Frump to Fab - Sizzling Summer Solstice to Awesome Autumn Equinox

fedupandskint

Today I have walked for
40 mins
60 mins
45 mins
90 mins

Cycled for 45 mins

Fabbed myself up and now about to file and buff and repaint my nails with a slightly swollen full up belly after a large pud!

lessonlearned

adelight wrote: »

LL yup loads, think matalan is the best one I can think of. Next sale is on too but imo it's overrated and expensive.

eta: I'm mostly just curious, do you just do up these places to your own spec then flog them or do you have a buyer that you give a say in what you do with them? I know a few people who have been trying to buy run down places for ages but are being out bid by developers paying way more than the places are worth and turning them into generic magnolia places full of box rooms. My cousin is doing it because he can't afford a nice place and can do the work himself but most want one as they are sick of boring new builds round our area of Brum and want a unique layout that suits them.

Thanks for that - will try and get into town this week. I just want a few basics - some white tops, and a few coloured T-shirts.

I've highlighted a couple of key points you've raised, but to answer your first point I tend to just do what I like because up until now I've bought properties for myself, lived in them whilst I've done them up and sold on at a later date.

If I have a style at all I would call it "Cosy Minimalism". I can't abide clutter and anything "twee" - what my sister and I call "nana style", so those fluffy bath sets are right out..........:rotfl:

When I come to develop to simply "flip" them or as a BTL - it will be a combination of both - I will employ different tactics for each type of property.

The magnolia boxes??? I always refer to them scathingly as "Builder's Beige". Most developers don't have an eye for design and they are blissfully unaware just how important good design is - I'm not taking pretty wallpaper but what good designers and architects know to be true. In this respect a lot of developers haven't got a clue.

1. The devil (or God) depending on your viewpoint is in the detail.
2. The mantra should always be Form Follows Function, simply put this means that the function of a room must determine the form it takes.

An example - A lounge or sitting room should be warm, cosy and welcoming - so why on earth brick up the fireplace. When I watch property shows I could hurl a brick at the screen at the stupidity of all those developers who brick up fireplaces. Worst of all are those who partially fill in a fireplace and then fill the void with with stones or candles. Stones do not give off heat and you would need an awful lot of candles to warm you on a cold winter's night. A complete waste of time, effort and money.

It's sheer laziness and lack of imagination - if the fireplace is horrible or out of keeping with the period of the property then put in a replacement.

If you brick up a working fireplace - you are leaving money on the table.

Re your point about your friend being priced out of the market. Now I don't want to upset anyone but here's the harsh reality.

You can put any price you like on a property - it's real value is what people are prepared to pay for it. A successful developer will know their margins and will know just how much they can afford to pay and still make a profit.

The developer will have access to funds, materials and contractors, they know they can work very quickly. To them time really is money so they are prepared to pay the price, do the deal, get the work done asap and move on to the next. They haven't got time to mess about making an offer, having their offer refused, upping their offer etc. It's too time consuming.

The hardest part of developing property is finding one to develop - which is why when a developer finds what they want - they swoop.

My view is if I really like a property and I can afford the asking price then I will pay that asking price (within reason). If I really wanted the property then I wouldn't risk losing it by faffing around making silly offers.

My sister has gone in with a silly offer because she did her homework - she knows how long the property has been on the market, she knows the circumstances of the vendors and why they are selling. She knows full well she will have to up her offer in the end.

It's like playing chess - her offer is just an opening gambit.

The thing to remember is that the main reason that so many developers can pounce so quickly is because they have their funds in place before they view. They will know just how much money they have to play with, they will have mortgages lined up. Many of the big developers will have a line of credit - they don't have to apply for separate mortgages each and every time they bid for a property.

My advice to any buyer is - before you even go house hunting make sure you have a Mortgage in Principle and you know exactly how much money you have at your disposal.

Your offer should be Subject to Survey & Contract. If the vendor accepts it then have a full structural survey done - not just a homebuyers report - they are not worth the paper they are written on. Then, if the survey flags up anything nasty or expensive you have ammunition to renegotiate the price.

Back in a mo

PS - Just edited to add that the cottage my sister and I are interested in is not a standard property developers property. It is too remote, would not really appeal to the rental market as such. It is very quirky - which of course is exactly why we like it so much. It's not for everyone.

lessonlearned

Sorry had to split the post.

Anyway to answer your question my main areas now will be cute country cottages - I have a real soft spot for them - and bungalows.

I have chosen bungalows for a very specific reason - my frustration at finding disabled user friendly properties. There is a real niche here just waiting to be filled.

