Is anyone moving now?
Discussion
So it seems that for the moment the EWS1 has gone away...
We had our buyer round this weekend, for the 3rd time. It was odd to say the least. We were told experienced buy to let. They are buying to live in it and are first time buyers. Quite annoyed as we took the lower offer for expediency.
They produced some sort of Arma regulated form which we had no idea what it was, and is something to do with renting. They then spent a long time telling us how they wanted a lift and a downstairs toilet, after which they went systematically through the property essentially carrying out their own fixtures and fittings checks, and kept questioning things such as "why are the stairs wood coloured? Why are the cupboard doors this wood colour?" and "Why year did you paint this wall? Why does the carpet look like this and can you put laminate down?"
The other odd things we when they asked if the could convert the garage to a bedroom and join the store room behind it, and put stairs into it to go to the flat.....
There is a corridor that splits them so others can access their garage and store rooms, and there is a flat between the garage and our property, not to mention, it's a garage.
They also kept asking why we put things in certain places.. like the car in the garage and the bicycles on the wall.
We did also have to tell them that they don't get our white goods and our sofas and furniture....
All very bizarre. Had to call our agent to day to get them to double check that the buyer knows that they are buying the flat and it does come unfurnished and they can do what they want with it once they have it....
They did also ask for our contact details and address of where we were moving to, so they can contact us after the purchase in case they have problems. Dodged that!
why us....
We had our buyer round this weekend, for the 3rd time. It was odd to say the least. We were told experienced buy to let. They are buying to live in it and are first time buyers. Quite annoyed as we took the lower offer for expediency.
They produced some sort of Arma regulated form which we had no idea what it was, and is something to do with renting. They then spent a long time telling us how they wanted a lift and a downstairs toilet, after which they went systematically through the property essentially carrying out their own fixtures and fittings checks, and kept questioning things such as "why are the stairs wood coloured? Why are the cupboard doors this wood colour?" and "Why year did you paint this wall? Why does the carpet look like this and can you put laminate down?"
The other odd things we when they asked if the could convert the garage to a bedroom and join the store room behind it, and put stairs into it to go to the flat.....
There is a corridor that splits them so others can access their garage and store rooms, and there is a flat between the garage and our property, not to mention, it's a garage.
They also kept asking why we put things in certain places.. like the car in the garage and the bicycles on the wall.
We did also have to tell them that they don't get our white goods and our sofas and furniture....
All very bizarre. Had to call our agent to day to get them to double check that the buyer knows that they are buying the flat and it does come unfurnished and they can do what they want with it once they have it....
They did also ask for our contact details and address of where we were moving to, so they can contact us after the purchase in case they have problems. Dodged that!
why us.... Wildfire said:
So it seems that for the moment the EWS1 has gone away...
We had our buyer round this weekend, for the 3rd time. It was odd to say the least. We were told experienced buy to let. They are buying to live in it and are first time buyers. Quite annoyed as we took the lower offer for expediency.
They produced some sort of Arma regulated form which we had no idea what it was, and is something to do with renting. They then spent a long time telling us how they wanted a lift and a downstairs toilet, after which they went systematically through the property essentially carrying out their own fixtures and fittings checks, and kept questioning things such as "why are the stairs wood coloured? Why are the cupboard doors this wood colour?" and "Why year did you paint this wall? Why does the carpet look like this and can you put laminate down?"
The other odd things we when they asked if the could convert the garage to a bedroom and join the store room behind it, and put stairs into it to go to the flat.....
There is a corridor that splits them so others can access their garage and store rooms, and there is a flat between the garage and our property, not to mention, it's a garage.
They also kept asking why we put things in certain places.. like the car in the garage and the bicycles on the wall.
We did also have to tell them that they don't get our white goods and our sofas and furniture....
All very bizarre. Had to call our agent to day to get them to double check that the buyer knows that they are buying the flat and it does come unfurnished and they can do what they want with it once they have it....
