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

EssexHebridean

I wouldn't expect that their solicitor would agree to exchanging before all their questions have been answered to be honest Greenbee - as of course once you've exchanged they are committed aren't they. 

I like your reference to conscious using up of things - we're trying to do something broadly similar at the moment too! 

greenbee

I've answered all their questions EH. About 3 months ago. They're now coming back and asking for updates because they have spend 6 months faffing about. 

EssexHebridean

From the solicitors point of view though it amounts to the same thing - their view will be that in that 6 months - regardless of who has caused the delay - things could have changed, so updated answers are now required. It may even be that their mortgage company are demanding updates now - a lot would after that timescale. Frustrating, but the sort of due diligence I would expect to see in place I'm afraid. Hopefully it will just be a pretty straightforward run through and each question answered with "no change on previous" though. 

greenbee

It's quite simple EH - they have delayed for so long that I'm now not going to have the time to go through all of this again. So if they want more answers, they'll have to buy somewhere else and I'll have to stay put. The questions they're asking now are not ones that will be required by their mortgage provider (they've had all those) or that my solicitor believes are necessary. They are 'nice to haves' that were provided out of courtesy last time, over and above the required info. They have what's needed from a legal perspective, and all the answers are valid for 12 months. I think it's additional delaying tactics, so if they haven't got their act together by the end of this week, I won't be wasting anymore time, energy or money on them. I can stay put, OP the mortgage and make changes here. Given the costs involved in moving, I can probably pay for a driver to bring my mum down a couple of times a year based on the savings. 

LeighofMar

Sounds like a solid plan. Once buyers understand that you don't HAVE to sell, they lose their leverage and either settle or go find somewhere else. Here in the US, if they back out after causing significant delays, you can keep all or most of the escrow money for your aggravation and the missed opportunity of the house not being marketed while they held up the process. Do you have that kind of provision over there?

greenbee

@LeighofMar - sadly until we exchange contracts they haven't made any financial commitment, although some people do ask for non-refundable deposits to take properties off the market and I suspect it will become more common. Once we've exchange contracts they have made a commitment to buy so would forfeit their deposit plus be liable for other costs incurred in the chain (not that I intend for there to be a chain, as with all the delays so far it's just not worth it). 

greenbee

First van load has gone and is being stored at my mum's. Apparently there is still plenty of space. 

My search agent is dealing with the selling agent, and we're aiming to exchange next week and complete at the end of March. I've been clear that if this doesn't happen, I'm walking away. 

So next load to go to my mum's isn't booked yet, and I'm reluctant to pack too much if I'm going to stay here, but I'm also aware that I've done the 'easy' stuff. My mum and I have agreed a few of the things to go in the next van, some of which she will use, so won't actually take up storage space. For now I'm going through paperwork and recycling/shredding/reorganising. Clearly I haven't done it for several years! It's tedious, but the shredding can be done every time I reboot my laptop, so I get through it remarkably quickly. Hopefully the hotbin will be able to cope with the influx of shredded paper!

LadyWithAPlan

Hope this exchange goes through OK - at least it has got you focused on decluttering now and using stuff up...
I am also doing the Jan declutter - how much stuff did I accumulate?!

greenbee

I've found statements from Abbey and Bradford & Bingley 🤣 Admittedly they were in archive files, but I need those now to put other stuff in. The recycling bin is starting to look fairly full, and will be heavy. But it's less weight to move. Or put back on the shelves. 

greenbee

I thought I'd killed the shredder, but it turns out it just needed a rest. I've ordered some packing boxes, as i have lots of small ones but not many larger ones. And some tape. 

As it was sunny today - although very cold - I spent some time outside. First of all cutting up some burnable wood (old compost bins) so it will fit in the stove, and then having a go at the last of the logs with the log splitter. I think I've probably done as much as I can with them, so the splitter can go in the next van. And possibly the big chunks of wood if my brother doesn't want them. It's either that or I could burn them on the BBQ before I pack it! Or I suppose I could leave them in the old log store for my buyers, seeing as they're not going to be useful for them so it won't be doing them any kind of favour... I also did some cutting back in the garden so I can see the hellebores, cyclamen and bulbs coming up (and the weeds!). I've paid for the garden waste collection and it runs until the end of Feb (I think) so I might as well use it. The view is slightly less depressing, and if I do end up staying, at least the garden will be vaguely under control. 

Busy day at work tomorrow. Making some recruitment decisions and hopefully working out the transition into my new role. Including working out travel commitments - which is why I need dates from my buyers.