Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

jwil

Sorry the valuation wasn't great.

savingholmes

Thanks Sandy and Jwil

I think the last person was fed up with their job probably as much as anything. The middle one was super enthused and the first one was more relatable. Why do EA's give a price plus VAT instead of the real price ready worked out? That is also super annoying.

I've achieved what I set out to - my home is in a better state than it would have been if I hadn't got it valued - and I have an idea of worst case what I should get for the house, a realistic price and if all the pigs flew in formation price... It also gave me more confidence to bargain - as there was a £40K difference between best and worst case. I'm going to follow Crystal's advice and take some time to stock check what I really want. The current high (aka normal pre '08) interest rates are deterring some movers and that is impacting price.

The other thing I belatedly realised is that if I'm thinking of moving to some far flung rural place - I should perhaps go and stay around the different options systematically and find out what they have on locally and whether I'd actually fit there or whether the shops, hospitals and other amenities are all too far away and it becomes frustrating.

I'm also considering whether there is a way of buying land separately to a house. Sometimes people sell a small piece of land separately. That could be an option. It was also clear from the EAs that my house decoration and clutter wise wasn't as bad as it was in my head - and that it wouldn't be the huge obstacle to selling I expected. I can carry on decluttering while I ponder my options.

If DD goes ahead and moves out completely I'd consider a Monday-Thursday lodger to speed my financial journey. That would potentially allow me to get more money behind me and open up new options. Unless I found a house that was easily commutable to work I'm currently back to wondering if I should wait until I'm 55 to move - as could then use pension if needed to assist.

Lots to think about. Weather is lovely again.

jwil

savingholmes said:

The other thing I belatedly realised is that if I'm thinking of moving to some far flung rural place - I should perhaps go and stay around the different options systematically and find out what they have on locally and whether I'd actually fit there or whether the shops, hospitals and other amenities are all too far away and it becomes frustrating.

I think this is really important, along with other things like what is public transport like in case your car was off the road or you couldn't drive for some reason?  Is there stuff in walking distance?  Can you get groceries delivered if need be?  Internet and phone signal?  What will it be like in the middle of winter if it's snowy or icy?

Glad the valuations have helped give you food for thought.  It's good to hear that the clutter isn't probably as bad as you think it is - it shows just how much progress you have made.

beanielou

My one advice is to not have a lodger!

SandyShores

I'd probably second beanielou.  You might get lucky, but if not its not great.  Have you thought about renting your place out, and then you renting somewhere where you'd like to live?

savingholmes

Hi Sandy, Beanie and Jwil. 

My sis said the same thing re lodger / house share.

I have considered renting mine out but the tax implications are a major deterrent.

I have enquired about another property an hour or so away with very pretty scenery. Will see what they say. It's on for £10k more than I'd like but there may be room to bargain. I am due to go for a swim in the morning but will try and get hold of them before.

I am also feeling some empty nest things and as with many things I have conflicting feelings. It offers freedom but is an end of an era. DD is spreading her wings more which is positive but she keeps popping home to collect things... It's unpredictable which I find hard.

I need more structure in my life too. I got lost in RM tonight. This weekend I have booked 2 swims and need to continue the decluttering.

Humdinger1

@savingholmes late to the party but can I say, if there's order in my pants drawer, there is order in my life.  In my head, at least! You are, as ever, doing brilliantly love Humdinger xx 

SandyShores

savingholmes said:

I am also feeling some empty nest things and as with many things I have conflicting feelings. It offers freedom but is an end of an era. DD is spreading her wings more which is positive but she keeps popping home to collect things... It's unpredictable which I find hard.

I need more structure in my life too. I got lost in RM tonight. This weekend I have booked 2 swims and need to continue the decluttering.

I know this savingholmes, they are a bit like mini-boomerang kids - have a read of this, a few things made me smile https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/09/empty-nest-syndrome-young-adults-parents

I agree that structure in your life helps, and I recommend not putting your own life on hold when they do come home - if you've planned to do something make sure you do it.  I'm always out on a Saturday morning now and everyone knows it, but I'll also pop out to the shops or for coffee over the weekend.  I think it helps them to physically see that you aren't just hanging around at home on your own when they aren't there.  

Its a lot to go through savingholmes, so be kind to yourself, and maybe put a pause on moving until you've worked through those feelings a bit and/or DD has moved out more permanently.

ps hope this helps a little, but I know that we are all different/have different situations.

savingholmes

Thanks Humdinger1 - good analogy.

10.30am
My home is neat and tidyish and I keep wondering when the visitors are due to arrive. Then I remember this is supposed to be its natural state and I haven't invited anyone  . On that note I unpacked and packed the dishwasher. Later I'll need to continue decluttering.

Late afternoon
I was running late for my swim slot - so as I'm a member booked the follow on slot. I dropped some stuff at a charity shop on the way. I had a nice swim and then sunbathed for a little while.

The EA isn't answering when I phone which is frustrating. It just goes to voicemail but I hate those so I've rung five! times and not left a message [roll eyes]. I really feel for anyone trying to move...  TBF They haven't responded to my email either. Looks like a lot of EAs just work part day Saturday - not very practical. 

I saw a friend I hadn't seen for years in a shop earlier and we agreed to meet for coffee some time soon. She lives near where I work so I may time it for a day when I'm there.

This evening
Then a neighbour asked if I could get some stuff from Mr A next time I get a delivery. So I invited her round and we sat in the garden for a bit and listened to my waterfall. I put some more food dye (special stuff) in the pond.  May have over done it. Will see how it looks tomorrow. I also watered my plants - especially my veggies.  

I don;t know whether moving is just an ASD obsession or something I really want to do. Initially I love a place I look at - I then analyse it and pick holes in why it wouldn't work. Part of my driver for moving is to have nice views and a change of scenery. Part of it is just to be somewhere a lot more rural and beautiful. I feel an inner tension relax when I'm out in nature - particularly away from others - compared to places where I feel overlooked. My practical head is saying I'm trying to move between 2 and 7 years too soon from a financial perspective - another part of me is saying move now before I become too entrenched here and get stuck and never move. Part of me wants to trade up so I can get a place with land while another part of me wants to find a much cheaper place so I don't need to work as long. It is so hard to decide which is best so I end up paralysed, unable to make any decision. 

I saw a place on spare r--m yesterday and it was a room in a shared house in the middle of nowhere with garden and nature on three sides. My thinking was it would be an opportunity to test whether I could actually cope living in the middle of nowhere. It had stunning scenery and looked idyllic. My sis said I wouldn't cope in a house share  and given I am ultra noise sensitive she is probably correct - however the location was perfect. Yet I can't seem to find those properties in my price range on RM to buy which is sad... The ones that come close all need lots of work doing to them... 

WelshmansDaughter

I have thought about moving to a more peaceful area and it is the following that has stopped me:
Needing to have somewhere to escape to for a break. If I moved to France then the practicalities of life would take over and I would then need somewhere else as an escape.
Needing a 'middle ground'. My home in Scotland is off a main road but quiet and surrounded by trees. I can get to shop walking if I need to. There is a manageable amount of noise and not so much peace that there is shock when it is disrupted.