They did also ask for our contact details and address of where we were moving to, so they can contact us after the purchase in case they have problems. Dodged that!
why us....
honestly, that would make me run away. If this is the sWe had our buyer round this weekend, for the 3rd time. It was odd to say the least. We were told experienced buy to let. They are buying to live in it and are first time buyers. Quite annoyed as we took the lower offer for expediency.
They produced some sort of Arma regulated form which we had no idea what it was, and is something to do with renting. They then spent a long time telling us how they wanted a lift and a downstairs toilet, after which they went systematically through the property essentially carrying out their own fixtures and fittings checks, and kept questioning things such as "why are the stairs wood coloured? Why are the cupboard doors this wood colour?" and "Why year did you paint this wall? Why does the carpet look like this and can you put laminate down?"
The other odd things we when they asked if the could convert the garage to a bedroom and join the store room behind it, and put stairs into it to go to the flat.....
There is a corridor that splits them so others can access their garage and store rooms, and there is a flat between the garage and our property, not to mention, it's a garage.
They also kept asking why we put things in certain places.. like the car in the garage and the bicycles on the wall.
We did also have to tell them that they don't get our white goods and our sofas and furniture....
All very bizarre. Had to call our agent to day to get them to double check that the buyer knows that they are buying the flat and it does come unfurnished and they can do what they want with it once they have it....
They did also ask for our contact details and address of where we were moving to, so they can contact us after the purchase in case they have problems. Dodged that!
why us.... 
te you're dealing with at the start you can imagine what you'll deal with later.Jefferson Steelflex said:
Fun and games on our move, our vendor is no onward chain (turns out they are separated) and when originally going through the purchase we were told they’d be flexible on dates etc.
Per last update, they asked if we would agree to complete 7th July and I took this down the chain and everyone was happy. Roll forward to last week and due to to Exchange when my solicitor informs me of radio silence from the vendor solicitor so i call the agent and ask WTF, and i then get told, “sorry, been a change and they can’t move out until end July…” I sort of rolled with it, we are still flexible but it was their date originally and we made all of the arrangements on that basis.
Anyway, it turns out our buyer and the guy further down the chain are not willing to do delay as both have mortgage offers expiring and one of them is on holiday first two weeks of August. I took a little bit of pleasure from telling the vendor agent yesterday that their client caused this issue, said they’d be flexible, and now have to suck it up or it all falls through.
There’s definitely some shenanigans going on with the vendor, probably a lot of beef between them (we know of them through friends of friends so are aware of their situation) and i’d guess whatever party is still living there is trying to delay as long as possible. They don’t have that option sadly.
As an aside, i’m reading about more interest rate rises and recession looming and wondering if spunking a lot of money on a house is a good idea…
I think I am dealing with a few strange people here, and feel like I'm doing all the leg work, but we now have a provisional exchange date of 4th July.Per last update, they asked if we would agree to complete 7th July and I took this down the chain and everyone was happy. Roll forward to last week and due to to Exchange when my solicitor informs me of radio silence from the vendor solicitor so i call the agent and ask WTF, and i then get told, “sorry, been a change and they can’t move out until end July…” I sort of rolled with it, we are still flexible but it was their date originally and we made all of the arrangements on that basis.
Anyway, it turns out our buyer and the guy further down the chain are not willing to do delay as both have mortgage offers expiring and one of them is on holiday first two weeks of August. I took a little bit of pleasure from telling the vendor agent yesterday that their client caused this issue, said they’d be flexible, and now have to suck it up or it all falls through.
There’s definitely some shenanigans going on with the vendor, probably a lot of beef between them (we know of them through friends of friends so are aware of their situation) and i’d guess whatever party is still living there is trying to delay as long as possible. They don’t have that option sadly.
As an aside, i’m reading about more interest rate rises and recession looming and wondering if spunking a lot of money on a house is a good idea…
It should have been this week, but the FTB at the bottom of the chain is on holiday and has instructed his solicitor that he isn't wiling to transfer the deposit money while he is abroad. I have no idea why he considers it a problem, but just means the time between exchange and complete is going to be 18 days.
My solicitor insisted on 20 working days between the two dates or else there is a fee, so we will see how that works out.
