[Lambuel+Ruby]

BkyMonster - we're from Oregon too (Portland) and hoping to leave for ChristChurch in early 2009. It's almost like we should list the house now and plan on living in a month to month rental if it sells, do you think?

I know there is about an 11 month inventory right now, but it's historically low after Christmas and it is getting better fast. Hang in there!

[sizzlingbadger]

If I were you I would try and sell the house now, at least you'll have 11 months to try and get a sale instead of trying to sell it once you have PR in the bag.

If you're committed to moving anyway moving into a rental shouldn't be too much of a hardship whilst plans are under way, especially when you get the all important visas you can go when you're ready not when the house sells, which is where a lot of people are right now.

[Sam B]

Well we've had a more positive weekend. I was extremely annoyed with the estate agents last week. We've already done 2 open homes, and they are loads of work to get the house and garden ready, and both were a complete waste of time with a poor turnout, so I'd decided not to do any more and stick to viewing by appointment only.

Well, I look in the poperty paper last week, and discover that my house has another open home advertised for the w/e and they haven't even told me. Thank God I looked, or they could have turned up to a right mess! Well we went to Auckland for the w/e and left all shipshape with very little hope of much coming form it.

Returned to a message from the estate agents - we had 2 viewings on Saturday and 4 groups through the open home, and 2 are v positive. So I'm waiting to hear more, when I'd just about given up.

[Janey]

Hi
still no viewings even after dropping another £10k, i feel trapped! no good applying for jobs whats the point, no good sending in EOI not enough points, feed up of having to spend our on things going wrong in the house (car x2 iron, hifi, boiler) now 3 windows need replacing :no :wah another £600 no wonder we can not save, when you have made up your mind to move your heart is not in the property you are in
monday morning blues!!:uhoh

[Mels]

Janey I'm having a 'Monday' morning too. We've dropped the house price by
£15k and had no interest since.
We are resigned to letting the house which is an option but not the preferred one.
Our ITA has been with NZIS for what feels like an eternity and OH's new boss is wondering whats going on too.

I feel deep in limbo and want to be in Welly

Mels

[vixxann]

Hi
still no viewings even after dropping another £10k, i feel trapped! no good applying for jobs whats the point, no good sending in EOI not enough points, feed up of having to spend our on things going wrong in the house (car x2 iron, hifi, boiler) now 3 windows need replacing :no :wah another £600 no wonder we can not save, when you have made up your mind to move your heart is not in the property you are in
monday morning blues!!:uhoh

oh I so know how you feel
we are in much the same position
I cannot wait to get out of this house - I feel like its draining us .. emotionally and financially
Cannot believe how many things keep going wrong at moment ... car, fridge, tv, computer even :no

Please let April bring us some spring sales.

[Rusty]

Can't say we are desperate to get out, but some hope of a sale would be nice.
Yes to the monday morning blues - add to that catching up on work after being in Germany for 3 days last week.
Spoke with our agent this morning and he added to the blues, he just says it is very quiet and not to expect much activity for a few weeks - not to bother dropping the price as this doesn't seem to work either.:uhoh
Everything is blamed on the lack of mortgages and people being less inclined to buy at the moment. Maybe with all the renting we could rent it and sell in a year, but don't fancy that idea.
Off to speak to another agent to see what they think.

[Helsandfamily]

:clap :clap We have an offer!!!

It is 15k less than the asking price (which we had already dropped a lot,) but still, we have accepted and although they are in a position to proceed, are prepared to wait until July when schools break up.

Although the money is significantly less than we were hoping for, we are just pleased as this should be the last hurdle, on the way to NZ. Here's hoping that it all progresses smoothly.

I am keeping fingers crossed that everyone else has positive news soon too!

hels (still reaching for the biscuits)

[Genie]

Great news! :clap Good for you Hels, me next please :yes

Jeannie

[dusk]

Congrats!

[JandM]

:raebanana :cheers :raebanana

[Mels]

:cheers great news Hels :cheers


Mels

[cathgates]

Congratulations Hels :cheers :raebanana :cheers :raebanana

Cath x

[vixxann]

oh fantastic news Hels - I really AM pleased to hear that people out there are still buying despite all doom and gloom on news

have a drink tonight - forget the biscuits!!:nice1

[holland]

Waaaaaaaa Hoooooooooooooo Hels !!

