[Mickstim]

We have had long discussions with our agent who tried to get them to up the offer a bit, but they are adamant. If we don't accept it they are going to rent for 6 months until prices have dropped even further. Agent told us that he has just sold a house and the people accepted £60 000 less than their asking price. He says there will be more buyers in the new year but they may not be willing to pay any higher prices.

So.......... we have decided to accept the offer but haven't told them yet. Tomorrow when it all gets done I will be asking for some bananas. Then we wait for the survey - nail biting stuff again.

Anyway the good news is that the chain seems to be quite far advanced and we could be on our way by the end of Feb.

Maybe that fairy isn't so useless after all??

B xx

[LesleyS]

Great news Barb....Just what you need for Xmas!

[holland]

OH MY GOODNESS.............How fab!!!!

That is such wicked news...I told you something would happen if you booked a holiday!;)

Ill save the banana's until we get final confirmation.

Well chuffed, you've made a rainy day in Hawkes Bay a bit brighter!

j x

[Lara Croft]

We thought we were doing brilliantly, when we found a buyer the day after putting our house on the market. The sale is going through now, but sooooo slowly.... our solicitor has advised us (today!) that it is Highly Unlikely to complete before Christmas (mainly because they all stop work on the 21st and don't re-open until the 4th Jan - Grrrrr!). The trouble is, we will have left the country by the 7th and could really do with the cash before we leave... as well as the sheer logistics of overseeing the sale when we are halfway round the world!

Oh well, looks like another grovelling trip to the bank :(

Jane

[holland]

ooo Jane, I feel for you....

Have you not got a family member you can maybe leave the solicitor stuff too??

You could sign all stuff and leave it for them to sort??

I know it doesnt help with the money situation!

What the heck are you doing awake????????????

J x

[Lara Croft]

Hi Holland.
I'd been on a Christmas-night-out-leaving-party-thing, and so was wide awake when normally I would have been sound asleep! I didn't go to bed until 1am, then woke up at 5:30 this morning.... not good. It's my works leaving doo tonight but that won't be a late one!

As for the house sale, yes I think I'll have to ask my sister (she lives locally) to get involved. That reminds me, I need to ring the bank today...

Cheers!
Jane

[Mickstim]

Ok - we have accepted the offer but they still have to see their mortgage arranger tomorrow. Our agent doesn't think there will be a problem with that so says she will finalise once that has happened. Do we celebrate today or wait until tomorrow????

Jane - hope you get it all sorted out and have fun tonight!

B xx

[Mickstim]

Bluddy Hell. These people took our hesitation as a 'no' even though I had said we would come up with a decision today, and have now decided to go house hunting again, so now it's all off! I could scream as I had made it really clear to our agent that we would give an answer today and he obviously didn't make it clear to them. He is out of the office today so we can't talk to him.

SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[holland]

WHAT A JOKE.

Get the manager on the phone of the estate agents...if he is the manager..........go higher...they need to ring the couple up and grovel NOW and get this sale back on track........................

Im livid and it isn't even my house

[Mickstim]

He IS the manager Jade, and apparently there is no pursuading them. This woman is incredibly determined and difficult so I can imagine how she is reacting. The husband hardly gets to say a word. They better not come back to us with a lower offer cos we are just NOT going to play that game. I'm still so MAD!!!!

[holland]

So he has tried to persuade?? If so...its a load of rubbish I don't think that had any intention of buying, sounds like they have done their sums and can't afford it to me...why would you change your mind over a misunderstanding of info????

If I loved a house...and was told the info they have been I would be relieved there had been a mix up........

I can only imagine how fuming you are Barbara

J x

[holland]

Tonight is the first night I am regretting selling ours due to the earthquake...I am so unsettled and can't sleep...wide wide awake

[Mickstim]

Well the plot thickens. The people have just come round and were putting a letter through the door so I went out. They are as mad as I am cos the manager of our agents told them we had rejected their offer flat out and that they needed to add another £10 000. I understand that he was trying to get us the best price but he wasn't telling the whole story. No-one from the agency told them that we couldn't make a decision cos M was in meetings in London all day, or anything else. It was only this morning I asked the girl there to contact them and explain that we had never rejected their offer at all and then they realised it was a complete b---s up.

So - they have decided to go ahead with the viewings they have already arranged, just for their own peace of mind, but she says on paper they still think ours will be the winner. We have exchanged phone numbers and email addresses and will deal directly with each other and only use the agency for official stuff. Bluddy estate agents!!!!

Anyway she is going to call me tomorrow afternoon and let me know what the decision is and we parted on very good terms and in complete agreement about one particular estate agent - who I will be having words with tomorrow.

