[Mickstim]

We've got viewing tomorrow - fingers crossed everyone :D
Karen

Crossing everything for you Karen. I hope this is the one and they come with their cheque book!

Bxx

[holland]

Karen,

Im feeling panicky, excited, harrassed, anxious and in denial! I was fine seeing all of my stuff go, but think it will hit me a bit on Monday when we leave the house...but I am not complaining, as I know how lucky I am to be in this position!!

Posivibes for tomorrow Karen

Posivibes to all

Jade xx

[Belmont Babes]

Perksy - tongue pie to both of our agents in Jaunuary then
Dee - one of our agents said the same about having interested party but nothing came of it. I don't trust any of them in our town anymore
Enginurse - UK market seems just as dead. It's all you hear in the news at the moment
Daniela - hope it all goes through for you
Shana - an offer is good, but if it's not enough to make it viable then you are right to not accept..I think :confused: I would love any offer right now
Vicki - have pm'd you address..whizz the bleedin fairy over please
Barb - you are next?
Lindsey - glad someone is having some luck...thanks for trying to rub it on to us
Karen - How did viewing go? Can I uncross everything yet?

and last but certainly not least "Lovely Jade". Hats off to you and G. You deserve great happiness. I am picturing you sat on your couch tonight with your laptop? How are you going to manage without your shoes? How was the goodbye to Milly? Will you be able to keep us updated after Monday? How is G's back?

[holland]

Hi,

feel like I probs shouldn't be posted this on the thread..but I'm sure people won't mid as we have all ben in it together from the beginning!! Well, our cat Macey ( milly????) went to our friends and it was sooooooooo upsetting, I am ringing everyday like a concerned parent, and she is fretting at the minute, not eating and refusing to go to the loo! But hopefully after a week or two she will settle...

Grays back is ok ish, he is still using tens machine everyday and with all the packing, it has been playing up a little but he has managed to control it with machine, so hopefuly he will be ok.
We are going for a meal tonight in Preston to say buy to a few friends...and I have ONE pair of 'going out shoes'...oh my goodness!! Graham has gone on a hunt to neighbours houses to get an iron...I don't know what we're going to do in NZ when we won't know anyone!!!

All we have for our bed tonight is a floor and a blanket, mum is coming around in a bit with a duvet, so when I get in i'll probs be online in a room that echos as there's nothing in it!

Gray is planning on celebrating tonight, so goodness knows what state he will be in...I don't drink, but even I might push the boat out on this occasion!!!!

Oh my gosh Nat...les than 2 blinking weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are at relatives houses from Monday morning...so I will borrow all of their computers, it just probably won't be as often:(

Good Luck everyone, it will be you soon xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jade xx

[Perksy]

Jade - well done, must be a real sense of relief

Dee - keep us updated on the house situation. Me and my neighbour opposite are both up for sale and different agents and they seem to be getting more interest despite identical home and higher price.

[holland]

Good Luck with viewing Karen xxx

[peebles16]

Well viewers came and seemed to really like the house according to the agent. They were seeing a few through other agents but think our's comes out well against the competition. Perfect buyers as nothing to sell moving up from London - London pennies go a long way up here in Scotland :)

However, they want to buy something that they can add value to (don't we all) and estate said that given that our's is an already converted bungalow didn't have much scope???? Failed miserably to remember we had plans to convert kitchen to open plan kitchen/dining/living space. Also the muckle big extension our neighbours have out the back!?! Or the additional dorma space house two doors along has put on:mad:

Anyhow he's agreed to phone viewers tomorrow so have given him major earache so he better update them. I blame myself for praising him in an earlier post :mad:

Feel better just getting that rant out :D Everything still crossed and positive vibes to all
Karenx

[Mickstim]

At least they liked it and if they have any sense will be able to think for themselves that they can do stuff to add value. Hope your agent manages to convince them that your house is the very one for them!!

Bxx

[Belmont Babes]

Karen - let's hope they come back with some sense and dosh. Agents hey? Who'd have em?

