Help calm me. House buying and selling stress

I cant believe you have done all that on your own. I am not surprised you are tired. Great that your son came to help

Wishing you every happiness in your new home x

Afternoon all, I'm finally on line again! Hope everyone is OK, I am sorry to read your sorry news Yogi, wishing you the best of luck.

I completed on Thursday and got my keys at 10 am - the seller had moved out the day before, would have been nice to know I picked the keys up and bought my dog here for a sniff around the bungalow and garden, took him back to the cottage and went to Alnwick to get the carpet shampooer. They are heavy! When I got back I took my dog to the beach, then onto kennels. I thought it would be easier to bring him 'home' if he'd already been here. I came back to the bungalow and set up the dog crate and bought as many 'bags' as I could, then went back to the cottage. Not confident about the bungalow drive, it's very narrow, the lady next door luckily has a small car. Haven't hit it yet!

I was up at 6 am on Friday and caught my cat easily and took her to the bungalow. She was scared in the cage but safe, as it was the bathroom I couldn't plug in the Feliway there. I put packaging tape over the door so it was obviously 'out of bounds'.

I went back to the cottage and the men turned up about 9 am. The men were strong, fast, and very considerate. We loaded the cottage first and came to the bungalow, I'd done a room plan and they put the boxes/stuff into the right rooms, on the whole. Unfortunately the bungalow seems smaller than I remember - I'm going to have to declutter a LOT!

While the men were unloading the owner said he'd go back to the cottage to get the garage stuff - stupid me had left the keys back at the cottage, so I had to drive back to let them in. I left them loading, and came back to the bungalow, which was filling up in a frightening way.

The garage stuff came and was squeezed in to the front bedroom, and everything was unloaded by 2 pm. I went off to the cottage and started the hoovering and cleaning - I wish I'd kept Henry. I didn't have enough energy to start the carpet shampooing so came back to the bungalow - the smoke alarm battery was doing that horrible high pitched pipping noise. I went back to the cottage, read the meter, and bought the ladder back here - no more pipping!

On Saturday morning I went to the cottage to use the carpet shampooer and deep clean the kitchen. Started upstairs, big mistake, as I had to carry it down with water in. Started on the lounge and it wasn't working properly - when I checked the bucket it was full - and I mean full - of sand! Had to take it outside and empty it, and as it had broken, had to hand sponge the stairs clean

I had to get my dog at 5 pm so couldn't do any more on Saturday, I just came back to the bungalow. Tried to read the gas and electric meters - both flashing blank. Assume it's because I didn't have wifi - will be going out to check in a minute.

Sunday I was up at 8 am and went straight to the cottage to deep clean the kitchen, sweep the gardens and remove all the rubbish. Unfortunately my seller has filled both bins here - she did leave a note to apologise.

I had left the freezer to defrost ..... it was full of water. The freezer is so old it's the kind where you have to put a dish in to catch the water - I had to scoop it all out with a cup into a bucket.

I was really tired and had only done about half the kitchen when my son rang. He hadn't sent me a card and I was sharp with him and said it was the second year and I was upset - he was at the door! I was so pleased as frankly I was scared I wasn't going to get through it all, I was so weary. He swept the floor, mopped it, and loaded up all my very heavy garden ornaments into his car. Just having someone there to do something was fantastic. We finished and I dropped a card off to my lovely neighbours, fed the birds for one last time. He came to the bungalow and unloaded, had a very quick look around and thought it was great. Then we drove off separately for fish and chips on a very windy cold quay side!

So I'm here, surrounded by boxes, and have just had to wash my spare knickers because my underwear is about three rows of boxes back in the bedroom. I'm not going to rush to unpack, and will be selling lots of things.

The bungalow was clean and tidy and the seller had left me a few things - a sofa, a bookcase, a table, a few houseplants - but she didn't leave the keys to the locking windows. I've just phoned the estate agent to ask her about them. She's also left all her gardening tools as she will be moving into a first floor flat.

I returned the carpet shampooer and the keys to the cottage this morning - and bought some early potatoes to plant, there are four raised beds in the garden.

I'll sign off now, I'm waiting for the doctor to ring me back,
something odd is happening to the top of my leg and it hurts as though I've had a local injection, she asked to see a photo. Wasn't pretty!

I hope you all stay safe and well, I won't be back for a while as I can't move anywhere here yet and must start getting organised, I'm too tired to do any more lifting tonight.

Oh Whiff I hope you're not leaving just because I said our actual sale was a doddle, as was our daughter's last summer, as was our son's this January. We WERE all lucky, our son even had an offer without the viewer wanting to visit! I was trying to inject a bit of positivity into those just embarking on the process, it's always good to have a balance. The whole system is stressful at any stage and this thread has kept us all sane along the way.
But if anyone wants doom and gloom stories of removals and money laundering problems I'm at the front of the queue with horror stories!

Yogin- so very sorry to hear your sad tale. Occasionally, some sales/purchaser seem to go through almost seamlessly, however, more and more, these days, there are so many problems, holdups and collapses - and sadly, these seem to be much more the majority now.

