Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

Many years back, in my family house I had an expensive juicer. In order to clean this after each use had to use a special item to open it up. Kept this in a drawer in the kitchen directly underneath where I used this machine. A couple of weeks aftr I moved to my downsized house, I used this and found myself then trying to open a non-existant drawer in my kitchen. Never, ever did find that, fortunately a heartfelt letter to the company involved and they sent me a replacement free of charge.

I always had a long ex-biscuit tin, in which I kept used stampes, when this gets full I would send these to a charity, I definitely had it in a cupboard when I packed everything away for my flooring to be laid. Have unpacked everything, sorted it all out and NOWHERE is this tin. Just disappeared.

A mystery Franbern! I hope it turns up.

I've just phoned a local windows company and unfortunately they didn't install the windows here, but very kindly the woman gave me the number of someone who 'fixes' any type of double glazed windows. I was annoyed when I arrived to see the lock is missing from the small bedroom window, it can't be opened, plus the seller didn't have any keys to lock them. I'd like to lock them when I'm away. Now the sun is out I can also see 'mist' inside the middle window, so it's blown.

The maintenance has begun!

Windows can produce their own problems, In my flat we can have replacement windows if we wish, but from the outside they must look EXACTLY the same. Last year had a problem with one window, where a small hinge had broken which meant when I opened it it hung badly - and I was scared it would actually fall out. Took me a long time to find a company that could fix this for me. Did eventually and have kept the name of that company carefully in my files.

I would love to have those windows that have the ability also to open inwards, so the outsides can be cleaned safely whilst standing in your own room. I know other people here who are also interested in these, so will - at some time get some quotes.

I have NEVER used window keys - at my house - when I moved in - the previous owners had put a key in every window. I took all of these and tied them altogether with a piece of string and kept that safely with the deeds of the property - only ever taking them out when I moved to leave for the new owner. Have done much the same at the flat. As long as they shut firmly, I am quite happy.

I do love open windows, and with the recent summer weather, I am so happy to be able to bring outside air into the flat. One of the nice things of being in a first floor flat, is that I am quite happy to leave these open on their safety catches when I go out for a short while.

Maintenance is a continuous on-going matter. Always best, if possible, to do things early rather than letting problems get really bad. Obviously all external (except windows) maintenance here is under the control of our Residents Association, so I really only have to cope with things INSIDE the flat.

Morning all, not quite as warm this morning.

I'm a real scaredy cat being on one level now Franbern. As a child in '69 my Dad advertised some silver in the newsagents - and gave our address. We woke up one Sunday morning to the noise of a man breaking into our house and when my Dad opened the back door, he hit him on the head with the jemmy he'd been using. I saw it from my bedroom window and head injuries aren't like the films, the blood was everywhere. Had to go to Scotland Yard to try and identify him from photographs, I can remember the man's face clearly all these years later. I'd just started grammar school and had to have the second week off, it was awful. My Dad had a fractured skull and lost his sense of taste and smell for over a year.

I've just come on to say I have taken the plunge and advertised my cardboard boxes, they've gone straight away I did open the loft hatch yesterday and thought of putting them up there, but a friend pointed out I'm not going to move again, it's silly to store combustibles up there, so they're going today. It's a staff nurse at our local hospital, I'm going to give her my spare tape dispenser and some tape too. Just leaving them outside when she texts to say she's on her way.

Talking of texts, I was just off to bed at 10.45 last night when one of my late husband's golf colleagues sent a text saying where are you now, hope to drop in for coffee and you are welcome to ours too. Most peculiar, I bump into this person dog walking sometimes and wouldn't ever consider asking him in for coffee! Going to have to be coat on and keys in hand if he ever knocks!

Afternoon all, just back from the dental hygienist, she is new to me and absolutely fantastic!

I had two front door keys cut on the way back, and neither work. The front door is modern, but appears to be on its last legs, so I might have to splash out for a new one. I know the basic one installed at the rental was £998. Didn't expect this!

Shandy take the keys back , with the original, they will redo them for you, or give you a refund.

Thanks Oopsadaisy he did say to bring them back if they didn't work. The shop is having to close down because of Covid, they used their life savings but just can't continue. Nice old couple have been there for thirty years

That’s such a shame, our local key cutter has gone and the Cobbler is doing them, just takes a blank, fits it and your key into the machine and hey presto!

Front doors can be pricey to have replaced. My daughter had a new one, as she detested the modern glazed one in her 1930 house. She also insisted that she wanted one with a yale type key lock. Many of the newer ones do not have these, have a lock that you need to turn the key in when closing. She had to pay extra for that sort of lock in her door, and the keys for that cost about twelve pounds each. I have yet to confess to her that I have broken the one she gave to me, trying to use it to lever something open!!! Will try to get a replacement when I go to visit her.

Just finally managed to get my hair cut. Oh the Joy!!!!

I am looking toreplace two of my internal doors which are cery solid wood with glazed ones. Living room and Kitchen which I want to be turned into a sliding door. Not at all urgent, so will probably wait until next year for this. It is just that my hall is totally internal, and those glazed doors would allow some natural light in there withour having to leave them open, as I do at present,.

Oh yes, doors. We have the original 60s doors which I detest and replacing them is on my list, especially the sitting room and kitchen which open on to our rather dark hall. But the cost will be considerable (eight doors to rooms plus two large built in cupboards and one smaller one). I can but dream!

We've had a few more quotes today for jobs around the house. The window man replaced catches and hinges there and then, only taking a short time. He's coming back to replace one window at a later date.
Otherwise everyone is very busy so we've a good few weeks to wait for other jobs.

