[Andy-Dee]

We have a viewing at the weekend too - not sure I can get excited about it at the moment - a case of here we go again!

Where's that duster?

[holland]

Hi all, Just wanted to say I'm missing all the banter already, and i'll see you on the other side...having a family night tomorrow so won't be online. All family have gone to bed and I am having a teary hour or so...really upset...don't know what I am going to be like tomorrow!!!!!

Good Luck to all

Jade xxx

[LesleyS]

Jade/Gray.... know how you feel, have a great night with your folks before "Great Adventure" .....see you on the other side and have a safe journey guys!

[Mickstim]

Dee - a viewing is better than no viewing as no viewings defintely equal no sales. So stay positive!

Karen - do hope something comes of the viewings you had and that they come back and make an offer.

Jade - so excited for you and can't wait to hear from 'the other side' from you. Lots of love and luck to you and Gray.

Lesley - SO good to have you back. Tell us all!!

Bxx

[Mickstim]

Lesley - I saw you are in Pyes Pa!! Where are you there? My son lives in Elderton Avenue - are you near there??

Bx

[vixxann]

Karen & Dee - good luck with viewers

I think if our agents rang with a viewing now I'd fall off my chair. I've totally chilled about the situation and am now looking forward to a UK wintery christmas and enjoying myself immensly in new job. I think in my head I still presume we will Sell house in the New year and be able to go March/april time but I should stop that thought now and just go with the flow. I've set dates before and its depressing when they come and go and house is still unsold.

blah blah anyway... don't know where that all came from :p

Jade - cannot wait to hear your first few instalments of journey and arrival story etc. Good luck - you deserve it hun. :)

[Mickstim]

So glad to hear you are enjoying the job Vicki. I think I am in the same place as you (except that I am now a kept woman and an utterly lazy lump). Sometimes I think things start happening when we stop worrying about them - well, that's my hope!

Bxx

[Kerry and David]

Jade - Wishing you lots of luck and look forward to hearing from you when you arrive in NZ.

Well, we have now finished tidying up the house ready for selling. We are going to get through the Christmas first and go on the market in the New Year.
We spoke with a couple of agents last week - one said that the house prices had dropped in this area by 20%:( and another one said that they were sticking:no so who knows!
I guess that because we are going on the market with months to spare before we plan to move to NZ the stubborn side of me says to hold out for the price we want! I'm sure the reality will be different!
Heres hoping that the New Year headlines will read Property prices boom:)

Kerry x

[Mickstim]

Kerry - I couldn't agree more. Wouldn't that be amazing? We have dropped our price by £35 000 since May (ouch!) but that is less than 10% of the original asking price. We are really hoping not to have to drop further. I would imagine that Hampshire & W. Sussex would have the same sort of thing happening to them. When do you plan to move? We have to be there by end of May so really hoping to be done and dusted before that!

Barbx

[Kerry and David]

Hi Barb,
We have a longer timescale as we don't want to leave until September once the older boys have finished school and college.
We have decided to start the house sale early as we just don't know how long it will take. If we sell in good time than we shall just rent until we move but we didn't want to be in a situation of being ready to go and the house not being sold.
Will keep you posted. Good luck with your house sale and move. Part of me wishes we were going to go sooner, we just want to get there!

Kerry x

[Mickstim]

Where are you planning to go in NZ Kerry? I think September is the perfect time actually (we were aiming for September this year :roll). I would rather get there at the beginning of summer - I think it just gives you a more postive feeling than arriving when it's cold and damp!

Barbx

[Kerry and David]

Barb,

That is true about arriving for the Summer - it will be good for the children too as they will be able to hit the beach.
We are heading Auckland direction. I don't want to live in the City maybe up to 45 minutes outside but close enough for work and the boys for the nightlife!
David is flying out for 2 weeks at the end of March to go job hunting - a recruitment company is hopefully going to line up some interviews. I am flying out to meet him for 9 days in Auckland so we can look at the different areas together.
Have visited the South Island before but not North - looking forward to it:nice1
Where are you heading?

