In the Meantime

CRANKY40

A long time ago my late husband and I bought a house which needed a damp course. We lived in my flat while it was being done so at least we didn't have to survive in it while the work was carried out but it stilll reached the point where we walked in through the front door one day and MrC said "Will we just set fire to it and start again?" You would have to live there whilst remedial works were being done so twice as bad. I feel that however hard it was that you made the correct decision to let it go. Good luck with finding the right place. 

Mrs_Boo_Boo

Hi there DIA,
Just checking in after a long while. Oh my goodness so much has happened in such a short space of time.
I am glad that you are going away to enjoy a well deserved rest and to take time out to relax. It's so much easier to be away from somewhere to make more rational decisions. Always seems so much clearer. 
I think with the house wasn't for you and the next one will be the one for you. In a 'woo' way the universe has not answered yet. I like 'woo' by the way. Makes me feel better. 
The remote job sounds just right so hope you get it or one like it. 
You have come so far and I am in awe of your progress (even when you don't want to do things) and resilience. You'll get there and please remember to enjoy the journey not just the destination.
As in the words of Ronan Keating 'live is a roller coaster, just gotta ride it'
Take care 
xxx

WelshmansDaughter

You're in a good position and you can take the time to find your place. 

doingitanyway

Thanks @savingholmes and @MovingForwards and @WelshmansDaughter for the positive vibes (the coffee was good) 

Thanks @CRANKY40 for popping in to share your experience. I think you are right. It is a blow but it would have been stressful to cope with the works and it might have been an ongoing problem...

Thanks @Mrs_Boo_Boo, so good to hear from you. Your post lifted me. It also reminded me to enjoy the journey! It is hard to do because I am so very unsettled but I will try to keep that in mind. I would not be able to go away and spend time with faraway loved ones if I wasn't in this situation. Maybe the universe wants me there for a bit who knows (joining you in woo woo )
I hope all is ok with your job and life

First things first. I DID IT. Booked and paid. Can barely believe it, but it is done 

Yesterday I went to the 'new area' it was a bit disjointed as another friend came. I met another friend there too. It was nice but I felt constrained by other people's needs. 

Such a strange thing happened...having a drink and the actual sellers walked in. I recognised their names and they were talking about 'my' house. LOTS of information. Got to see who they were and understand so much more I can't go into on here. 
Even stranger they mentioned a building not on RM that I looked up. House is freehold but has office status but apparently very easy to change to domestic as it began life as domestic.  Earwigged enough to go away and do some research. I have emailed and will see if I can chase it up. It is beautiful but if I think that others will too so need to be quick. Will visit next week if it hasn't gone. Strange. 

Another lovely house came on. It looks small but in the right area and has lovely sea views. No garden but a roof terrace looking out to sea...will get a viewing for next week.

I am still hopeful. Perhaps I shouldn't be, but I am.

Have a good Sunday

MovingForwards

Everything happens for a reason, even if we don't understand it at the time.

Push forward with plans as even being on an extended holiday doesn't require you to be here during the conveyancing process; you can set up a different POA allowing the solicitor to sign documents on your behalf (it's how my purchase was done and it's not just a Scottish thing as I did loads for people while down south).

jwil

Well done on booking it! 

Sounds like you had a productive/interesting day in the new area.  Hope the new potential properties are good and I'm glad you are feeling hopeful - it's always right to do that!

My folks lost one house, and were gutted.  It was perfect for them.  They eventually found another which was even better, so keep that hope, something will come up.

savingholmes

Well done on booking it. 

Interesting re the sellers. Hopefully it made you feel better about things. Good luck with finding the right one for for you.

WelshmansDaughter

Time away is always good. You may find clarity and inspiration come from being at a remove from regular habits.

Skint_yet_Again

Hi dia did you get any further with the office house or the roof terrace property? 

I’ve had the sellers EA trying to bully me into continuing to buy the house with damp / structural movement. They have had their own builder in stating damp only £2000 but have not addressed any of the other issues. I phoned my solicitor who advised me to tell them to leave me alone and not come back until all work done with insurance backed guarantees & by then I may have offered elsewhere. Their response was to put it straight back on the market. 

Let’s hope the new PM announces stamp duty cuts today 🤞

doingitanyway

Thank you everyone 

@MovingForwards definitely plan to keep pursuing homes until I go. Thanks for advice re POA.
@jwil thanks for sharing your parents experience. I hope it ends up being mine too!
@savingholmes Thanks, yes it feels good to have booked 
@WelshmansDaughter Thanks. I always think better when away so I expect good ideas and clear thinking!

@Skint_yet_Again Funnily enough that was the same amount quoted to me for damp. They didn't let me arrange inspections and when I insisted they re listed too! Never mind, better re listing than us being stuck with as @Chrystal says 'a pig in a poke' 
I don't know how I feel about SD as worried it will push prices higher? 

So, I saw the roof terrace freehold. It was not a freehold at all. It was a small maisonette. They apologised and now it is listed correctly. Either way the living space was tiny so not suitable. Also it was down an alley and it smelt of wee. I suspect peeing goes on there!!!

Other house more interesting. A lovely unusual building but it needs lots of work. It could be a stunning home.

MINUSES
Chimney needs unblocking, new kitchen, bathroom, rewiring, plastering in some places, floors repaired in some areas, 2 steps in basement felt soft, basement replastering...

On the good side...new slate roof, good condition outside, beautiful location, good drains and pipework, good doors and windows, lovely garden (small but perfect) 

It would need changing to domestic use and it is listed so will need their permission too. 

Told EA I would fear being stuck with an office. He just shrugged.
However, I did some research and can offer 'subject to' change of use and listed building permissions being agreed.

I'm still unsure but submitted an offer. It was recently reduced by 30,000. I offered 30,000 below the recently reduced price so don't expect to get it. Not sure I am willing to do the work if my offer was accepted anyway.

MSE wise...

• buying YS food
• walking locally and saving on buses
• made stock and having lots of soup!
• reheeled boots (they are like new again)
• explored fares and found cheaper ways to travel

Big MSE frogs

• sort out where money is held for more interest
• chase hmrc AGAIN
• chase missing document

Hope all is ok with everyone