MF by Christmas 2024 - let's do this!

Coxy11

Another week has passed – honestly it’s like groundhog day in my life! Feedback from 5 viewings of our house last weekend:

1 is contacting a builder to see how they could convert the garage for an elderly relative

1 is interested but only just going on the market themselves

1 has others to see

1 (second viewing) apparently slagged off our house to the point that our EA chum wanted to punch her(!) and have said they are not interested in proceeding as ‘couldn’t live with the space’ which is frustrating when all dimensions and layout are on the floorplan….

1 has not given any feedback

We have another new viewing tomorrow. I did say to our EA to maybe only show those around who are in a position to make an offer and not just being voyeuristic but he didn’t think much of that saying it was him that was being inconvenienced (and us by having to be out of the house for sometimes hours).

DH was called by an insurance company about a 1 year FTC this week. Has not heard back but he recognises things are slow right now. In the meantime he signed on again yesterday – literally a 5 minute tick box exercise.

I am in London tomorrow for a few hours with some friends, then we are out in the evening as it’s another friends’ birthday. DH will therefore pick up the lion’s share of the last minute cleaning bits and bobs. DS2 is away this weekend (from today) so we can fumigate his bedroom tonight.

In car news, we had an email from the garage yesterday to say parts have been ordered. Should have it back in a couple of weeks with any luck.

beanielou

Keep plodding 🤩. Xx

Suffolk_lass

Every time I read about people trying to sell their homes, it puts me off. I really feel for you. I wonder if we can either buy or rent a piece of land with a barn...

Coxy11

Another weekend rolls around and this week some news!

A guy who viewed our house on Saturday came back for a second look on Monday evening bringing his GF, brother and parents. DH showed them around as our agent was off. He subsequently put in an offer on Tuesday which at £955k is £20k lower than the asking price. However, he is a FTB(!) with a majority cash purchase. Given he’s only late-20’s this is bizarre, but agent has checked him out and he has an investment at Coutts maturing next month. So we now need to find somewhere to move to.

We are seeing a house tomorrow, it’s in the same village as ILs which I’m a little unhappy about as don’t really want to be in their pockets. The original house we loved is still for sale and we might be able to get it for a cheeky offer now we have a chain-free buyer. Some conversations to be had tomorrow evening no doubt. This is the one with a development planned adjacent to the boundary. Trying to convince ourselves that we could live with the disruption. The trouble is we are so risk averse in all aspects of our lives that this feels BIG.

And to cap it all, DH had an interview on Teams yesterday for a year-long contracting position. First interview since being let go in March. He thinks it went okay but you can never tell. Will hopefully hear next week.

It was payday this week so we need to move some money around this weekend. Most regular bills come out by direct debit on 1st of the month. We also have 4 family birthdays in August – all on DH’s side – and he shopped for those gifts yesterday with a budget. He came in £10 under which was good.

beanielou

An investment at Coutts. As you do!
I lived in my house for a few years before they developed land behind me. It wasn’t as grim as I thought it would be. 

Positive vibes for your DH. 🤗

Coxy11

Thank you @beanielou x

We went to view another house on Saturday - close to ILs which I can't say I was super-thrilled about. It was listed and the space was quite compact - DH couldn't stand upright in the dining room, so unfortunately it was a No.

We went to ILs after for a coffee and chat and discussed the first house (with adjacent development). Showed FIL the plans and he said there was nothing there that would worry him and the covenant on the development meant restrictions on overlooking the house we love - it's just whether we can put up with the development whilst it's being done. So we jumped in the car and drove to see the agent. Offered a cheeky £700k (against an asking price of £770k). They phoned on Monday afternoon to say that was too low so we asked what they'd be prepared to accept. Cue another 24 hour wait until agent phoned again to ask if we'd like to increase our offer, so we asked again - what would they be willing to accept... They phoned on Wednesday late afternoon to say £725k would be acceptable. Given our max was £730k we feel we got a deal although our nerves (particularly DH's) were shredded. We think the vendors are moving into a bungalow with no chain, but are waiting to hear. We are also in contact with a firm of solicitors to get that ball rolling.

In other news, DH had the Teams interview on Tuesday and they want to see him in person, in Guildford on Wednesday next week. He's been asked to take his passport in case they want to progress things quickly. This is for a one year fixed term contract, 3 days WFH/2 days in Guildford. Not counting our chickens but hopeful!

All bills have now left our account (most go out on 1st of the month) including DS2's rental payment for uni house for this month (despite him still living at home...honestly it's a licence to print money). We have a meal out with friends tonight at a reasonably priced curry house. I'm driving but we will split the bill. Tomorrow we are taking advantage of a free National Trust voucher and will visit Chartwell as it's fairly closeby, then we are picking DD up from Gatwick around 5.30pm. Might go to the cinema in the evening as we have Odeon Limitless passes.

beanielou

Ooh. Lots more positive vibes coming your way on all fronts. x 

Suffolk_lass

So that could all happen really quickly if they are moving to a chain free bungalow (hope it is not probate though!)

Coxy11

Weekly update!

DH had he’s second interview in person in Guildford this week for the one year fixed term contract. He said it went okay and should hear on Monday or Tuesday. There are 3 candidates for the 1 role. Would be lovely if he got it but nothing spoiling if not.

We have made enquiries with a solicitor to help us with our sale and purchase – what they don’t want to know!! We had the boiler serviced and checked yesterday and received the paperwork today, so I’ve now printed it out ready to add to the pack. DH will drop it all down to the solicitors’ office next week and we need to pay them £500 on account.

Still waiting for the agent for the house we are buying to confirm status of the bungalow – whether a probate sale or not. Hoping not….

My work continues to be very slow and tbh I’m counting the days until we move as its torture here. Highlight of my day today was helping distribute lunches to patients on a surgical ward and I will also run home later, which helps my MH no end.

It’s a 5 week grocery shop month for us and we only have £160 left in the budget for the last 2 shops which I doubt will cover it all. I will be looking in the freezer tonight to see what we can use for meals over the next two weeks as sure there’s some meat and fish in there I’ve forgotten about.

We scrutinised the CC statement last night and have spent an additional £600 this month on:

·         a new tyre,

·         a gift/afternoon tea for my Mum’s birthday (that I should receive some money back from DSis for),

·         socialising (one meal with drinks, 2 pub outings, one NT visit with lunch/parking),

·         some extraneous toiletries (hair dye and hair products (not shampoo/cond),

·         a years’ supply of vitamins

Need to have a proper think about a socialising budget. This is difficult as we plan/budget when we know something is in the diary, but it’s the spontaneous trips out eg. When DD and I had to camp out at the pub whilst DH showed our (eventual) buyer around for a second time. That was £20 of totally unplanned expense. The NT visit was free entry (voucher in the newspaper) but parking was £4.40 and coffee/cake was £14, then we had lunch (just a sandwich and drink) for £20. So that’s almost £40. It all adds up.

Tomorrow DH and I are taking Mum out and will no doubt have a coffee/cake somewhere so that’s another hit to the CC. We manage to pay it off each month and get cashback, so in effect it’s paying us, but we just need to be mindful.

beanielou

Lots of positive vibes for your DH.