Operation House Move: Part 3

Just as I was about to write an update, saying we have been on the market for one month and not had any interest, we got a phone call! We have a viewing booked for Tuesday! We have a LOT of tidying to do before then. It’s impossible to keep the house spotless and clutter free at the minute. So, that’s what we’re doing this bank holiday weekend.

If we manage to sell the house, we’re going to have to start the mortgage application process again. We went to the bank in February to start the application process and see how much we could borrow. It was all pretty simple then, our combined income minus any loan repayments and utilities etc, multiplied by 3.12. Since then new rules have come into force.

These new rules will undoubtedly reduce what we are able to borrow as they now take into account where pretty much every last penny goes. I’m trying to be good and cut out McDonald’s because that will be embarrassing when they’re going through my statements with a fine toothed comb!

I understand why they have done it, to avoid the reckless lending of a few years ago. My worry is that it will slow everything down and cause more sales to fall through. Also that it will push house prices down, reducing the equity we have and forcing us into a higher loan to value mortgage.

Still, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Got to actually sell this house first!

Love, Betty x

Operation Move House: part 2

The Estate Agent’s came to visit the other day but it turned out it was just to deliver the sales pitch and value our house. So, all that tidying ! Anyway, the massive tidy up wasn’t in vain as they are coming TODAY to take the photos. It’s getting real now! Just hope the sun will come out to make it look all bright and light.

We went to view a property the other day. From looking at it on rightmove, I had all but fallen in love with it. The thing that really sells this house to me is the location. It’s right next to the park, on the bus route for #1 child’s secondary school, close to the town centre and to rail links which the husband could use for work. It’s near to where other friends live and it’s a nice area.

The problem is, the house itself isn’t perfect. I wasn’t expecting perfection but there were a few issues:

• Loft room was quite pokey. I had expected something more substantial and the stairs up to it were narrowish, with head bumping potential. This would probably be our daughter’s room. 
• Access to the kitchen was a bit weird. There was a large hallway but to get to the kitchen you had to go through the living room. It was accessible from the back door though.
• Some of the wallpaper was a bit peely. Just a crap papering job? Or damp? 
• The garden was big but would need a lot of work. I can’t see my children playing in it because it would probably be dangerous.
• No dishwasher.

Things I liked:

• The rooms were big. Lots of space for our family and for parties!
• There was a downstairs loo and shower room. Big bonus. Means I don’t have to keep upstairs tidy for in case guests need to use the bathroom.
• The master bedroom was huge, with a dressing room kind of area which could be made into an en suite in the future.
• The other two first floor bedrooms were both a good size, meaning no need for any toys to be downstairs.
• The bathroom was nice and new.
• The kitchen was modern with a gas hob and lots of cupboard space.
• There was a big utility room for me to hide the ironing, sort washing etc. 
• The floors were all wooden (well, laminate). This would hopefully help mine and #1 child’s asthma, and wouldn’t need to be replaced fairly soon, like carpets would (unless they were brand new). 
• THE LOCATION – this is the biggie for me, I love where it is. 

It has really helped writing this out. I think I could deal with the issues, just don’t know if the hubby can.

If you want to know which property I’m on about, drop me a message and I’ll send you a link. 

Love, Betty x

Operation Move House: part 1

Tomorrow, we are having our house photographed to be put up for sale.

It’s with a heavy heart that we are (hopefully) moving on from this house. We moved in on 30th June 2005, just over four weeks before our second child, our first son, was born. I spent those four weeks, manically trying to get the house how I wanted it before he arrived. It took a lot longer than that though, and there are still things we never quite got around to doing!

When we moved here, we had a litter of teeny kittens, that were only a few days old! Moving our cat, Millie, and her babies was a delicate operation. She had nested in a box full of towels so we had to move that box, complete with four kittens, and Millie to our new house without stressing them out! We were held up for a number of hours but finally got moved in by the evening. Millie and her kittens were put safely in a bedroom. The next few weeks were fun, seeing them grow and become braver and very mischievous. We kept one of them and the other three went to homes of various friends. The last one was collected the day before child #2 was born! 

So, within a few days, all but one of the kittens left us, and our new baby came home to our new house. We celebrated our first Christmas here, with a baby, a toddler and two cats. We began the tradition of buying real Christmas trees in this house as we had a bit more room. That has become a real occasion, and Christmas tree buying day is an event in itself!

A few months after that, we brought a cocker spaniel puppy to join our home! As if life wasn’t mental enough. She did all the usual puppy naughtiness but settled down eventually to be a loving, devoted, family dog. She’s 8 this week and still as crazy as ever, although she sleeps a bit more these days.

The first year in our home was pretty manic, but it really doesn’t feel like almost nine years since we moved in. We have since brought home two more beautiful baby boys, so have definitely outgrown this house. I think we all have mixed feelings about moving, sadness at leaving the home that is full of so many memories, excitement at the prospect of moving to a bigger house where our family can grow up and we can have a bit more storage space!

I just really hope it sells quickly as I’m not sure how long we can keep it this tidy for!

Love, Betty x