"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it."

greenbee

Apparently buyers don’t want an independent survey, so one less thing, but no sign of their queries in the sellers pack or a mortgage survey (although that could be paper/drive by if their LTV is ok - think it’s about 60%).

Solicitor/surveyor costs paid this month, plus work expenses on CC so had to transfer some cash from savings. Expenses then turned up, so I have slightly more to go back to savings/mortgage than I took out - nice to be able to cash flow the costs, even if I’d rather not have had them. 

Week away for work next week - will try not to spend on expenses as the exchange rates is horrible and work don’t let us amend our expenses to the rate we actually pay - it’s just the standard hedge rate. They also take ages to pay, and I need to be able to clear cards before I port my mortgage (not that I have a date, or even anywhere to look at!).

greenbee

I've had TWO work trips to the US since my last post and am now jet lagged (again!). Expenses are being processed faster than previously which may be due to vacancies finally being filled, or possibly down to the fact that I'm working very closely with the accounting team responsible for them to sort out a range of issues they're dealing with. It certainly helps though.

My buyers are finally moving - delaying will have cost them a lot of money given the situation with interest rates, as it turns out they are only just applying for their mortgage. However, we're pretty much done (I hope!) with queries.

My mum went to look at another house while I was away last week, so I need to get myself organised to go and see it this week - hopefully Thursday. It'll be interesting getting the travel in, as while mornings are normally free I have new mentees booked in Wednesday and Friday mornings which are when I really need to do the driving.

I've had to top up the oil tank with 500l thanks to all the delays, so that's been paid for, plus a new suitcase as my died on the way back from my first trip (retractable handle broke) and I needed another before the end of the week. Half term is coming up, so there's a hotel bill for a couple of days in London with my brother/mum/kids, and I'll pay for meals too (my mum is paying for a musical). However, I'm not going to OP anymore until I have an idea of my completion date as I'm relatively close to the number I've asked to remortgage at and don't want to OP and then borrow back. I do need to keep saving for those post-moving costs though.

Clearing out/up is starting. I've packed suits and summer stuff to take back to my mum's for storage this week, I'm starting to clear stuff out from the garage via Freegle to make room for packing (14 items on today and 2 already requested for pickup tomorrow - bagged and ready to go!), and I'm about to split the last of the logs so I can use the stove for a few more weeks. 

The garden is still producing a few tomatoes, some peppers and a lot of chard - as I'm fairly optimistic that we'll exchange soon I plan to make an effort to eat from the freezer/cupboards/garden so I don't end up moving masses of food. 

Bonus is due at the end of this month - not huge, but always welcome. As is my payrise - we've done them early this year which will be nice. 

Laundry, log splitting and greenhouse clearing call... 

savingholmes

All the best with finding a new home. Glad things are improving for you.

EssexHebridean

Fingers crossed it's all finally coming together then! 

greenbee

I managed to split a month's worth of logs, and get most of the laundry and ironing done. Jet lag is still with me. 

Search agents have the viewing booked and now we're trying to set some others up as I'll be in the area. I need to work out when I'm going to travel up and back, which isn't helped by the jet lag enforcing lie-ins. 

redofromstart

everything crossed that the right thing comes up for you. We found this place when the sons got probate and dropped the price overnight or it was way out of budget. Hoping for a positive change

savingholmes

Hoping you fall lucky.

greenbee

I've looked at 3 more houses. The rooms in one were all too small, and it lacked privacy in the garden, another has been abandoned by the owners mid-renovation due to a divorce while they were working overseas and is overpriced and a major project. The third was great - would have been over my budget but the search agent had been assured that the vendor was open to offers within my budget. Unfortunately the vendor changed their mind about that when we made the offer. Oddly enough, after being messed around (it was about 8 hours travel time in total), we didn't go back in with a higher offer.

Waiting to hear from the solicitor re the sale - we should be close to exchange now, assuming the buyers have their mortgage offer. Once I have an exchange date I'll be happier knowing that the budget is fixed (I don't trust them not to try to come back with a lower offer just prior to exchange). 

Packing has kind of started - each trip up to my mum's to look at stuff means taking a carload of things I won't need till spring/summer (a combination of clothes and gardening stuff mostly) back to hers for storage. I really need to go up in a van sometime with the garden furniture so I can clear space in the garage for further packing and tidying. And get quotes for moving/storage. 

The greenhouse is clear of everything except the last of the peppers and some chillies that grew in the courgette pots which I might try to overwinter. The garden is getting minimal attention - I'm still living here, so don't want it to deteriorate too much.

Also back to freegling stuff, which is painful in this part of the world as there isn't much activity. But stuff out of the house is stuff out of the house... 

savingholmes

Well done on decluttering as you go 

EssexHebridean

Definitely a god plan to shift stuff out as you go along so far as possible!