It is so often said that our homes are our very largest investments, and, for most people, the most expensive of our purchasers. It does seem so sad and so very wrong that trying to move when you are a home/mortgage owner is so fraught with increasing costs and difficulties.

Hubbie and I were so fortunate that due to an LCC scheme, back the early 1960's we were able to obtain a mortgage on a house, to move in there when we married. Both of us were the first members of our respective families so to do - both set of parents lived in (what was then called) Council flats.

There have been sad occasions over the years, particularly more recently, when I have actually felt that it would have been so much easier if I had continued to live in social housing. At least then moving would be so much easier.

I really do not feel it is beyond the wit of government to amend the situation in England and Wales. The Scottish system is much better. I really do wonder how much extra expense is actually caused to the NHS because of the stress that house selling/buying actually causes. Solicitors and Estate agents make a fortune from all of us. And, the more property prices increase - the more they make - for doing (it seems to me) doing less and less work for it.

Yes, I know for many of us, it does finally, reach a good and happy solution - and we then put behind us all the stress and unhappiness.

It really is about time that some sort of movement was property started up to start to bring pressure for changes in the laws regarding this. Just printing off all the different scenarios which have appeared to posters here would give a good basis of realising the need for serious and urgent change.

I will NEVER, EVER again go through this. I do love my flat and am so happy it all worked out (eventually) for me. But no way could I ever face any of it again. Happy to provide information to any pressure group that gets formed.

Whiff
I’m with you. We have been buying and selling property since 1997. The stress and heartache over the years has got worse and worse ?
The only way we resolved the impasse with the last one in 2014 was by me contacting my buyer direct as it was obvious that we were both being told different stories.

Thanks for replies x

It's amazing I was fore warning merlotgran about all things that could happen on her . And then it was pointed out to her Whiff had bad luck. So I sent her a PM . All the things I warned about has happened to Yogin.

I was made to feel like the voice of doom and gloom. Instead I was pointing out the facts of buying and selling. No wonder Craftyone left.

This is my last post on this thread . If the ones I email want to continue I will gladly do that . Just let me know.

Wish every one good luck and good bye.

Yogini I feel for you - it "does your head in" as they say.

Yogini what a nightmare for you. I am sorry. Deep breaths. You need to find it in you to pick up again somehow.
Surely it wasn't just the date issue that changed his mind?

Yogini what a nightmare, and one that has been repeated so many times on this thread. Do hope you find a new buyer and can get moving soon.

yogin sorry about your purchaser, your priority has to be your sale, if necessary you might have to drop the price just a bit,
I doubt that the Mortgage Company will allow an extension, I’m sorry to say that you have little choice at the moment but to get out quickly, if your Purchase falls through then you will have to rent.
I know it’s the last thing you need as you are unwell.but as your house sold so quickly I would think that you will soon find a buyer.
Good luck .

Morning Movers

Been reading all the post and went back and read the very first thread, first 3 pages and then last 2, as there were 40 pages to read couldn't read all.

Only thing on my mind now, moving! Sold within first 5 days of putting my house on the market. That was 1st Dec. 2nd of Dec. offer accepted on house purchase. The house purchase was vacant, so I thought 'great, that will go through quickly', wrong! They needed probate & lease extension.

My purchaser wanted a quick completion, which I thought I could deliver, not knowing till later about my delays.
My purchase's solicitor, the vendors & the estate agents, were so, so slow! Didn't know I had to keep pushing & phoning to get things moving. My estate agent and solicitors were the opposite, always on the phone to me, pushing me to complete this and that, so thought the same would be going on the other end, with the house I was trying to buy.

As the months were ticking by, I did say to my solicitor if push came to shove, I would move out, rather than lose the sale. 3.5mnths on, my buyers were getting fed up with waiting. I did think, from what I was told, that my house purchase was near to completing, but seems I was being told one thing and the solicitors another!

I suddenly got a phone call from my solicitor asking if I could move on 25th March, I replied ' well, yes, are we all ready then?' But my house purchase solicitor said no way near as yet! About a week later, my sol. said my buyer has said if things haven't drastically progress by close of business Monday [ this was Thursday] he was pulling out!

I said ok I will move, could it be 31st March? [giving just a week longer] if not then the 25th. He phoned me back to say my buyer had been on the phone whilst we had been talking and had decided to pull out!!! Nothing would change he's mind! He said he was going to rent and see how the housing market went!

What a shock!! I was up at 5am this morning and have very painful shingles due to stress. Big problem is, my mortgage terms ends on the 1st of May, I pay interest only. I'm frightened to phone them to see what will happen now!

You said it, Pittcity, I would almost be happy to go through moving house again to get busy and have something to do!!

Our son is due to exchange this week, fingers crossed. They hope to be in their new place by Easter, but removal companies are very booked up.

