pot but it just did not work. Doing this gave me a sense of realism rather than panic and I gave perfectly good furniture away, mostly to family fortunately. I gave a small fridge away and other large items, there was no-where for them

Once I had decided what could fit in then I set to ruthlessly de-cluttering and I started with the kitchen, emptying one shelf at a time, wiping it down and leaving it empty. I got those boxes that shandy linked to and was careful to only get 2 sizes and neither were very big. I also stocked up with tape and ikea blue bags with the zips

I know you will feel as though it is tempting fate to start but you need to start immediately. Dedicate a room for boxes, if possible, write a number on the box, the destination room and keep an inventory in a book. This is good for a while but towards the end, we all end up chucking things into any old box so the more you do early the better

Thanks everyone I do indeed need to read through the posts. Covid just changes so much really doesnt it? in the way that it curbs your movements but yes one drawer at a time that's good advice.

Good luck May, this thread is really great , and so inspirational. I don't think there’s one aspect of moving that hasn’t happened to the lovely ladies on here so you’ll have a wealth of knowledge and advice. Even if you just need some support and a moan it’s a safe place to unload. Hope Shandy has some good luck soon, and things finally fall into place for her, also Franbern Whiff and craftyone live happily ever after in their new homes they all sound fab.

May7 - so pleased you have joined us. We are very friendly crowd and very supportive. You will notice that this is the sixth of these threads. Craftyone started the first one just over a year ago, when she was nearly breaking down under the strain of moving. when you have a little time to relax, might be good for you to have a look at some of those earlier ones.

I had tried both in 2015 and then again in 2017 to sell my house in Chingford, East London to move to a flat in Weston super Mare.

Big move for me, at aged 78 years old, never having lived outside of East London area in my life previously. Was really difficult as I also had a cancer Scare last August/september, in the middle of this - fortunately, sorted out and benign.

Best thing I ever did, I am so very happy in my lovely flat, and dread to think how I would have coped in the London house during the past horrible months.

Preparation for moving is a great time for really sorting out and getting rid of 'stuff'. I will admit I did this over four years, but got rid of so much and really do not miss it. I us I made a rule that if I had not used it for two years, I did not need it anymore. When I first started I even found two packing boxes (sealed) from when I had moved into that house in 2003!!!

Personally, I found it less stressful on the move to use a company that also did my packing for me. So, never had to bother with purchasing any packing cases, etc. Meant I really did not have to worry about packing at all, and it was all done for me on the day before and loaded onto the lorry ready for the trip down to Somerset the following day. Did need somewhere else to stay that night.

Yes, you are now going into the more stressful time. Solicitors, will ask you loads of questions, many of then you will not be able to answer - so just say so. Purchasers solicitors will just continue to bombard you with these. Then you have to find a suitable date for completion that suits both your purchaser and yourselves and the people your are buying from, and the rest of the chain (if there are anyone else).

Just remember, for most of us this does all sort itself out in the end, but can be very stressful whilst it is happening. That is what we are here for - to be a supportive metaphorical shoulder for you to cry on, etc. Just hold on to the idea of how wonderful it will be when you are finally settled in your new lovely home.

Do come back and tell us more about yourself and the properties.

May7 fingers crossed for a smooth sale process. We are here to keep you company.

May7 glad you had your offer accepted. And I agree with what others have said. Hopefully everything will run smoothly but unfortunately it doesn't always. If you read back on the the other parts of this thread you can see what can happen. Eventhough my move was eventful it was the best thing I have done. I was in my old house for 34 years and moved over 100 miles away.

Getting rid of things is hard but they are only things. You will come across things and wonder why on earth you kept hold on to it. Luckily the charity shops are accepting donations. Also you could try to sell things .

May7 start slowly! One drawer at a time....

Thank you shandy57 I will. Can’t bear the thought of the declutter I think that’s what has me so anxious. Baby steps I think.

couldn't

Congratulations May7! Fingers crossed for you for a smooth sale.

I recommend buying your own boxes from a company craftyone told me about, www.kitepackaging.co.uk. The ones the removal company bought were nearly as large as me, I could lift them as my arms are too short. Pack everything you won't be needing for the next few months.

Do declutter ruthlessly now, give to family, sell everything you can, ring BHF or similar for furniture you are happy to give away. Because of lockdown I had no choice but to give so many things away that I'd saved hard for.

Keep us updated!

PS I will be avoiding steps, although I do still have my kids' sledges!

Hi Grans I thought I’d join you today. We put our home of 33yrs up for sale the weekend of lockdown after much deliberation and last Friday we accepted an offer. We have been looking at bungalows in our area and they are so expensive but today we have had an offer on a property accepted and no stamp duty!! I’ve been very anxious all week and really let it get out of control to the point of wanting to call it all off. I know people do this all the time so I feel quite ridiculous and I know when it’s all over it will be the best thing we could have done but the current COVID situation has quite got me freaked out about the actual logistics of moving. Anyway I’ll dip in from time to time for some advice please
ps last time we moved I had a 3yr child and I was 8mths pregnant. Just took it all in my stride....oh to be that cool again

Craftyone - as I am on first floor, must tell you that I do, as far as possible, use the stairs rather than the lift, unless I have anything heavy with me or my shopping trolley. My scooter is kept in the garage, I do not bring that up to my flat, so try to use stairs when I go out to use that. Good views also from flats, particularly those on higher floors.

