Diary of a House Search

kelpie35

I wish I had a mum like you :A

Your boys are very lucky and I am sure they appreciate all the help you have offered and are giving to them.

Hope they enjoy their life in their new abode :beer:

lessonlearned

DaftyDuck wrote: »

A clever two-way negotiation. Well done. The vendor may not have really wanted those items, but it'd have cost £1500 top buy them new, even buying average quality. But... 2 boys, a washing machine .... a tumble dryer? "What're those straaange things in the kitchen by the beer cooling boxie thing, mum?"

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I will need type up and laminate instructions and attach them to said appliances.....

lessonlearned

kelpie35 wrote: »

I wish I had a mum like you :A

Your boys are very lucky and I am sure they appreciate all the help you have offered and are giving to them.

Hope they enjoy their life in their new abode :beer:

Thank you. It works both ways.

They are great lads and have been very supportive to me - especially since their father became so ill.

What I really need now is for them to find nice girls to marry......

Having sons is wonderful but I would love a couple of lovely DIL's to do "girly stuff" with. ;)

DaftyDuck

lessonlearned wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I will need type up and laminate instructions and attach them to said appliances.....

Done it for you.

In case of dirty washing, mum's phone number is ######

lessonlearned

DaftyDuck wrote: »

Done it for you.

In case of dirty washing, mum's phone number is ######

I'm trying to get rid of the little darlings......

phoebe1989seb

Pleased to hear you're on the way to getting one property in the bag, Lesson It sounds like the perfect project house for your two boys - I'm sure they'll have some good times there learning the renovation ropes!

Our 22 year old DS and his long-term GF bought their first home - a two bed garden flat in SW London - just over a year ago with help from an inheritance from his great uncle and a gift from her mum. It had previously been rented out - to students too, I believe - and was also a bit run down, but with some nice original features.

DS has had years of watching his dad and I restoring period houses to their former glory and TBH we thought he was sick to death of the whole process and would want a modern, minimalist home with as little to do as possible, but instead he's completely embraced the whole renovation thing and has done an amazing job with very little input from us - just the occasional call to ask for advice plus DH did a little plastering when they first moved in - even to hemming curtains!

As we're a couple of hours drive away it's not so easy to just pop round and lend a hand Last week he had some time off work and he took the opportunity to give their (admittedly tiny) kitchen a make-over with new handpainted solid wood cabinet doors, new tiling, sockets, wood worktops, sink and taps. We went up to visit at the weekend and were amazed at how well he'd done for a novice DIYer

Do keep us posted on the continuing search for another *diamond in the rough* and fingers crossed it all works out for you

lessonlearned

Good to hear your DS has inherited the "restoration gene". :rotfl:

I think it must be in the blood. Some people recoil in horror at the very thought of a project - whilst others like you and myself revel in the whole process.

My OH always says I'm at my happiest with a paint brush in my hand........

Happy as a pig in muck.;)

I like the sound of what your DS did to their kitchen - just goes to show what a dash of imagination, a little bit of cash and a whole lot of hard work can achieve. Good for them....

GreatBigBookcase

Good to read your update LL. Sounds like a great project for your boys to get stuck into. Are you still searching for a property for yourself and another for your parents too?

I had my first offer accepted (11% below asking price), on a fixer-upper on Friday. Looks very solid but needs complete modernisation - central heating, new windows, new guttering, etc. etc. and the usual bathroom, kitchen, flooring, decorating... Huge job for a complete novice like me, but like you, I can't wait to get stuck in. You may remember I was originally looking for a buy-to-sell project, but this property is quite unique size-wise for my budget in the area I want to live in, so I'm pretty sure I'll be moving into it when it's done. Instructed the solicitor and making a decision on surveyor today. Very exciting times.

Keep us posted of how things go with your DSs purchase. Hope it's all plain sailing.

lessonlearned

Congrats on the house purchase Ray.:rotfl: Sounds great. Did you manage to get one with a little garden for Baby Kay. She must be coming soon. How much longer.....

Anyway good idea to concentrate on building your own little nest first. The BTL's can wait for now. You will have plenty to do - new house, new baby = busy times.

Yes I will be searching for a little project for myself soon, sadly not for my parents though. I just don't think Mum is well enough.

I fear her next move will be a nursing home. Not sure about Dad after that. We'll just have to take it one step at a time.

Anyway, fantastic news there Ray. Hope all goes well.

GreatBigBookcase

Thanks LL. Yes, there's a small garden for BabyKay Due date is 4th May, so not long now... Yes, very busy times ahead!

Sorry to hear your mum's next move will likely be a nursing home. Good luck finding your own project.

Any update today on your DSs property?