Sunday 25 January 2009

A Moving Experience

Things the way they are at the moment - recession-wise - OH and I had resigned ourselves to the fact that we are not likely to sell our house any time soon and in all probability may be here for another year. We initially put it up for sale at the beginning of March 2008. In the past we have never had any problems selling, have had few viewers, usually finding a buyer within a week or two. This time is very different because the housing market in the UK has taken a rapid downturn and is almost stagnant. We have had only six viewings, the last in early September.

Now, for us, this isn't really a problem. We like living here, it is a lovely house and we have a lovely garden. Last year we came to the decision that we would like to downsize, to have a smaller, more economical home and a lot smaller garden, or, if we bought a flat (which was what we had in mind a year ago) no garden at all. It's just that we are keen to get on with the next stage in our lives. We are both in our 60's, have a son in Australia and a daughter in New Zealand and would like to spend the next few years travelling, not just on extended visits to our family members and have the opportunity to explore their adopted countries, but to see other parts of the world too. We have a list!

So, we will just have to sit it out. In the meantime, we decided we would change some of the rooms around (re-zone - if you like). I suggested it to OH and he agreed and we began moving the smaller items of furniture. We requested step-son's help to move larger pieces and he agreed to come round on Friday or Saturday evening. Glasses and best china had to be taken out of the cabinets, books and family photos off the shelves, pictures off walls, etc etc. (we don't go in for minimilism)! In the middle of all of this the telephone rang. "Hello - it's the estate agent - can we send Mr S round on Saturday to view the house"!! A spot of quick thinking here. SS would probably prefer to come on Friday evening anyway - so "yes that will be OK". The appointment was made for noon on Saturday. SS duly arrived on Friday evening at about 8 pm and we just got on with it!.

Saturday morning, we eventually had the house straight and were ready for our prospective purchasers. It was strange though, much as I had been looking forward to selling and being able to get on with the next stage, new home then extended holidays without the worry of an overgrown garden and/or leaving our home secure for long periods, I had now settled into staying here for one more year. The fact that we now had some-one interested in the house didn't bother me or throw me into a tizzy. In fact I almost felt like ringing the agent back and telling them not to bother. I want to stay here for another year. I'm looking forward to gardening in the spring and sitting out in the summer and another Christmas here would be lovely!!

They duly arrived, a pleasant couple, took their time looking around, asked lots of questions, said the house "ticked a lot of their boxes" (we've heard that before) and left. We immediately found the local paper and began looking at the properties advertised for sale in this area. We will do nothing yet, determined not to begin traipsing around other peoples' houses until we have a firm offer on ours. No point in raising anyone's hopes unnecessarily. And although, as I said, I am quite happy to remain here for another year or however long it takes, I can't help feeling just a little bit excited at the prospect of moving on. Contrary - who me?

18 comments:

Maggie May said...

It is a bad time to sell right now. Sounds like you are fairly adaptable,though and will cope with whatever happens. If you want to sell, then I hope you get a really interested buyer. However, if you want to hang on then do that. Sleep on it.

Lindsay said...

You never know! Our neighbour has sold his house recently after 3 weeks on the market - we were amazed at the high price he is obtaining. At the height of the boom we sold our house but it took 42 viewings - we were exhausted at the end of it.

Pam said...

Good luck! And because you aren't desperate to sell you can ask a fair price and not feel like you have to lose-out.
Keep us posted!
Pam xxx

fizzycat said...

Thanks for your comments. The housing situation might improve in the spring, you might sell then.I havn't moved house for around 12 years.Used to move every couple of years or so when I was a child. My parents have stopped moving house now, I think.

Mean Mom said...

I have it in the back of my mind, that we will move to something smaller, when our other 2 lads finally move out. I'm not sure how I will feel about it, though, if and when the time actually comes. So many memories have been made in this house, it probably won't be easy to leave.

Then again, times change and we have to look forward. I hope that everything turns out for the best, for you.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Selling a house can be a bit hit and miss. I remember having a house up for sale and after countless viewings the couple that finally bought were the couple that unexpectedly came to view when I was in the changing all the beds and the house was in an uproar. Mad.

Winifred said...

Oh I hate moving. I think we'll be here until we can't get up the stairs.

Nice that you can go with the flow as they say and won't be too bothered what happens either way.

The spring will probably make it easier to sell. Everywhere looks so much nicer.

just Gai said...

What an exciting future you have planned!

DeniseinVA said...

Hello Anne, you certainly have the right attitude and I think it's only natural to be a bit ambivalent about it all. I felt the same way in the moves we have had over the years. When hubs was in the navy we moved ten times in ten years and the last move was hard because we had finally bought our first home and had expected to live in it for many years but best laid plans and all that. We have lived in our present home for almost 17 years and it won't be our retirement home as like you we plan to downsize and travel if the opportunity is there. We are trying to clear things out and haven't really started yet but have given ourselves a five year plan. Things change quickly though in this day and age, and I guess the sooner we start the better.

Thanks so much for your kind comments when you visited my blog. It meant a lot to me. Good advice and I am slowly easing back into the groove, enjoying catching up slowly. Yes Monty is a Westie.

Have a great week, with hugs, Denise x

Gill - That British Woman said...

Isn't that always the way, just when you don't expect it, something happens.....

We are still in two minds about putting our house back on the market.......we went for a ride out yesterday to do a bit of house hunting and headed back to somewhere we had looked at before that is still on the market.

Things are bad here so I am still not sure what to do. I think we may wait another month and see what's going on in the market.

I hope things are positive for you.

Gill in Canada

Sandi McBride said...

We did the "downsizing" thing and are so happy...except it's smaller house but bigger area...went from house on 1/2 acre lot to house on 5 acre lot...but we love it out here...hope you'll find just the spot that's perfect for you...even if it's right where you are!
Sandi

abcd said...

We have considered downsizing due my OH's health but decided now is not the right time with the recesssion so I am very interested to see how you get on.
You definately have the right attitude,if it is meant to be, it'll happen if not you can enjoy another summer!

Jay said...

I think it's probably a bad time to downsize right now, isn't it? Maybe it would be better if these people didn't bite .. then you can enjoy your revamped home, and enjoy the garden in the spring and summer, and then perhaps sell next year.

I don't know whether to cross my fingers for the couple to buy, or cross them for the couple NOT to buy! LOL!

cheshire wife said...

It is good to hear that people are looking at your house. It took so long to sell our last house that it just became a way of life for us.

Hope you are able to enjoy your re-arranged house. It might even be as good as a move.

cheshire wife said...

Just dropped by again to tell you that I have tagged you.

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

My thanks to you all for your supportive comments. Think we may be staying put for a while yet. A x

fizzycat said...

Thankyou for the kind thoughts. Thankfully the bite has reduced in size considerably. I think it was just a cross uk spider so I was lucky.

ADDY said...

Selling houses are so stressful and in my experience and those of my nearest and dearest it is never plain-sailing. I sympathise.