[colin stuart]

it sounds like you have got it all sorted if you dont mind how much will it cost to get all your thing over to nz thanks colin stuart:laugh

Gosh,

You sound very organised!! We are waiting until the weather is better...we figure its going to be difficult enough as it is so we';d rather arrive when the weather is a bit cheerier and hopefully the exchange rate may have altered somewhat!!

I must say we have just returned from a holiday...and its made it more clear to me that Im ready to go, ive only been back at work a week and the pressure is ridiculous...straight back intothe rat race!!

Where abouts in NZ are you interested in? What are you going to do for jobs?

You can PM if you'd prefer

J x

[Helsandfamily]

Thanks everyone for the best wishes, as I said, hopefully it will be a sign of things to come for everyone!

keeping fingers crossed now for a smooth ride until completion!:uhoh

[Belmont Babes]

Huge congrats Hels and Family :clap :clap :clap

To all others, really feeling for you all, where is that blasted fairy?

[Janey]

Congratualtions Hels & Family:raebanana :raebanana

lets hope this happens to us soon begining to think we have a white elephant

[Andy-Dee]

Congrats to Hels - just changed agents and dropped price by £30k - here's hoping.

[Mickstim]

We exchanged today!! Wooohooooooooooooooooo!!

I have been keeping very quiet just in case I put the mockers on it all! After 10 months we are actually on our way. We have the packers arriving tomorrow and Thursday (completion on the house on Friday). We are going to move into a hotel for a week and then off on a two week cruise, followed by a visit to our daughter in Florida and then from LA to Auckland - arriving on 16th May.

This has been the most frustrating, stressful and nail biting time in our lives and I am amazed we are even slightly sane, but at last the worst is over.

I have been keeping an eye on this thread (of course) and really hoping for you all still on the market that things will pick up really soon and the media will stop talking up a storm. Hopefully they will get something else to get their teeth into and leave the property market alone.

Hels & family - congrats to you! To everyone else Keep the Faith we had really got to the point of thinking we would NEVER sell and at last it's all done.

Posivibes everyone

Barb x

[Mels]

fandabbydozey great news :cheers :cheers

Start packing!!

Just out of interest, just exactly when did you think you were still sane??:D

Mels

[JandM]

CONGRATULATIONS to both of you!:raebanana :cheers :raebanana

[Helsandfamily]

Brilliant - no backing out now !!!!!!:clap :raebanana :clap

[BkyMonster]

BkyMonster - we're from Oregon too (Portland) and hoping to leave for ChristChurch in early 2009. It's almost like we should list the house now and plan on living in a month to month rental if it sells, do you think?

I know there is about an 11 month inventory right now, but it's historically low after Christmas and it is getting better fast. Hang in there!

My advice to you is to start selling the house now, or at least by summer. Things will probably slow down (even slower!) after summer and if you want to go in early 2009 you may not have luck selling if you don't do it soon.
We had to drop our price by 25k to be competitive in this market (no granite countertops or brand new cabinets here, which is what people wanted for last summers prices).
I was lucky and live in a 'brain burb' (Corvallis) so our market slowdown is more an echo of what is going on in other parts of the country. Most people here have more stable employment and more people are still moving to the area than the average city. In Portland, who knows. Around here at least first time homebuyer properties (up to 230k) or so are moving very slowly while houses up the property ladder are moving more normally if slowly.

Things are still ticking along for me though. So happy to have an offer. :clap

[dusk]

Congrats Barb! :D

[catt]

have some of these :clap :raebanana :clap :raebanana great news safe journey

[Belmont Babes]

Oh Barb, blinking well done. I hadn't emailed you incase I too put the mockers on! Have one of these :raebanana and another two :raebanana :raebanana

I have had what seems to be an awful day today, nothing going right...trying to send some funds to NZ and it has not been as smooth as I thought. Still tomorrow is another day, huge POZIVIBES to all as usual. Nat X

[sizzlingbadger]

Congrats Barb and Michael :raebanana :raebanana

What a HUGE relief for you both. Hope you enjoy your cruise and seeing your daughter :nice1

[Perksy]

That's fantastic news Barb. I too have not ventured on the thread of late as not wanting to tempt fate. Our buyer only viewed 7 weeks ago and was so keen it all seemed too good to be true, but she didn't falter - never even came back for a second viewing - and on Friday we completed and moved into a rental. We are counting our blessings in the current housing climate and celebrated by booking up our one-way flights for August.

