Midlife Musings and Measurable Goals

Msmoneyspider

Hi DIA,

Could you organise a clear, clean and closure party to move that house on, it seems to be draining your life force.

You could lure people in with the promise of turkey soup/wraps and a holiday to your new home in rural Scotland.

You can do this!! - I can see a book in it .

another_casualty

There is a site called 'next door' . It gives you the rundown of things going on in the area , and local residents chip in with various things ranging from crime to buying and selling . It may be worth asking someone about the fascias on there . You'll probably get pointed in the right direction ..

Moneywhizz

Have been reading along for a wee while now and am with the others who say why not move before doing up the house. It is so stressful getting work done in the house and I'm sure it must distracting you from pursuing your new business. You have such a great opportunity here to make this a success and spend your time doing things you really want to do. Not many people get to pursue their dream job so it would be a shame to let other things get in the way. At least if you get an estate agent in you would know one way or another. Good luck with all your plans anyway.

doingitanyway

Msmoneyspider wrote: »

Hi DIA,

Could you organise a clear, clean and closure party to move that house on, it seems to be draining your life force.

You could lure people in with the promise of turkey soup/wraps and a holiday to your new home in rural Scotland.

You can do this!! - I can see a book in it .

What a lovely idea If I had the social connections to do that I would. The house is cleanish and clearish too but needs repairs and some renovations too.
I think you are 100% right. It is drawing on my life force! A friend in RL recently said the same!

another_casualty wrote: »

There is a site called 'next door' . It gives you the rundown of things going on in the area , and local residents chip in with various things ranging from crime to buying and selling . It may be worth asking someone about the fascias on there . You'll probably get pointed in the right direction ..

Thanks AC I will seek some neighbourhood input

Moneywhizz wrote: »

Have been reading along for a wee while now and am with the others who say why not move before doing up the house. It is so stressful getting work done in the house and I'm sure it must distracting you from pursuing your new business. You have such a great opportunity here to make this a success and spend your time doing things you really want to do. Not many people get to pursue their dream job so it would be a shame to let other things get in the way. At least if you get an estate agent in you would know one way or another. Good luck with all your plans anyway.

I couldn't agree more Moneywhizz. Thank you for dropping in and sharing your thoughts
I will get an EA in in the Spring after a bit more decluttering and cleaning.
I have my ups and downs with this house but I won't let it derail my creative plans. In fact I am beginning to find refuge in my project.
I'm starting to think moving before, not after might work out but I will see what the EA says.

RosaBernicia

DIA, I dropped the price on my house significantly to sell as it stands and it is worth it for me simply in terms of freedom and closure. I can afford what I need in the new area and decided it just wasn't worth the stress of hanging on in the hope of more money, especially when things are so uncertain politically. It is honestly an enormous relief as it had become such a spectre hanging over me and preventing me from settling in my new area. You may have already worked out your sums and what you need, but if possible I would revisit everything and figure what it is worth to you to get it sorted and move into your new life, not just what the EA says.



Good luck
Rosa xx

doingitanyway

RosaBernicia wrote: »

DIA, I dropped the price on my house significantly to sell as it stands and it is worth it for me simply in terms of freedom and closure. I can afford what I need in the new area and decided it just wasn't worth the stress of hanging on in the hope of more money, especially when things are so uncertain politically. It is honestly an enormous relief as it had become such a spectre hanging over me and preventing me from settling in my new area. You may have already worked out your sums and what you need, but if possible I would revisit everything and figure what it is worth to you to get it sorted and move into your new life, not just what the EA says.

Good luck
Rosa xx

Happy New Year Rosa, thanks for dropping in to share your thoughts. i do miss reading your diary!

Your experience of moving makes interesting reading.

I will definitely do a revisiting exercise and see what my 'new reality' actually is.

I wouldn't just go on what the EA says but he/she is a professional in house sales and I am not, so it would be silly to ignore his/her advice. The problem I have is the cost of the new place. I want to remain MF despite moving, so lots of thinking to do. I also need to get a current valuation so I can do some sums to work out what is viable....

mark55man

not really an expert at house moving but I do read a number of threads in the house forum as I am trying to get my eye in for when the kids ask.

I think their view of EA would be less charitable, namely they are in it for the money and although knowledgeable their answers will look to have you move and when you recall their commission is based on total value, they won't care as much as you do if its -10% of your target they are still getting 90% of commission. I think their advice will be sell as is

Your choice is then to pass the pain down the chain to make sure you get what you want. Now that will be stressy but at that point you will have the EA on your side as they want a sale. Anyway I wish you luck with digesting these options and creating a plan

jwil

doingitanyway wrote: »

Thanks Jwil Yes, I saw an EA a few years back but may do this again. Good idea.
Neither my bathroom or kitchen are functional or clean and that is the issue I'm afraid/embarrassed to say

I feel your pain. Mine are both from the 60s and it's so hard to put up with. Is there anything you could do to make them look better without a full refurbishment?

Msmoneyspider

"Finding refuge in your project" sounds lovely and sane, we all need a place of safety and security. Maybe tackle one small house frog a day and then head to your real home .

doingitanyway

Thanks @Mark88man, @jwil, @Msmoneyspider

I will be removing the tiles in the bathroom and kitchen myself and deep cleaning in the Spring. This will be helpful for replastering and make me feel like I am doing something.

Lots to think about re moving home

Yesterday I walked 4 miles
I attended an exercises class that required coordination (I have none so left 30 minutes in. At least I tried ))

Today should have been a work day but I faffed bit then cooked and the day seemed to be half gone. Tomorrow I will be up and out. Not that I wasted the day. Drudge work, cooking and decluttering done.

I had a call from the windows man. We reached an agreement on price. :j This a reputable firm that has been going 20 years plus. I’m glad I held out. After Christmas I expect business is quiet for them. I saved myself £150 on his original cost and about £400 on the other firm’s original quote. I go to do the paperwork tomorrow. The small bedroom is being done. There is already a new waxed floor so it can be decorated and used as a little study. I feel so much better for being able to progress on this room. The other window is at ground level and is the hall window. The rotten frame is sucking water into the brick, affecting the plaster. When it is done I will have a tiny thing less to worry about.

I found a hardware shop locally that stocks ammonia (squirrel deterrent) It is 50p cheaper and saves me £4.50 on fares to get to the place I used to go to.

I need progress to stop from feeling despondent and today progress came

Hope you all had a good day