Wildfire said:
So it seems that for the moment the EWS1 has gone away...
We had our buyer round this weekend, for the 3rd time. It was odd to say the least. We were told experienced buy to let. They are buying to live in it and are first time buyers. Quite annoyed as we took the lower offer for expediency.
They produced some sort of Arma regulated form which we had no idea what it was, and is something to do with renting. They then spent a long time telling us how they wanted a lift and a downstairs toilet, after which they went systematically through the property essentially carrying out their own fixtures and fittings checks, and kept questioning things such as "why are the stairs wood coloured? Why are the cupboard doors this wood colour?" and "Why year did you paint this wall? Why does the carpet look like this and can you put laminate down?"
The other odd things we when they asked if the could convert the garage to a bedroom and join the store room behind it, and put stairs into it to go to the flat.....
There is a corridor that splits them so others can access their garage and store rooms, and there is a flat between the garage and our property, not to mention, it's a garage.
They also kept asking why we put things in certain places.. like the car in the garage and the bicycles on the wall.
We did also have to tell them that they don't get our white goods and our sofas and furniture....
All very bizarre. Had to call our agent to day to get them to double check that the buyer knows that they are buying the flat and it does come unfurnished and they can do what they want with it once they have it....
They did also ask for our contact details and address of where we were moving to, so they can contact us after the purchase in case they have problems. Dodged that!
why us....
Very strange buyers. It sounds like they are starting a buy-to-let investment but don't know anything about the buying process.We had our buyer round this weekend, for the 3rd time. It was odd to say the least. We were told experienced buy to let. They are buying to live in it and are first time buyers. Quite annoyed as we took the lower offer for expediency.
They produced some sort of Arma regulated form which we had no idea what it was, and is something to do with renting. They then spent a long time telling us how they wanted a lift and a downstairs toilet, after which they went systematically through the property essentially carrying out their own fixtures and fittings checks, and kept questioning things such as "why are the stairs wood coloured? Why are the cupboard doors this wood colour?" and "Why year did you paint this wall? Why does the carpet look like this and can you put laminate down?"
The other odd things we when they asked if the could convert the garage to a bedroom and join the store room behind it, and put stairs into it to go to the flat.....
There is a corridor that splits them so others can access their garage and store rooms, and there is a flat between the garage and our property, not to mention, it's a garage.
They also kept asking why we put things in certain places.. like the car in the garage and the bicycles on the wall.
We did also have to tell them that they don't get our white goods and our sofas and furniture....
All very bizarre. Had to call our agent to day to get them to double check that the buyer knows that they are buying the flat and it does come unfurnished and they can do what they want with it once they have it....
They did also ask for our contact details and address of where we were moving to, so they can contact us after the purchase in case they have problems. Dodged that!
why us.... Given this naivety in questions I would guess they don't know that they will need an EWS1 if they are going to borrow money from a mortgage lender unless they are cash buyers.
Even though the law may not stipulate it, they will struggle to find a lender which will not require it as per RICS guidance.
grudas said:
honestly, that would make me run away. If this is the ste you're dealing with at the start you can imagine what you'll deal with later.
Yes, that was my concern this whole weekend, we are on a clock already due to our mortgage and the last buyer pulling out due to advice from his priest. I've called the agent this morning to get them to make sure the buyer is totally clear on things.te you're dealing with at the start you can imagine what you'll deal with later.That said, he did say he wanted to move fast and would be hassling banks and solicitors etc.
leef44 said:
Very strange buyers. It sounds like they are starting a buy-to-let investment but don't know anything about the buying process.
Given this naivety in questions I would guess they don't know that they will need an EWS1 if they are going to borrow money from a mortgage lender unless they are cash buyers.
Even though the law may not stipulate it, they will struggle to find a lender which will not require it as per RICS guidance.
We've been through this. According to RICS Guidance (which seems to be mostly withdrawn), our property doesn't qualify for EWS1, we are neither the right height, have balconies, nor is there any cladding at all, or any curtained glass. Our last buyer was buy to let and it went through fine. Given this naivety in questions I would guess they don't know that they will need an EWS1 if they are going to borrow money from a mortgage lender unless they are cash buyers.