Interesting you land in NZ on my 40th birthday. We fly out on the 24th of August and because of the time differences via LA only ever see the 24th and 26th. Hubby's birthday is on the 25th so he trying to claim he will be 36 for an extra year!!! I just see an excuse to open a bottle of champagne somewhere between LA and Auckland.

Best of luck to every one else with their sales. Kim

[nickydwuk]

Congrats Barb - I am sooooo envious. Hope it all goes smooth for you now :raebanana

[andy141]

Well done both of you:raebanana :raebanana

Enjoy your new life.

V & A

[Janey]

Well done to both of you! have a drink on me:cheers

can you send some luck this way 7 months on the market 4 viewings, £50k off the price:D

best of luck with your plans
Jane

[Mickstim]

Thanks all! What a manic roller coaster ride it has been. Now the packers are in (we decided to go with Crown despite them being so bloomin' expensive) and they are working through the house like a dose of salts. Very shaming when they move the heavy furniture out. Where does all that dust come from???????

Jane - we also dropped by over £50 000, but it did seem to do the trick.

Good luck to all!

B x

[eve]

Hi. We're onthe market, hoping to move to Christchurch in Sept. Flights are booked so we are going even if the house isn't sold. We've had a few viewing and have now accepted an offer. I'm not too hopeful as the buyer's mortgage is now looking dodgy. What a time to be on the market! Anyway just got to wait and see. Eve

[Peter&Liz]

Congratulations Barb and Michael :raebanana :raebanana :raebanana

Have a great cruise and enjoy your new life in NZ.:nice1

Peter

[catt]

fingers and toes crossed for you Eve :raebanana

[peebles16]

Oh Barb am soooo pleased for you - well blooming done :D :D
Enjoy the packing and your wee holidays before you arrive :yes

Time to start planning the BBQ - I quite fancy a wee trip to the North Island :)

Enjoy, you deserve it

Karenx

[cathgates]

Congrats Barb:clap :raebanana - hopefully we'll meet up for that barby, we hope to be in Tauranga in July:clap

Cath X

[Carey]

Barb and Michael; fab news! Good luck!

[Mickstim]

We are in the hotel now and they charge a bloomin' fortune for an internet connection so I am going to use my entire 30 minutes! We are knackered - the house has been emptied and cleaned and we both think we could sleep for a week. So excited about actually getting on the move though and just walked away from the house without a backwards glance. We're going back in the morning to read the meters though!

I will be checking in from time to time and hoping to see loads and loads of house sales going on.

Posivibes everyone!

Bx

[Peter&Liz]

Been on the market for nearly a week now and , so far had two viewings, the first liked the property but was waiting to see if he had an offer accepted on another property, which alas for us they did. :(

Second viewing today, so still waiting feedback, estate agents are including our house in their advert in this weeks local paper so hopefully that will drum up a bit more interest.

Peter

[Genie]

Rant Warning!!

What on earth do people expect to see when they view a house that states quite clearly on the particulars "is in the process of having improvements undertaken including redecoration."

The fact that we had a kitchen in was a blooming miracle, and due to OH not going to bed between Saturday morning and Monday afternoon.

The feedback we got from our first viewer was it was too modern. What? Of course it's modern, it's new!!

OK, I feel better now:roll Sorry about that, after the amount of effort we put into getting the house anywhere near ready in time for this viewing it struck me as annoying.

I didn't like her anyway :p :)

[holland]

Barb...gosh, I seem to have missed all of this!!!!

When do you come over?

I am so so chuffed for you!!

J x

[BkyMonster]

Rant Warning!!

What on earth do people expect to see when they view a house that states quite clearly on the particulars "is in the process of having improvements undertaken including redecoration."

The fact that we had a kitchen in was a blooming miracle, and due to OH not going to bed between Saturday morning and Monday afternoon.

The feedback we got from our first viewer was it was too modern. What? Of course it's modern, it's new!!

OK, I feel better now:roll Sorry about that, after the amount of effort we put into getting the house anywhere near ready in time for this viewing it struck me as annoying.

I didn't like her anyway :p :)

Haha!
The biggest complaint we got from people was that the house had no garage.
Well, it does say on the description NO GARAGE, was it really that hard to understand? House buyers are a bit mad in my opinion.

[JandM]

Genie and BkyMonster, you remind me of Basil Fawlty and the 'deaf' woman: 'You CAN see the sea - it's over there between the land and the sky.'

Sympathies. The general public - :wah .

[Peter&Liz]

Rant Warning!!

What on earth do people expect to see when they view a house that states quite clearly on the particulars "is in the process of having improvements undertaken including redecoration."

