[Red Devil]

Zero, Zilch movement in France also... agent spoke to us last week advising a €20,000 reduction should have our farmhouse shifted "sooner rather than later"... sooner rather than later, what sort of statement is that!!!

We've taken his advice and viewings are coming in regularly, but we're still undecided whether to rent it out whilst giving NZ a 3 year trial... decisions, decisions :roll

Just to add further confusion, agent has also suggested selling each of the 3 apartments separately... but we'd much rather sell the farmhouse as 1 for obvious reasons... again, decisions, decisions :roll

Life certainly gets stressful at times... good luck all and hang in there!!! :D

[Genie]

:mad: I'm going past the point of fuming to manic laughter here. It seems no matter what we provide our buyer's solicitor with (you remember him, the twonk?) he is not willing to accept it as the truth.

He has now sent us back a copy of the official, large scale map, which shows the garden as it is in reality, with his red pen scribbling off a huge chunk of it, saying we must have sold this. I think I'd have noticed if I had, don't you??? :roll

The solution: for twonk to come and look with his own eyes, seeing as he doesn't trust the maps, or the photos. Until he does, we are getting no where, the buyers are getting nervous, the market is dropping like a lead balloon and I'm starting to consider doing something rash and regretful.

That's another week lost thanks to one person's inability to admit he's wrong. I'm going to break my diet, somebody hold me back, Thorntons here I come ;)

PS. STRESSED SPELLED BACKWARDS IS DESSERTS :laugh

[thewoodies]

Glad im not the only one !!!!:laugh:laugh

viewing on monday !!!!

husband working overtime !!!!2 ill kids and a messy teenaager dipping in and out!!!!!

- house so disgusting and washing piled high !!!!!

- must admit it all got too much and i cried today!!! How stupid !!!

Going to garden centre to buy flowers to shove in! to make house more attractive - when weather improves!!!!!!!??????

Even a box of milk tray didnt help today!!!(unheard of)

! Good luck everyone else your the only people apart from OH who understand the Stessssssssssssss:D:exit

[Mels]

Had our viewing. They are looking at houses today and tomorrow so who knows, they didn't say much.

Seen a couple walking by last night and a slow drive by this morning so maybe...


Big cyber hugs to everyone who is struggling, unfortunately there are too many of us.

Mels

[vixxann]

I really so feel for you all and I say that most sincerely as I've been there up until very recently.

which makes me feel a little guilty for the next part...

I am so happy :D
our lovely lovely buyer called earlier today and asked if she could come round. Small panic that there was a problem but she just wanted a chat and another look, but mostly to see how we are with everything going through so quickly. They are homeless as of next friday and living with relatives so she wants in asap. I think if she can push her solicitor enough we'll be out in about a month! (don't know the quickest it can all happen?? she has no mortgage and obviously there is no chain)

anyway ... guess what.. whilst she was here they came and put our sold sign up :raebanana:raebanana we were both grinning out of the window at the chap , he must have thought we were crazy.

just wanted to share :D

[Mels]

Don't feel guilty in the slightest Vicki.

We all want to get where you are and all want to feel that relief. At least we can share your happy moments with you and that helps keeps me optimistic.
Re-read that, it sounds corny - but it's true. :yes

Mels

[Genie]

Oh Vicki thats great, I'm so pleased for you. Enjoy it, relish it, roll it around in your mouth like a Werthers orginal :laugh

Have a happy weekend with some fun and laughter. :yes

PS I still don't like solicitors, but apologies to any solicitors on the forum. I bet you're nice :laugh

[Carey]

Oh Vicki, how fabulous!! SO, SO pleased for you !!!

[victoria24]

mucho congrats vicki! could you post a brief outline of your house selling journey to save us going through 286 pages! might be some pointers in there.
we are going multi agent next week before the bbc news crucifies us!

[Andy-Dee]

To All The Twonks In Property Selling
I Hope Your Body Starts A Smelling
I'm Sending Out This Naughty Spell
To Break It, Simply My House Sell
Should You Not Complete This Task
The Punishment You Should Dare Not Ask
A Plague Of Sandflies Will Descend
To Bite And Nip Your Bottom End :cool:

That should do it!