Jade - so sorry about Macey cat...and where did I get Milly from? Another blonde moment. Hope you enjoy the last night in your home tonight. I can't believe it is only 2 weeks to go. Where have the weeks gone? Went to local Fireworks display tonight. We go every year. I was stood watching and wondering where we will be next November. Also went to a Christening today so have seen loads of people who have asked umpteen questions like: "any luck on the house", "have you sold yet?", "When are you leaving". Had enough of answering them all. Just wish we had something to say. Our turn soon Jade hey? I sure hope we all get to ride soon X

[holland]

Oh well, feel quite emotional today..sat in lounge with nothing in it...been running around like a lunatic this morning, dropping cases off at my mums, packing the car up to take to Grahams mums...I am shattered and a little sad...I feel like my stuff is just spread out everywhere and I haven't got a clue what is where.....The car is just packed up with stuff I keep finding in house like scissors, loads of food...etc etc...its a funny strange feeling...very unsettling.

We are dropping the keys off at the agents later in the morning

J xxx

PS_ The neighours have been lovely, I am dreading saying bye x

[Belmont Babes]

Jade - feel for you. Just wish I could of joined you on the journey etc. We are all thinking of you, if that helps. Loads of love X

[Mickstim]

Also feeling for you Jade.

Nat - do you think it would help if we had 'NO WE HAVEN'T SOLD THE BLUDDY HOUSE YET' tattooed on our foreheads? It would stop the endless questions!!

Bxx

[Mickstim]

We have a viewing tomorrow!! Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning like Billy-O!

Bxx

[peebles16]

Jade - emotional rollercoaster indeed and am thinking about you too.

Barb best of British with your viewing and hope their cash buyer who want to move now :) I think a tattoo is a bit too far for us Barb and Nat but thinking may just carry round a card with standard responses I can just hand to folk who ask!

Estate agent just phoned to say that couple from yesterday are going in to speak to him about both properties they viewed so fingers crossed they'll like our's more. Also have got another viewer this afternoon :D

Last minute flurry before Christmas??

All the best for tomorrow Barb
Kx

[Mickstim]

Hey Karen. that's great! I wonder if the market actually is picking up? Sounds like it so wishing for some viewers for everyone this week. Good luck with yours and also the one you already had!! The thing about having viewings is that at least it keeps you hoping ..........................

Bxx

[Belmont Babes]

Hi All

Barb, a temporary tatoo is probably the way to go. This could then be easily modified to "SOLD - leaving in 8 weeks" etc. Haven't had a sniff of a viewing or anything. Going to phone agent NOW. In the right mood for a rant.
Barb and Karen. Best of British/Scottish to you. Lets hope someone sells soon.

[Mickstim]

Excellent idea Nat! Good luck with the rant - let us know his reaction.

Bxx

[cathgates]

If you're not already on the market, but are planning to go on in the next few weeks, you might want to hold off until the first 'proper' week in January.
I work as a sales negotiator (wot a posh title!!) at an estate agents, and at this time of year, no one is really looking to start a house purchase, they do look at whats on offer, but don't really start to look seriously until January, which means any property on now, will be seen as 'old stock', whereas if you wait, you will be 'new and interesting'. I may sound like I'm waffling, but it is the way that it goes. I am about 2 weeks away from being ready to put our house on but will be waiting until Jan. You can always get your chosen estate agent to come round and take the photo's etc now and then in January, you will be 'ready to go'!!! - Hope this all makes sense. It can also be an idea to give your initial price about 6 weeks, and if you don't get any real interest, consider dropping the price, not drastically, but remember, you are not loosing money if you consider this, just being proactive in getting a sale!!!

It is also a good idea to ask your agent to be brutally honest about your house, ask him if He thinks it is set out well, if you need to remove any personal items, or maybe even repaint the odd wall, if you approach an agent now, you can do these things ready for January, if you have a decent agent, He will want to sell your house as much as you.

Hope this waffling on helps!! :)

Cath X

[Belmont Babes]

Thanks Cath. I have to admit I am not expecting anything until after Xmas. I was debating whether to take it off the market until Jan but would then need to do HIPS. We put on before HIPS came into effect.

Barb - had a rant and agent said market slow and will probably stay that way until after Xmas. He did say that there were a few people looking today. Something they haven't had for a few weeks. According to him it all started with Northern Rock.

[Mickstim]

Nat - I personally think it started long before Northern Rock - like with HIPs!! So if he has a few people looking will he be sending some your way???

Interesting comments Cath. What would you recommend to those of us who have been on the market for months? Would we be better to take the house off for a month - say December? I have to admit I am reluctant to do that as long as there are people out there still looking - but may be worth a go? We've done the asking the agents to be brutally honest but they assure us that there is nothing we need to do and that our price is now competitive (having dropped by £35 000 in all).

