The NEW waiting to exchange thread...

Amanda_Cm

Oh no pink_perlie. Back to the the beginning! And living in temporary sounds awful. I will be really upset in your place.

Floppy, no mor excuses! Hope our vendor thinks the same too.


We are using online solicitor and I can see when there is an email or call from vendors solicitors. There is an email yesterday but I don't know what's about. Few days ago they say completion day will be 12th but have to speak with our vendors vendors solicitor.

rwcwilson

We've had our survey results back. Doesn't look too horrendous but I think we'll have to get some specialists in and renegotiate. My comments in red:

"Urgent matters:
1. We would recommend a full independent damp proof course and timber report is obtained to include a full inspection of the sub-floor area. (Damp meter detected positive readings in the hallway)
2. An independent inspection of the cavity ties is recommended (No visible damage or high suspicion, seems that just because of the age of the house it would be a universal recommendation)
3. Some maintenance work is required to the roof and all flashings to the Velux style windows should be carefully checked. (Again no visible damage, just covering !!!!)
4. The chimneystacks and flashings require an overhaul and dis-used flues should be capped and vented. (one chimney isn't in the greatest condition apparently. It's a semi-detached house, anyway had a problem like this were it's shared with a neighbour?? We are going to be putting in a wood-burning stove and this chimney would be the one used, so may see if we can get it repaired at the same time)

Matters requiring further investigation:
1. The gas installation should be checked. (seems like !!!! covering)
2. The electric installation should be checked. (again old house, so likely universal, will check with vendors if done recently, otherwise will get an electrician in)
3. A full operational test and service of the central heating and domestic hot water is recommended. (again !!!! covering/universal, no noticeable problems)
4. An independent inspection of the drains is recommended. (again !!!! covering/universal, no noticeable problems)
5. The rising main should be verified and checked to ensure all lead piping has been removed.((again !!!! covering/universal, no noticeable problems))"

In addition:
- the potential for asbestos as there is a textured ceiling, is this really worth checking if there is no damage?? The ceiling has recently had work done to it because of a partial loft conversion which resulted in some of the ceiling being changed... would they not have picked up on it then?
- Some minor guttering problems
- Pointing/weathered bricks in parts of walls and on the boundary wall
- recommendation for replasting/redecorating throughout. We didn't feel it was all that bad but I guess if it needs rewiring we can do that at the same time
- one failed double glazed window in kitchen
- recommended repairing some broken roof tiles/flashings
- recommended repairing some of the timberwork around the eaves
- 'compacted' fibre glass insulation in the loft, recommended replacing

Otherwise minor niggles.

What we are thinking of doing:
-Getting an electrician in to look at the electrics
-Getting in a damp proof and timber surveyor to look at the potential damp issues

Not sure about the other issues, as its difficult where to draw the line...we don't want to be seen taking the mickey. Possibly a builder/roofer for the chimney, roof tiles and wooden eaves problems?

Tiglath

All sorted to complete on Monday, barring any last minute disasters - sale and purchase completion statements received from the solicitor. Some of the cats are going in Cats Protection pens tomorrow, Pickfords are coming Saturday to do most of our packing (leaving us a bed and pretty much nothing else till Monday), we're cleaning Sunday, rest of the packing Monday, Cats Protection collecting some more cats Monday morning and driving the lot down to Kent, and off we go to our new life with the remaining cats in our car, while the Southend contingent move with their stuff as well. It's been a military operation but worth it. We'll probably be on the motorway when the estate agent calls to say we can collect the keys. Can't believe it's actually happening after 7 months.

Amanda_Cm

rwcwilson, that's why I don't like surveys. They are covering their as*!!!1077;s telling you need to check everything

Tiglath, so excited for you! I don't know how you have time to look after so many cats. I am vat lover but had 2 at one point and it was too much.

We are not completing Monday Not ready yet. There was some emails from out vendor solicitor today. Hope for exchange next week. Will see.

TamsinC

rwcwilson wrote: »

We've had our survey results back. Doesn't look too horrendous but I think we'll have to get some specialists in and renegotiate. My comments in red:

"Urgent matters:
1. We would recommend a full independent damp proof course and timber report is obtained to include a full inspection of the sub-floor area. (Damp meter detected positive readings in the hallway)
2. An independent inspection of the cavity ties is recommended (No visible damage or high suspicion, seems that just because of the age of the house it would be a universal recommendation)
3. Some maintenance work is required to the roof and all flashings to the Velux style windows should be carefully checked. (Again no visible damage, just covering !!!!)
4. The chimneystacks and flashings require an overhaul and dis-used flues should be capped and vented. (one chimney isn't in the greatest condition apparently. It's a semi-detached house, anyway had a problem like this were it's shared with a neighbour?? We are going to be putting in a wood-burning stove and this chimney would be the one used, so may see if we can get it repaired at the same time)