Even though the law may not stipulate it, they will struggle to find a lender which will not require it as per RICS guidance.
This buyer produced a form that no one has any idea of what it was, but also he would be moving in as his son is the local boy's school already..
We have said "just pay us and you can do what you want with the property", it's not our problem once we have sold.
Wildfire said:
grudas said:
honestly, that would make me run away. If this is the ste you're dealing with at the start you can imagine what you'll deal with later.
Yes, that was my concern this whole weekend, we are on a clock already due to our mortgage and the last buyer pulling out due to advice from his priest. I've called the agent this morning to get them to make sure the buyer is totally clear on things.te you're dealing with at the start you can imagine what you'll deal with later.That said, he did say he wanted to move fast and would be hassling banks and solicitors etc.
leef44 said:
Very strange buyers. It sounds like they are starting a buy-to-let investment but don't know anything about the buying process.
Given this naivety in questions I would guess they don't know that they will need an EWS1 if they are going to borrow money from a mortgage lender unless they are cash buyers.
Even though the law may not stipulate it, they will struggle to find a lender which will not require it as per RICS guidance.
We've been through this. According to RICS Guidance (which seems to be mostly withdrawn), our property doesn't qualify for EWS1, we are neither the right height, have balconies, nor is there any cladding at all, or any curtained glass. Our last buyer was buy to let and it went through fine. Given this naivety in questions I would guess they don't know that they will need an EWS1 if they are going to borrow money from a mortgage lender unless they are cash buyers.
Even though the law may not stipulate it, they will struggle to find a lender which will not require it as per RICS guidance.
This buyer produced a form that no one has any idea of what it was, but also he would be moving in as his son is the local boy's school already..
We have said "just pay us and you can do what you want with the property", it's not our problem once we have sold.
Can you point in the direction of any links where I can find out the latest? I didn't realise the guidance had been withdrawn by RICS.
Surveyors job always seems to work towards covering all possible outcomes rather than all probable outcomes which make them put an obstacle to everything.
leef44 said:
Interesting on the RICS guidance. I'm trying to help my son by his first property but it looks like he can only afford a flat. I had given up after seeing RICS guidance making it almost impossible.
Can you point in the direction of any links where I can find out the latest? I didn't realise the guidance had been withdrawn by RICS.
Surveyors job always seems to work towards covering all possible outcomes rather than all probable outcomes which make them put an obstacle to everything.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-external-wall-fire-review-process-ews/ - Base articleCan you point in the direction of any links where I can find out the latest? I didn't realise the guidance had been withdrawn by RICS.
Surveyors job always seems to work towards covering all possible outcomes rather than all probable outcomes which make them put an obstacle to everything.
Article said:
1. Which blocks need an EWS1 form?
RICS’ initial guidance said the process applied to residential buildings in scope above 18m in height. Not all high-rise blocks needed an EWS1 form “only those with some form of combustible cladding or combustible material on balconies.” RICS said some lower buildings might be in scope if combustible materials/balconies represented “a clear and obvious danger to life safety”.
The Government’s consolidated Advice Note of January 2020 (now withdrawn) said, “The need to assess and manage the risk of external fire spread applies to buildings of any height.” Flat owners in blocks lower than 18 metres reported lenders requiring EWS1 forms.
On 21 November 2020 an agreement between RICS, UK Finance, the Building Societies Association and Government was announced such that an EWS1 form was no longer needed for sales or re-mortgages on flats in blocks with no cladding. Supplementary guidance on fire risk assessments was issued on 21 November 2020 (now withdrawn).
RICS issued a new guidance note on 8 March 2021 which took effect from 5 April 2021. The guidance lists circumstances where an EWS1 form should be required and says:
…where a valuer or lender can establish that the building owner has met the advice in the consolidated advice note, an EWS1 form should not be required, nor would an EWS1 form be required for a building that is over 18 metres that has a valid building control certificate in place.
