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Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here

I think that sounds like a fair explanation for why they didn't want to sell initially but do want to sell now. 
I think you have to go with your heart on this. There are a lot of sensible pros and cons I'm sure, but ultimately you need to pick where you think you'll be happiest for years to come. Where would you rather spend Christmas? Where would you rather be sitting in the garden with a cuppa? Where would you rather be in the kitchen baking a cake? 

MeandO

Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here said:

I think that sounds like a fair explanation for why they didn't want to sell initially but do want to sell now. 
I think you have to go with your heart on this. There are a lot of sensible pros and cons I'm sure, but ultimately you need to pick where you think you'll be happiest for years to come. Where would you rather spend Christmas? Where would you rather be sitting in the garden with a cuppa? Where would you rather be in the kitchen baking a cake? 

That is a very good way of thinking about it Debt_Me_Out_Of_Here (love the username btw ). Perhaps it’s because I’m more familiar with the first house, I don’t know, but it does feel more like home than a house so I guess that’s my answer. House 2 is a much easier option in terms of work - everything is done beautifully and I would change very little, whereas house 1 is going to take some time and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, but I think that’s largely down to the previous horrendous experience I had with our last beautiful home that we still miss so much. 

Thank you both for your thoughts and advice, I really appreciate it and it has really helped. xx 

MeandO

Hello everyone,
It’s been a little while... life has been pretty hectic and stressful (as usual), but I do have news to tell you.

Yesterday, we moved house. 

It has been an extremely stressful week tbh with chain issues and almost a failure to complete yesterday. I have incurred hundreds of pounds in extra charges from the removal company due to the lateness of completion, but I have to say, the removal men saved the day yesterday and were absolute stars. 

I wish I could now say it is a relief, but the house I’ve bought was left in an absolute stinking, filthy state by the two highly-ranking health and medical professionals that sold it to me. 

They didn’t even bother to clean the toilet (which is filthy) or Hoover the masses of dog hair up. The removal men were actually cleaning the kitchen floor for me out of pity and trying to clean up the clumps of wet dog hair all over it. 

It is evident there is a lot more work needed than I anticipated. A lot was covered up by furniture and fittings it appears and the garden has been left in akin to wasteland too. 

I just walked in and cried yesterday and am still asking myself what the heck I have done.

We just got everything in and locked the door on it last night and came back to OH’s as it was so late and I couldn’t cope being there a minute longer, I felt physically sick, and still do this morning at the thought of going back there.

The positives are that I paid almost £30K off my mortgage yesterday, so it now stands at £65K. 

I also have £28,725 in savings now too, but a large chunk of that, if not all, will need to be spent on renovating this house I’ve just landed us with.
My son can now attend the secondary school all his friends will be going too as well as we’re in the right area.

Today I will be scrubbing the house through from top to bottom, trying to juggle the boxes and get furniture set up and checking what other nasty surprises the vendors have left me. We haven’t checked the attic yet, am dreading it and fully expect to find a load of their unwanted carp up there.

It’s a case of not knowing where to start with everything at the moment, but I have to try and make this better for DS and I. I stocked up on bleach and cleaning products last night, so there’s a start... Wish me luck, I’m going to need it.

Honeysucklelou2

Sorry to read that the house has been left in such a mess. Is it worth taking photos and contacting the solicitor ?  Hope that all goes well today and there are no nasty surprises. On the plus side, the mortgage figure looks amazing!

Four_Seasons

What a bummer dirty b.......! I think you should take photos and contact your solicitor, I seem to remember that properties have to be left in a reasonable condition, check the loft first!! Amazing news about the mortgage and son being in right catchment area.  If its just dirt and crap you will soon sort that you are a strong lovely woman and this is going to be a lovely new start for you your son and OH.  The very best of luck in your new home x   (Dont forget those photos even if its just to shame them with the solicitor!!)

CRANKY40

You can ask for money back if they've hidden things. My ex neighbours were given £20k back from the people that they bought from as there was a leak in a gas pipe (if they'd have lit the front room fire I wouldn't be here typing this now) and they were told that the wood burner was usuable. The wood burner filled my kitchen with smoke when it was lit (feathers gone in joint chimney) so new people had to pay for a flue liner etc to be able to use it. It may well be worth contacting your solicitor. 

It may also be worth contacting a cleaning company and asking for a day of cleaning price. It sounds like you need a hand and would be well worth it I think. Otherwise start with the ktchen so you can at least eat withou worrying. Good luck, I really feel for you!

Mrs_Money_Penny

Sorry to hear the house was such a state. We had exactly the same thing. It took a lot of work cleaning before unpacking. We found we had a flea problem left from the previous owners animals. That cost about £70 in the end for sprays etc.Just do one room at a time completely. It will all be ok in the end. Congratulations on the new mortgage figures and catchment area. Hope you have some time off to get sorted.xx

Drawingaline

Well done in getting through a house move, ours was very stressful back in Jan.

It's just dirt (other issues aside) get stuck in, get help in if required and soon it will smell of bleach not dog. 

Focus on the things that HAVE to be done, so structural etc, get them sorted asap, and other things can wait. School catchment area is incredibly important, and remember how unhappy you were in the last house.

I am sure that in a few months time things will look better. And look at that low mortgage! 

Chrystal

Definitely agree with getting cleaners in for the day, Molly Maid or similar usually send 2 and they're worth every penny, as they do a really deep clean.  I'd also photograph everything and contact your solicitor....the vendors should be paying for everything that needs sorting, not you, and you certainly shouldn't be having to do the work yourself.
Hope you're getting a good nights sleep, and that you can see the benefits that the new house will bring.  Ok it might take some time and effort to get it how you want it, but take a deep breath and one step at a time. ((((hugs)))) XXX

Four_Seasons

Hope everything is going better and the house is being sorted.  Its only cosmetic (I hope anyway) and you will soon be settled and making it your own. sending loads of luck x