Prosperous soul in the making

savingholmes

£63 paid off cc yesterday. DH feeling unwell today - earache and stuff so doesn't do sound like c19. The workmen are still here and DH has gone to bed so feel stuck for now. DD went to school and DS went to city. 

Moneyfordreams

Get well soon Mr SH

savingholmes

HI MFD - DH feeling a lot better now. DD scarily got sent home from sixth form for a couple of days due to a couple of kids testing positive - but she wasn't one of their close contacts so is back in Monday all being well.

We've had the new worktops fitted along with the hob and the new sink in the utility. The worktops are black gloss with sparkle laminate but look really nice. A tutor who visited our home asked if they were granite LOL. I've been quiet this week while I mulled over whether to sell or not - or whether to get a second property - or whether to say here until 55 when I can hopefully transfer one of my pensions. I've arranged to get our house valued next weekend with a potential free estate agent (who knew what was even possible!!). They earn money through referrals rather than the sale listing itself - but you are under no obligation to use their recommended people. I may get some valuations with paid EAs too just for comparison. I know in an ideal world that we have a lot to do to our house - but a bit like some other MSE posters a) it is hard to get workmen currently and b) as a perfectionist it could just be a delaying tactic and c) it is worth checking if we do spend more £ on the house - that  we are spending it on the right things. At least this way we have a starting point and motivation to do more between now and next Saturday afternoon.  If we go ahead with putting our house on the market - I will ask some photographer friends of ours to take the photos as they are also great home stagers - and pay them.

So hopefully this weekend we can blitz a load of stuff to the tip and see what the charity sector is doing in our area whether they are still taking stuff. Perhaps look into putting some stuff into storage. The task feels overwhelming currently because we have too much stuff - if we cleared the non-essentials into storage - it would make me feel more organised - without having the commitment of having got rid of some of it permanently - which sadly feels too big of a decision for some things. I am hoping once I've got used to it not being around I will find it easier to say - yes just get rid of that. I will also look at getting an agreement in principle on the mortgage so we at least know what we would be allowed to borrow in practice rather than just theory - and then that can help narrow our search.  The benefit of going down the free EA route as well is that - if we decide not to proceed - we can pull out without a penalty.

I hope you are all staying safe and well. 

MovingForwards

They are impact worktops and draw people in to focus on them, sound great.
Having the EA out will give you numbers to play with, then you can assess what to do from there. Definitely go with your own photographer, having seen a lot of properties online it's hard to believe some people take those pictures for a living!
The storage idea sounds like it would be a good move. Maybe look into longer-term prices, takes the pressure off going in to sort things out too.

Good luck, it's all moving in the right direction.

hugglemonster

Hi sh, sounds like a lot of decisions to be made but definitely take your time and get as many valuations from EA as possible. Getting friends to take the photos sounds like a good idea, seen some photos online and they are terrible plus also can't believe people don't tidy up before having them taken when trying to sell their property!

Glad dh is feeling better, have a lovely weekend. H x

savingholmes

Thanks MF and HM.

• I now have an agreement in principle to borrow upto a scary amount of £.
• Ik3@ have confirmed they are doing my refund onto my original card but not told me the value - so will have to wait to find out. I have about £70 of stuff I still intend to take back on top. 
• Hopefully DD will finally dye my hair today - then need to do more to get the house ready to be valued.
• I still have some paint to touch up in the kitchen but will wait until tomorrow for that. I need to find proper decorators ideally as it is too big a job to paint the house but can really add value. I've asked two people to quote so far. 
• I've ordered some packing boxes online to make it easier to start packing. Need to see what other boxes we have in the house we could use. The boxes parcels are sent in aren't usually strong enough.
• I got a quote for storage but it was a lot - so think will continue with challenging myself on what I want to keep for now and consider again - closer to the date we actually put the house on the market. 

MovingForwards

Now you know what's a possibility and can see how far that will get you.
Can your sold neighbours recommend any decorators or did they DIY that side? 
Keep an eye on local selling sites / g-tree etc as people often sell / give away their boxes after moving.
Was the storage self-store as that's normally quite reasonably priced. Do have another look online and perhaps expand your area a bit.

Hopefully your refund won't be too long.

Enjoy the hair pamper by DD!

doingitanyway

Well done on being so organised. 
I also had a quote for storage and found it very expensive.
May I ask what boxes you decided on?
Hope you are having a good weekend.

WelshKitty85

Wow you've been busy! The kitchen sounds great. Well done!

Blackcats

Exciting times!  Try freecycle for boxes, I often see them on my local group.   I love moving house and it's great motivation for decluttering.  Your kitchen sounds great, what's not too like about sparkly worktops 🤣