My experiences as my husband's carer has taught me one valuable lesson (among many). i.e. most properties are useless for the elderly or disabled - unless they are on a designated retirement development. Those are ok but do rather lack imagination. . Unfortunately this seems to apply to most bungalows too, they don't work for wheelchair users and they are boring.

New builds post 2007 are supposed to have full wheelchair access, wide doorways etc and on the whole they are not too bad. Anything prior to this is generally not fit for purpose.

I'm on a mission to rectify this - my properties will be fully wheelchair/disabled person friendly with all sorts of nice little finishing touches and flourishes to make them work properly.

Oddly enough I chatted to a friend today who is a builder and who has just gutted his mother in laws bungalow for this reason. She bought the bungalow thinking it was fine. It was until she fell and demolished her femur. Two years later she can now walk again but her time in a wheelchair made her realise her bungalow didn't work.

He ripped the bungalow apart and rebuilt it so when the time comes she will be able to whizz around in a powered chair, no nook or cranny will be inaccessible to her.

This is what I will do.

My other area of interest is Eco building. I already use eco paints extensively. I will be looking at maximising energy efficiency and making my properties fuel efficient as well as beautiful, well designed and fit for purpose.

I will, where possible, build to a certain stage and then "hold" allowing purchasers to chose their own bathroom and kitchen fittings.

A wheelchair user who wanted to cook for themselves might want lower height kitchen units and special adaptations, they would certainly require lower wash hand basins in the bathroom and maybe specially adapted toilets (higher for a start).

I can dream up all sorts of little touches to make life easier and safer for elderly people who live alone - secure door entry systems, cctv, lights and curtains to work by remote control. As you can see I'm very interested in technology.

Just because someone is old that doesn't mean they can't appreciate useful gadgets and good design. Why shouldn't disabled and elderly people have attractive homes. The equipment that the nhs provide is generally very low quality and often not fit for purpose. For example most zimmer frames are worse than useless for someone with balance issues - too flimsy to be safe. I've set DS1 - the Maths Geek - a task to design better walking aids.

Adelight - A tip here. If your friends are considering buying a new build - provided they can exchange contracts before the roof goes on they can make small changes to the build, provided they are prepared to pay any additional costs incurred.

These can only be simple things like perhaps re-siting a radiator, extra electrical sockets - that kind of thing and yes maybe even choosing their own colour of emulsion paint.If they are happy to supply their own - the builder can arrange for the painters to do this.

Unfortunately no builder will be able to agree to any changes that require going back to the planning dept for permissions. It is just too time consuming and expensive. This even comes down to the colour of the front door. Yes I've had that request often. It's either the colour which has been designated or white.

Not many people realise that it is the local council who decide on the colour of the bricks, roof heights, exterior finishes, colour of doors etc. It isn't always the builder's fault.:rotfl:

Anyway had a great day - gardening, visiting OH. Now going to give myself a manicure and watch some TV - Britains favourite No 1 hit singles.

lessonlearned

Good morning

Well the sun was a one day wonder.

Today I have to stay in to wait for OH's new wheelchair. I gave up with wheelchair services and occupational therapists. He is losing function of his core muscles and finds he cannot sit upright for long. He needs a tilt in space wheelchair and he needs it now.

The OT said yes wheelchair services would pay for one. He would be assessed in approx 3 to 4 weeks - quote - "as a matter of urgency". Add to that it would have to be ordered. How long is a piece of string???

I ordered one on Friday and it should be here today.;)

I'm hoping it will arrive this morning so I can go shopping later. In the meantime the paintbrush awaits.

I also need to get down to a bit of personal fabbing later, face mask, eyebrows today.

Choir tonight - so all in all a busy day.

Sparkles and WW- that's a lot of walking - you must be super fit. I think I would be dead after that lot.

WW - can I ask where you got your running shoes from. I'm thinking I might have a go at the couch to 5k. I probably couldn't do it the proper timescales but I could perhaps just go at my own pace - do they do it for snails. :rotfl:

Have a great day.

lessonlearned

adelight wrote: »

ll tthanks for the tips even if they are somewhat patronising. noone i know is stupid enough to forget to get a mortgage in principle or surveyor or not do any research. isn't that just common sense?

.

You'd be surprised how little common sense there is around.

I am sorry you find my comments patronising. I thought perhaps you and your friends were first time buyers who needed a little guidance. I was trying to be helpful.

My advice might seem patronising to you - to first time buyers my experience and knowledge has often been a very valuable guide through the minefield of buying a first property. They were always extremely grateful for my help.

I always took great care with all my purchasers - helping and guiding them through the system - that is why I have always been such a successful negotiator and made so many sales.

