Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

Re surveys, Luckygirl - when I was looking for a house here, where I eventually moved to, I had a survey done on a terraced house in which I was interested. The survey was, erm, quite long and detailed and reading between the lines the house was really only held up by the houses on either side.

The house, along with many others and great swathes of land in the county where I live, was owned by a member of the aristocracy (not royalty!) and when I withdrew the estate agents had the cheek to ask for a copy of the "detrimental" survey. For a start, it wasn't "detrimental", only factual; the survey was done for me, and I didn't want them to take action against my lovely surveyor; and I respectfully suggested that if Lord Blahdeblah wanted to know the condition of his property, he could commission his own survey.

I bought a different house in the same village and am very happy!

We had somebody out to look at our windows and he replaced a couple of handles so they all now lock and rehung one that was draughty, there and then? He is coming back to replace a blown pane sometime???
We want an external door taken out and replaced with a wall and window. He couldn't do that as they only repair not replace. The companies who will do that job don't repair.
We tried getting a building/ maintenance company to co ordinate all the jobs that need doing but none could even come and quote until late June.....

I understand people taking curtains if moving to a similar size or age house but taking curtain poles and tracks is really odd as is taking light fittings. My buyers took the white goods but I thought that fairly normal if they are not built in. Luckily they left the range cooker, which I love. It also seems odd these days to charge for items being left.
Unfortunately, the fridge here had a cupboard above it and they no longer make fridges the right height to fit below this. I had to buy a much smaller one to replace it.
A new kitchen is on my list of jobs but no rush as this one is not too bad and I dread the upheaval.

Just had to run home with the dog - big hail stones!

So sorry kissngate, that is really upsetting the rails are going too as your privacy is affected. I will admit I was tempted to take my curtain rails as they were top quality and I really liked them, but thought it would be too inconvenient for the buyer.

There was a discussion on here about 'fittings' before I sold, and generally it seems people do leave curtains etc for free, because they wouldn't fit anywhere else. I left all my curtains, white goods and lamp shades.

I do wish I had taken my wall stained glass light shades now, I took the table lamp that matched and they could have been spares.

I did pay £50 for the three sets of lounge curtains here, I will be replacing them when I've decided on my interiors.

I 've been waiting over a week for the window lock man Pittcity, he phoned last night to say he was sorry, jobs were taking him longer than he thought. I do want to be able to open the bedroom window in the summer.

Have a good BH everyone, it's very busy up here, can't move in the village.

Shandy:Fran:Yogi:Pitt - the curtains I'm not too fussed about it's the fact they are removing all the poles and rails which is a pain. The lighting again is an issue. Apart from one bedroom all the lighting is fixed into the ceiling (not bulbs with shades) some of them I really liked. Spoke to solicitors who said they can take lighting but have to leave a bulb fitment in its place. Cant make them leave curtain fixtures either. Even the estate agent was surprised and said its doubtful the rails will fit new house. All our white goods and curtains were included in the sale of previous home so we are a bit stuck. Solicitor said we should have specified at point of sale that the price included all white goods, carpets curtains lighting. We didn't, lesson learned.

We had no curtains or lampshades when we moved in. There were lovely curtain rails though, so we ordered from Dunelm and collected them the next day. Everything matches for the first time ever.
We had the boiler serviced as soon as we moved in. There was a sticker saying it had been serviced exactly one year before but our trusted engineer was sure it hadn't and found the flue in the loft to be in a dangerous state. He fixed it and the guy changing the gas meter asked if we'd had the flue fixed as he noticed recent repairs.
I think missing fittings is good as it's a chance to put your stamp on the place, but it shouldn't be left in a dangerous state.

Is anyone else finding that tradesmen are hard to pin down at the moment? They all seem to be busy. We have come to a halt in our DIY efforts and need professional help but even getting quotes is proving difficult.

Yes does seem strange taking all the fittings Kissngate
Curtains only fit the windows they were made/bought for anyway and you never take light fittings. In my house before this we had the most wonderful chandeliers,3, that we bought back from USA, very expensive, but left them, wouldn't have suited my house I'm in now.

I'm leaving all my white goods as it's so much easier with the move, but knowing that the ones being left at my new place are old, whereas mine are new, also they are taking the cooker, so I'll have to buy new when I get there, which is an inconvenience!