The fact that we had a kitchen in was a blooming miracle, and due to OH not going to bed between Saturday morning and Monday afternoon.

The feedback we got from our first viewer was it was too modern. What? Of course it's modern, it's new!!

OK, I feel better now:roll Sorry about that, after the amount of effort we put into getting the house anywhere near ready in time for this viewing it struck me as annoying.

I didn't like her anyway :p :)

We had a similar experience with our second viewer, didn’t like the Kitchen, didn’t like the bathroom, hated the décor, hated the fireplaces would have to rip out and start again.

Given that all of these are photographed in the details and on the website I wonder what she was expecting, a last minute makeover? :roll

Mind you she has been looking since August and yet to find anywhere she likes!

Peter

[Genie]

I hear you on that ;) this viewer had sold her property and was in rented, taking her time, seeing as much as possible before committing herself to buying. As anyone would do, and I myself will do. She just had odd expectations if she expected us to replace old stuff with old stuff!!!!

We've got another viewing on Friday afternoon, from a couple out of the area. Hopefully we'll have some good news soon after. Fingers, toes and tassles crossed.

[cathgates]

I work at an estate agents, and often have to hold my tongue with the kind of looney remarks we get from people viewing - sorry, but we have no way of vetting them before they come to your house;)
We had someone come in the office about half an hour ago, asking about a house we had recently sold, it happens to be mine!!! The house next door is also up for sale, a deceased property that needs central heating, double glazing, new kitchen, new bathroom, you walk through the second bedroom to get to the bathroom, it is smaller than ours, but same style, we have three bedrooms, that has two. It's up for 90k, and we sold ours for 127k, but there really is no scope to acheive that much when the house next door is finished, as it is so much smaller, and one less bedroom, I tried to tell the person this, but he insists it will fetch around 120k, and only need 10k spending on it!!!

Cath X

[nickydwuk]

Don't things go slow once you have an offer. We accepted out offer quite a few weeks ago and were told nearly 4 weeks ago that the buyer had paid for the survey - we are still waiting for it to be done. We have had our first contracts through from the solicitor and are just waiting for the survey so we can exchange. We don't want to complete until Sept and that has been agreed but I would like to exchange then I know she will not pull out. Does it normally take ages for this stage to be done?

[mossum]

one lady informed the estate agent our house was unsuitable as it did not have a bath - it actually had 2 one up & one down .

The road was our biggest hurdle - we were side on to quite a busy one ... the best thing was to agree " yes it is next to the road - thats why its priced accordingly " Actually in my head i was saying ... yes you plonker & if it was at the other end of the street you could never have afforded it !!!

vic

[Sam B]

YEP Nickydwuk, it takes AGES, just to test your nerves a bit more.

[Peter&Liz]

We had our third viewing today, Liz had to take them round as our agents don’t do Sunday viewings.

Anyway they liked the house and the area, and stayed for 35 minutes, their house is not on the market but they are tempted to rent it out as their mortgage is so small.

Said they needed to go and do some number crunching, so fingers crossed the numbers stack up and they come in with a decent offer!

Peter

[Genie]

I hope it's third time lucky for you Peter. Fingers crossed for you

[Peter&Liz]

Cheers Genie

Best of luck to you too for Friday.

Fingers crossed!

Peter

[cathgates]

Our buyers pulled out. Don't really feel like saying much more just now. Too upset. Catch up later

Cath X

[Alan]

Cath sorry to hear that, our buyers buyer pulled out and although they still want to buy we have had to put ours back on the market. Nothing really anyone can say, and even worse the feeling that there is nothing much you can do.

[dusk]

ack! poor cath.

[Peter&Liz]

Sorry to hear that Cath, it really sucks when this happens, when you put an offer in and have it accepted there should be some financial penalty for then pulling out.

Peter

[catt]

sorry to hear your new Cath must be really heartbreaking :(

i really am trying to be upbeat and positive with this house sale thing and although initially felt really good that most people who came through the door wanted our house but were on the market themselves. The media is really getting me down all the unhelpful reports about house buying and mortgages. Is it just me or are others feeling the same way?

We feel we should be doing something but our estate agent has said that its the state of the market and there is no point in reducing the price as there are so few buyers out there in a position to buy with the money in place already as most are on the market themselves. First time buyers are few and far between with a deposit of 25% and even the developers and investment market seems to be closing in as well.

Gonna go get some red wine i think :exit

[Mels]

Sorry about that Cath, not good news.