We are looking to get a glazed door from the hall to lounge too Franbern. We already have one between the lounge and kitchen/diner but I expect we'll have a job finding one to match.

When I moved to my bungalow two years ago, the doors were very 80s and flat brown. My hall has no windows so I replaced all the doors. The hall/kitchen one and hall/living room one are partially glazed as I didn't want to be constantly cleaning wee fingerprints off glass. What a difference it has made to the hall.

I've just been looking at external doors, what a choice! And what a price as you say Franbern! I don't like having to lock the door behind me, I will invest in one I can shut and run.

The internal doors here at the bungalow are very basic cheap wood with cheap brass effect handles, I will replace them eventually too. I'm going to start doing the lottery, the more I look, the more I need to do!

Shandy, you don't have a single key to your windows? You may be able to identify the manufacturer by looking at the side of the frames. Or you may be able ask the advice of a locksmith. Perhaps borrow neighbour or friends keys to see if they fit. I was able to order extra keys from a company online.
Personally I like to lock the ground floor windows when we all go out as it would invalidate our house insurance not to.
This house maintenance business is a challenge. Since we moved back here our gas fire is deemed unsafe to use. We have built an extra shed for storage and lots needs decorating. It can all wait.

Morning all, quite chilly today. My neighbour gave me a jug with scabious seeds, I am going to put them out for some sun today, but don't think it's safe to leave them out overnight yet.

I have asked two of the neighbours now loopyloo, both of them have different windows. I gave up and rang a local window company who gave me the number of a person who is coming to have a look and fix the bedroom window, I want to be able to open the top tiny one and at the moment there is no lock at all, it's just a hole.

I am sorry your gas fire is unsafe, glad the weather is becoming warmer, I expect you have a bit of a wait for replacement. I'm still waiting for Octopus to connect to my gas meter, it's still flashing blank.

I am planning to save a regular amount for house maintenance each month.

If any of you need doors it might be worth checking trashnothing as every now and then I have seen glazed doors being offered. Trashnothing is freecycle.

Just back from a dog walk and a neighbour has told me a local young man was on Pointless last night! Sadly he didn't win.

Thanks midgey, I hadn't heard of that site.

I've just learnt how to read a smart gas meter. Press 9 and the word volume comes up, then the number you have used in m3. Bit odd as the number is below the one the seller gave me, I'll wait and see what happens!

Shandy there are loads of different kinds of smart meter, my daughter’s is completely different to mine. Mine has even stopped working so the company need meter readings!

Luckily Octopus told me what to do midgey - they've managed to connect to my electricity meter so at least I don't have the mountain climb any more!

I've just seen a neighbour and asked where he got his lovely front door from, and looked them up - closed down because of Covid. We are entering a different world, so many businesses have gone down

Shandy, I am surprised that a door fitting company has not survived Covid. Even through lockdowns, anything considered home maintenance was permitted to continue to operate. Probably another reason for their closing.

I had my new bathroom fitted (ten days work involving plumbers, electficians, plasterers, tilers, etc. etc. during 2020, my window repair also carried out then, and my new curtains and rails all made and put up. Had already arranged for my new flooring to be put down in February this year (during lockdown) and this was all carried out quite legally.

I am not able to have a smart meter, due to the distance between my leccie meter (in a shared cupboard in the lobby) and my gas meter - in a cupboard in my kitchen. Those that had the earlier ones had the problem that those did not work if they changed supplier - but the new generation ones do not have this problem. Why do you need to read yours?. Thought the whole idea was that those machines supplied that usage information direct to the companies.

Down here in the South West we are really enjoying a wonderful Spring weather. Each day is warm and sunny. My balcony is a real sun trap, as the high wall along one side protects it from any wind. I have to use my sun parasol to be sit out there in the afternoons. Do hope it continues.

Morning all, sunny here but not quite as warm.

I don't know why they can't connect to the meter Franbern, it's odd. Apparently a company called GTC own the gas pipes here (the neighbour described them as the carrier), and the people on the new estate behind me also had problems connecting. At least it is an easy read, it's a cupboard on the wall outside.

They can read my electricity meter, I've just had my electric bill and have used £35 this month. Bit better than the £80 per month I paid at the station! I'll get my table lamps set up, and hopefully reduce it by not using all the kitchen spotlights. Whole of the extension and bathroom are spotlights, I've watched a video on how to replace them, two have gone in the lounge. Not looking forward to it.

I'm still unpacking here, and repacking things I must let go of. When my Dad moved he sent me a dismantled crystal chandelier in about eight boxes with replacement parts, I've looked on ebay and think I'll sell it as spares. I've also got all our old phones and cameras but want to check them for photos before they go.

In a few weeks it will be five years since my husband died. I am so glad to be here in this very well located bungalow, I do feel I've done the best I could with the money I had. I did waste a lot getting here, but now have the chance of saving again. I am glad most people on here that have downsized are happy - I like the thought of you with your parasol on your balcony Franbern. Hope you've also got one in your cocktail glass!

Morning all, a really lovely day here today. I'm just back from my dog walk and met two new dogs and their walkers, I am glad not to have to 'avoid' any aggressive dogs.

I've just come on to say my best friend bought me an Airfryer, and I used it for the first time last night, cooked my quorn escalope to perfection! But then it took me over half an hour to get the washed drawer back in and I gave up in the end. I tried again this morning. Looks like the button is just really stiff, success after try ten!

I hope everyone that is waiting for news gets a call tomorrow. I'm still lurking on MSE and people are having a very difficult time of it with the huge hike in house prices, but the mortgage companies are valuing the house at less.

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!!

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.