Must say I find it bewildering when people take curtains when they move. Last time I did that was when I moved in 1972. Since then curtains have always been made specifically for the windows, patio doors, etc in a material to be part of the interior design - so would never have seen any point to trying to move them to a different property.

When I came to the flat there were curtains, etc. Okay the Living and Dining room ones were not to my liking - but they sufficed until I was able to sort out getting new ones made. Fortunately, that first winter here I never tried to close the ones across the windows and patio doors (only used the verticle blinds there), - had I done so they would have fallen down as the curtain rail really needed replacing!!!
The roller blind in the bedroom had a tendency to fall down if used, but no matter coz there was also some unlined curtains there.

I have to admit spending a very large amount on the new curtains, for my Living/Dining room. But these will be the last time I ever purchase curtains and I am so delighted with the ones I had made.
kissngate just hope you get the move completed quickly now. Once in, you will get enjoyment out of getting new things and decorating to your own specification.

I'm sorry kissngate but I must say that the fittings left for me here are poor quality, and I have found it a bit depressing. I paid a lot for this bungalow but I paid for location, so not complaining.

I would recommend you have a very thorough second viewing. I know you'll be wearing gloves so flush the toilet - mine drips for 20 minutes, plonk plonk plonk. I'd also turn on all the taps - my kitchen mixer tap leaks water.

They can't take the lighting, they must leave a fitting, so will just be taking the light shades. Taking the curtains is a pain, but I'm sure you have a few pairs from your house that will fit.

The white goods my vendor left are on their last legs and I will need to replace them very quickly - the washing machine she wanted money for is a very old Beko and it smells, the rubber has never been cleaned and is black. The dishwasher spokes are all bent and broken, the top tray rollers have had it, and it makes some terrible noises. I would have preferred to have just had the spaces when I moved in, until I could have bought my own.

You can ask the vendor to have a boiler service prior to exchange - you will have to pay for it, it's not something the vendor has to supply, same for an electric check. It is important you know that it is safe and working, especially as it is gas.

My vendor couldn't supply guarantees for the windows/doors either, the works were done in 2007. No keys here to lock the windows, bedroom lock missing completely, and one window has blown now it's rained and the sun has come out.

Unless you buy new there will always be some maintenance problems, don't be disheartened.

The gutters and fascia boards won't be expensive to fix. I'm bombed by moss and drips every time I leave the front door, my gutters need replacing too.

Good luck, if you love the house, it is worth pursuing, and you might just squeak in and save thousands on the stamp duty.

Just thought I'd update our house move and say things aren't going smoothly. We received property info forms back from solicitors. Firstly seems like sellers are taking everything but the sink. Our fault we didn't ask when we made offer what was staying. Taking all lighting, curtains and fittings, wash machine, etc etc not impressed. Next we find gas boiler never been serviced in five years and they've no guarantees on double glazed windows or the conservatory. We already know from survey the gutters need repairing plus fascia boards need repainting or replacing and there is some pointing needed. If we had got the forms back sooner I think we would have pulled out. My OH said he couldnt stand the strain of trying to find somewhere else. Looks like the profits on previous house will be spent on this. Not a happy bunny.

Evening all, I've made a giant boo boo!

I was supposed to contact the utility company already here for gas when I moved in, to let them know I was going to swtich. I don't know why but I didn't. I was already with Octopus and asked them if they could also supply my gas

Had to read my gas meter the other day for them and the number is less than the final reading .... Scottish Power has just confirmed the seller sent that figure through. How is the meter usage going down? Woe is me!

Morning all, managed to get back from my dog walk before the rain, very dark rain clouds.

I think I've told you my poor old dog has another interdigital cyst, and as yet, the antibiotics haven't worked their magic. I bumped into a dog walker I see regularly and said he was still licking it - I can't cover it as it needs to heal.
He recommended putting something on the other paw to distract him, like peanut butter. I bathed his foot when we got back, put a lump of peanut butter on his other paw, and my dog looked at me as though I was absolutely mad and shook it off! He is now sleeping peacefully.

Glad you have a plan now Yogi, I felt far more relaxed once I had my 15 year old cat 'plan' in place, the dog crate was perfect. She spent her whole life at my previous house and I am so glad she is happy here. She's even having mad kitten like half hour's again.

I'm so grateful I didn't have a chain. My best friend has just emailed, she might be losing her buyer, who sold and moved in with her daughter in early April. My friend has now waited a month for her seller to find somewhere to complete the chain.