Kerry x

[Mickstim]

We are heading for Tauranga as we have a son, daughter in law and grandson there, plus we love it! We are retiring so work is not an issue (although if we don't get want we want for the house we may be forced to!). We have been 3 times and so far only seen the N Island. Really hoping to get to tour the south once we are there though!

Barb x

[Kerry and David]

Barb
How lovely to be able to move to be closer to your family. I hope your house sale happens for you soon - West Sussex is a lovely part off the world my in-laws live there.

Good Luck!

Kerry x

[Mickstim]

Thanks Kerry - where are your in-laws living? Hope it all goes well for you too!

Barb x

[Kerry and David]

Thank you!
In-Laws live at Goring near Worthing.

Kerry x

[speckythecky]

Well, survey was allegedly done on Monday but still no news from Agents. have e mailed them again but odn't know why I bother sometimes. When MIL phones them they always seem in a hurry to get her off phone. I hate this waiting, but at least I am not therem cleaning every day just in case of a viewing.
To those with viewings this weekend, good luck.
To those without, I hope things improve for you soon
and J and G, sorry I missed your goodbye, hope to see your hellos soon.

John

[Rusty]

Well, I have just read the entire thread today - it's like a really good book, only with real life. Very addictive - maybe the wrong word, sorry if it offends.
It is not a good refelection on the UK estate agents, but there is so much positive thought and hope amongst friends.
Miss Holland - congratulations,
All the others I wish you all the best luck.
And best of all, I know a new word - posivibes!! Some of them for all still selling.

Dave

[Mickstim]

Glad you managed to read the whole book Dave. I guess you had a lot of time on your hands?? Are you on the market, thinking of going there?

John - really frustrating for you but hopefully it will all sort itself and you'll get your money!

Our agents phoned today to say they had a call from our interested people from Wiltshire. They still want the house but are just changing agents as they have had NO viewings in 3 months and were locked into a contract!

My advice to anyone about to sell is DO NOT allow any agent to lock you in to a long term contract. We just refused to sign any contracts for a minimum period of over 6 weeks - and said we would just give 2 weeks notice after that and the agents agreed without much of a fight.

Barb x

[Rusty]

Glad you managed to read the whole book Dave. I guess you had a lot of time on your hands?? Are you on the market, thinking of going there?


Barb x

Took 3 attempts of about 1 hour each, but worth it. - better than working ;)
Yes we are trying to go, but only just had our EOI picked. We will be trying to sell next year sometime. It took 1 year last time we moved, so I'm not looking forward to it. - so keep that fairy touring the country spreading good luck.

[vixxann]

what a strange day...

As stated in my last post I've become rather chilled about selling our house, almost to the stage that I've forgotten its up for sale. Went into town shopping this afternoon and was flabbergasted to get a call on my mobile for agents trying to arrange a viewing :D Rushed home and managed a quick vac and polish before they came at 4.30pm.

I find it so hard to read what viewers think but they seemed to be making all right sounds etc. However, yet again, its someone that has their own to sell first (where have I heard that before:p ) So we'll see but I have to admit it was nice to have interest in the house again.

I then visited one of my closest friends who are about to emmigrate to australia and she told me their house sale completes next week! They are staying with relatives until they go in Jan/Feb. That kind of hit home that they are really going - plus I think I'd been thinking we'd go before them.

Then... got a text from another friend to say they moved out of their house yesterday (its been on and off for months) so a big surprise!

then... got home and our for sale sign had blown down !!

bizzare day :laugh

[Andy-Dee]

Chin up Vixx - gonna happen soon!

[Mickstim]

Vicki - I wonder if the 'For Sale' sign blowing down was a really good omen!! Maybe those viewers are the ones! I do hope so although this problem of them having something to sell makes it not quite as exciting as viewers with dosh in briefcases coming to the door!

Good luck all!