The guidance says some lower-level blocks will still need an EWS1:
…in the light of the evidence received during the consultation, buildings of any height that have high pressure laminate (HPL) cladding and those of five stories or higher with combustible cladding linking balconies, will still need an EWS1 form.
There were reports of lenders insisting on EWS1 forms despite blocks not meeting criteria in the RICS guidance.
On 21 July 2021, the Secretary of State referred to expert advice which found “no systemic risk of fire in blocks of flats under 18 metres.” The press release said “EWS1 forms should not be requested for buildings below 18 metres” and said some major high street lenders had agreed to review their practices on blocks under 18 metres based on the new advice.
RICs carried out a review of its guidance and on 10 December 2021 said its role was to safeguard the public interest and the guidance needed to stay in place:
This is so that purchasers do not risk finding themselves trapped in flats of any height because potentially crippling costs are ignored and passed unwittingly on to them, which so many current owners have discovered too late.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1015453/Withdrawn_Building_safety_advice_for_building_owners_including_fire_doors_January_2020.pdf - Withdrawn guidance - this has the following requirements:RICS’ initial guidance said the process applied to residential buildings in scope above 18m in height. Not all high-rise blocks needed an EWS1 form “only those with some form of combustible cladding or combustible material on balconies.” RICS said some lower buildings might be in scope if combustible materials/balconies represented “a clear and obvious danger to life safety”.
The Government’s consolidated Advice Note of January 2020 (now withdrawn) said, “The need to assess and manage the risk of external fire spread applies to buildings of any height.” Flat owners in blocks lower than 18 metres reported lenders requiring EWS1 forms.
On 21 November 2020 an agreement between RICS, UK Finance, the Building Societies Association and Government was announced such that an EWS1 form was no longer needed for sales or re-mortgages on flats in blocks with no cladding. Supplementary guidance on fire risk assessments was issued on 21 November 2020 (now withdrawn).
RICS issued a new guidance note on 8 March 2021 which took effect from 5 April 2021. The guidance lists circumstances where an EWS1 form should be required and says:
…where a valuer or lender can establish that the building owner has met the advice in the consolidated advice note, an EWS1 form should not be required, nor would an EWS1 form be required for a building that is over 18 metres that has a valid building control certificate in place.
The guidance says some lower-level blocks will still need an EWS1:
…in the light of the evidence received during the consultation, buildings of any height that have high pressure laminate (HPL) cladding and those of five stories or higher with combustible cladding linking balconies, will still need an EWS1 form.
There were reports of lenders insisting on EWS1 forms despite blocks not meeting criteria in the RICS guidance.
On 21 July 2021, the Secretary of State referred to expert advice which found “no systemic risk of fire in blocks of flats under 18 metres.” The press release said “EWS1 forms should not be requested for buildings below 18 metres” and said some major high street lenders had agreed to review their practices on blocks under 18 metres based on the new advice.
RICs carried out a review of its guidance and on 10 December 2021 said its role was to safeguard the public interest and the guidance needed to stay in place:
This is so that purchasers do not risk finding themselves trapped in flats of any height because potentially crippling costs are ignored and passed unwittingly on to them, which so many current owners have discovered too late.
PAS:9980 replaced the guidance, but also says it is not a replacement, on the BSI website.
But if you read PAS:9980, it basically assumes that you have cladding.
At no point in any of this is there actually a question that says: "Does the building have cladding?" if yes, do an FRAEW, if not then refer to the FRA.
Our flat is 3 stories high and is entirely brick built, has no cladding at all either.
All as clear as mud, but we are not a high rise block and have no cladding..
Wildfire said:
leef44 said:
Interesting on the RICS guidance. I'm trying to help my son by his first property but it looks like he can only afford a flat. I had given up after seeing RICS guidance making it almost impossible.
Can you point in the direction of any links where I can find out the latest? I didn't realise the guidance had been withdrawn by RICS.
Surveyors job always seems to work towards covering all possible outcomes rather than all probable outcomes which make them put an obstacle to everything.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-external-wall-fire-review-process-ews/ - Base articleCan you point in the direction of any links where I can find out the latest? I didn't realise the guidance had been withdrawn by RICS.