Good luck to everyone looking for somewhere to move to, RightMove seems to have new listings every day now.

Morning, lovely and sunny today, but bet it's chilly out there!
I'm sure I'll have lot's to get rid of once I've moved in too Shandy. I'm taking a lot more than I intended, but better that way round than wishing I had kept things and then buying new to replace. I'm getting rid of my big settee, getting the council to take it. I'll have to ask the neighbours to help get it out.

I have a driveway where I'm going, so doggie should be ok for a little while. I used to have a lovely neighbour in the next rd that would look after my dog, but now he's passed away, I only have my daughter.

I read about your guest Shandy, staying longer with you after your dear husbands funeral, to have a bit of a holiday, how terribly thoughtless of them!

Morning all, really rainy here today!

Yogi, you do whatever makes you feel OK to ensure his safety and reduced stress. I wish I had a trusted friend that could take my dog if I was ill, I worried about it during Covid. As I haven't got a trusted friend, and my son has two dogs, I had to start using kennels when my husband died.
My sheltie is a barker, and I had to accommodate seven of my husband's family for the funeral, I was worried someone would leave the front door open too. I couldn't believe it when my step son came for the ashes ceremony a few months later - he went for an early morning run when we were all in bed, and did leave the front door open. I'm going to use Barking Mad when I holiday in future, hugely expensive, but he'd be comfortable in someone's house.

My dog is often in the car and feels quite relaxed in there, but for my move I knew I'd have to park on the road and I was worried for him. I think it only took an hour for the men to bring everything in.

Other alternatives are that you could buy or borrow a big dog crate for the other end, as I did for my cat, or put him in the bathroom with his basket and treats. I used packing tape across the door and put a big 'CAT' sign so no-one went in there. I'm pleased my cat is enjoying it here, she is now going out regularly and seems very happy.

I've just said goodbye to my leather sofa and chair, lovely young man with a van came on time as promised. He was a bar manager until Covid struck, and he and a friend started this 'man with a van' business. He was only asking for the return taxi fare I pay to the airport in Newcastle, I gave him a good tip. I let them in round the back as both lounge patio doors open wide - but hadn't realised they would have to lift the sofa above their heads to clear the side gate, thought they'd turn it on it's end. Very strong!

A day of picture sorting lays ahead. I've just come across an old 90s photo frame, the type with lots of different shaped spaces for photos on - my husband was so pleased when our son was born.

Enjoy your day

Spice thank you also. Bit worried about what to do with my dog, he is not a kennel type dog, never been in one and I wouldn't want to put him in one. I'm as bad as him with separation anxiety, I'm even worried about putting him in to the 'Grooming rooms' as been cutting his hair for the last year and it does look good.

I was going to put him in the breakfast room just off the kitchen, with the curtains closed and radio on, in the morning. The other side is more difficult, so thought to keep him in the car for initial bit, then maybe in the garden in his doggie play pen . My daughter would have him, but she has 2 little ones and tends to leave her front door open when she goes to the car. I can just see my dog dashing out into the road and running 'home' [which he couldn't do!]

Shandy thanks for your advise, I will certainly take it on board xx

I too would recommend you put your dog in kennels. We took our girl off the day before we moved and as it happened she stayed there for several days until we had everything in order.
This saved any concern about her being in the way, stressed out, getting in the way or escaping.

Morning all, it's raining! Glad for my seedling potatoes, but need to buy a bigger mac, it's like a tourniquet after my lockdown eating

Yogi I would recommend putting your dog into kennels during the move. I had the advantage of a day's grace between completion and moving in. I completed on Thursday 11th, moved in on Friday 12th, and then had the whole weekend to clean the rental as I had paid until the 14th.

I put my dog into kennels on the Thursday afternoon, and collected him late Saturday afternoon, and am very thankful I did. I did bring him over to the bungalow to have a look around before I took him to kennels. I also set up the huge dog crate in the bathroom for my cat, and put a sticker on the door and tape across.

The next day, I got up at silly 'o' clock to take my cat over to the bungalow before the removal men arrived at the rental. They turned up at 9 am ish, and it took three hours of fast work to load both the rental cottage and the garage. I think we finished moving things into the bungalow by about 1 pm. I didn't have much furniture to dismantle, just two beds plus the legs had to come off the sofa and chair.