Night all

Bxx

[Shana F]

Hooray to the housing fairy!!!! The offeror who made the low ball offer came back today and met us on our counteroffer price!!! Sorry for all of the exclamation marks, but I could not be happier!!!!



We actually got an offer yesterday, $339,000 (house is listed at $375,000). We made a counter offer for $360,000 and then they countered our counteroffer for $343,000. (Kind of insulting, really, but then again it is a buyer's market right now)

After talking it over we've decided to hold our ground at $360,000 for now because the house has only been on the market for three weeks, our realtor has neighborhood comps to show that is a reasonable price, and we're not set to make the NZ move until April. So now we're just waiting to see if the offerors will walk away.

[Mickstim]

:raebanana :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

Let me be the first to banana you Shana. Brilliant news - well done to you!!

Barbxx

[Mickstim]

Viewer has been and gone. She seemed quite impressed (but who can tell) but once again hasn't sold her house. Her agent told her it will sell really quickly - anyone heard that anywhere else before??? :roll :roll

Bxx

[Woolfie]

Did anybody renegotiate with their agent on the commission rate. When i indicated that we had another estate agent viewing, he immediately dropped his commission.( before we decided which agent to choose) It just goes to show that the market buoyancy has gone if agents are not only providing realistic sale prices but cutting their fees.( me thinks this agent wanted to land it to get his monthly commission.) 2 veiwings to date but all have to sell theirs first.

Good luck to one and all.

kind regards

wolfie

[Mickstim]

We did negotiate right at the beginning and now have 2 agents each marketing it for a sole agency fee minus a little bit. Good luck with the sale!

Bx

[Belmont Babes]

Oh Barb, it almost makes you want to say "you can't look until you have sold your own". You never know. The fairy arrived today. Hope she isn't too exhausted to work some magic for me. You next? If so PM details.

Shana - that is fab news. Hope the trend continues this way.

[Mickstim]

I'll PM my address to you Nat - but you hold onto the fairy for as long as you need her. I think it's your turn to have a bit of magic happen!

Bxx

[holland]

Good Luck everyone...well done shana!

Im now homeless and at families' houses until we go...11 days to go..............

[Belmont Babes]

Yikes Jade.....Even I have butterflies!

[holland]

I have huuugggeeee butterflie's Nat...i'm scared!!! ha ha

Its really wierd when it is happening, I just can't explain the feeling

J xx

[Mickstim]

It must feel really strange Jade, but just think --- soon you will be on your way after all the stress and effort. Wonderful!!

Bxx

[speckythecky]

House we went to look at on Saturday was lovely but rigth next to the building site for the extension to the motorway so we decided against putting in an offer at this time. We then went to look at a place between Coatseville and Riverhead, about 15 mins from Albany which was lovely as well butthey wanted offers in by Wednesday and as we haven't heard from our useless agents we didn't feel we could proceed with that either.
latest thoughts are to buy closer to Browns Bay, a bit cheaper and without the land but hopefully mortgage free, so we are now waiting for our agents again and hoping for an upturn in the exchange rate. Looks like we will still be in our rental at Christmas.

Good Luck Jade and happy birthday to G

[Mickstim]

Sorry the house didn't work out John. There's always a catch isn't there? Everything still ok on the UK sale front?

Jade - when is G's birthday? Wish him a happy one from us.

Bxx

[M&J]

Well I just don't believe it, I have just received an e-mail from our agent in the uk and our buyers buyer has pulled out AGAIN!!!!!!!! This is the second buyer to do this, everything was all ready to exchange on the 27th and now it is back to square on. This has been going on since May!!! I just feel gutted :wah

[Andy-Dee]

My heart absolutely goes out to you M&J, to have it happen once is bad enough but twice.... ggrrrrrrr

What reasons have they given?

Have you thought about an auction??

Chin up.

[Sam B]

Oh Jo, that's awful. I really sympathise, we had similar issues but not as bad, and it's all the worse for being so far away. Poor you. Will you lose the house you're buying in NZ?

[Mickstim]

That is so bad. Did they have a good reason? I hate that people can do this - why the heck don't they change the system?

Good luck with another sale - and quickly.