Surveyors job always seems to work towards covering all possible outcomes rather than all probable outcomes which make them put an obstacle to everything.
Article said:
1. Which blocks need an EWS1 form?
RICS’ initial guidance said the process applied to residential buildings in scope above 18m in height. Not all high-rise blocks needed an EWS1 form “only those with some form of combustible cladding or combustible material on balconies.” RICS said some lower buildings might be in scope if combustible materials/balconies represented “a clear and obvious danger to life safety”.
The Government’s consolidated Advice Note of January 2020 (now withdrawn) said, “The need to assess and manage the risk of external fire spread applies to buildings of any height.” Flat owners in blocks lower than 18 metres reported lenders requiring EWS1 forms.
On 21 November 2020 an agreement between RICS, UK Finance, the Building Societies Association and Government was announced such that an EWS1 form was no longer needed for sales or re-mortgages on flats in blocks with no cladding. Supplementary guidance on fire risk assessments was issued on 21 November 2020 (now withdrawn).
RICS issued a new guidance note on 8 March 2021 which took effect from 5 April 2021. The guidance lists circumstances where an EWS1 form should be required and says:
…where a valuer or lender can establish that the building owner has met the advice in the consolidated advice note, an EWS1 form should not be required, nor would an EWS1 form be required for a building that is over 18 metres that has a valid building control certificate in place.
The guidance says some lower-level blocks will still need an EWS1:
…in the light of the evidence received during the consultation, buildings of any height that have high pressure laminate (HPL) cladding and those of five stories or higher with combustible cladding linking balconies, will still need an EWS1 form.
There were reports of lenders insisting on EWS1 forms despite blocks not meeting criteria in the RICS guidance.
On 21 July 2021, the Secretary of State referred to expert advice which found “no systemic risk of fire in blocks of flats under 18 metres.” The press release said “EWS1 forms should not be requested for buildings below 18 metres” and said some major high street lenders had agreed to review their practices on blocks under 18 metres based on the new advice.
RICs carried out a review of its guidance and on 10 December 2021 said its role was to safeguard the public interest and the guidance needed to stay in place:
This is so that purchasers do not risk finding themselves trapped in flats of any height because potentially crippling costs are ignored and passed unwittingly on to them, which so many current owners have discovered too late.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1015453/Withdrawn_Building_safety_advice_for_building_owners_including_fire_doors_January_2020.pdf - Withdrawn guidance - this has the following requirements:RICS’ initial guidance said the process applied to residential buildings in scope above 18m in height. Not all high-rise blocks needed an EWS1 form “only those with some form of combustible cladding or combustible material on balconies.” RICS said some lower buildings might be in scope if combustible materials/balconies represented “a clear and obvious danger to life safety”.
The Government’s consolidated Advice Note of January 2020 (now withdrawn) said, “The need to assess and manage the risk of external fire spread applies to buildings of any height.” Flat owners in blocks lower than 18 metres reported lenders requiring EWS1 forms.
On 21 November 2020 an agreement between RICS, UK Finance, the Building Societies Association and Government was announced such that an EWS1 form was no longer needed for sales or re-mortgages on flats in blocks with no cladding. Supplementary guidance on fire risk assessments was issued on 21 November 2020 (now withdrawn).
RICS issued a new guidance note on 8 March 2021 which took effect from 5 April 2021. The guidance lists circumstances where an EWS1 form should be required and says:
…where a valuer or lender can establish that the building owner has met the advice in the consolidated advice note, an EWS1 form should not be required, nor would an EWS1 form be required for a building that is over 18 metres that has a valid building control certificate in place.
The guidance says some lower-level blocks will still need an EWS1:
…in the light of the evidence received during the consultation, buildings of any height that have high pressure laminate (HPL) cladding and those of five stories or higher with combustible cladding linking balconies, will still need an EWS1 form.
There were reports of lenders insisting on EWS1 forms despite blocks not meeting criteria in the RICS guidance.