What earthquake Jade? I need to read the news. Hope you are managing to get some sleep now!!

B xx

[Rusty]

Well good news. Did you ask her how quick she could move?
I guess the reputation of estate agents is generally deserved then.
Really not looking forward to going through this next year.
Good luck tomorrow.

[Mickstim]

Well good news. Did you ask her how quick she could move?
I guess the reputation of estate agents is generally deserved then.
Really not looking forward to going through this next year.
Good luck tomorrow.

Thanks Rusty! They want to move asap and the chain is looking good, so hopefully end of Feb-ish. They are only looking at houses with no onward chain so that narrows down the competition!

[peebles16]

Looking really, really good for you Barb well done :D
As for estate agents maybe we should go for the little wax effigies and set of big pins - ggrr!!

Really hope you hear something soon :yes
Karenx

[Belmont Babes]

Bleedin eck, only been away for a while. Can't keep up. Barb I'm over the moon and back again for you...bananas at the ready! Bloomin agents, hope he had a good talking to.
What I would do for a viewing/sale right now!

[Mickstim]

Keep those bananas at the ready (I hope). I had an email from her this evening to say the 2 houses she saw today don't match up at all and she has 2 more in the morning. She's going to let me know directly after lunch. So here's hoping, and M is piling up a load of special words to treat our agent with in the morning!

B x

[Kerry and David]

It's sounding positive fingers crossed for good news this afternoon!

K x

[Ricky]

Barb

I keep my fingers cross for you and some bananas ready when you sell your house.

The viewers that came to see my house for the second time last weekend didn't want it after all :no , so we are back to square one:( .

Never mind maybe the new year bring some good luck for us.

All marry Xmas and a hapy new year :cheers .

Richard

[Mickstim]

Well - just had a call from them and they have seen a house this morning they like better. Can you believe it! We are so mad with that agent who has completely messed up a sale for us but there is nothing we can do. We are very p'ed off to say the least. Thanks for the good wishes everyone.

B xx

[Kerry and David]

:no :( How annoying for you Barb wishing you lots of luck and new interest for the New Year

K x

[Mickstim]

:no :( How annoying for you Barb wishing you lots of luck and new interest for the New Year

K x

Thanks - and the same to you. We are just telling ourselves that we will get a better price next time. Hoping!

B x

[Rusty]

Well - just had a call from them and they have seen a house this morning they like better. Can you believe it! We are so mad with that agent who has completely messed up a sale for us but there is nothing we can do. We are very p'ed off to say the least. Thanks for the good wishes everyone.

B xx

It may not gain you a sale, but you could complain about the agent to the ombusdman and make their life hell for a change?
Or you may be a nicer person than me? I would do it to make me feel better just on the principle and also let off any anger at them. ;)
Just a thought...

[Mickstim]

We have up to now had a really good relationship with the agent. We did think of changing but the fact is that he has a couple of people wanting to buy our house but waiting to sell their own, so we have decided to just let it go (he did apologise very abjectly!) We don't want to lose the other possibles he has and so we just hope for a better sale with a better price in the new year. Our other agent (we are on with 2) also said he thought the offer was really cheeky and he thought we may get more in the new year. We are trying to remain optimistic about it!

B xx

[peebles16]

Gutted for you Barb :no :no but do think you are right all the vibes we are getting is that early next year is going to be good and that all this house prices drop is just media nonsense :mad:

Big good luck to all for lots of sales in the New Year

Before i forget hope you all have a wonderful Crimbo in your lovely homes :D

Karenx

[holland]

Barb...

Just a thought, but just because she likes the other house better...after the first viewing, doesn't mean she is going to end up owning it...they may not accept the offer, or she may go back and not like it on the second viewing, or the coupld may not be able to move fast...

You are in a strong position house selling wise...don't loose heart, I wouldn't be surprised if something still comes of this.....

I appreciate you feel the way you feel and when you are so so desperate to sell its disheartening, but from where I am standing, I don't think you are out of the running at all, I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

J xx

PS_ Think G has been slipping me some positivity pills!

[Mickstim]

Those pills must be good Jade - can you send us some? We've figured out which house they are buying and it is a lot cheaper than ours (the rooms are also a lot smaller and it is a 'link detached' whereas ours is a real detached)but I think we were really a bit out of their price range. The one they are buying also has no onward chain, so I suspect the people are able to move fast too.

