tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25451983470383525412023-06-20T06:22:32.991-07:00MrsbridgerWhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545198347038352541.post-45437727176331110082007-07-01T12:53:00.003-07:002007-10-22T12:53:11.755-07:00The very sick solicitorThe solicitor on our purchase is not back. He’s still ill. Even worse he has a holiday booked for next week.That meansa) he’s unlikely to return this week and will be off next week, so the earliest we could exchange will be 30th Julyb) the firm realise that there is work being left, they appoint someone else and things move onc) the client decides that enough is enough, starts shouting and something else happensAny bets on which is most likely to happen?Surely all solicitors are not this slow?WhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545198347038352541.post-40942412286386759482007-07-01T12:53:00.002-07:002007-10-22T12:53:09.310-07:00Still waitingBy this stage I thought we might have exchanged contracts. Not so.In fact the very slow solicitor is taking so long that our solicitor is thinking abut reporting him to the Law Society.Buying a property is so frustrating, it should be so much easier than this. This was part of the idea about HIPs but the delay is the solicitor, as everything else seems to be in place. Or is there something else going on? On the sale front, it looks like we may have a buyer! Avery nice couple came to view last week and are keen to visit again.Second viewing booked for Friday. Time to get the hoover out again.WhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545198347038352541.post-18171737447652706212007-07-01T12:53:00.001-07:002007-10-22T12:53:07.392-07:00Survey completedThe surveyor arrived complete with torch, ladder, clipboard, checklists, Dictaphone and pen. According to the RICS “There are approximately 1.4m house sales each year in England and Wales. Of these, only 1 in 5 currently commission any sort of survey on the property.”In fact we’re not having a survey on the perfect house. It needs lots of work and a survey will tell Mr Bridger and I exactly what we already know.Buyers may opt for various surveys until HIPs are introduced. The surveys includeMortgage valuation surveyHomebuyer reportFull building survey Our buyers have selected the Homebuyer report, which according to the RICS websitefocuses on essentials: defects and problems which are urgent or significant and thus have an effect on the value of the property. The homebuyer, unlike a building survey, provides not only a survey but also a Valuation as an integral part of the service.The general condition of the property Any major faults in accessible parts of the building that may affect the value Any urgent problems that need inspecting by a specialist before you sign a contract Results of tests for damp in the walls Damage to timbers – including woodworm or rot The condition of any damp-proofing, insulation and drainage (though drains aren't tested) The estimated cost of rebuilding the property after a fire, for building insurance purposes The value of the property on the open market.The surveyor started on at the top of the house and worked his way down. Then he checked the roof space, hence the torch.All seems ok, but you never know. Being miles away from any rivers helps at this moment in time.WhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545198347038352541.post-54845265810164672022007-07-01T12:53:00.000-07:002007-10-22T12:53:05.426-07:00Surveys at the ready!The surveyor is booked to undertake the survey tomorrow. They’ve been a bit busy with the floods, having to check so many buildings to see if they are safe.Are we really living in England?It does rain here, but this much? What happened to ‘hotter than July?’This is a time of year when many families opt to stay in a caravan, by the sea, strolling along the beach every day and eating ice creams. Latest news is that caravan sales have soared as they are being used as temporary accommodation for flooded households.Websites where you can helphttp://www.redcross.org.uk/standard.asp?id=71823&cachefixer=http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/articles/2007/07/23/flood_help_feature.shtmlAnd if you need helphttp://www.helpimflooded.co.uk/http://www.redcross.org.uk/news.asp?id=72082&cachefixer=http://worcestershire.whub.org.uk/home/wcc-bus-floodinghttp://www.floodforum.org.uk/http://search.bbc.co.uk/cgi-bin/search/results.pl?scope=all&edition=d&q=flood+helpWhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545198347038352541.post-76896119340610408652007-06-01T12:53:00.000-07:002007-10-22T12:53:13.840-07:00Brochures at the readyThe brochures have been printed and look fab. If we didn’t need more work space we’d move here.Adverts appearing this weekend, now to see if we get any viewings.WhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545198347038352541.post-86979147429666093452007-06-01T12:52:00.000-07:002007-10-22T12:52:57.714-07:00The gushing viewersThe first viewers were apparently gushing ‘What a lovely property! Fantastic features’. We know from the house buying secret code [We seek it here we seek it there] that this means they think it’s great, but not for them.That's ok as another viewing is booked for Wednesday and another on Saturday.I’ve heard that it takes 12 viewings to sell a new house. How many to sell a ‘previously owned’ house?WhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545198347038352541.post-52247917568127968842007-05-01T12:53:00.001-07:002007-10-22T12:53:03.922-07:00Digging deepSo what do I want to know about estate agents? I need some form of decision criteria.I’m not keen on being kept waiting, so time is important. It would be nice if they were pleasant people, especially as they will be selling our house. Useful if they understand the market and didn’t start in the job last week.Perhaps scores out of 4 for· Punctuality – the time thing· Presentation – am I happy to let them into my home?· Confidence – would I buy from them?· Product knowledge – it’s a complicated house, how would they sell it?· Market knowledge – what other info do they have?Have I missed anything? Perhaps it's time to start telephoning and checking the responses._uacct = "UA-1692047-1";urchinTracker();WhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545198347038352541.post-91204702311362857322007-05-01T12:53:00.000-07:002007-10-22T12:53:02.077-07:00HIPsHow could I possibly blog about moving house and ignore the HIP factor?The government u-turned yesterday and announced that the introduction of Home Information Packs will be delayed until 1st August - when they will be brought in for sales of homes with 4 bedrooms or more.The packs are said to contain information that will be useful to any potential buyer, includingCopies of title deeds any recent planning permission or building consent given on the propertylocal area search an energy performance certificate Any good solicitor would gather all of the above, with the exception of the energy certificate, when going through the contract. As for an energy performance certificate this is pretty hopeless for a house built 200 years ago. The loft is insulated, but there’s no cavity wall, no double glazing, no gas in the village so we all use oil and those prices have increased - but look at the tax on fuel. As for low energy light bulbs, does anyone know where you can get attractive looking candle bulbs for 25 light chandeliers?And what if we did have the light bulbs and took them with us when we moved?Another key change announced by the government yesterday is that house sellers will not have to a HIP in place before putting their property up for sale. This means we can start marketing the Village House and then obtain a HIP. If we don’t buy a HIP we get a fine. Cost of HIP said to be around £500 and the fine is £200. I wonder which we should go for?WhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545198347038352541.post-25581505386191563752007-04-01T12:53:00.000-07:002007-10-22T12:53:15.574-07:00Offers and locks-outsThey have accepted the offer! We also requested a lock-out agreement for 3 months, so they can’t start talking to anyone else.The next step is to get this house ready to put on the market. The Village House is in good order, but we need to finish off various projects. As we’re not DIY-ers I think we need a house doctor. An interior designer really but these days they seem to have a new name.Time to start asking friends and family who they know._uacct = "UA-1692047-1";urchinTracker();WhYCu7TDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595582845155172558noreply@blogger.com