Bxx

[Belmont Babes]

Jo that is awful. Really feeling for you. It's just not fair to get this far....and twice. Wishing better things for you X

[holland]

Jo...my heart goes out to you...so so so frustrating...aghhhhhhhhh...these people have no idea the impact they are having on peoples lives.gggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Barb- Its G's Birthday today xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

J xx

[vixxann]

M&J - my huge sympathies - what total idiots :mad:

[holland]

Here Here Vicki!

[M&J]

Thanks everyone, they pulled out as they were buying it as an investment for there business but know there business isn't doing too well. But they only put the offer in 4 weeks or so age!!!! Surely the business hasn't nose dived that dramatically that they now have to pull out.

I do really feel for our buyer as he really wants our house as it has a nice private garden for his son, they are desperate to buy it but we will now have to put it back on the open market.

Sam, no we won't lose the house here thank fully although it will mean 3 mortgages but I try not to think about that!!!! Thank fully not big ones so everything should be ok.

As for auction is is always a possibility.

[peebles16]

Nightmare M&J - house buying system in England sucks
Hope you hear more positive news soon :)
Karen

[holland]

Hi everyone...hope your all ok????? Any positives on the house fronts?

Less than a week for us now......

J xx

[Mickstim]

Not a bloomin' sausage!! How about you Karen - any feedback from viewers??

Bxx

[Belmont Babes]

Not a sausage for us either. Nothing moving by the sounds of it. But hey, let's all enjoy Xmas, enjoy Jades adventures and see what happens after that.

[Mickstim]

That's our plan too Nat. We'll worry about next year when it happens!

Bxx

[peebles16]

Viewers from last weekend seem to have gone for something else :( and ones from Monday didn't like access to garden :confused: We had another one Friday afternoon and they seemed positive but looking at lots of houses. I don't know - it's good that we are at last getting viewings but don't think anything will move before Christmas now. We have to be in Christchurch by middle of January so think we'll have to look at mortgage holiday :no Not ideal at all but Duncan convinced that market will pick up Feb/March time and that we might even get the market value - wishful thinking on his part maybe??

Anyhow that's the plan for now all I need is for the bank to say no and then we'll really be stuffed - anybody got anything more positive to cheer us all up??

Karenx

[Mickstim]

That's a bummer Karen, that you have to be there so soon, but we are also hoping for a pick up in the market in the new year. It is so unpredictable! Would you just leave your house empty? Are you shipping all your furniture out when you go?

I do hope the bank agree - or even better that someone comes up with a decent offer!

Bx

[holland]

How long have you had your mortgage for Karen?? If you have had it for w while I am sure there will be no probs in taking a mortgage holiday

Good Luck

xx

[speckythecky]

Things seem to be moving, fianlly had a letter from our agents, posted from Uk to NZ, instead of to MIL who has power of atorney, also had the inventory from our solicitor to complete. not got a date for exchange yet but hoping for not too long.

[Mickstim]

Things seem to be moving, fianlly had a letter from our agents, posted from Uk to NZ, instead of to MIL who has power of atorney, also had the inventory from our solicitor to complete. not got a date for exchange yet but hoping for not too long.

Keeping everything crossed for you John and ready with the bananas for the day you exchange!

Barbx

[Woolfie]

Karen, are you dependant upon the capital raised from the house sale? if not have you considered changing the mortgage to interest only and then a short term rental. If you proceed down this avenue you can then remarket the house 4 months into the rental agreement. You can also decide if you want the property managed by an agent. they will take a % of the rental income. and you have also got to arrange building insurance for the mortgage company.

If you have to start on that date this may be an option, have you any relatives that may be close by to help out etc...

I am pursuing this route at the moment, and i found the rental income exceeded the mortgage payments, even with the agents fee, building insurance and the tax.

I know its not everybodys choice and there are worries but you could start in new zealand sooner.

kind regards

Woolfie

[Mickstim]

Woolfie - I would be interested to hear what your agents think of your ability to sell while there are tenants in the house? Our agents told us that it makes it so much harder as the tenants don't care whether you sell or not (probably prefer that you don't!) and therefore don't clean or tidy the house before viewings. We have almost discounted this as a way to go but I would like to hear your reasons for chosing the rental route, and what you see as the advantages and disadvantages of it.

