Diary of a House Search

lessonlearned

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

lessonlearned

- that comment re the mad cat lady being known as "one shrewd cookie" got me thinking "Maybe I could learn a thing or two from said catwoman....:)". Any clues on how they've formed that impression of her - what might I usefully learn from her?;)

"They" didn't.

My sister knows a little about this woman because she has regular dealings with her.

Basically my sister told me "The woman is plainly off her rocker, however, she's fly with it".

In other words, she's canny.

"She knows how to turn it on and off".

In other words, yes she is eccentric but she knows how to use this eccentricity to her advantage.

It's rather like those women who know how and when to turn on the tears to get what they want.

I had a very wonderful and eccentric aunt, who knew how to get her own way. She had a very hard life. She was left a penniless widow with 2.5 children - the third child hadn't even been born when her husband died. By the time she retired she had built up a small property empire.

She knew just how to get what she wanted.

Whenever she wanted to do a deal, or make a complaint, out would come the war paint, the high heels, the glamourous outfit, all topped off with "the hat".

She had the most amazing collection of hats. Whenever she appeared in one of her hats her son would just laugh and say "Oh I see mum's getting ready to slay dragons again.":rotfl:

She knew that her hats made her invincinble!!! A bit like Bruce Willis's vests. They make him bullet proof.:rotfl:

Money - you just need to find your "hat".

My "hat" is business dress. When I mean business I don my smartest business togs.

I sally forth like a Samurai warrior ......

lessonlearned

jibbyboo wrote: »

I finally got a good result from an EA!

After my email, the assistant manager of the actual selling team (rather than an admin assistant or lettings person) contacted me and will be conducting my third viewing tomorrow. She has also arranged for the vendor to come too, so that she can answer my questions that the EA was unable to answer.

Do you have any third viewing tips Lesson?

Hope Daniel/ mad cat lady viewing goes well on Wednesday! I know what you mean about a project, the property I am looking at was decorated by someone with very specific taste - all very kitsch, dated and frilly. But that adds to the excitement! And is a nice easy (and relatively cheap) project for a FTB.

The third viewing is the time when you sit round the table and talk turkey. You should be at the tea and biscuits by this stage.;)

This is when you get to ask anything you need to know, so start compiling that list.

You need to get stuff demonstated, boiler,etc. What guarantees, servicing etc.

What are they leaving as part of the package, what do they want you to pay for. This is all about haggling and getting the deal.

It's a pity your EA is there in a way. Ideally you want to build up a really good rapport with the Vendor.

Have you made an offer yet. I'm guessing not.

Once your offer is accepted and the real sales process starts I suggest that you and the vendor exchange contact details.

It can cut out a lot of corners and misinformation if, when an issue presents itself or either party needs information, then you can just pick up the phone.

My purchaser and I spent a happy evening together on the phone helping him complete his buildings and contents insurance form.:rotfl:

(You have to insure the property in your name from the moment you exchange contracts).

They wanted to know what type of locks were fitted, the make and model of the alarm system, how many windows had locks, what did I eat for breakfast..... Just kidding about the breakfast.

But seriously without having my contact details my poor purchaser would have been up the creek without a paddle. Getting all this done whilst having to go through the EA or the Solicitor would have taken a month of Sundays.

Loving the sound of the kitsch and frills:D

Didn't you know that retro was "hot" :rotfl::rotfl:

moneyistooshorttomention

Well - they can have the "tea and biscuits" thing at my gaff personally after exchange of contracts time - and hopefully no 3rd viewing will even be requested till then (am hazarding a guess that the tastes shown in my home arent "old person style" but ARE "came of age before all this more than one viewing malarkey ....").

Make that herbal tea and biscuits made with date syrup coming up - as I've just been told I'm borderline diabetic (for the time being:cool:....as in "That can take itself out the door as fast it likes..up with that I will not put....).

Amused re putting on a hat to go and "slay dragons". Hmmm...:think:. Think my personal little "more fly than we thought she was" could well be "She looks just like A.N. Other little middle-aged woman - and then she starts quoting the facts and figures at you....:eek:. Darn woman has done her research:(". My internet contact in Desired Location seems to be turning into Internet penpal friend and one of her latest comments to me was to the effect that I seem to know her area better than she does, from the amount of research I've done to date:D. It was quite a surreal experience to watch various amateur videos on YouTube on "matters of local interest to me" and think "Some of those people I am seeing up there on the screen are quite possibly some of my future friends:rotfl:" - having already realised which shops I will be doing my shopping in, which are my future social activities, where I'll be getting my healthcare, etc. Feels quite wierd to be watching snippets from my Future Life up on line so to say:rotfl:.

Re those drive-pasts you mentioned - I noticed one going on today shortly after I'd walked just down the road from my house and reminded myself of your comment about not judging by appearances. The young couple in the car didnt look like they could afford my house - but you never know.....young singlies and couples have parents after all...:D

So - is nearly 200 views of my house on Zoopla in 6 days good news then?

jibbyboo

lessonlearned wrote: »

Have you made an offer yet. I'm guessing not.

Once your offer is accepted and the real sales process starts I suggest that you and the vendor exchange contact details.

Thank you once again for your sage and reassuring advice Lesson. You're right, I haven't made an offer. I'm going to get my MB to do that for me- I'm paying him, so I may as well get some perks.

By 'the real sale process' what do you refer to?

lessonlearned

Money - you've got this "hat" business all wrong.:rotfl:

"Hats" are all about confidence.