When they left I had a breather, then went back to the rental cottage and hoovered throughout, washed all the windowsills and skirting boards. I was exhausted by then and decided to shampoo the carpets the next day. I was very lucky to have the carpet shampooer until the Monday, and did the carpets on Saturday and Sunday, plus deep cleaning the kitchen and bathroom. I was upset I forgot to hoover the top of the radiators, was a bit shocked to see the big close up photo of the 'animal debris'!! They'd photographed the interior of absolutely everything, even the fridge freezer. Luckily landlord did return my full deposit.

I'm glad you've sorted out your conveyancing, I bought a book in the end to understand the flow of the process, very useful as I'd never bought on my own before. If you can, I'd clean all the windows and other jobs that will 'last' until completion in advance, I was on my knees by the end of my cleaning.

For your furniture I recommend Facebook local sale pages, I had great success and some lovely people came to buy my furniture - except the sofa rats!.

As for removals it's recommended you don't book them until you have exchanged, but my seller wanted to exchange/complete on the same day initially so I did get quotes in advance. I chose a company and asked them to pencil me in. Unbeknown to me my seller had actually moved out the day before, it would have been helpful to know, I got the keys at 10 am. It is worth taking out the 'late key' insurance in case your seller leaves your new purchase late.

I thought about the new owner's reactions after I posted last night, he is a Londoner like me. I bet he thought trades were cheaper in 'The North' and he'd get everything done for a song.

Midgey & Shandy thank you

I too thought about the car for my little dog, may have to do that when moving into my new place, as no spare room where he'll be when I move out.

One solicitor was telling me one thing and the other something deferent. A few phone calls yesterday and seems everything is in order with my solicitor having all the docs to go through and then I will get the 'sale agreement' docs to sign. I hadn't realise that it is opposite; buying and selling, selling you sign first, buying you sign at the end, so I was getting stressed that I'd sighed twice for selling and nothing for buying, I now know why

Need to sell some furniture and get a removal firm ready, but I think no point till I have a date [?]

Shandy think your new home owners will learn a lesson by not listening to your recommendations.

Just back from a very wet dog walk, and by chance bumped into my surveyor.

I thanked him again for doing the survey here, he thinks I was really fortunate to secure it, in addition he thought I bought at the right time as prices are still rising. Considering I've done everything during lockdown, I have done quite well really!

It's none of my business and I was surprised when he went on to say that the new owner contacted him for plans/a quote for a loft conversion. He visited to take the measurements, then went back with the plans and quote to discuss. The new owner poo pooed his quote, told him it was far too expensive, and he could get it done much cheaper elsewhere. This is the second time he's invited someone I recommended to quote and rejected them outright. There aren't that many well respected professionals that can work on heritage houses up here, and he's now rejected two of them, and they know all the trades. I feel sorry for the house, I sold to a fool.

Big hugs Yogi, it's almost unbearable waiting because it is out of your control. Just remember everything will be alright in the end, if it's not alright, it's not the end. I can't understand why your solicitor wasn't chasing the lease extension purchase for you? Good luck.

I always put my dog in the car with a bowl of water when I have trades in, he is a sheltie and barks a lot too.

Oh Yogi how frustrating. This thread just proves what a nightmare this house buying lark can be, but in the end you will get there.....you just maybe hairless having pulled it all out! Good luck.

Morning all

How annoying not being able to get the draw back Shandy It happens with new items, then when you know how, so easy!

I'm almost 6months in to trying to purchase my new home. Already lost one buyer due to the delay. New buyers came round on Saturday [meant missing a nice outing with my D&GC]. But all went really well, apart from having to hold my little dog [who's quite heavy after a while] to stop him barking. I said 'look round and finish in the garden where I'll be with doggie, which they did but we talked for ages in the garden with me holding my dog!

Still waiting for my purchase property solicitor to extend the lease, which I was told was the last thing to do, but 6months on, still not completed! I'm fine during the day when I'm busy, but at night, trying to sleep with this problem is hard. I just think it will never be completed!

I wrote a letter to the solicitors of the house I'm trying to buy, via their estate agent, as not allowed to contact them for some reason. Saying why so long?, I was told the extension of lease takes only 2hrs work I had mentioned to their EA that I was interested in buying the freehold and was told to do this after the purchase is complete. My solicitor then mentioned this and said it needs doing before completion otherwise the freeholders have no reason to do it. But my Sol. hadn't heard I wanted to buy FH from me! So don't know if that's holding it up now, but 6mths!!