We're ok with it now - just disappointed not to be able to move on but really wanting a better price which would make it all worthwhile!

b xx

[Belmont Babes]

Hi Barb. I read your post and shouted "oh no!" at the screen. Now I have read through the remainder I do have to say that I feel good vibes about it for you. Maybe they never really could afford yours in the first place if they have settled for the less expensive. I am not going to say "everything happens for a reason" as I am sick of hearing it but I do think/hope that the New Year will bring sales for us all.

[cathgates]

Had our photo's and measure up done on Wednesday, waiting until 7th January to put it on market officially, I work at an estate agents, and one of my 'colleagues', decided to send someone round yesterday for a viewing, even though I work in the environment, it seemed really wierd showing someone round, she has sold subject to contract, which is good, but I still couldn't tell whether She liked it or not, I have to wait untill someone else phone's to find out if She does or not, but at this stage, I certainly won't be accepting anything below the asking price!!!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all XXX

Cath X

[Belmont Babes]

Well folks 2008 is here and just thought I would refresh this post for all of us trying to sell. Be great to hear from everyone and find out if you have any plans or ideas up your sleeves?

We have had no viewings since August so just trying to figure out a way forward ie. pay stamp duty/lower price/change agent etc. We are going to get drive paved to improve the look as it is something that came up on viewings. The other problem is the congested road as so many residents don't have off road parking (we do). Can't do much about that though.

[peebles16]

They'll all go in the next month or two am sure Nat:yes If anything this last 6 months has taught me is that there's nothing wrong with our houses is just the market is pants at the minute! Our's is off the market for now and is going back on in February which is scary cos we go to NZ very soon and it's going to be tight with no house sale but am sure it'll work out....

We've actually had a few agents who have predicted higher sale prices in the New Year all round because of the recent slump so maybe we all get rich :p :laugh

Best of luck Nat
Karenx

[Belmont Babes]

Gee Karen that does sound promising. You are in my thoughts as you prepare for the off. I hope everything is going well for you and the kids are well. Nat X

[holland]

Good Luck to you all in 2008 xxxxxxxxxxxx

[Belmont Babes]

Hi Old Mate. Thankyou and all the very best for 2008 to you too. Hope you love your job, the sun keeps shining and G manages to catch some fish!

[holland]

Hello...

Sun is shining, going to view a couple of houses today with an estate agent just to get an idea of what you can get for your money.

Still no fish, although he is planning a night fishing trip sometime soon!!

J xx

[Belmont Babes]

Brilliant news. Be great buying and not selling hey? Enjoy the feeling. Can't wait for that. Keep us updated chick X

[peebles16]

Hey Jade check you buying houses in NZ - who'd have thought it :D
Nat things are mad here cos of crimbo, house a tip and the packers come in 2 weeks am going mad but the vino helps :D
Looking forward to a big BBQ somewhere in NZ in 2008 for everyone involved in this house selling malarkey!!
Karenx

[Andy-Dee]

We have new agents coming round on Friday to take new pic's etc, so fingers crossed. New Year - wagons roll on the selling ........

Where's the fairy?????

[peebles16]

Last seen with Barb I think?!?
Kx

[holland]

Fairy isn't here!!!

Been to look at 2 properties...and was hoping I wouldn't like them!!!...but I did! Oh my goodness, we are doing lots and lots of sums at the moment....seen 2 really different houses but both lovely and have there advantages and disadvantages.....

Got 2 more booked for tomorrow and an appointment with an independant mortgage advisor also!

Haven't told my mum...I daren't!:roll

J x

[Mickstim]

OK - I have the fairy, for all the good she has done! Just got back from Florida last night - had a fab time with the family and brilliant weather too. Had a call from the agent this morning saying 'let's not cry over spilt milk' - easy for him to say as he's the one who dropped the bottle!

Will answer your PM soon Nat - need to get to Sainsburys and get some food in the house and all that stuff before we starve to death (must have put on 5 lbs in the last week, but who's weighing?)

Good luck Karen with all the packing. Catch up with you all soon.

B xx

[holland]

(must have put on 5 lbs in the last week, but who's weighing?)

B xx


No one I hope!!!:no dreading my scales arriving on the container!!:laugh

Glad you had a nice holly.

Viewed 2 houses today, viewing 4 tomorrow and appointment with mortgage advisor and then 2 on friday!!

All go go go

Posivibes to all xx

[Belmont Babes]

Jade I am really excited for you. Pics when you gave decided please. Are you sure your Mum doesn't read this forum?

I haven't got on the scales for ages. I have a box of Thorntons that keep begging to be eaten. I have eaten my weight in chocs already. I am off to the gym later though. Will do a few miles for you Jade X

[Mickstim]

Very exciting Jade. You'll have to start a new thread of 'Anyone buying?' and eventually we will all be able to join in I HOPE!!

