Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

jwil

When we sold our house to come here, we needed to get very close to the asking price to be able to afford the buy out.  We turned down lots of offers which were too low and thought we'd never get there, but someone did pay the price we needed eventually.  It did take a few months. I remember how stressful it was.

I'm sure the right buyer is out there for you.  If you were hugely overpriced you wouldn't get viewers.  I think things are just moving more slowly at the moment.  Houses here are on the market for a while before selling now, whereas last year, they'd be snapped up as soon as they were listed.

Well done on the savings and returning the items

Chrystal

I don't think now is a particularly good time for buying or selling, unless it's absolutely necessary.  The market seems to be in flux with nobody knowing which way it's going to fall.
You are in a position where you don't have to sell, as some do because of the mortgage increases etc.  You are also getting your house and garden sorted ( ) which can only stand you in good stead if you wait until next year. It would also take some pressure off you and give you a chance to catch up with yourself, which can only be good.  (((hugs))) XX

lucielle

Just to add my 2 pennies worth. All the decluttering and working in the garden means you’re actually having a chance to enjoy it and view your house differently as each stage progresses. 

L

savingholmes

jwil said:

When we sold our house to come here, we needed to get very close to the asking price to be able to afford the buy out.  We turned down lots of offers which were too low and thought we'd never get there, but someone did pay the price we needed eventually.  It did take a few months. I remember how stressful it was.

Thanks Jwil - that's reassuring. Next door had similar issues with low offers before someone finally bought it at full asking.

Chrystal said:

I don't think now is a particularly good time for buying or selling, unless it's absolutely necessary.  The market seems to be in flux with nobody knowing which way it's going to fall.
You are in a position where you don't have to sell, as some do because of the mortgage increases etc.  You are also getting your house and garden sorted ( ) which can only stand you in good stead if you wait until next year. It would also take some pressure off you and give you a chance to catch up with yourself, which can only be good.  (((hugs))) XX

Thanks Crystal. I sort of agree - I was motivated by a particular house - which isn't currently on the market. It helped me overcome lifelong clutter issues so has been amazingly helpful regardless of outcome. My logical brain says I should wait out my current mortgage deal before moving - that way I'd be further on with savings and pension investments and know whether I was likely to get P1p again and if so for how much. I'd also know the longer term interest rate and whether the amount I was planning to borrow was affordable for the longer term or not. I'd also have more certainty for budgeting in the short to medium term.

I'm scared of over or under committing now in terms of expenditure and regretting it later with too small or too big a house. I'm tied into marketing my house for at least 20 weeks I think - although obviously I could refuse viewings if I chose... I also have the option of going with a second agent after 12 weeks. I think I'm just over 6 weeks.

lucielle said:

Just to add my 2 pennies worth. All the decluttering and working in the garden means you’re actually having a chance to enjoy it and view your house differently as each stage progresses. 

L

Thanks Lucielle. On days like today when I look out my window and can see my garden and then my DD's car at the end of the cul de sac with bushes and trees beyond that as borrowed landscape I question how much of an 'improved view' I'll get. If I stayed - I want to restore blinds to the kitchen windows - and get the handyman to put up a blind in the 4th bedroom. I think another part of the push to move is that now my kids are becoming more independent - it feels almost wasteful to have so much space.

DD moved more of her stuff to Ex's house recently too and would like to take some furniture. I don't mind her doing that but would rather it was after the house sale is resolved rather than now. Otherwise I'd need to replace it and get fresh photos done. The furniture in her room isn't white like the other bedrooms in the house - so I'd in principle happily replace it - probably using FB for now. It's more an issue of timing. The desk she wants to take is marked so again I'd be unlikely to take it with me - or if I did would replace the desk top. The legs are still fine.

savingholmes

On DD's room - I'd also love to redecorate in there as she painted her back wall and ceiling slate grey - contrasting with light grey on the other walls but I find her room very dark.

I also want to book a week's holiday near where I think I want to live - and check out what there is to do in practice - especially as it goes into winter. See what the journey to work is from there etc.

Moving away from the house topic (excuse the pun) it would also be good to see how these meds affect me longer term. If they really do help me sustain healthy weight loss over the longer term that could be life transforming and provide a huge confidence boost. Things that currently feel blocked to me could open up. If I parked the house move - then I could go back to art and writing which I've put on hold for now - which I potentially shouldn't.

I was re-listening to a utube yesterday which was talking about the whole caterpillar - crysallis - butterfly transformation. Change is only possible when the caterpillar is full fed - or in our terms fed up. The change can't come from outside itself such as others expectations - it has to come from within.

I feel the first couple of years post the decision to divorce have been about financial stability and then decluttering and improving my home. I'm hoping my next transformation is to shed between a third and half my body weight... I also desperately hope I find a better sleep rhythm - however work has been full on so unsure how much is due to that and how much is now exacerbated by the new meds and insufficient exercise.

Thanks for reading, caring and posting.

beanielou

Always caring for you & rooting for you xx

badmemory

Unless you need to have furniture to cover things up then why bother refurnishing.  An almost empty room is just proof of "the children have moved out & I'm downsizing".

SandyShores

badmemory said:

Unless you need to have furniture to cover things up then why bother refurnishing.  An almost empty room is just proof of "the children have moved out & I'm downsizing".

Agree with badmemory, and it wouldn't put me off if the photos showed a furnished room but when I turned up it was empty.  I would just think that you were getting ready for moving.  Like Crystal says, you are in a really lucky position as you don't have to move, so aren't desperate for buyers and offers.  And yes give yourself a chance to catch up with yourself, you've achieved so much, take some time to enjoy it for a little while.  I used to run myself ragged making my house clean and tidy, then one day I stopped and only clean when I have time because I'm busy enjoying myself on other days.  I've learnt that your home will never be perfect without a cost to time and energy spent on other things.  And that dust always comes back, so I fit it in around my life rather than life fitting in around housework and tidying  I think I would advise to make sure you have one comfortable spot which you feel really relaxed in, and then as long as the rest is reasonably presentable just let it be, and let viewers see it as it is.  Good luck savings.

jwil

I agree with the others.  You have photos of the room furnished, so people can visualise the room as it could be.  No need to replace anything, particularly if you won't be needing it when you move.

Sounds like a good plan to have a week in the new area and test everything out thoroughly.

lucielle

I’m the same I agree with the others. Just leave the room as is. 

L