Feeling fine apart from jab arm feeling, but not looking, bruised.
More unpacking and deliveries today.
Got to unpack the printer because GP and postal votes need an actual form filled in!!
Need to arrange for TV to be plumbed in properly as previous people had Sky and had the Freeview Ariel socket removed.
It's great to be busy after so much enforced laziness.
We need to measure up for wardrobes soon. But am living in the same few scruffy outfits at present and so am happy to wash and wear. Leaving the unpacked suitcases in the spare room/DS bedroom for now.

All the best to Merlot and all the movers and shakers!!

Ellianne - plan is that I will move on 25th 11 days to go!!

I am steadily getting through the boxes and the bungalow is looking a bit barren.

Friend has done curtain pole, hanging rails in wardrobes and shelves etc. in new property so I will be ready to roll from the off.

merlot - I know how daunting it all feels, but please remember that the people most likely to post on this thread are the ones with something to let off steam about! My first buyer offered the asking price (which I thought was high) but had to pull out as the pandemic bit.....so sometimes you do get the high offers, but we are in strange times at the moment. I wish you lots of good luck.

Merlotgran Shandy sold at auction. After being let down trying to sell the normal route. Do you know how much you will need for a new property? Also what sort of property you want? Research where you want to live and property prices ? If you go the auction route you will sell but probably for a lower price but at least you will sell. If you go the estate agent route be prepared for a long haul especially as your property sounds big. Also if your property is grade listed if so as Shandy found out that brings its own problems.

I wasn't the only one who got let down Franbern and Luckygirl and others did to.

Have you got a time frame in which you want to move or are you happy to take as long as it takes. Remembering your property could be on the market for months or over a year.

You need to decide what you want to do sooner than later. Also if you are down sizing get started getting rid of things you don't want now. It takes longer than you think.

Read previous parts of this thread started by Craftyone. You will see what I mean.

As expected, the second valuation was lower than the first and more realistic IMO. Agricultural properties often make more money at auction so we have that option to consider as well.

There is no rush to make up my mind who to go with but I know that dithering will affect my confidence so I'm sure my advisers (family and professional) will be giving me a push.

Take it easy after your jab Pittcity! Hope Shandy is getting through those boxes.

Merlot you will soon learn that everyone's sale is different. Whiff had bad luck, but we sold almost overnight for the full asking price as did our daughter less than a year later in the middle of the pandemic. An EA who knows his stuff is usually key, ours was always very good at keeping everyone calm too.
The less said about our removals the better. Complete nightmare!
Luckygirl, when are you off?

Glad to hear the house was lovely and clean and glad you had your jab. Becareful tomorrow you may feel some side effects from the jab. I had abdominal pain the day after and yesterday was very tired . Today just a sore arm.

Hello. I have surfaced from the boxes and have just got back from having my jab!! We picked up new curtains and lampshades (click and collect) on the way but it seems I forgot the hooks. DH is off to B&Q!!
The house was very clean when we arrived. The oven and carpets had been professionally cleaned.
We slept well last night and shall do again tonight.

Good luck as you set out on the journey Merlot

Hope the boxes are dwindling for the successful movers! Luckygirl it will be your turn soon. Fingers crossed for Merlot. So much activity!

You have made your move sound very smooth Pittcity I hope you like living in the new place.
I hope Shandy is enjoying the bungalow.
I shall watch your progress with interest Merlot as I am still swithering about an eventual downsize

Second try.

Shandy and Pittcity hope you enjoyed your first night in your new homes. And that they were left nice and clean for you to move into.

Once you start opening boxes you will wonder why on earth you brought something's after thinking you had been so good sorting out. Then wondering where on earth different things are. Even though you marked the boxes and if like me found what I wrote wasn't in that box . ?

Merlotgran hope the valuation goes well but remember there are honest estate agents and ones that will say anything just to get you to use them. .
They will over price your property. And you will be thrilled with what they say. But have your sensible head on. Your property sounds amazing but it is only worth what someone will pay. So don't expect what they value it at.

Make sure you have all the paperwork to hand going back to when you first moved in. Don't forget things like paperwork dealing with any extensions you had done. FENSA certificate for any new windows. If you have chimneys you need a certificate to say they have been swept. You need something if you have a septic tank Shandy should be able to help you with that. Latest boiler service paperwork. In fact everything and everything to do with the property.
Have plenty of pens you will be filling in vast quantities of forms. And a lot of the questions will seem stupid and repeative but all needs to be filled in. Every T crossed and I dotted.

Buyers will pick up on the littlest thing just to push the price down. Don't believe a word they say without paperwork backing up what they say. Be prepared for being let down time and time again.

I had 2 buyers pull out on me . 1st day of exchange and 2nd 4 days before exchange. My eventual buyer was supposed to be a quick sale but their solicitor was a nightmare should have moved in May was August before I did.

Some on here had buyers pull out 5 times. Sorry to say you are in for the most stressful time of your life. I found it was worse than my husband dying.

But here is a wealth of knowledge use us.
And good luck .

I hate it when that happens

Really hate this wrote a long message and lost the lot. Even though I had previewef it all. Arrrh. Do it again after breakfast.