You get better views if you live on hilly ground.
Smell is a very personal thing Katy. We have a dog so our house quickly took on his odour! (To be fair he isn't that smelly!)
Talking of dogs even if Shandy's dog gets passed it, I would recommend finding another hound, maybe a rescue, to keep herself walking. A dog has a real need to go out every day even when it is pouring down and you feel tired.

we are all different, I love roads with slopes, the exercise and muscle building is good for us. My access happens to be flat but all around is hilly

Shandy, As oopsadaisy says do beware of hilly roads, and non flat access to any property. Noticed that one of those bungalows sent to you by craftyone has steep steps upto front door. This should be an absolute NO NO!! even if fine for you now, who knows about the future. One of the things I absolutely love is that there is no step at all from outside through the main lobby front door (just a gentle slope), lift up to my entry lobby and, again, no steps and straight into my flat through its own front door. No threshold step, etc. Makes my life so very, very easy with suitcases, wheeled shopping trolley, etc. etc.

Do also agree that it is the actual property that is most important. How long will you dog be able to go for walks with you on a beach, or anywhere else? Look for a property that suits you now and can be future-proofed. And, do make it an urgent priority so that you can take advantage of this stamp duty holiday.

Just over a year here too. Time has just flown, we have everything in the house sorted now apart from I would like the built in wardrobes spraying a different colour I really don’t like them, but they are sharps and quite new so
don’t want to take them out has anyone done this?
The garden has had new fencing this week, so we haven’t planted anything this year for fear that they would be trodden on, have to wait until next year now.
I do like my house, it’s small but has everything we need the only thing is, and it might sound silly it doesn’t smell like home. I can’t put my finger on it, but when I walk in it smells alien to me, I’ve tried using the same plug in as my old house, but no it’s not that. Nothing I can do just hope it grows on me.

Shandy please try to find somewhere flat! Some places in the South West are so steep and hilly that getting up and down to your front door, especially in Winter can be a trial.

Yes, time flies and a year ago several others here, just behind craftyone, were at the final moving hurdle. I think you need to have lived in your house a full year to know exactly how you want it to work for you. Especially the garden with the changing seasons.
What is it with solicitors that they can't possibly sort out queries on Thursdays or Fridays? It all has to wait until Monday. Our DD raised a few issues with the solicitor yesterday lunchtime to which I found the answer online this morning. I think they keep reshuffling their files and move on to the next transaction for an hour, before shelving that one too.

Shandy57 glad your landlord has fixed things for you. Now gear up to find your new home. I know it's hard but it's something you have to do. If you can't get train tickets I know you don't like to drive long distance but at least you could do that. Don't miss out on not paying stamp duty. like others have said if a property is all ready empty that would be your best option. But if you find something you like even if it's not perfect but you can make it your home snap it up. Don't focus on beaches and voluntary work. You home is top of the list . Others things are secondary.

My decorator is popping round lunchtime can start work on Monday. So been clearing out the bedroom. Bed being moved in on Sunday. And the floor covering will be put down. It protected my bedroom from plaster and paint. Brilliant stuff.

Having my Easylife step means I can reach my high cupboards. Like you Craftyone that's a job I need to do but will leave it a couple of weeks.

The sun's out here. Hope everyone else has it to.

Times goes so fast, another year gone but actually it is 15 months since I bought here I cringe when I remember how daunting it was at the grand age of 71, by myself

I have reached shatterment point, jiggered and will be sitting, maybe pottering, all afternoon. Done the kitchen storage and have gratefully been able to re-use storage that I bought when it first came out in lakeland, maybe around 2010. I could not find many of the caddys but they were stacked to store under the sink and on the en suite cill. En suite caddies are replaced by 2 of the muji boxes I bought in 2010. I have never got rid of any of the good storage

www.lakeland.co.uk/24405/Caddy-Stack-Food-Cupboard-Organiser-Shelf-
These from lakeland and I now have a system 2 shelves deep and 2 high with some space on the top for the likes of cake tin liners. It is very full but easily accessible and every space counts. I have 8 caddies in that little footprint, containing baking beans, pastry cutters, packs of easy yo etc and all easy to pull out

I have cobbled lunch together and hung up 3 command hooks inside cupboard doors, one will hold my peel (bread baking) and one in the utility, my well worn large brim gardening hat

Have you been in your house a year now craftyone? Happy year anniversary, hopefully I'll still know you when it's mine.

I'm off to the charity shop today, they have trolleys outside so they can leave donations to decontaminate before sorting. Will be good to make some room in the garage, I can hardly get in there, I'll take all the bedding today, bric a brac next week.