This time last week we were less than two months away from moving to a brand new house in a brand new city. By Friday afternoon we were right back where we started.
First we were forced to withdraw from our purchase after the survey turned up a few nasty surprises. Whichever way we crunched the numbers, we simply didn’t have the funds to rip out and replace a conservatory. The vendor wasn’t in a position to sell for any less than agreed, so with a heavy heart we decided not to proceed. The more I think about it, the more certain I am that it wasn’t the right place for us after all.
Meanwhile, our buyers had started trying to renegotiate. They eventually demanded a £10K reduction based on the ‘possibility of damp’ and the house’s antiquated wiring, as highlighted by their survey.
There’s no damp. I’m sure of it. We’ve got a contractor coming out to check, but I’m positive the surveyor was simply emphasising the risk {inherent to the age and construction of the property} and covering his back. Our own survey from 8 years ago includes an identical statement. Furthermore, if the house does need re-wiring, it would cost us a lot less than £10,000 to have the work done ourselves. In short, they were trying their luck.
They messed with the wrong girl though, didn’t they?
On Friday afternoon I felt sad. Saturday I was angry. By Sunday, I was being philosophical about the whole thing.
I strongly believe that what is meant for you, won’t go by you. We’ll sell our house, and the new new house will be even better than the one before.
Izzy almost broke my heart yesterday evening. She stood before me, tears streaming down her cheeks, and admitted she had made a wish that we didn’t have to move.
‘Did I make the sale fall through Mummy?’ she whispered. ‘With my wish, I mean? Because now I really wish I hadn’t wished it at all.’
‘Of course not Izzy! Don’t be so silly!’ I said. ‘Besides, it will all be OK in the end’.
And it will.
Love Audrey xxx
Moving is hugely stressful and it’s rare (in my experience) for things to go as smoothly as you would like. Like you said, what’s meant for you won’t go by you.
As Dory said ‘Just keep swimming’……
Fingers crossed for you Franky xx
Very wise words Mandy, thank you 🙂 xxx
It’s all that ‘everything happens for a reason’ thing isnt it? Hardest part is figuring out what the reason is. But from what I’ve seen on your twitter/website your plans for the decor of your new place deserve a perfect house to put them in. Hope you find the dream house soon because for purely selfish reasons I want to see how you decorate it 😉
Sam xx
I totally agree with what’s mean to be will be with houses. Five years ago we were selling our London flat and buying a house in rural Surrey. Our first buyer dropped out, we got a second and then the vendor we were buying from decided he didn’t want to sell after all. After we were really far down the line and had spent money on the survey, searches etc. I was v upset but we decided to sell anyway and move into rented. The day before exchange our buyer demanded we drop £1,000 off the price or else she’d pull out so we gave in. Three months later we had bought and moved into a lovely cottage in the village we were buying before, for nearly £50k less and bigger than the house we lost.
Everything will be alright in the end and if it isn’t alright it really isn’t the end. x