Barb xx

[peebles16]

Best of luck with it Vicki - good to have a bit of interest :)
BBC news had report on the other night that indicated interest rates will probably be cut earlier next year and think that's the kick the market needs.

Our second viewers haven't materialised this weekend which is a huge disappointment so no good news from us - apparently both sets of viewers took issue with the kitchen?!

Hopefully a sale will up for one of us soon I need cheering up!!
All the best
Kx

[Mickstim]

That's a bummer Karen. Kitchen too small?? That was the issue with our last viewers and it's true - but surely they can see that from the details!! Aaargh!!

Bxx

[cathgates]

Chin up!!! If you are thinking of any price reductions, then I suggest you wait until the first full week back in January. Another option to consider is 5% deposit paid. This is often quite popular with first time buyers, basically, you pay their deposit, but you usually state that you want the full asking price then take the 5% off. It suits some people, you just have to see if the sums work out for you.
Other than that and playing the waiting game, there's not a great deal to do I'm afraid.
Cath X

[vixxann]

Vicki - I wonder if the 'For Sale' sign blowing down was a really good omen!!

Yes. must admit I wondered if it was a SIGN :D sorry couldn't resist!

(its now securely nailed back up!)

[peebles16]

Yep Barb kitchen is a wee bit small but as you say it's in the details?! Tis probably weakest room in the house but easily improved on - perfectly usable but ot really got wow factor. Hate this house selling business - ggrrr!
Kx

[Belmont Babes]

Well our sign has blown over too. I don't want to be looking at it over Christmas so I have plonked it by the dustbins...until the New Year when it's all going to happen for all of us. Honest X

[Andy-Dee]

Our weekend viewing was another waste of time. She loved it - he hated the road, didn't like the garden - god its becoming a mantra!

We also saw the 'pro-active' agent who made some good suggestions and seemed a bit more hungry for the sale. So the decision is (drum roll) we will be giving current agent notice and going as new listing with new agent in the New Year.

If that doesn't work we may have to offer one of OH kidneys as part of the deal!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mickstim]

AArgh Dee - makes you want to to scream doesn't it. If a kidney is what it costs maybe you'll just have to pay the price!

Bxx

[peebles16]

SO annoying Dee I don't know why folks bother!!
Well our second viewers didn't appear and seem to have lost interest - why say you're interested when not :mad:
Estate agent phoned to book someone else for viewing tomorrow afternoon but although I said yes I just cannae be bothered with it at the moment - should really clean though :wah To top it all our eldest has sickness bug so house has that smell that only wee sick kids can make :nice1

Off to clean. Good luck folks
Kx

[Mickstim]

We have also just had a call from our agent to book a viewing for Thursday morning. Would you believe it's a couple who have just returned after 2 years in NZ!!! Would be brilliant buyers as they have nothing to sell and are in a hurry to move, but unfortunately they have 6 houses to view just on Thursday morning so I feel a bit like you Karen and cannae be bothered (but with a southern accent!!). I will do all the usual cleaning and cushion plumping though cos one of these days a viewer will turn into a buyer!

Good luck with yours anyway and hope your little one gets better soon!

Barb x :D :D

[Andy-Dee]

Good luck Peebles - think that fairy has been distracted by festive elves. She'll be whooping it up and getting carried away near the photocopier with the rest of us.

Hope she sobers up in time for New Year - glad she's not in Scotland for that!

[peebles16]

Good luck to you too Barb - how bizarre that they are coming back from NZ. How cares just so long as they buy :nice1

Dee that fairy's got a lot of explaining to do :D
Kx

[holland]

Hey all,

Ive posted a thread but thought I would drop in here to say stick at it and send posivibes as always xxx

Life is fantastic, NZ is amaxing, we are loving it at the moment....but we need some friends so hury up and sell!!

If any of you have any questions, just PM


Hope you are all well

J xx

[Woolfie]

Hi all, glad you are all still receiving veiwings. We have just decided to forget about selling the house and look forward to xmas. Our returning viewers did n't bother to get back to the estate agent, so pretty peeved.
Got a letter from the estate agents yesterday with news that the owner/agent was involved in an RTA and did n't survive. Completely shell shocked, as she was a lovely lady. Feel quite numb and don't know what to do.