[NZ Hopeful]

Brilliant Dee, if that doesn't do it I don't know what will! :D

[catt]

well done vicki great news...........i would be grinning from ear to ear as well.......:clap:raebanana:clap:raebanana

[Belmont Babes]

Dee you are so clever, what a fab rhyme :)

Vicki, go girl! You have waited long enough.

Fairy, Dee's turn next please. Dee for some bizarre reason (another blonde moment perhaps) I got you and Karen mixed up and thought you were in NZ too but still tyring to sell etc. Apologies for that.

To you all, still sending these +++++++++++++++

Nat

[Genie]

Dee you're a star, go to the top of the class :clap:laugh

[Rusty]

Sitting and waiting is the name of the game,
But patience is NOT my middle name,
Fairy send me a buyer or two,
So our fabulous NZ dream will come true.

Hmmm. Not great, but I don't claim to be a poet. Just want some good luck.
P.S. I may be giving my 3 month notice next week ;)...means we are taking a chance on selling/renting, should be fun/hell/stressful.

[Andy-Dee]

Keep them spells a'comin

[Janey]

Well this has taken me 3/4 hour to catch up a weeks activity congrats to all those who have sold! fingers x to tose in the process and come on fairy do some magic! alas she has not bought me one viewing even though she had a nice to to NZ.
One mad rush packing and tidying the house in case while we were away what a waste have come back to 2 inch high lawn petals and leaves everywhere, bird poo on the window doh!!!!

to top it all we had a fantastic week and did not want to come back practically cried when we left NZ, I have potentiallly 2 job offers but how long will they wait? I am fed up, agent is as much use as ***** thought of multi agency but doesn't that look like you are desperate?

[victoria24]

glad you had a great trip janey... tell us all!
we're going multi on Monday.sod the desparation, give me my life back!

[Rusty]

Haven't gone multi...yet, as it costs more. Sod what buyers think, we are desperate, but still need a reasonable offer.

[victoria24]

rusty, I had a little chat with my agent along the lines of "if you think your the best agent then what would you have to worry about with some competition?" kept the same fee and have already negotiated down 2 other agents on the phone before seeing them on monday. remember they're more desperate than we are!

[nickydwuk]

Agents are as desperate as we are - we went multi agency and I negotiated their fees down. We now have 2 offers - both progressing so it does work.

[sizzlingbadger]

It shouldn't cost you anymore to go mulit agency. We had two agencies both working for us and we only paid the one that sold the property, the other lost out :nice1

[Janey]

ok guys what % are you paying our current agent who thinks he is wonderful is charging us a discounted fee (cough cough) 1.8% if we go multi agency his contract which ran out on Saturday states 3% no way what should I be trying to get? (btw one other agent would not do single agency less than 2.2% wanted 2.8% single if we had their solicitor and HIP needless to say we did not use them!)

[Andy-Dee]

We apy 1.5% in Cheshire

[thewoodies]

we a dual both 1.5% - one of my friends is on sole agent1%(hasnt had any viewings though)

Well done Vicki - someone has sold a house in the uk , ther is hope !!!:cheers

PS we think one of the grandparents is watching this site - so hello if you found us:clap

[victoria24]

janey, I negotiated a flat fee of 5k multi agent with them all on asking price of 282500

[holland]

Erm...we just had one agent ( well...only one at a time!)...and we paid 1%

Well done Vicki!

Posivibes to all!

I am in desperate need of the market bbq people!

[Rusty]

Did have one on 1% and now we have 2 on 1%.
Would like 10 on 1%, winner takes all, but is unlikely.

Latest plan is give notice at work this week (3 months) and hope the house sells or rents or we are in the smelly stuff! ChCh in september we hope.

[nickydwuk]

Our first 'sole' agent was on 1.25% but didn't get a sale. Their multi agency is 1.75%, second agent is on 2.1% (wouldn't go lower) the others are all onm a fixed rate which I haggled down from over £5k to £3500. As it is the agency with both the offers is on 2.1% and still works out less than the fixed ones.