On 21 July 2021, the Secretary of State referred to expert advice which found “no systemic risk of fire in blocks of flats under 18 metres.” The press release said “EWS1 forms should not be requested for buildings below 18 metres” and said some major high street lenders had agreed to review their practices on blocks under 18 metres based on the new advice.
RICs carried out a review of its guidance and on 10 December 2021 said its role was to safeguard the public interest and the guidance needed to stay in place:
This is so that purchasers do not risk finding themselves trapped in flats of any height because potentially crippling costs are ignored and passed unwittingly on to them, which so many current owners have discovered too late.
PAS:9980 replaced the guidance, but also says it is not a replacement, on the BSI website.
But if you read PAS:9980, it basically assumes that you have cladding.
At no point in any of this is there actually a question that says: "Does the building have cladding?" if yes, do an FRAEW, if not then refer to the FRA.
Our flat is 3 stories high and is entirely brick built, has no cladding at all either.
All as clear as mud, but we are not a high rise block and have no cladding..
I then started looking for 3 storey brick build flats and then saw that RICS' impossible stance meant that this would still fall foul and a lender could still insist on EWS1.
It's promising to hear that in your case you have found resolution so perhaps there is still hope for me and I will continue looking at these types of flats.
daos said:
Things are moving forward for us. We are living in rented accommodation but still selling our house at the same time as buying as we had been renting it out. Our tenants are moving out next week so we hope we can exchange soon after that.
Our buyers solicitor is really focussing on a small amount of work done on the house about 20 years ago well before our ownership and essentially an internal modification of the kitchen. Hoping it doesn’t slow things down. I’ve asked our agents to speak to the buyer to find out if it’s just the solicitor being difficult.
After a fair bit of wrangling today we have agreed a completion date with the chain. We were feeling a bit stuck between our vendor insisting to complete before the weekend of 9th of July and our buyer wanting two weeks between exchange with slow solicitors, but we managed to agree a date and just need to exchange on Friday. The end is in sight!Our buyers solicitor is really focussing on a small amount of work done on the house about 20 years ago well before our ownership and essentially an internal modification of the kitchen. Hoping it doesn’t slow things down. I’ve asked our agents to speak to the buyer to find out if it’s just the solicitor being difficult.
Got the ball rolling yesterday with photos and virtual tour of our first place hopefully on the market next week and then the fun begins.
Fingers crossed we can find a buyer relatively quickly it’s a first time home or an investment. Little worried as everything we are looking at seems to have got 30-40k dearer in the last 6 months or so. My Nan has her property on the market too and general word from Estate agents is prices still pretty strong but there are signs of market slowing down a little.. it’s anyones guess and as others have said dependant on area etc.
Good luck to everyone going through the motions
Fingers crossed we can find a buyer relatively quickly it’s a first time home or an investment. Little worried as everything we are looking at seems to have got 30-40k dearer in the last 6 months or so. My Nan has her property on the market too and general word from Estate agents is prices still pretty strong but there are signs of market slowing down a little.. it’s anyones guess and as others have said dependant on area etc.
Good luck to everyone going through the motions
God, mortgage companies are painful.
Our lender has been quiet for a week or so, and when prodded came back with a load of random questions about MrsC's income. That would all be ok had we not already provided 12mths of payslips, 12mths of bank statements, and a letter from her employer with it written clear as day.
There's no helping some people. Meanwhile, the vendor continues to get testy, probably because he knows he'd struggle to get the same money now if he needed to remarket.
How terminally dull.
Our lender has been quiet for a week or so, and when prodded came back with a load of random questions about MrsC's income. That would all be ok had we not already provided 12mths of payslips, 12mths of bank statements, and a letter from her employer with it written clear as day.
There's no helping some people. Meanwhile, the vendor continues to get testy, probably because he knows he'd struggle to get the same money now if he needed to remarket.
How terminally dull.
Well, less than half an hour after the message above we had an email from our mortgage guy to say that everything is sorted. Thank God.
Not quite the rate we were offered in April, but still good and very happy to fix for a few years!
Time to start figuring out how the hell we fill 3,000sqft+ with furniture...