Kind regards

Woolfie

[Mickstim]

Oh Woolfie - that is so sad!

Bxx

[Mickstim]

Well - our NZ viewers have just been and seemed to like the house. They have seen 20 so far and have another load to see as they don't really care where they live (no jobs yet). They have said they are putting us on the 'maybe' pile (3 on that pile so far) so we should be hearing from them again. They are cash buyers and I am trying very hard not to get my hopes up too high - but it would be nice, wouldn't it?

Bxx

[Belmont Babes]

Barb, got it all crossed again. Wouldn't that be strange if it were to sell to NZ folk.
Jade and Gray, loving all of the emails etc. keep em coming. Your pals will arrive when the fairy does her business X

Woolfie - that is very sad. Just goes to prove that none of us know how long life will last and to just go for every oppotunity.

Everyone else...we will just all hang in there together.

[Andy-Dee]

Puts our issues into perspective! Poor lady, poor family

[peebles16]

Well our viewers on Wednesday got back to estate agent. He really likes our house and is very keen but she's not so keen. My experience is that woman always wins in picking houses (certainly when we've been looking :D). However, can but hope he's very persuasive??

All the best
Kx

[Mickstim]

Let's hope so Karen! Our NZ viewers have told the agents they like our house very much and are planning to come for a 2nd visit, but they are shortlisting about 6 to see again - so not too optimistic! I think they are planning to come next weekend for 2nd viewing but haven't got a day fixed yet.

B xx

[peebles16]

That's good news Barb - bet the other houses are not a patch on your one :D
Good luck
Kx

[Mickstim]

So Karen - what are you doing with yours when you leave (although hoping you have a sale by then!!) If not sold are you planning to rent or leave empty??

Bxx

[Mickstim]

Another call from agent and the NZ viewers are coming for a second look on Monday, so please everybody cross everything and I'm hoping th fairy will be here by then!!!

B xx

[Andy-Dee]

All digits firmly crossed here.

[peebles16]

Barb everything crossed for you am sure this will be the one - has to be karma them coming back from NZ and all :D

Plan with the house is to take off the market for Dec & Jan then put back on when market picks up - hopefully :) We're planning to make some very cheap and cheerful changes to the kitchen. Parents have been very helpful financially so have a little cushion. I hope don't have to rent it cos it would be too much hassle plus family houses don't rent very well here. It's not an ideal scenario but the job for Dunc is so good we just have to get there!

All the best for Monday
Kx

[Mickstim]

Just had a sleepless night! The NZ viewers have narrowed it down to 2 houses - ours and one other in a slightly cheaper area. They can't decide which to go for but the other is £25 000 less than ours but not so quiet (although a bit closer to town). They asked how negotiable we are so if they do opt for ours I think it may be with a very cheeky offer and we are not sure how much it is worth knocking off the price to get a cash buyer as we have already reduced by a large amount.

I'm going to go out shopping for the day, I think, so that I'm not here waiting for the phone to ring. Aaargh - the tension of it all!!!

B xx

[vixxann]

Barb - hope you get an offer, any offer - you've then got something to work on and barter from (don't forget you can include -or not- certain things to sway it for them eg. carpets, lights, curtains etc etc)

good luck;)

[Mickstim]

Thanks Vicki! Silence today so maybe they are offering on the other one? I hate this - but am assuming it's a 'no'. I got the fairy package today and all the pics of you lovely guys - that was very special! Whoever wants it next please PM me your address and I'll pass it all on (when I've had a bit of luck!)

Bxx

[peebles16]

Ah Barb they could just be taking a lot of time decide and of course waiting for the magical fairy :D
Best of luck
Kx

[Belmont Babes]

Ignore my PM Barb now that I have read this thread. I also hope that buyers are taking longer to make up their mind. Maybe the phone will ring tomorrow, especially that you now have the fairy in your mitts!