[andrewp]

I find it amazing how agent's commissions vary. We have negotiated our agent down from 7.5% to 6% :uhoh Now I know prices in the UK are high, but on our house our agent expects to make in the region of £13000. This is in a country that is supposed to have a cost of living much lower than the UK. At least they work for their money here. They run lots of adverts in the local press and run "Open Houses" on most weekend.

Just interesting to see the comparison between the UK and SA.

[vixxann]

our sole agents is on 1% (we negotiated down from 1.25%)

now...update...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah or words to those effect ;)
panic, panic, panic. Buyer rang on saturday and was talking dates (we gave her our number to save time negotiating dates through solicitors) she wants to move in two weeks and her solicitors have said that should be ok!!!

spoke to our solicitors today and he says our side is done, she is mortgage free - its basically up to the speed of her solicitors but it is possible to do in 2 weeks!! (its only 2 weeks today since we accepted her offer - I'm in shock)

can a sale (in the UK) go through in four weeks total?!!

I need to pack a 5 bed house and find a rental ... pronto.... :exit

[Rusty]

our sole agents is on 1% (we negotiated down from 1.25%)

now...update...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah or words to those effect ;)
panic, panic, panic. Buyer rang on saturday and was talking dates (we gave her our number to save time negotiating dates through solicitors) she wants to move in two weeks and her solicitors have said that should be ok!!!

spoke to our solicitors today and he says our side is done, she is mortgage free - its basically up to the speed of her solicitors but it is possible to do in 2 weeks!! (its only 2 weeks today since we accepted her offer - I'm in shock)

can a sale (in the UK) go through in four weeks total?!!

I need to pack a 5 bed house and find a rental ... pronto.... :exit

I'm sure it will be some kind of UK record, but if the solicitors are quick - why not?
Don't envy your quick packing though :uhoh

[NZ Hopeful]

Last house I sold went through in 6 weeks with no real rush on either part so I would say yes 4 weeks is definately do-able!!

You must be so excited!

[Mels]

Apparently our last viewers have put us on thier shortlist - hooray :clap
They have sold - hooray :clap

Thier upper limit is £50,000 under our already reduced price - good one :wah

Mels

[Genie]

WOW Vicki, now that is stress!! :roll We had agreed with both sets of solicitors to sell in 4 weeks and everything was going through fine until the buyers changed the date, so it can be done.

We've heard today the buyers solicitor (twonk) has agreed we haven't actually sold a 43 foot piece of land :roll So he's preparing the contract to be signed by the buyers. Only now we're going to have to wait for the buyers to get their money out of their bank account!! :wah

I've found my white choc to be a great assistance at times like this.

Good luck with the packing Vicki, big breaths girl! ;)

[JayBee]

Vixxann.....just think of the word "completion", visualise the money in the bank, the housing "chains" shackling you to the UK just melting away and I'll bet you can get everything organised in less than two weeks!!!

Rusty - know how you feel. Two weeks of no viewings after another big price drop and we're wondering what to do if the house still hasnt sold by September.:wah

We're giving our current agents a final chance to get some people through the door (they're supposed to be doing a feature this week) before switching. None of them round here seem to like the multi agency idea and charge 2% or more for this- (don't see what difference it makes to them really )

Anyhow - good luck and positive vibes to those who have some interest at last.

[victoria24]

multi agent update- we discovered today after having a national estate agent day at our house that agents almost expect multi agencies in the current market. they all work differently and have different benefits so the way I look at it is the more people you get to view the more chance of an offer. remember we could be in for 20% drop within a year so you gotta be in it to win it as the great someone I cant remember once said!

[lockstock]

our sole agents is on 1% (we negotiated down from 1.25%)

now...update...

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah or words to those effect ;)
panic, panic, panic. Buyer rang on saturday and was talking dates (we gave her our number to save time negotiating dates through solicitors) she wants to move in two weeks and her solicitors have said that should be ok!!!

spoke to our solicitors today and he says our side is done, she is mortgage free - its basically up to the speed of her solicitors but it is possible to do in 2 weeks!! (its only 2 weeks today since we accepted her offer - I'm in shock)

can a sale (in the UK) go through in four weeks total?!!




I need to pack a 5 bed house and find a rental ... pronto.... :exitYes it can be done but please check out the solicitors costs for speed first. We did ours in 6 weeks eventually but because we asked for a two week rush job they charged us over £2k instead of the £700-ish for a normal one. We were never warned of the increased cost and fought like mad to get it reduced especially since we weren't buying anything. They weren't happy but we weren't either! We got our money back after threatening legal action!

[Kerry and David]

Good luck with the packing Vicki, it will be worth it in the end!

No update at my end - we still have buyers but they haven't found new people yet - feel really fed up about it all today :wah

K x

[Andy-Dee]

I'm gonna miss my Thread Mate :wah

Get packing Vixx :D and keep a candle in the window till I get there.....

.........sob, rotten housing market, b****dy Northern Rock, boo hoo credit crunch :no

[vixxann]

just having a break from boxes... yep 11.30pm and still at it :rolleyes:
but I'm not moaning as I know I have the best reason in the world to do this and any small inconveniences it may cause (like... erm.... not having a rental yet to move to!!) well - just a piddle in the ocean :p

I'm still smiling :D

thanks for all the thanks folks
Dee - I'll always be your thread mate no matter which side of the planet we are on!!

good lucky luck to everyone

edit - just noticed my signature may need updating soon - but I'm not going to tempt fate, I'll change it on the day we complete on the sale!!

[Janey]

:roll
Its strange isn't it I Live 15- 20 miles from Victoria24 and yet no agent wants to do multi agency here they all refuse or want 3.5% fee what a joke, we stormed into our agents yesterday to be given a total load of b**s***. so we went to the neighbouring town and signed on another national agent (we live equitable distance between 3 small towns) who has offices in all 3 as well as internet sites. We have ended up paying a higher % fee but if it gets the sale that is all that matters.
To cut a long story short the agent came round within hours measured up etc and we are now on the market with them at a slightly lower price keep fingers crossed maybe the fairy will do her stuff!::) heres to many viewings!

Just to add our new agent wants to do an open home but with a difference, you advertise the open home with a one day offer of buyers offers over £xxx which is a reduced price and see what comes in this has proved successful in Devon with bids almost meeting asking price fingers crossed!

[nickydwuk]

Just to add our new agent wants to do an open home but with a difference, you advertise the open home with a one day offer of buyers offers over £xxx which is a reduced price and see what comes in this has proved successful in Devon with bids almost meeting asking price fingers crossed!

That sounds interesting - keep us posted on how it goes.

[thewoodies]

Finally got house and garden!!!! tidy for viewing yesterday!!!

No feed back yet , they were viewing another property as well for second time.

I think i would prefer to rent out our house - i cant take the stress much longer of tidying and waiting :D the house would eventually pay for itself and it would be a good form of security for our kids.

Anyone else got a view on renting out ?

It would be good to have some different poins of view?

[Mels]

We are in two minds about renting. In some ways it would be easier as we could stay here 'till the flight to NZ. We might ride out the house slow down and be able to sell at a better price in 1 or 2 years. We will hopefully as long as we get tenants, have some money left over each month.
However the cost of moving to NZ will have to go on the mortagage, if we want to buy something in NZ we won't be able to until we have sold in UK. It may be dififcult to sell remotely after people have been living in it. We wont have so much capital behind us that would help us settle in quicker and put us under less financial pressure.
If everything goes pearshaped in NZ then we have somewhere to go back to.

That was a bit of a ramble but it's where I've got to so far. Part of me says I want to sell house to start afresh and it's not going to go pearshaped and the other half is being cautious. Right now this instant I want to sell and be free....

Mels

[thewoodies]

yep thats how i feel - but today i want to rent - probably change my mind again! :laugh :(:laugh

[nickydwuk]

I just contacted our solicitor today to find out the progress on our two buyers - one called us last night to say he had his mortgage agreed and expected surveyors within ther next 2 weeks :clap. The solicitor has not had any of his details from our agent but have for our other buyer who is not as far along. They also said they could not start the process until they had the contracts back from our ex-buyers solicitor ( this sale fell through over a month ago!!!) They were waiting for them to return their call :mad: I asked if they could arrange another set of documents so that they could proceed and stressed to them that we want to exchange within the next 8 weeks. They said it will take 8-12 weeks from when they start the proceedings but can't start until they get this documentation back :mad: So we have had 2 offers on the table for nearly 3 weeks and the legal people have not yet got off their a*** to do anything.

[NZ Hopeful]

Nicky I must have missed your post - 2 buyers?! :eek:

How is that working? Is it a race to see who can complete first? :confused:

The solicitors are talking nonsense too 8 - 12 weeks!! I've completed in 6 before now and it looks like Vixxann is completing within 2! They must think people are stupid!

[nickydwuk]

Nicky I must have missed your post - 2 buyers?! :eek:

How is that working? Is it a race to see who can complete first? :confused:

The solicitors are talking nonsense too 8 - 12 weeks!! I've completed in 6 before now and it looks like Vixxann is completing within 2! They must think people are stupid!

The 2 buyers put offers in on the same day. Both for the same amount - since then one has added another £500 but was a lot slower in giving their details to the agent so are about a week behind the first ones. Both have been told it is a race to the end although the extra £500 would be good. We accepted the first offer before we got the higher one and he has his mortgage all sorted. Don't want to lose him as the others seemed a little wishy-washy.

I know it doesn't take solicitors more than 8 weeks so I am going to be on their case nearly every day. Just hope it doesn't make them mad so they go slower :no

[3littlepikes]

I would nag them the legal people - I have no time for them after our last move 10 years ago its put us off till now and I will be doing a lot of nagging !!!

the estate agent told me the person you shouts the loudest normally gets it done first in terms of legal stuff - lucky you to have 2 buyers !!!!!

[Genie]

:mad: Oh don't get me started!!! solicitors :mad::exit

[NZ Hopeful]

Sounds like you have nerves of steel Nicky, I would be dreading telling the person who doesn't get things done in time! :eek:

Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. :)

[Janey]

You will like this one!
after sacking our agent of the last 6 months on Monday he rang up yesterday to haggle notice period and said I thought you would come back fired up from NZ! I was going to suggest you drop your price another £25k to get it sold! after weeks of saying not to! and already dropping £50k is he insane? our new agent did not want us to change the price so we a dropped a mere £5k (so total now £55k) but another £25k seems a bit mad!:(

[thewoodies]

Janey -what!!!!!!?
sounds as if he is pulling a fast one - :exit

[thewoodies]

Just had feed back from estate agent:(

The people put an offer in on another property:no

They wanted to make our house into a b&b!!!!

other house better:no:exit

[Genie]

Sorry to hear that Woodies. What is happening in the UK at the moment...has the world gone mad? :yes To quote Pink Floyd, I've been mad for years! :exit

PS still haven't exchanged :wah

[victoria24]

we went multi agent with 2 newbies so have 3 agents on it now. 1st newby agent came round on Monday and had us advertised in todays (weds) local newspaper and on tinternet as well. Heres hoping the viewings begin....

[Janey]

ok who is due for the fairy next?

[NZ Hopeful]

ok who is due for the fairy next?

I'm not going on the market for another couple of weeks, DH STILL not finished jobs that need doing :no so the fairy will be no good to me just yet, maybe Andy&Dee are due another visit? :nice1

[peebles16]

I think the fairy would very much like to re-visit Andy-Dee - bet she'd love to see how much she's grown :D

Karenx

[Andy-Dee]

Oooh yes please - I'll pm Janey and then get the guest room ready.