All I can say is after over 30 years working in the property industry in estate agency, both sales and rentals, working as a negotiator on new builds and latterly running my own company selling foreign properties I've come to realise just how little common sense there is around.

Would you hand over 10,000 Euros to someone as a deposit to an "Estate Agent" you met in a Spainish Bar. I once met a supposedly intelligent clued up man who did just exactly that. He lost the lot.

Yes people do put offers on houses when they have no funds in place. They string the vendor along and then have to back out of the sale. You cannot imagine how infuriating and expensive this is for the vendor.

People do buy houses without full structural surveys and then come a cropper. Many purchasers only agree to have a homebuyers report because the lender insists. If the lender didn't some people would go ahead without one.

Many purchasers moan like hell about surveys, solicitors fees, enviro searches - you name it. They are often more interested in the new sofa they will buy rather than investing money in the appropriate fees for protecting their interests.

Anyway enough house talk - this is not the thread for it.

However, you did ask the question and I thought you were genuinely interested and seeking advice. My mistake. I shall not repeat it.

adelight

ll i just came back to edit my post as i thought it wasn't exactly worded very nicely sorry. no this isn't the thread for it which is why i was just curious and didn't think it would turn into a huge thing! most little questions don't.

lessonlearned

adelight wrote: »

ll i just came back to edit my post as i thought it wasn't exactly worded very nicely sorry. no this isn't the thread for it which is why i was just curious and didn't think it would turn into a huge thing! most little questions don't.

Yes I do "talk" far too much.:rotfl: I forget sometimes that not everyone is as interested in art/design/architecture/fashion as I am.:rotfl:

I admit I can talk for England.

Apology accepted.

maman

This is a lovely thread. So civilised compared with the horrid venom you read in other places.:A

Hope pod is bearing up as life seems manic at the moment. And bitsy seems to be very sanguine about changed circumstances. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you both.

I'm interested in the running shoes too LL. I think a challenge like that might motivate me to do some exercise. It's not that I need to do it for weightloss I feel that if I become sedentary then I might just slow up generally and I'd hate that (sort of use it or lose it). I also find that I feel energised if I get out of the house and have some fresh air. We didn't even manage a good day yesterday. It was dry but that's all, not sunny or warm. Today the rain is back.:(

Back soon.

lessonlearned

I know I chunter on at times but just had to let you hear this.

How about this for service.

I ordered OH's wheelchair at 3-00 ish on Friday, they delivered it at 12.10 today.

They knocked me £50 off because it was ex demo - it hadn't been used, it was still in the wrappers but it had been taken out of the box to show it to someone. A further £50 off because one the sticky instruction labels was skew wiff and wrinkled.:rotfl::rotfl:

Now if I can get that kind of the service then why can't the NHS - with their purchasing power and the sheer numbers involved.

Anyway paint brush down and off to spend some of that £100 saved on some new tops.

It's chucking it down - so can't face the hassle of going into town. I have to get a bit of food shopping so I will see what clothing Sainsburys' have got in.

Bitsy_Beans

maman wrote: »

This is a lovely thread. So civilised compared with the horrid venom you read in other places.:A

Hope pod is bearing up as life seems manic at the moment. And bitsy seems to be very sanguine about changed circumstances. Just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you both.

I'm interested in the running shoes too LL. I think a challenge like that might motivate me to do some exercise. It's not that I need to do it for weightloss I feel that if I become sedentary then I might just slow up generally and I'd hate that (sort of use it or lose it). I also find that I feel energised if I get out of the house and have some fresh air. We didn't even manage a good day yesterday. It was dry but that's all, not sunny or warm. Today the rain is back.:(

Back soon.

:rotfl::rotfl: bless you, I confess it's not always been quite this sanguine :eek: there was rather firm swearing on FB status one day last week but I am thankfully back to normal. I am perhaps more relaxed knowing H will be entitled to a good payout which gives us a good buffer. If it was less money I suspect I may be significantly more stressed about losing the house etc anyway no point worrying about things I cannot change, just need to keep some perspective, no one has died, we are happy, healthy and actually very lucky. I am a big believer in attracting the positive stuff in life so might as well practice it

Um not much fabbing here unless you count cooking and eating some delish choc chip cookies I meant to do shred but ran out of time. I did do some yoga last night so perhaps I could do some more once I've baked my muffins (for the kids.....I swear :rotfl:)

Not to derail the thread but adelight my cousin bought a house WITHOUT a survey (and she wasn't even a FTB) and unsuprisingly it turned out to be a money pit :eek: whilst in an ideal world common sense would be ideal I find with some it's completely lacking :eek: