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Is There A Place For Us?



‘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

Maria said…
I love coming here. The right combination of prose and art. I'm becoming quite a fan of Tom's you know? As well as you Chris. I'm lucky, I get to comment first this time. Okay, well, I'll put your need on my list of things to pray for. I'll pray that you'll get exactly the right house at the right and perfect time and the perfect buyer as well. And you must start believing for this too. And it will happen, you'll see. You really deserve a break!
I remember when R and I were selling our houses and looking for one to buy together. It was a nightmare - buyers dropping out, etc, and we couldn't find something we both liked. The estate agent assured it would happen when it was right, and it did, both our houses sold on the same day and we bought this and have loved it ever since.

Hope it all goes well for you too. x
her at home said…
When we left Englnad we sold up put everything in storage and toottled off with the kids in a camper van, we would still be doing it if I hadnt been out voted by nearest and dearest who wanted to buy some bricks and mortar. We lsot teh hoseu we dearly lost and which we found out later had a heap of problems so we had had a lucky escape and bought this one on the rebound with me sulking. I love it now. Woozle is right, when teh right hoseu is ready you wi8ll find it!
You know how much I love my house because I am always boring on about it! Well we lost the house I had fallen in love with because we couldn't sell ours. This was very much on the rebound and I liked it not loved it, but look at me now - totally in love. Not sure there is any lesson in this whatsoever, just wanted to tell you! Good luck.
Chris Stovell said…
Lovely, lovely messages here tonight, folks. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

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.
Norma Murray said…
I shudder at the thought of moving house. I swore I'd never do it again.Is there any way you could string it out as long as possible. I doubt if many new houses will come on the market before Christmas, but if you have a positive buyer, you'll be in a very good position when the market picks up in the new year.
Pondside said…
My walking buddy and her husband found themselves in your position at the end of August - big worries at the time. Today they're in the perfect place, ticked all the 'must have' boxes and they couldn't be happier. It will happen for you and Tom too.
Sally Townsend said…
Take heart Chris I too had the same dread, how will I ever find another house ? but completely and utterly out of the blue I found one, now if I can have pure luck so can you !! It all falls into place, HONESTLY. x
Elizabethd said…
Do hope you find something. We were once in the same position, and I put a notice in the village P.O...and we found a house that we might not otherwise have known about.
Maggie Christie said…
Woozle's right. The perfect house will turn up when you need it. Fingers crossed for you. Incidentally like ElizabethM my family lost the first house we tried to buy here, and this one was definitely bought 'on the rebound'. It worked out okay in the end!
mountainear said…
Perhaps you could exchange with your potential buyers and live in their rented accommodation until your dream home presents itself? Hardly ideal but you'd be in a position to move very quickly if you did find somewhere.

You will find somewhere - it's out there somewhere....
mountainear said…
Sorry - an awful lot of 'somewheres' in that reply.
I think Mountainear has a point there. It could solve an immediate problem and for the short-time it could work?
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
I'm a disaster in this house choosing lark - last time we lost the 'ideal' home and got this one on the rebound and I will be so glad to get shot of it after 12 years but we cant finish the dratted thing BUT there's something in what Woozle says - it will all fall into place (mine will probably do just that - literally!)
Liane Spicer said…
I think Woozle is right, judging from my past experience. When I stop obsessing and worrying things tend to fall into place quite nicely.
Flowerpot said…
It's sods law isnt it Chris? Fingers crossed for everything - and your other news. Thinking of you!
Rowan Coleman said…
Hello Chris just left you a message on the private place -sorry its been so long before I saw your post!xx
Chris Stovell said…
Hi Lampie, I'm just hoping everyone's right at that the house for us is waiting. Gulp!

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.
I agree - the road to the perfect house is fraught with near misses and disappointments. Our last couple of moves have involved at least two houses we'd fallen in love with and were either pipped at the post for or got to the stage of spending £800 on a survey for only to find it had an unsafe bit of building work, £25,000-worth of damp work needed, a dodgy roof and death-watch beetle. And no, I'm afraid I'm really not exaggerating.

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.
Fennie said…
You are very brave. The thought of a potential move would terrify me. But I do hope this all works for you. And I am sure that it will - a dream house and a dream buyer.
You did make me laugh with your eviling the bed bouncing child. Good for you.
Chris Stovell said…
Oo-er! Blogger sent a late delivery of comments that have just come through. I wasn't ignoring anyone!

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!!
Lane Mathias said…
Another vote for Woozle's wisdom. Hang on in there and keep giving the evils to those who so deserve it.
Calico Kate said…
Oh completely agree with Woozel. YOu timing is a bit squint at the mo and as they say up here ~ What's for you won't go by you. Sit 'canny' and all will fall into place when you least expect it.
CKx

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