‘Well,’ says Tom, ‘no one’s going to be buying this house before Christmas.’ The words have barely left his mouth when the phone rings. It is, of course, the estate agent who’s keen to send round some cash buyers in rented accommodation who are hot to trot (well, not that hot, they don’t actually want to view until next week). Just what we wanted – except now the prospect is filling me with dread.
I know the whole point of putting your house on the market is to sell it, but something’s gone badly wrong with our timing. Earlier in the year when we had a shortlist of three properties all of which fulfilled our brief (no near neighbours, a work space for each of us), we couldn’t find a buyer. Mind you, we were hardly spoilt for choice; our viewers included a geriatric couple looking for a manageable bungalow (perhaps we should have sold them the downstairs?), the ‘couple and one child’ family who thought our house was too small (hello? Five bedrooms??), but which I still think was more to do with me evilling their beloved child for throwing herself on every bed. And then there was the lady looking for a smallholding... Doesn’t anyone read the sale particulars? My star prize has to go to the punter who made an appointment to view the house, turned up outside and realised she’d viewed and rejected it (village location) previously. How is that possible? (And no, I didn’t twig that she’d been before because every other person in Wales has the same surname).
Anyway, now, when there’s chance we might have a genuine potential buyer I can’t see one house in our price bracket that I’d like to move to! Everything on our shortlist has been sold so we’ve been trawling the internet looking for alternatives. That means doing our homework; reading the details, clicking on Google Maps to see what else is in the vicinity and driving past... and that’s where the problem lies. Nearly every property with no near neighbours has a building plot next to it, or permission for small estate – everything we’re trying to escape from! At this rate the whole of west Wales is going to be concreted over and our previous house on the edge of the Downs will seem positively rural. Lovely Woozle who commented a few posts ago, said, ‘I believe in fate here. Your new home isn't ready for you yet, that's why you haven't sold. It'll happen when it's the right time.’ Oh Woozle, I do hope you’re right!
Painting is 'Coast - Winter's Day' by Tom Tomos
Comments
Hope it all goes well for you too. x
Gaelikaa, thank you for your very kind message - I shall start believing but do, in the nicest possible sense, save your prayers for someone more deserving than me. (ps, thanks for your comments about Tom's work - and Tom! - I'm a big fan).
Debs, that makes me feel more optimistic. How interesting that you and R sold your houses on the same day and that it worked out so well for the pair of you.
HAH, you are a one! Some free spirit, you, wanting to carry on travelling in your camper van. So glad that buying bricks and mortar was the beginning of something solid for you and nearest&dearest.
Elizabeth, that's fascinating - you sound so sure about your home that I assumed it was love at first sight. Interesting that the love grew - and very encouraging for me.
You will find somewhere - it's out there somewhere....
Our timing has always been wrong with house-buying; buying when prices are high and selling in a recession, that's happened twice!
Your house is out there Chris, stay positive and it will happen. I hope you find it soon.
Jeanne x
Pondside, that's reassuring, thanks.
Sally, and what a house you found!! Interesting that you say it came out the blue.
Mags, it's marvellous that people have grown to love their 'rebound' houses and encouraging for me.
Elizabethd - It's been lovely hearing everyone's stories about how they found their home. Didn't think you could pick them up at the P.O!
Mountainear, what I'm afraid of is, since we're on for a realistic price, the thought of selling at the bottom and then having to buy at the top. I thnk I'd rather stay put then take that chance. Difficult to judge.
Jeanne, your home looks beautiful on your blog so it clearly worked out well in the end.
Neighbours apart (and at least they're of the curtain-twitching and grumpy muttering variety and not the loud music and car-vandalising variety) the house we ended up with is definitly better than all the ones we "set our hearts on".
Hang in there and keep the faith. I'm convinced that if you keep an open mind, something fantastic will eventually happen.
SBS, it couldn't have been too bad a rebound for you to stay 12 years... on the other hand you do sound fed up!
Liane, that's encouraging. Thank you.
Fp, thanks and thanks... and I'll say more when I can.
Rowan, many thanks for that comment, I appreciated it.
LBD, that's a huge amount of money to write-off, but it saved you even more, not to mention all that heartache. I'm pleased to know it worked out for you.
Fennie - thanks - I'll keep hoping for those dreams to come true!
Fia, hmmn, today I eviled the cash buyers!!
CKx