Thanks

Barbx

[Woolfie]

Hi barb, i will be honest with you, its all down to the tenant. We have currently 2 houses being rented( we received an offer on one last week- sooo relieved) and perhaps we are lucky in that the tenants( both ladies ) are looking after the houses very well. We made it clear from the outset that the houses were being placed on the market. we had a contract that stipulated the following.

1-house on market with in 4 months of tenancy start date.
2- make available for viewings. If not, agent is allowed to show, with notification of time of viewing.
3- agent regulary inspects property every 2 months
4- no smokers.
5- credit checked and bond up front ( 2 months rent)

we have had in the past tennants who have not paid rent, and damaged the property. So we try to ensure that the houses are in as good a condition as possible. We have found that regular inspections help as well. Its hard work and i'll be honest i wont be doing this again, but we researched it and it has worked out for us.

The advantages are that the property is not left empty, income is received, Be honest with the tennant, ie stipulate 6 month contract make aware to the tennant that the house is to go on the market and normal time span is apprx 3 months to complete the transaction, from agreed sale date.
You also have the option to wait until the market picks up, before placing on the market, if thats what you decide.

Also dont lease to families with teenagers. ( sorry but it's just business)

The disadvantages, if empty you need to cover the mortgage costs.(Ensure that the repayments are as small as poss, ie for this exercise interest only.)

Tenants who dont clean, ( check them out, if they look after their own presentation that might be a good indication that they take pride in themselves and their belongings.)

Tenants who don't pay, had a couple of these, but the law also works for you as a landlord.( one way to avoid this is the agent will provide an insurance service to guarantee income, takes the worry from you, this is included in their management fee).

Buyers sometimes are worried about getting the tenant out, again inform everybody at what stage the proceedings are at, and remind the tenant of the contract that they signed.

Also ensure you have a good estate agent and keep on top of them, they dont normally advise this route but it's your choice. At this moment renting is in demand where we are.

This solution isn't for everybody and we were originally in it for the long term, until the descision to emigrate. We have been renting out property for a good few years and it is a gamble. But you have to be proactive as much as posible, because this is your investment.

I would not advise this route if you can't afford the payments, if the property is not rented.

One thing you must do and this is, to distance yourself emotionally from your house. Because it's your home its difficult to see other people living in your home. Will the look after it as well as you, the honest answer is no. But you must accept this to be able to rent the property.

Selling your house today in a buyers market is difficult and i'm afraid to be honest you have to bargain hard to get anywhere near the price the agents indicate. I have advertised at what i think is a realisitc price( lower than the agent indicated, to generate interest.) and so far 1 is sold. Second veiwing last saturday, seemed happy but who knows before xmas.

There are a lot of pitfalls in this but you can make it work if you are sensible, do your research and have a plan.

Barb, i have aged considerably since doing this and are happy to let you know all the downsides and the upsides if you want more info.

Wow that was long...

kind regards

Woolfie

[Woolfie]

Hi barb, i will be honest with you, its all down to the tenant. We have currently 2 houses being rented( we received an offer on one last week- sooo relieved) and perhaps we are lucky in that the tenants( both ladies ) are looking after the houses very well. We made it clear from the outset that the houses were being placed on the market. we had a contract that stipulated the following.

1-house on market with in 4 months of tenancy start date.
2- make available for viewings. If not, agent is allowed to show, with notification of time of viewing.
3- agent regulary inspects property every 2 months
4- no smokers.
5- credit checked and bond up front ( 2 months rent)

we have had in the past tennants who have not paid rent, and damaged the property. So we try to ensure that the houses are in as good a condition as possible. We have found that regular inspections help as well. Its hard work and i'll be honest i wont be doing this again, but we researched it and it has worked out for us.

The advantages are that the property is not left empty, income is received, Be honest with the tennant, ie stipulate 6 month contract make aware to the tennant that the house is to go on the market and normal time span is apprx 3 months to complete the transaction, from agreed sale date.
You also have the option to wait until the market picks up, before placing on the market, if thats what you decide.

Also dont lease to families with teenagers. ( sorry but it's just business)

The disadvantages, if empty you need to cover the mortgage costs.(Ensure that the repayments are as small as poss, ie for this exercise interest only.)

Tenants who dont clean, ( check them out, if they look after their own presentation that might be a good indication that they take pride in themselves and their belongings.)