Not quite the rate we were offered in April, but still good and very happy to fix for a few years!
Time to start figuring out how the hell we fill 3,000sqft+ with furniture...
GT3Manthey said:
I can see lots of landlords wanting to sell up so the mkt might well get flooded with ex rentals
We sold our BTL end of May.Market here (south Lincs) is slowing.
M in L's bungalow has had a few viewings, nothing for 3 weeks I said it's on too high but she won't be told.
2 bungalows near to us which would have been snapped up quickly earlier in the year are still around after 4 & 8 weeks.
Both priced sensibly, 3 beds, quiet area, decent gardens and close to shops etc.. ideal for retired couple downsizing.
GreatGranny said:
We sold our BTL end of May.
Market here (south Lincs) is slowing.
M in L's bungalow has had a few viewings, nothing for 3 weeks I said it's on too high but she won't be told.
2 bungalows near to us which would have been snapped up quickly earlier in the year are still around after 4 & 8 weeks.
Both priced sensibly, 3 beds, quiet area, decent gardens and close to shops etc.. ideal for retired couple downsizing.
I think we’ll see more retired couples who’s kids have now left for good downsizing giving increased living costs so I suspect they’ll sell providing the bigger houses shift which I think might be the bigger issue. Market here (south Lincs) is slowing.
M in L's bungalow has had a few viewings, nothing for 3 weeks I said it's on too high but she won't be told.
2 bungalows near to us which would have been snapped up quickly earlier in the year are still around after 4 & 8 weeks.
Both priced sensibly, 3 beds, quiet area, decent gardens and close to shops etc.. ideal for retired couple downsizing.
No point in a retired couple rattling around in a 5 bed home and forking out to heat rooms they no longer use
GT3Manthey said:
I think we’ll see more retired couples who’s kids have now left for good downsizing giving increased living costs so I suspect they’ll sell providing the bigger houses shift which I think might be the bigger issue.
No point in a retired couple rattling around in a 5 bed home and forking out to heat rooms they no longer use
Indeed. I know of quite a few people in this position, and I suspect that a lot of them have done it on a financial basis - what's the point in downsizing when you're being given double digit growth for sitting tight and doing nothing?No point in a retired couple rattling around in a 5 bed home and forking out to heat rooms they no longer use
It will be interesting to see how many people change their minds if that double digit growth goes away and they are stuck with much higher utility bills to run a house bigger than they need.
GT3Manthey said:
I think we’ll see more retired couples who’s kids have now left for good downsizing giving increased living costs so I suspect they’ll sell providing the bigger houses shift which I think might be the bigger issue.
No point in a retired couple rattling around in a 5 bed home and forking out to heat rooms they no longer use
Probably used to seeing them go in less than a week.No point in a retired couple rattling around in a 5 bed home and forking out to heat rooms they no longer use
GTW, just got a call from M in L's EA (we are dealing with viewing etc to relieve the pressure on her) to say a couple wanted a viewing tomorrow
Relocating from down south to be nearer daughter and want to move quickly.
M in L away which is good so I'm doing it at 12pm.
Going over tonight to de-clutter a little
Just so many photos!
kingston12 said:
GT3Manthey said:
I think we’ll see more retired couples who’s kids have now left for good downsizing giving increased living costs so I suspect they’ll sell providing the bigger houses shift which I think might be the bigger issue.
No point in a retired couple rattling around in a 5 bed home and forking out to heat rooms they no longer use
Indeed. I know of quite a few people in this position, and I suspect that a lot of them have done it on a financial basis - what's the point in downsizing when you're being given double digit growth for sitting tight and doing nothing?No point in a retired couple rattling around in a 5 bed home and forking out to heat rooms they no longer use
It will be interesting to see how many people change their minds if that double digit growth goes away and they are stuck with much higher utility bills to run a house bigger than they need.
The irony is our "downsized" property is now worth more than the previous big house but with lower running costs despite costing us 40% less then...
Even if it was going to lose 20% or 30% of its value, which is unlikely to happen, I am not too bothered as it is primarily a place to live.
And we've already made great replacement memories already
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