[macuser]

Well we've had 4 viewings in 4 months and no offers. I know its not long but the only other times I've moved it took under 6 weeks to get an asking price offer........those were the days!

I do wish the newspapers would stop reporting doom and gloom on the housing market, just until everyone on the forum has completed on their sales.LOL.

I'm not holding out much hope until after Christmas now. Oh well, were going to NZ for December, touching base with future employer etc. just to reassure them we're still interested.

Hopefully I'll get back in January feeling all positive and fired up after our holiday.

Make sure I'm still in the queue for the fairy.

Still wishing us all good luck. Difficult to clean the house with your fingers and toes crossed isn't it.

Helen

[Belmont Babes]

Helen, agree with it all. We've never had it take this long to sell before. I am also a very impatient lass at the best of times, so this waiting is not good. Let's all hope and pray it all picks up in the New Year.
Nat

[Mickstim]

Helen - have a great time and PM me your address for the fairy!

Barb x

[Dom]

Our house went up for sale Thursday - had 2 viewings - one woman came twice AND she has got an offer agreed on hers. However when our agent rang her she said she liked the house but "was going to wait until after Xmas to see what the market is like".

Doh !

The other couple offered us 4k under but have not sold theirs yet - so we rejected. Come end of January though we may have to accept something like that as I am due to start work over there in March.

[Mickstim]

Welcome to the frustrating 'Anyone on the Market' thread Dom. It has to be the longest going thread around for a while! We would be delighted to get an offer at only £4k less than asking (all ours so far have been around £30k less!) but people who haven't sold are a waste of time as far as I am concerned. As for the other woman - it would serve her right if prices shot up after Xmas!

We have still heard nothing either way from our latest potentials so are assuming the worst!

B xx

[LesleyS]

Barb....sending you some 'Good Luck' vibes from your favourite area....
fingers crossed my friends xx

[Mickstim]

Barb....sending you some 'Good Luck' vibes from your favourite area....
fingers crossed my friends xx

Thanks Lesley. One of these days we will get there! Hope you are happily settled there.

B xx

[peebles16]

Okay well news of sorts - we got an offer but it's 25K under the asking price :wah So we're going to refuse it but am having panic cos what if it doesn't sell in the New Year? Can't keep house going herefor too long whilst living in NZ but we really need to get there - please tell me I'm doing the right thing and the market will pick up in 2008 :confused:

Hate this house selling business :(
Karenx

[Andy-Dee]

We are all hoping it picks up in the New Year. I've got everything crossed they come back with a better offer.
Good Luck
D

[Angelonthemove]

A year ago we lost our buyer (house in Cyprus) whilst flying here. Finally gave in and rented out after several low offers. Boy would we like to turn the clocks back and take one of those offers now. We have just emailed our renters offering one more year renting or would they like to buy it and make a sensible offer. If we had taken the previous offers and bought over here with the cash we would be a lot better off even with the low amount we would have got. Got a 100% mortgage now ouch!!!!

On the bright side house prices here have become static since we bought 6 months ago so if you are not here yet you are not missing the boat price wise.

Work out if you sold it at the lower rate and got the exchange rate now versus the price you would like at 2.65 and a rate of 2.5 to the £ would you be worse off. Just a thought. Also you could wait to transfer when the NZ dollar is at its worse next year as it always goes in cycles versus additional rent cost. Get those excel sheets going.

[speckythecky]

I hope the exchange rate does not drop to 2.5. the NZ dollar is very volatile at the moment but seems to be averaging about 2.7.
Still no news from our solicitors or agents, E mailed solicitors on Monday to be told, they are on holiday for a week and that the person who answered the e mail would write to buyers solicitors to ask about dates. Have these people never heard of Telephones or E mail.

Good luck all those waiting for viewers or offers, Dom, I would jump at an offer of 4k below asking price, but you are right to worry about them not having sold. Our first offer was for full asking price from a couple who hadn't sold theirs, and that was in July and they still haven't sold.