My aunt's elaborate hats, Bruce Willis's white vest, my sharp suits are "totems" - a modern day equivalent of mediaevel armour. They are "Superman's" cloak.

The whole point of armour is that you only wear it when you really need it, when you are going out to slay your dragons. You don't eat, sleep or make love in it. Ouch!!!

The point about "totems" is - if you use them all the time they lose their potency. They are no longer special, they no longer have meaning. They have to be saved for the times when you need the big guns.

Yes, research is good - but it is with you all the time, it loses it's potency because of its constancy. It's not armour. When I say you need a "hat" what I mean is you need something that you just put on and hey presto you immediately change gear - your confidence is boosted.

Generally the best totems are an item of clothing that makes you feel good or special. Or it could be a special piece of jewellery.

The Queen and Margaret Thatcher use handbags as their "Hats". Watch how they carry them - in front of their bodies. The handbags are their armour.

Never underestimate the power of clothes.

Why do you think the military wear uniforms. Because they are totems, symbols of power and authority. The same with hats and smart suits.

Where would James Bond be without his Saville Row suits. Finished off by Dr No that's where. 22 films later and he's still saving the world......

It doesn't matter what your "hat" is - it could be your lucky knickers.....As long as it makes you feel confident, strong and powerful.

I had a friend who was a barrister. She hated her black court clothes. Whenever she had an important case she would wear Agent Provocateur underwear underneath her court garb. The sexy underwear was her "hat".

PS - sorry to hear about the pre-diabetes. However, at least you've caught it early so you should be able to manage and hopefully reverse it just by diet, without having to resort to medication.

Re Zoopla hits. Are you only on Zoopla, what about Rightmove. I think RM is the market leader and most people log on to RM as a matter of course. I don't think Zoopla is as popular. Could be wrong.

lessonlearned

jibbyboo wrote: »

Thank you once again for your sage and reassuring advice Lesson. You're right, I haven't made an offer. I'm going to get my MB to do that for me- I'm paying him, so I may as well get some perks.

By 'the real sale process' what do you refer to?

The legal stuff....

lessonlearned

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Re those drive-pasts you mentioned - I noticed one going on today shortly after I'd walked just down the road from my house and reminded myself of your comment about not judging by appearances. The young couple in the car didnt look like they could afford my house - but you never know.....young singlies and couples have parents after all...:D

This reminded me of the following story.

It was told to me many moons ago - not sure how true it is but the teller "crossed hearts and swore to die if ever I tell a lie" that it was.

Perhaps it's just an urban myth or maybe a cautionary tale told to young EA's - I'll never know.

Anyhoo - here's the tale.

It transpires that one hot day in the late 1960's a scruffy long haired hippy type, wearing shorts, no shirt or top, flip flops and dark glasses did a tour of the estate agents in Richmond.

Apparently he just sauntered in, mooched around, then when he finally opened his mouth he mumbled "hey man have you got anything for £1m". A fortune in those days.

The EA's showed him the door.

Finally said hippie approached an agent who said "Of course, sir, please sit down whilst I get you some details. Would you like a cup of coffee whilst you are waiting".

"Yeah, man, cool" said the hippie.

Allegedly the said hippie then removed his dark glasses in order to peruse the EA's literature. Lo and behold it was Mick Jagger.

Whether or not this is a true story I cannot say.

However, I do know that Jagger does indeed own a very fine house in Richmond, and that he has owned it for a very long time.

Apparently he bought it because he was jealous of John Lennon's famous white mansion which was also in Surrey and he did not wish to be outdone by Lennon.

As the saying goes - "Never judge a book.......":rotfl:

G'night all.

jibbyboo

Was having a peruse on google for 'third house viewing tips' and stumbled across a story of this ilk.

To precis, a couple had an initial low offer from an investor:

"...we have also had a better offer on the same day (better by 8K, but our EA doesnt seem as interested in this one, as they have a FTB interested in there house, and our EA says the mortgage offer to the FTB will be lower than the FTB expect, so its less likely to proceed.". (You can read the whole thread here)

Another example of judgemental EAs, and reassurance that I will have my MB make my offer. Although I do have an AIP from another broker that I won't be using, not sure if it will have as much clout but may be a quicker way of progressing.... Hmmm. :-/

lessonlearned

TBH Jibby - I was baffled by that thread......

I can't see why someone should have a lower mortgage offer purely because they are first time buyers.

A mortgage offer is based on two things.

The amount of money the purchaser can borrow
The surveyors' valuation of the property

Unless - the EA thinks that the mortgage lender is likely to call for a retention and the FTB won't have enough wriggle room to pay for repairs etc , whereas the Investor will have sufficient funds in place to proceed irrespective of any remedial works needed.

????? No idea.

Anyway - I think it's a great idea getting your broker to do the negotiating for you. If he is prepared to do that - fantastic.

As my OH always says in these scenarios - "Why have a dog and bark yourself":rotfl:

Good luck - keep us posted.

moneyistooshorttomention

Yep..lessonlearned...I'm up on Rightmove and PrimeLocation as well as Zoopla and my own agents website. I just check out the Zoopla entry too - as I can check out the number of views daily for myself (never mind that Rightmove weekly printout my agent will be sending me each week - which is a bit doubledutch to me).

Re not judging someones wealth by their clothes - and you cant necessarily judge it by the place they own either - recalls tatty little rented place I've visited before and my subsequent realisation that the person concerned had absolutely LOADS of money/stacked to the gunnels with it...