Tenants who don't pay, had a couple of these, but the law also works for you as a landlord.( one way to avoid this is the agent will provide an insurance service to guarantee income, takes the worry from you, this is included in their management fee).

Buyers sometimes are worried about getting the tenant out, again inform everybody at what stage the proceedings are at, and remind the tenant of the contract that they signed.

Also ensure you have a good estate agent and keep on top of them, they dont normally advise this route but it's your choice. At this moment renting is in demand where we are.

This solution isn't for everybody and we were originally in it for the long term, until the descision to emigrate. We have been renting out property for a good few years and it is a gamble. But you have to be proactive as much as posible, because this is your investment.

I would not advise this route if you can't afford the payments, if the property is not rented.

One thing you must do and this is, to distance yourself emotionally from your house. Because it's your home its difficult to see other people living in your home. Will the look after it as well as you, the honest answer is no. But you must accept this to be able to rent the property.

Selling your house today in a buyers market is difficult and i'm afraid to be honest you have to bargain hard to get anywhere near the price the agents indicate. I have advertised at what i think is a realisitc price( lower than the agent indicated, to generate interest.) and so far 1 is sold. Second veiwing last saturday, seemed happy but who knows before xmas.

There are a lot of pitfalls in this but you can make it work if you are sensible, do your research and have a plan.

Barb, i have aged considerably since doing this and are happy to let you know all the downsides and the upsides if you want more info.

Wow that was long...

kind regards

Woolfie

[Mickstim]

Woolfie - thank you so much for going into such detail. I really do appreciate it so much.
We are dependant on the sale of our house to be able to buy in NZ and as we are retiring we are not going to be able to make more money to buy again, so it's a tough one. I feel that if we could more or less guarantee that prices will go up in the next few years it may be worth renting out - but Michael's point of view is that we won't make a home of NZ if we are having to live in a rental for the first few years. Also as our house is a 4 bedroom we are pretty much certain to have to rent to a family with kids (whether small or teenage!)

Hopefully we will get a sale before things become desperate!

I hope it all works out for you and thanks again for all the time and trouble you took to reply to me. I'm sure other people will also find your reply very helpful.

Barb

[Woolfie]

Barb, you're welcome... I think in your position you have choosen the route i would choose.

This is my own personal view regards the housing market for the immediate future, with the interest rates remaining unchanged by the bank of england. Its going to take between 12mths and 24mths for the property market to become viable for investment. either buying to gain value in the rising prices or buying to let. The market has virtually stopped with the HIP's and also the building regulation requirements which are now in force, along with the run on the norhern rock. This has put off quite a few people who would advertise for a feel on the current market. This means less houses coming onto the market in the short term. People have generally been spending and remortgaging , with the banks help, and this has instigated a period of non spending. those who have money will find this xmas that bargains/deals abound. People don't want to spend their money and have become a little cautious of late...

I think estate agents will find it a lean time, due to the slow down in turnover of new houses to the market.

Barb i am sure you will suceed and sell your house and when you do i'll raise a glass, because it's damn hard work keeping it tidy/looking nice for potential buyers, especially when they aren't really interested.

I'm sure santa will bring you your buyer..

kind regards

Woolfie

[Mickstim]

Thanks so much for the encouragement Woolfie! There are so many of us on this forum who are living in limbo until we get a sale, it would be so good just to see a slight upturn in the market! We do have 2 people wanting to buy our house but neither of them are able to sell, so definitely a nationwide problem.

Many thanks again and good luck with your sales!

Barb

[peebles16]

Thanks Woolfie that's just the kind of conversations we've been having with bank etc but appreciate the advice from someone who's actually done it :nice1

On the plus side we had another viewing today and estate agent very positive and they are coming back for second viewing with their kids :D In rental property so really want to move quickly - could this be the one?? We also have another viewing booked for Wednesday night so things seem to be picking up North of the Border. This will be our 5th viewing in the last fortnight and seems at least that the ones who are coming now are 'buyer' rather than just plain nosey. Weird cos for months we had nothing - not complaining though :D

Maybe the fairy did her work after all?? Everything crossed this week and positive vibes to everyone for a quick sale soon :)
Karen

[Mickstim]

Wow Karen - that is sounding incredibly positive. I do hope these are the ones - as renters you can do without that whole horrible chain thing! Keeping everything crossed for you and hoping the fairy will bring some good luck to Nat (then it's my turn!!)