[Mrs TW]

Hi Guys,

We requested the fairy a while back. If we are next in the list I am despaerate. We have been on the market now for almost 12 weeks with not even a sniff of a viewing, let alone offers. PLEASE can we have the fairy soon? I think it must be our turn next or next but one. We just want to go now and the house is all that is holding us up - like so many of you out there.
Thanks,

Nicki

[Janey]

ok Dee first (Dee thanks for the PM I will sort out this week) then I suggest Mrs TW 12 weeks not long then!
I have now been on 9 months now offers £55k reduction and 4 viewings big deal, hence number agent 2 sacked. This is all that is holding us back from getting jobs etc but I would rather be in rented at the moment and if refused visa can decide where to go!
if would be good if we could have a fairy symbol!

[victoria24]

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg248/neiljohns/fairy.jpg

harriet the house fairy wishes you all well...

[Andy-Dee]

OK Mrs TW, PM me your address and I'll send it on straight to you after I've given her a rigourous shaking in Cheshire.

[Genie]

I feel like this is a never ending saga - the sale of house saga. Now we already know how I feel about certain solicitors who have now been caught out lying through their teeth :mad:, so we are left with not being able to trust a word he says.

When he told our estate agent on Monday it would be a "couple of days" for our buyers funds to clear for exchange (these being the same funds he'd already told our solicitor were in place waiting a week ago) we should have known. Turns out our buyer has now got to wait for a cheque to clear - 7 WORKING DAYS!!!!

We are now faced with exchanging next Tuesday (I've heard that for two weeks now) and completing on Friday.

I'm fed up with it all. Tempted to say Sod it and give up on it all. I know this will pass, but right now I'm just sick of being impotent in the situation. You all know what I mean, I'm sure you've been there at some point on this journey :roll


Sorry for being whingy, I'll go and find some chocolate now :yes

[thewoodies]

yeah i have - hang in there - nearly done! soon you will be n NZ:raebanana:cheers

[Mrs TW]

No Janey, I know you're right 12 weeks isn't long compared to some of you but boy is it frustrating. At least you had some viewings albeit it 4!! Mind you, it doesn't matter how many you get does it if nothing comes of them.

Thanks Dee, will PM you

[JayBee]

Keep going Genie - you're soooooo close now:yes

[nickydwuk]

Don't lose the faith Genie - you are on the final furlong :p I have found out that this journey is full of ups & downs. Just when things go right something goes wrong then as you get all despondent things change again. Hang in there and you will makew your flights with house sold - I promise :cool:

[Genie]

Thanks you lot, you're really special you know?? No I'm not drunk, just talking from my heart. :yes:)

[Rusty]

On a slightly different topic, someone better tell Jade(Holland) her thread is reaching 3000 posts and 300 pages. She may want number 3000 - I think I read a long time ago she had 2000 as well?

[holland]

BUMP

id like the 3000th post!

Missed out on the 2000th!

J xx

[vixxann]

time for another update... we are badgering away here with house sale - not wanting to post daily etc as it seems to be going so well for us (touch wood) and yet I know there are a lot of people having problems on here and I really don't want to appear to be gloating :o

Our buyer moved out of her house today so is now a "cash buyer" she is living with her mum and wants in ASAP !! we have pencilled in a completion date of 16th june (a week on monday!) which will be exactly 4 weeks after we accepted offer! so I am still a little sceptical as to whether this can actually be done but apparently her solicitors have said yes it can so we have to proceed as if all systems go.

We are not able to come out to NZ until end of sept due to work commitments etc so we are renting until then. Have spent a frantic week (dashing out of school at lunch times etc!) trying to organise this . loads of landlords weren't interested in letting to us for only 4 months. But yesterday we managed to find someone/somewhere that will - and its actually a lovely house by a river - am well pleased. I think it will be just like a gorgeous long summer holiday in a holiday rental kind of feeling!

So we get keys tomorrow and will have a week to move our stuff down there before we hopefully complete on house. Fingers still crossed. ;)

once in rental (and money in bank) we will begin to make our NZ plans more concrete... apply for jobs... book flights... etc etc

still grinning :D (and very busy packing!)

[victoria24]

dont feel like you're gloating vicki, your story gives me hope!
neil