[holland]

Hey all,

Bit fed up at the minute...wish I had better news to report!! The weather is fab though! Off to have lunch in Hastings now! Moved into second accomodation today and we are moving into rental a week today in Westshore. Very emotional....but hey thats part of the ride I suppose...

Posivibes to all, I havent been able to read thread in any detail as I am on a timer in a cafe, buit will catch up with you all when I get an internet connection hopefully next week.

Thanks goodness my mum has been ringing every day or I think I'd be back at MAnchester Airport by now!

J xx

[Belmont Babes]

Hi Mate,
Have replied to other thread. Really wish I was with you, I have just finished a good blub here this morning! Fed up of this limbo land. Just feel I want to know where I will be in 6 months time. It has to get better Jade. Just remember we are all thinking of you X

[Mickstim]

Been absent for a day and look at all the catching up I have had to do! Karen - I do hope they come back with a better offer. We say we would drop by £15 000 at the most - but not sure what we would do if we got a cash offer. Were the people who made the offer in a good position? We have heard nothing from our NZ viewers so assume they went for the cheaper option. Our Wiltshire prospectives have now given their house to all agencies in the area and are still determined to buy ours - but who knows how long that will take.

Jade - I'm sorry you are feeling fed up but you do need to give yourself some time and patience. It's a huge culture shock.

Nat - I hope you will feel better soon but think if I was with you I might join in. I am also sooooo fed up with the whole wait.

John - I hope it all gets sorted out for you soon.

Posivibes everyone!!

Barb xx

[peebles16]

Hey folks
Well we didn't accept the offer as just too low. Once converted to NZ dollars it was too much cash to part with and we don't have much leeway financially so... I am convinced the market will pick up next year so just have to keep hoping :D

Positive vibes to all :)
Kx

[Mickstim]

Back to the drawing board for us too. The NZ hopefuls put in a very cheeky offer for the house that was already £25 000 below ours and bagged themselves a bargain. Sooooooooooooo fed up with it all.

Bxx

[Kerry and David]

How fustrating for you all. Lets hope that things do pick up in the new year.
I keep looking at the property paper for this area and it certainly seems to be the same houses advertised all the time. The property market seems to be the same all over.

Got everything crossed that you will have better luck soon.

Kerry x

[Belmont Babes]

Barb - I'm sooooo annoyed and sorry for you. I just hope you get the price you deserve in the end. :yes

[Belmont Babes]

Karen - I think you did the right thing. Did they know your reason for sale? I have always been honest up to now but I must call the agents and remind them to not tell prospective buyers (ever hopeful) that we are emigrating. I'm sure folk just think that they can bag a bargain.

Hope you have all put Marigolds on your xmas lists....we will need them in 2008 and pledge etc. We will be soooooo busy with all the cleaning and viewings!!! :roll

[peebles16]

Och Barb what at pain - drives you mad doesn't it:mad: How dare other folks be selling houses - don't they know we've got more important places to be :yes

Hey Nat - yes we did make the right decision I think. We had second viewer at the weekend that made another low offer that we knocked back but ever hopeful they will up it to something reasonable.

However, cleaning products at the ready and looking forward to loads of house sales in the New Year for us all - either that or am setting hitman after that blooming fairy :D

All the best folks
Kx

[Mickstim]

I do hope you are all right about the new year bringing new viewers! Karen - the fairy is with me at the moment and lovely as the whole package is I don't think she is doing a very good job of getting us all sold. But please could you wait to send a hitman until I have passed her on? I have heard that having hitmen in the street lowers the tone and brings down the price :D

B xx

[cathgates]

Hopefully, the market will start to pick up in the new year, I work in an estate agents, and we have noticed a (small) increase in 'phone calls asking for viewing appointments, and a few offers and sales coming through!!
We put our house on the market first week in January, so, hopefully with the promise of an interest rate drop, we will all be able to sell up and ffffff find a new home in NZ!!

Cath X