The process started last August when we decided to put our house on the market. We had three agents give us a valuation and we chose one, not for the highest valuation but an interesting pitch whereby all we would have to do would be to sign a contract - solicitors were included in the package. It turned out not to be a good choice and we soon changed to get our own solicitors. This was a costly mistake. However, we were pleased with the solicitor we ended up with. The stress for a week whilst this was being arranged was scary.
We saw a bungalow we liked but with no buyer for ours at that time it sold and we lost it. But I believe everything happens for a reason and after the winter we had our block paving drive cleaned and asked our agent to post a new picture of the front of the house. We then viewed another bungalow and fell in love with it immediately but contained any hope/excitement.
Then a buyer came to view ours (we'd had two other couples previously). We all wore face masks and were keeping our distance. I cleaned before and after their visits as the Pandemic was still rife. They fell in love at first sight of our place too. They have a young couple interested in their property so it was all systems go. Offers were put in and accepted and we were 'Sold Subject to Contract'.
That was back in February. Lots of emails and phone calls back and forth to the Estate Agents and Solicitor, paperwork to fill in and a contract to sign (but not date) has been submitted pending a completion date.
Meanwhile lots of activity of decluttering our possessions by way of emptying the loft. I have sold stuff on Shpock; given good items to the church for their next open air pop up sale, given three sleeping bags, a quilt and blanket for the homeless; an old but useable sewing machine went to sewing people making masks for the NHS, a laptop went to a group who were making them fit for school children to use, clothes have been put in charity bags and books sold via an app on my phone. All in all very productive and satisfying. My sister and nephew have had home and garden furniture too.
Now comes the big clean - not that my house is dirty but places I don't get round to normally are being wiped down, kitchen drawers lined, net curtains washed, inside windows cleaned etc. We have boxes of items labelled up and are at a stage of being anxious to know all is well with our buyers and theirs. Its hard living with uncertainty but if all goes well we will be moving at the end of April, beginning of May.
I have to say I think the process is all so very wrong. No contact for weeks gives you time to doubt that all is well. Just a phone call or email each week saying what the state of play is would be helpful, even if no change from the last week, after all the agents/solicitors get a good fee from property sales. So tension builds and anxiety saps my energy. I tell myself it'll all be worth it and so glad I am doing this now and not when I am any older. Even younger people find it stressful - it used to take top spot on the Life Changes stress chart but now I see it has been kicked off the No 1 stressor and features below 'death of a spouse' and 'divorce'.
Changes to the procedure I would make:
- Agents - have a pack ready of 'Things you will need proof of during the selling process' - for example we had no idea that windows and doors fitted by a non-FENSA registered builder/fitter would need an Indemnity Insurance certificate. Make sure you have a gas boiler/gas safety certificate. Have knowledge of any trouble with neighbours house and outcomes of any applications to the Borough Council re TPO's (Tree Preservation Orders).
- Solicitors - Have an agreement of how much contact can be expected, charges etc.
All our dealings have been done during the Pandemic and therefore by 'phone or email only, so personal visits not allowed other than in the initial stage. The lack of contact, personal or otherwise can mean the difference between a good review of your service or not.
Our stumbling blocks were as follows and I list them in case readers of this blog have similiar issues:
- Gas Safety Register - a new boiler has been fitted in the property we are buying and because the house number is, lets say, 123A, it had been registered wrongly to No 123. This took a good while to put right which should have been really simple.
- A Tree Preservation Order on a tree outside of our property boundary also caused confusion, one solicitor wanting clarification it was not in our garden and the other insisting it was. The local council office finally shed light on the situation after we chased them for information. Did you know that if a tree that has a TPO on it and its branches overhang your garden wall you have to get permission to cut off said branches? Good job they were out of our reach all those years we dealt with the falling leaves.
Communication between Solicitors seems very confusing, one saying they have sent information and another saying they are still waiting for it. Meanwhile we draw closer to the date that the person at the top of the chain needs to complete by and no-one in the chain has had this date verified in order to make arrangements with removal companies etc.
So we are now on our third date for completion/moving. Exchange of contracts are taking place and removals on Monday 10th. What a journey this has been but in the end - all is well. Our boxes are packed and a closing of a chapter will take place over the weekend. Wish us well for Monday and the new start that is to come.