Catt - we feel the same, the press are having a field day in order to sell papers, but I suppose it's what they do. We have dropped the price £20K just to see what, if anything happens. Such a weird time.
I think we will have to rent our house, but with rents in NZ going up, not going to be easy.

Mels

[Genie]

Cath, I'm so sorry to hear your news. That really sucks big time.

Jeannie:(

[peebles16]

Oh Cath what rotten news you must be gutted :(
The selling system in England sucks big style buyers have too much power and can basically hold you to ransom - ridiculous!!

Hope cash/chain free buyer comces your way soon :yes
Karenx

[holland]

:uhoh sorry cath seems a bad time at the moment to be selling in uk,.Everyone stick at it if it was easy everyone would do it,think positive and all will work out G

[Janey]

Sorry Cath about your news just come off the phone to the estate agent the drop in price has done nothing! He quite happily tells me of a new property he has on in a neighbouring village that had a veiwing in the first week I wish 61/2 months 4 viewing £50k drop later what else can I do,

He says those who make a comment look at the floor plan and say they do not like the layout I do no understand it if I lounge was on the LGF there would be no views, you would come in from the front door have to take all your shopping downstairs am I being thick has by house got the dreaded lurgy it has new kitchen and bathrooms what more do I have to do?????? I am prepared to accept offers but we need viewing to do that help!! getting very down now! glass of red is not enough I think a crate might be needed opps there goes the savings again!

[Peter&Liz]

He says those who make a comment look at the floor plan and say they do not like the layout I do no understand it if I lounge was on the LGF there would be no views, you would come in from the front door have to take all your shopping downstairs am I being thick has by house got the dreaded lurgy it has new kitchen and bathrooms what more do I have to do?????? I am prepared to accept offers but we need viewing to do that help!! getting very down now! glass of red is not enough I think a crate might be needed opps there goes the savings again!

One agent we had round to give a valuation said that they didn’t do foor plans, as it often would put viewers off going to view houses that they would otherwise be happy to see.

And often for very illogical reasons, such as they would need to replace one piece of furniture, as it wouldn’t fit, when that piece costs £300 a small fraction of the cost of the house.

If the floor plans are putting off viewers it might be worth getting your agent to drop the floor plans from your details or switching to an agent that doesn’t include them.

Peter

[cathgates]

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and encouragement. We're back on the market - so the cushion plumping starts again!!!
I feel quite numb - the buyer didn't change Her mind, Her partner did, they've split up and She was relying on His 12k to help fund the deposit. She's as gutted as we are. It looks like I may have to find another job as well!!! I work part time at an estate agents, and they were keeping me on untill the sale went through, but with the state of the market, they can't really justify keeping me, they haven't said anything, but I have been almost surplus to requirements since February really.
It never rains 'til it pours:(

Cath X

[JandM]

((((Cath))))

[Peter&Liz]

Handy hint No#1

When trying to sell your house, don’t like me for yesterdays viewing leave open salmon & tuna in the fridge to add fragrance the house, unless your potential buyers are a family of penguins!:o

Peter

[Rusty]

Our update.
After being accepted to NZ, we have just dropped £20k. Mostly to sell, but beacuse this takes it to the magic £250k and below the 3% goverment backed anti-house selling tax.
Not happy about this, but will see what happens. At least (well from our point of view) the NZ market is similar.
Have also told the agent to work hard for 10 days or we are swapping or going joint agents - not sure if that would help, but may make them push it?

[Rusty]

Handy hint No#1

When trying to sell your house, don’t like me for yesterdays viewing leave open salmon & tuna in the fridge to add fragrance the house, unless your potential buyers are a family of penguins!:o

Peter

I bet Liz must really have hit you hard for that:laugh

[Peter&Liz]

I bet Liz must really have hit you hard for that:laugh


Yeah she was less than impressed with my aromatherapy!:laugh

Peter

[Jennispink]

We have an offer :D



She hasn't sold her flat yet but she reeeaalllly wants our house. we've said she can have 6 weeks to find a buyer for hers otherwise we'll go back to the drawing board but fingers and all other extremities crossed:nice1


On a side note we got our blue stickers yesterday so come hell or high water, we're going on 29th. I can't believe it's all finally falling in to place, I could cry I'm so happy today:exit

[dusk]

wow congrats! :D

[Helsandfamily]

Fantastic news, lets hope she gets a buyer for her flat sharpish!!!!

hels