Tightening the belts for unpaid leave

astrocytic_kitten

Glad you’ve had the jab, but what a tough combination of circumstances! Keeping my fingers crossed that once we reach April the move will be behind you, you’ll have the flat sold, and you’ll be in a much better position. In the meantime start working on those kitcat bunnies!

[Deleted User]

Thanks @astrocytic_kitten - yes, things are tough at the minute but lots of people have it much much worse, these are really just first world problems.

So, update on the flat.  Agent been in touch with buyer.  OMFG they asked for a 15k price reduction!!!  After 3 f*cking months of enquiry after enquiry.  Luckily my Agent has balls of steel as didn't even ask me and instead said no, and that if they didn't proceed at the agreed price, then it would be back on the market by midday!  Funnily, they have chosen to proceed.  They are an investment company and I think, on reflection, what they have been doing is trying to wear me down with enquiry after enquiry and heel dragging and their intention all along was then to try to get some money off last minute.  They are basically saving 15k as it is in SD and are getting a huge bargain ("done" properties on that road going for anywhere between 85-150k more) so they can do one.  No way at all.  They are STILL banging on about things which have already been answered/provided by my lawyers and it is driving me mad.  I've just said to the agent, they had all of this sent over 10 days ago, they just need to get on with it now.  I literally have had enough.

DH is currently cleaning all the grills on the oven to check we don't then need to get it professionally cleaned (we can't anyway as no-one available and then "friend" has tenants moving in practically the day we move out so they can't get it done before new tenants move in anyway).  Today should be a NSD.  DCs both asleep (bliss) so I get 5 minutes so am off to have a cuppa and a fondant fancy (we're delaying the healthy eating for now, all things considered!)

Blackcats

Cheeky so and so's who are buying the flat!  Glad you held your nerve.  It's like a game of cat and mouse but they have already spent a lot as part of the purchase so I reckon they will proceed.
yay to a fondant fancy during 5 minutes of quiet time - a micro moment of self care courtesy of Mr Kipling 😋

[Deleted User]

Well, I literally got 5 minutes then DC2 decided he was having none of his naps!  Did manage to skull down a fondant fancy however.  So, agent thinks we are there now re flat.  Buyers solicitors obvs leading them on a merry dance as they keep saying things haven't been answered/provided, but they have and my lawyer sent a copy of the response document to the agent, so they can actually see that they have been replying and we've not been withholding anything.  Just want to exchange now as so fed up with it all.

[Deleted User]

@Blackcats - I know!  So so cheeky!  I was raging.  I'd like to complete 29th as that when tenant next pays her rent so it is the cleanest option.  So we shall see.  I am pushing.  Hard.

Went to shop today which was £62 (my share £31) as we needed a few things.  Still a bit to get to get us through to next thursday then we move next friday.  We are surrounded by boxes all the time, can barely get through the hall and it is just horrid.  I don't think my "friend" gets at all what she is doing to us.  DC1 cried eyes out when I dropped him at nursery this morning and think he will be worse when we move as will be unsettled.  DC2's world has been very small since he was born and I think he will be the same.  Plus just the boxes everywhere, having to get rid of furniture as new place not enough room (as it's furnished) and that's costing us to dump it.  Basically, all in, it is likely to be around 800-1000 to move, plus the increased rent/utilities.  !!!!!!.  I am really really cross with my "friend" and so is DH.

NOTHING came on market yesterday and so far, nothing today.  There is a scramble for every house which does.  It is just crazy.  Know I can't change it but really wish we had stayed put.  Part of the reason we moved was cos we knew we didn't want to stay and that the house needed some money spending on it - the decking all across the back needed replacing (circa 10k easily), the wall in the lounge had had water penetration and the whole room needed redecorating/carpeting - probs 2-3k.  And 2 of the showers needed fixing - so it was all going to add up and then we wouldn't have got that back.  So I suppose even though we are not paying down a mortgage, we are also not spending on repairs like that.  But it is frustrating.  We would like a home.

rugbymadfamily

Great work holding your nerve (well done to the Estate Agent!), can't believe the cheek of some people.

Know its tough moving again, but just try and keep that end goal in mind....your own family home :-)

[Deleted User]

Wandered out for a walk with DC2.  I wasn't going to go but DH insisted and I do feel better for it.  Got myself protein powder so going to do replacement brekkie/lunch with those and have a proper dinner.  That was £18.  Think going to cancel WW as it was easier to do when I had our wedding to motivate me, but it's more difficult now.  So am just going to try to take the approach of shakes brekkie and lunch weekdays, proper (but on the healthy side) dinners in the week and then do a breakfast shake at the weekends but allow myself to indulge a little then.

Agent has apparently left message for buyer and their solicitor but nothing further.  Going to get them to push again.  If we could get this move done and flat sold by end of month, that will just be a huge weight off my mind.  Hoping to end this month with around £100 left in the budget which will get flicked straight over to house savings if so.  Might not happen as DH has ordered some more carpet shampoo (as after his test run today he thinks that we will need more than it came with) which was £16ish, then the money on the protein powder today, plus the other bits we need re food and got 2 lots of nappies to come out on the old subscribe and save (they are DEF needed!), so it might not happen.  But at least I won't go over budget.

From Sat, that's then us on DH's wage until the end of Sept!  I can give him £500 a month out of the "odds and sods" I have saved/bits of pay for BH's etc so, all being well, we shouldn't have to dip into savings at all but at least we have the option if it's required.  End August we will also get back £200 deposit from DC1's nursery when we move him to other other nursery, so that will also be available then to help.

[Deleted User]

Gah, so spoke to agent - the buyer is hoping we will exchange end of next week - good.  On the downside, they are now apparently raising yet ANOTHER issue - something to do with the tenancy agreement, independent legal advice and a personal guarantee.  No idea what but I am not giving any personal guarantees about anything!!  I just feel like they are constantly playing games and I really am at breaking point.  And we have no wine.  I almost put my jeans back on (in pyjamas) and went to the shop (15 min walk there and back or 2 min drive) to get some, but haven't. YET.  When will it end?!

Blackcats

That's so annoying for you.  why would they ask for a personal guarantee and in reality what would that achieve?   I wonder if they want you to offer them a price reduction to make them complete?  

Would a fondant fancy help?  If not I would certainly agree that wine is a good option tonight.

astrocytic_kitten

How frustrating!!! And even if they had concerns about a sitting tenant why on earth did they wait till now to raise it? It does sound like their strategy was to drag things out until just before the stamp duty deadline then demand a reduction when you didn’t have time to find a new buyer.... and now it’s been extended they’re just hoping to grind you down. I’m with Blackcats, have a fondant fancy.