Matters requiring further investigation:
1. The gas installation should be checked. (seems like !!!! covering)
2. The electric installation should be checked. (again old house, so likely universal, will check with vendors if done recently, otherwise will get an electrician in)
3. A full operational test and service of the central heating and domestic hot water is recommended. (again !!!! covering/universal, no noticeable problems)
4. An independent inspection of the drains is recommended. (again !!!! covering/universal, no noticeable problems)
5. The rising main should be verified and checked to ensure all lead piping has been removed.((again !!!! covering/universal, no noticeable problems))"

In addition:
- the potential for asbestos as there is a textured ceiling, is this really worth checking if there is no damage?? The ceiling has recently had work done to it because of a partial loft conversion which resulted in some of the ceiling being changed... would they not have picked up on it then?
- Some minor guttering problems
- Pointing/weathered bricks in parts of walls and on the boundary wall
- recommendation for replasting/redecorating throughout. We didn't feel it was all that bad but I guess if it needs rewiring we can do that at the same time
- one failed double glazed window in kitchen
- recommended repairing some broken roof tiles/flashings
- recommended repairing some of the timberwork around the eaves
- 'compacted' fibre glass insulation in the loft, recommended replacing

Otherwise minor niggles.

What we are thinking of doing:
-Getting an electrician in to look at the electrics
-Getting in a damp proof and timber surveyor to look at the potential damp issues

Not sure about the other issues, as its difficult where to draw the line...we don't want to be seen taking the mickey. Possibly a builder/roofer for the chimney, roof tiles and wooden eaves problems?

This sounds almost identical to ours! Hoping to get a little of the price as there is one section of roof that needs replacing.

If the house is old look at whether modern damp proofing methods are suitable - we are buying a solid stone walled house - needs lime render and lime plaster and the ability to breathe not a modern chemical damp course. Google rising damp and see the myth behind this.

happytails

Hi Slinky and Fisa,

Just popped over after Fisa mentioned people were wondering about my situation over from Mortgages sub forum

In it for the long haul it seems. Back to August when our sale fell through, we kept property on the market a further 7 weeks and then removed it. A lot of discussion later we decided to remortgage, release equity and do the house up. Will aim to sell again this year. In September, the owner of the house we wanted also took hers off the market temporarily for 6 months. In October we try to obtain a mortgage but the underwriters declined us due to going over our overdraft :eek: accidentally in September. This meant a 3 month wait to be able to produce 3 months clear bank statements. Roll on to February we get back in touch with our mortgage advisor who sets it in motion for a remortgage with Virgin. Valaution is tomorrow! The house we want is now back on the market - however im more relaxed at the moment - what will be will be!

Our aim is to replace the roof, soffits & faschias, flat roof, totally re render the exterior of house and do the driveway/front of house with paving. Inside will see new budget carpet throughout upstairs, service of the boiler, some minor cosmetic repairs & another good declutter :rotfl: we are also paying off £10000 worth of debt too so its a good move even if we dont manage to sell this year.

Hopefully I will be back on here in no time *crosses fingers and toes*

Sarah

treeny_bash

I'm very very angry today.

Got an email from the solicitor yesterday saying that they've received answers to all the enquiries, but there is no covenant consent for the extension that the vendors built 9 years ago. Also, the vendors are going to pull out if we don't complete by 21 March. This is clearly meant to bully us into accepting that the consent is missing, but it's a severe miscalculation on their part. They've angered us so much that we're tempted at this stage to walk away regardless. We are 100% not buying a house with an extension that someone could ask us to pull down, that would devalue the property massively.

We've spoken to the covenant holders who confirmed that retrospective consent would cost 100 pounds and only take a couple of days to grant. But the property was leasehold at the time the extension was built, so we're assuming the leaseholder didn't give consent either. We would need both before we were happy.

The vendor has already moved out, so he is currently in possession of 2 houses, presumably with mortgages on both. We're FTB in rented accommodation and no deadline to move. We are in the stronger position here. If we did walk away we'd lose the £425 for the home buyers survey and the solicitors fees (about £1k). Pocket change compared to the risk of taking on this place.

Waiting for the solicitors to call us this afternoon to discuss. But could be back to the drawing board. I've had a little look on rightmove and there's options there, so it could all be for the best.

pink_pirlie

treeny_bash wrote: »

But could be back to the drawing board. I've had a little look on rightmove and there's options there, so it could all be for the best.

Sometimes what happens is for the best. I almost bought a house with structural issues and EA tried to bully me into continuing. I’m so glad I didn’t continue as I ended up with a lovely house which was more perfect than the one I lost.

Hope everything works out Happytails

Good luck to all those still waiting.

I haven’t heard anything new since last week but wasn’t expecting to given poor communication to date.

Amanda_Cm

Just had a call from EA saying we are def no completing on 12th. There is a negative equity problem on the house our vendor is buying. Now they are waiting on redemption certificate next week.
So what will happen if they don't have the extra money to pay of the mortgage? Our little chain will collaps?

TamsinC

treeny_bash wrote: »

Waiting for the solicitors to call us this afternoon to discuss. But could be back to the drawing board. I've had a little look on rightmove and there's options there, so it could all be for the best.

If it's not right, it's not right - and in this case I personally would walk away unless they got the certification etc - better 1.5K out than in a house you might need to pull down the extension on.