In the Meantime

joedenise

Definitely view the bungalow again.  If the property is empty you can probably sneak a look under the carpets to see what the floor is like.

With the concreted garden that can be a bonus as you get older.  Plants in pots are the way to go.  We have a mainly slabbed back garden with lots of pots.  We still have grass out the front but if anything happens to DH I'll have to empty a gardener to mow it as I can't manage the mower as the ground is very uneven!

redofromstart

I don't think concrete is a huge disadvantage if this is the right place for you. Bungalow means you are more likely to stay and a patio of planted pots sounds very attractive. The sandstone wall sounds pretty too. Aubretia cascading. 

doingitanyway

beanielou said:

Bungalow sounds fantastic. As you know I like a bungalow. One coming up on my estate this week funny enough! 

I forgot you have one. Thank you!

MovingForwards said:

What have they done since you last viewed and tried to buy it. How silly of them.
The bungalow sounds interesting. Concrete gardens can be removed or have the advantage of gorgeous pots, planters, seating etc.

Enjoy the snow and scenery. Hope sleep is a little easier tonight.

Thank you. The pain seems to be easing off so I'm hopeful of a decent night's sleep.

The bungalow is slightly further from the station 0.6 instead of 0.3 but walkable. I can't describe the garden well. It is just ugly to my eyes, but it could be saved...The entrance is lovely with a small garden at the front. 

The snow makes this part of Scotland look like a winter wonderland. Just gorgeous 

doingitanyway

joedenise said:

Definitely view the bungalow again.  If the property is empty you can probably sneak a look under the carpets to see what the floor is like.

With the concreted garden that can be a bonus as you get older.  Plants in pots are the way to go.  We have a mainly slabbed back garden with lots of pots.  We still have grass out the front but if anything happens to DH I'll have to empty a gardener to mow it as I can't manage the mower as the ground is very uneven!

Thank you for visiting @joedenise

There is a sort of vinyl on the floors and underneath is boarded. I think I'll get there early and knock on neighbours doors to ask about the flooring. Cheeky or what?

 I am no fan of grass/mowing so maybe using some reclaimed bricks could work. I would create raised beds and use pebbles too. Thinking about it there are ways. 

 I have shown the bungalow to  a few people and they all say it is lovely...Another viewing has been arranged for next week 

redofromstart said:

I don't think concrete is a huge disadvantage if this is the right place for you. Bungalow means you are more likely to stay and a patio of planted pots sounds very attractive. The sandstone wall sounds pretty too. Aubretia cascading. 

Thank you! Yes, I agree the hard surfacing can be made to work...(see above) The wall is quite high up from the street and forms the front of the house. The bungalow is really nice (but neglected). It could be a little gem and it is under 5 minutes to the seafront, 15 minutes to my fave park and 20 mins to the station. 

It will definitely future proof me 

jwil

The bungalow sounds fab and workable problems.  I'd love to be so close to the sea.  It's great to have options, but shame the other house is proving awkward.

savingholmes

I'm surprised the EA is being so awkward on the first house. You'd think they'd snatch your hands off.

On the empty property - raised beds sound a lovely way to go. Alternatively you could pay to get the concrete removed. I hate concrete - and there is some here which I am likely to pay to have removed. I prefer paving as you have more control. I have however seen people create lovely courtyard style gardens on concrete settings - sometimes adding decking or a composite style decking. With a nice bench - perhaps with a built in arbour it can look really beautiful with lots of pots or as you say raised beds.

doingitanyway

jwil said:

The bungalow sounds fab and workable problems.  I'd love to be so close to the sea.  It's great to have options, but shame the other house is proving awkward.

Thank you. The bungalow could be made to work. I like it. As you say workable problems. My favourite type of problem 

savingholmes said:

I'm surprised the EA is being so awkward on the first house. You'd think they'd snatch your hands off.

On the empty property - raised beds sound a lovely way to go. Alternatively you could pay to get the concrete removed. I hate concrete - and there is some here which I am likely to pay to have removed. I prefer paving as you have more control. I have however seen people create lovely courtyard style gardens on concrete settings - sometimes adding decking or a composite style decking. With a nice bench - perhaps with a built in arbour it can look really beautiful with lots of pots or as you say raised beds.

I think the vendors want more offers so a bidding situation develops. The EA is just dreadful.  My heart sinks when a property comes up and I realise I will have to having dealings with that EA

Thanks for suggestions on the empty one

MovingForwards

The bungalows location sounds like the best of all worlds, close enough to priorities but not too close for those priorities to impact daily living.

Who doesn't dream of a walled garden, privacy and a bit of paradise rolled in. 
The garden could be a blank canvas, ripe for moving the old out and cleaning up. Perhaps paint the walls and add painted features such as a sky or backdrop of grass, flowers and whatever else.
Slowly adding in raised beds for flowers, herb gardens etc.
Even benches running round the walls, quarter sections composing of a zen type garden, small Acer gorgeous slate etc. Another could be a meadow of wild flowers attracting butterflies and bees etc. 

Honestly, there's endless possibilities!

As for the interior floor, reclaimed or engineered wood can create the look you're after.

Good luck with the viewings, as always keep an open mind and eyes on others.

doingitanyway

Thanks @MovingForwards for your gardening design tips and also for your optimism 

I edited my last post as there was a long whinge about the food here, my health, pain, blah blah. 

So, today I took control by not eating again. Another fast this time for 18 hours. I went for a walk and drank lots of fluids. The lunch here is the best meal as there is usually a choice of salads, a few crustless quiches and I noticed the fruit bowl is full again. Fair to say I am looking forward to lunch.

I am still in pain so creative pursuits not working. So, giving myself the freedom to do other things, like planning some nice things, catching up on these boards, a bit of reading...

MSE wise everything is going smoothly with everything that needs paying being paid, plus money going to savings. At this time of the month I feel hopeful for a PB win as I am trying to grow my house fund so when I do get somewhere I can meet all the costs of a new home.

Hoping everyone out there is doing ok 

savingholmes

I hope the pain settles soon and that you manage to eat. 

Sorry you're struggling to be creative. Perhaps it's time to refill the well. I can see a beautiful part rainbow out the window. Always makes me smile.