Son in law in Florida is a trained chef although that's not what he does for a living, but OMG the food he produces is to die for! I'm putting us on a low fat high veg diet for a week or two to compensate.

B xx

[peebles16]

I think I've probably put on about 1 stone over the last month - have banned myself from scales cos Im too scared :D Too many nights out and big dinners with friends and family!

Exciting news Jade and look forward to the photos the ones on your blog are great :)

Best of luck to all for sales coming flooding in very soon
Karenx

[holland]

Hello all,

Nat I have broked the news to my mum and sent her all the links of the houses we are viewing so she feels involved.We have been to view 4 houses this morning and none of them floated our boat...but good to get an idea what is out there...the weather is HOT HOT HOT though...lots of water sipping..ha ha 'its a hard life' I hear you say!!!

Just waiting for mortgage advisor to come at 2.00 to scare me! we have done our figures and in $'s it is quite a figure per month!! Particularly as we are looking at getting a $500.000 mortgage! aghhhhh..I typed that quick!

Viewing another one at 4.00 on the Hill...and then tomorrow we are viewing 2...a second viewing on the one we like and another one. I can't send you a link of the one we like as it isn't listed yet...the agent had a phone call from vendor and rang us because she felt we would love it...she had only had a half hour chat with us and seemed to get a good idea of what we were looking for!

Will keep you posted

J xx

Nat....Don't you just hate it when the chocolate speaks to you from the fridge...I often sit on the couch and can here a high pitched 'eat me' coming from that direction!!:laugh

[Peter&Liz]

A little bit of good news for those selling at the moment…

According to the Land Registry average prices rose by 0.6% during November.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7169426.stm

Peter

[Belmont Babes]

That's great news Peter, thanks for that. Still no viewings here. Boo Hoo

[holland]

Thats really good news Peter.

Stay positive everyone..there is going to be an influx of buyers in Jan!

J x

[nickydwuk]

Hope the UK prices stay put or rise and the number of buyers increase. We are putting our house on the market at the end of this month. Fingers crossed it won't take long. :D

[holland]

Hi,

Don't know your personal situation, but I would say 'get it on the market'...if you need to sell to fund NZ I would get it on asap. There are so many people on this thread...just waiting and waiting for their house to go before they can move forward...

J x

[Belmont Babes]

Yeah, sadly I am one of the above. Put our house on end of May 2007. Never dreamt it would take so long. Do I hold the longest record? Come on folks let me know how long it has been for you............

[gil]

we put ours up in August 2005 and completed on Nov 17th, 2006. We flew on Nov 18th, 2006.

Gil

[holland]

Talk about cutting it fine Gil...you must have had nerves of steel:yes

[gil]

It did feel a bit stressful at the time, Jade! Still, it's all faded into memory now...:D

Gil

[mossum]

three months ...

but I still have a look on right move occasionally & there are houses on there that were on the market Jan 2006 :exit . I'm just glad we were lucky .

positive vibes to all

vic x

[macuser]

Ours went on the market in Aug 07. We have had 4 viewings and reduced price once.

I've been trying to find out average no. of views per sale, ( just to keep my nerves calm and give me something to aim for). Does anyone know what it is? I have read its between 8 and 12 but none of the info i've found is particularly up to date.

We just returned from our fact finding trip 2 days ago and I am REALLY sad. I just want to get back there as soon as poss now and am convinced our house will never sell.

Best of luck to everyone selling at the moment.

Helen

[Pete & Sheila]

Our house went on the market last november. Every one we talk to says we wont have any trouble selling being a nice house in a good area. But we have had very few viewings. We have one person coming back for her fourth viewing on monday. Says she wants to do a Radiation test before making up her mind. sounds like she is a bit of a time waster to me have never heard of a radiation check on a house before.

[Mickstim]

We also went on the market end of May and have had quite a lot of viewings and a fair amount of interest ( and 2 offers which didn't work out) but still no sale. We've had a few viewings booked this week so I think things are picking up a bit. I'm not telling when I get viewings anymore cos I think it jinxes us! Helen - I will send the fairy soon!

B xx

[macuser]

thanks mickstim, i could do with the help. Anything to keep my spirits up at the moment ............ feeling really negative about he whole thing. Agent says he's expecting things to pick up next week once the schools go back and things get back to normal after christmas.

Fingers Crossed

Helen

[holland]

Helen,

Try and keep your chin up, it is disheartening and frustrating...but it will happen, I am sure the market will pick up now...its got to hasn't it???