Barbxx

[Belmont Babes]

Karen - I have everything crossed for you too.

Barb - I'm not sure the fairy is awake. I will send to you and maybe she will awake on the journey.

[M&J]

Hi

Just to share our experience, we have two properties back in the UK both rented out. One, a two bed end terrace has been on the market since May. This is the dreaded sale that has fallen through twice. Our concern was that as we had given the tenant notice the property could be empty for a number of months. My feeling was that it would be more difficult to sell it empty and the second problem is insurance, very few companies will insure an empty property. Thank fully the tenant wants to stay at least one more month so more money coming in too to cover the mortgage.

Both properties have been inspected regularly with no problems and tenant has allowed estate agent to access for viewings. The one property has been let for nearly 3 years now and we have had no major problems, the agent managed everything.

I would say the major downside is as now when the sale falls through and your so far away and can do nothing, not that I could do anything in the UK really.

We plan to put the second house on the market in March, but we have a friend that is already interested, fingers crossed, so we are thiking of a private sale.

Fingers crossed we get another sale too, lets hope the new years brings us all sales!!!!

Jo

[Mickstim]

Hear hear Jo!!

[peebles16]

Thanks Barb, Nat and Jo - getting excited and know I shouldn't be but...best news we've had for ages!
Hear, hear from me too with sales for us all asap :)
Kx

[Woolfie]

Jo, if your friend is definately interested in buying your property , you do not need to provide a HIP. You only need to provide these if it is advertised/placed on the market. Our solicitor contacted the relevant government department and even they were unsure. The upshot of this is that it is a large loophole and if your house doen't come on the market then no HIP required.

We are selling one in exactly the same way.

kind regards

Woolfie

[Lara Croft]

We had the estate agent round yesterday, to value our house. He is coming back on Saturday to do the photos.... and we already have a viewing booked for Sunday monring!!! Keep your fingers crossed for us please.... I want to hang on to the good luck fairy a little longer, and then I'll pass her on :)

Jane

[Mickstim]

Good luck Jane! Hope your house sells to the very first viewer.

Barbx

[M&J]

Jo, if your friend is definately interested in buying your property , you do not need to provide a HIP. You only need to provide these if it is advertised/placed on the market. Our solicitor contacted the relevant government department and even they were unsure. The upshot of this is that it is a large loophole and if your house doen't come on the market then no HIP required.

We are selling one in exactly the same way.

kind regards

Woolfie
I wasn't sure about this one, but it is good news that we don't thanks.

Jo

[NZ Hopeful]

Hi guys!

I've been reading this thread with interest over the past couple of months as we are about to embark on the house selling process :D

We had the estate agents round last week so we just need to decide when to put it on the market, one of the agents said it wouldn't make any difference if we do it now or after christmas as the market is so slow anyway! :uhoh Just not sure if I want the hassle of viewings before christmas....

I am kind of hopeful that we will sell quickly as houses where we are don't come up that often but who knows!

Good luck to everyone trying to sell :)

[Mickstim]

Hiya Hopeful

We have actually just had another chat with our agent who says things are so quiet at the moment we shouldn't expect anything to happen before Christmas but they usually get a bit of a rush in January - so if that is anything to go by you may as well wait! Good luck

Barbx

[Belmont Babes]

Yeah I would probably wait. I haven't been cleaning as frantically as before but it is always on my mind that maybe someone will come for a viewing.
Jane - hope you get a buyer very soon. Hope we all get buyers in January or before Spring at least.
Best wishes to you all.

[Mickstim]

I'm with you there Nat - I don't bother cleaning the way I used to. I figure they always give me notice anyway and the chance of getting any viewings is so slim we may as well not go to extreme measures to be ready for them.

January HAS to be the month of sales for all of us!

Bxx

[M&J]

January HAS to be the month of sales for all of us!

Bxx

I really hope so!!!!! As I keep telling myself you only need one person to want it!!!

[peebles16]

I second, third, whatever that sentiment :)
We've strangely had 2 viewers this week which has been a bit of a surprise for the time of year but welcome all the same. Both have said they'll come back for second for viewings probably this weekend so here's hoping. Wish we could wait for sale in January but really need to be in NZ by then so....

Hopefully it'll work out for us all sooner rather than later :)
Karen