Posivibes to all

Jade x

[vixxann]

we have been on the market since beginning of May 07 :(

I'm hopeful for more interest coming into the "traditional" busy time for house buying (New Year/Easter/Spring) but I'm really trying hard not to think about it too much.

christmas decs all down now and I think I might even give a few rooms a lick of paint to brighten up. I feel better doing something. :p

[Red Devil]

Hi Vicki

I think it's pretty much the same for everyone at the moment... we sold our UK property in August 2005 when the market was buoyant, however we're in the same predicament as you now but different country... France and the beautiful Vosges region :cool: Our converted farmhouse has been on the market since July 2007 with interest from Belgiums and Parisians but as yet no offers... we're still in two minds whether to sell or not, but it's a New Year and New Start (see separate post) hence the reason for checking out New Zealand this coming March.

Good luck with the sale... whereabouts in New Zealand are you moving to?

[peebles16]

House off the market at present but had been on since August 2007. Think things will pick up and aim to put our's back on beginning of February and hoping for very quick sale :D

Good luck as always to all in the same predicament :)
Karenx

[Andy-Dee]

We were on since the end of May 2007, lots of viewings but no offers. Currently off the market but going back on end of January with new agent and price.

[Ricky]

We had some viewers last weekend and they seem to like the house, but as always we have to wait for the feedback. I am not sure what those estate agents do, as we are doing all the ringing :mad: .

Lets hope we get some fgood news this week.

ps All a hapy new year.

[Belmont Babes]

Well what to do? Please help:

The agents we are with at the moment will charge 1% commission inc VAT. We have had no viewings with them since Aug 2007. We have looked into dual agency but will be charged 1.5% plus VAT. This will cost approx 2k more. I don't know whether it hasn't sold due to rubbish agents or just the way the market is? If the latter then dual agents won't make a jot of difference. I have tried today to ask agents what business is really like and how many properties are they selling but couldn't get a decent answer.

[Mickstim]

Nat - we have a shared agency and one is charging 1.25% and the other 1.5% but I reckon at least it doubles our chances of a sale, so for us it has to be worth it in the end. If the other agency you are thinking of can do better (can they do worse??) what would they charge if you give them sole agency? Sitting there with no sale may not be as good an option as paying
an extra £2000 in the long run, but maybe you should give your current agency a kick up the backside?

Good luck with your decision

B xx

[holland]

Hello,

Tend to agree with Barb....what is £2000 is the grand scheme of things...but then...look how many people are on this forum struggling to sell...maybe it is just the market...they can't sell your house if no-one is buying due to the house prices etc.

My mum been on the market since March 07...not sold, had a couple of viewings, she is on her 3rd estate agent...and is about to change to her 4th....if the 3rd would ring her back so she can cancel the contract!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't know what to say...its so frustrating!

J x

[peebles16]

Nat I'd change agents - that's what we're about to do (in amongst packing!!) then they can re-package your house, take new photos, put up new sign, stick on some other websites etc.
Hoping changing agents and advertising elsewhere will have the desired effect :)

Best of luck folks - looking forward to much more positive posts in the next month or two :D
Karenx

[sizzlingbadger]

Another way to go about it would be to go and view all the houses in your area that are on for a similar price yours is. This will give you some idea as to whether yours is good value or over priced, whether it needs a good tidy up or it's fine just that there aren't any buyers in the area, a good question to the agents would be how long have the properties been on. You could also get a best friend/family member around to give a very honest opinion on how your house looks to them and if they were prospective buyers what would be the good points and bad points, trying not to get annoyed with them if it isn't all good :D

That way instead of spending 2k going dual agency you could spend it on the house sprucing it up, maybe putting stuff in storage if it needs it. Also you could approach the second agency and say that this company is doing it for this % what would you be prepared to go to for us to market our house with you exclusively ?

Fingers crossed for all those selling that you get a sale soon :nice1

[Belmont Babes]

thanks guys,

listening to radio 4 this morning and they said in Decenber house prices roses by 1.6% ???

Just rang other agents and no one can speak to me at the moment. One agent out and another away today???

Just rang my current agents and no answer at 9.30am???

Blinkin fuming

[Belmont Babes]

Oh they were there...picked up the phone on my 2nd attempt. The usual agent that I speak to is away with a bad back!!!

Left message for the Boss to call me

[Peter&Liz]

Halifax monthly report on Uk house prices...

Monthly: Up 1.6%
Quarter: Down 0.8%
Year: Up 5.2%

Predicts flat prices for 2008, at least two more interest rate cuts, robust economy and employment to provide strong underpinnings for the housing market.

http://www.hbosplc.com/economy/includes/08_01_08HousePriceIndexDec2007.pdf

Peter