The Adventures of Poppet & Other Stories

[Bikerbeth]

Hi @Woohoo what is this new auction style of selling please

 

[Woo2]

Oh crikey now your asking ! Basically as I remember you give them a minimum figure you will accept , they market it , anyone who puts in an offer has to pay a percentage so it stops people bidding who aren’t serious and then whoever bids the highest and buys your property also pays the selling fees so it’s supposedly a win win for sellers . It’s the new way apparently around here .

 

[Kikki21]

And do not sell your house that way! I had to buy the house I’m living in now through a modern auction.
Basically the seller wanted too much for it. It’s not a typical 3 bed detached house. It has quite a small back garden so not great for kids. They can’t run round too much & the kitchen needed to go as it was poorly designed. Fortunately, we knew what we needed to do.
She had a long term tenant living in it who moved out in April last year & she thought she would sell it ASAP but ended up reducing it twice. I haggled with the auction people & paid a bit more for it than I wanted to buy the only good thing is that once you put down the auction fee then no one can gazump you but they expect you to finish the sale in 2 mths & that didn’t happen. I think if she pulled out then she would have had to pay my fees back! It got a bit tense but unfortunately my buyer’s buyers caused a lot of issues & they weren’t actually moving in to the property they bought as they had another property!

 

[Bikerbeth]

Thanks @Woohoo and @Kikki21 I had never hear of that. My last move was 2014. Don’t think I am in a gazumping area.

 

[Sam Luvit]

Best laid plans and all that ...

I phoned youngest yesterday to confirm times etc, only to be told it’s not a good time. That hurt. I was looking forward to seeing him and Baby Girl I messaged in the evening and he phoned me back. We’ve rescheduled for next week. So ... what shall I do with this week?

I guess that load of washing I was going to take with me will keep me busy today. Although the thought of trudging up and down the hill in the rain is not exactly appealing. It’s one thing looking at the peaceful view in the sunshine, or even on a crisp morning, but quite a different matter when it’s rained for twenty four hours solid and it’s just muddy and the hill seems a mile long.

Pooch is curled up asleep on the other bed, ignoring me. I’ve no doubt I will be flavour of the month when I get his breakfast, but for now he’s chasing rabbits in his sleep

 

[Woo2]

Do something nice , Meet a friend for lunch ? Mooch around the shops, Clean out cupboards ? Sort out paperwork ? Just joking ! I think I would like free time and will do so much and then when I do have it fly's by and I have achieved very little . You can come down here for lunch and coffee, but a little too far to come for a few hours.

 

[Bikerbeth]

Well I hope all that washing is done by now - hopefully the rain eased off and you and pooch managed to get out and about.
I am sure it was an ouch moment even if your son had good reasons for delaying your visit. Hopefully you can get to see the ‘baby girl’ soon

 

[Sam Luvit]

You can come down here for lunch and coffee, but a little too far to come for a few hours.

I considered most of those things for about thirty seconds @Woohoo ... then I did two loads of washing and some serious house hunting. I’ve even arranged a viewing ... it’s a long trek from here, but if it’s any good and I can buy it ... that will be a start on the next stage.

Why are estate agents so “over enthusiastic“. It’s a very run down house, a major project and is not a cosmetic touch up as she was trying to tell me.

Set the table ....

 

[Sam Luvit]

Well, the washing is done, the washing up is cleared, the cooker is cleaned .... Pooch was not impressed at needing a coat but enjoyed the rub downs on our return from ambling around @Bikerbeth

I even tried some baking ... experimenting with puff pastry and fillings. For no reason at all, other than I found a box of after eight type chocolates ... I put two between layers of the pastry ... delicious. However ... the baking paper got a bit burnt. I had the door open and was frantically waving a towel around to get the smoke out of Poppet before the smoke alarm could kick in

Today I’m meeting a friend for lunch. Then I might just chill and read. I have considered contacting the office to say I’m about ... but it’s only a consideration as I’m not sure I fancy going out at 20.00 in the cold damp evening lol

 

[Woo2]

I considered most of those things for about thirty seconds @Woohoo ... then I did two loads of washing and some serious house hunting. I’ve even arranged a viewing ... it’s a long trek from here, but if it’s any good and I can buy it ... that will be a start on the next stage.

Why are estate agents so “over enthusiastic“. It’s a very run down house, a major project and is not a cosmetic touch up as she was trying to tell me.

Set the table ....

Well at least you had a productive day. Hmm yes aren’t they but then seeing the state of some of the places they sell they have to be a bit creative and inspiring

We just recently sold mum’s bungalow and the amount of people that turned up to view and said “ wow it’s so clean and tidy and well looked after “, really is that not the norm . Good luck house hunting , table set and ready when you are.

 

[Bikerbeth]

I hope the trek to the viewing is worth it. It must be an employment criteria that all Estate Agents are totally optimistic or very good at telling ‘porkie pies’. It would be good though if first one seen is the one for you.
I am also impressed with your creative cooking in ‘Poppet’ - I would never have thought about a mint chocolate/puff pastry combination. Do you make the puff pastry as well.
Hope the meal with friend was good and the book absorbing. Back to the glossing for me

 

[Sam Luvit]

....“ wow it’s so clean and tidy and well looked after “, really is that not the norm .

I once saw a “translation” for estate agent speak ... it was pretty accurate, @Woohoo
A room with a view (of a wall).
Requires modernisation (rip it all out)
Some cosmetic changes ( colour scheme clashes)
Easy maintenance garden (gravel)

I’ve viewed a house where a toddler was walking around naked and squatting on the carpet. Another had partly laid laminate flooring ..none ofthe edging was done. Overgrown gardens complete with plates, clothing and a rotting mattress at one. No ... they are not well looked after and few are clean

 

[Woo2]

I once saw a “translation” for estate agent speak ... it was pretty accurate, @Woohoo
A room with a view (of a wall).
Requires modernisation (rip it all out)
Some cosmetic changes ( colour scheme clashes)
Easy maintenance garden (gravel)

I’ve viewed a house where a toddler was walking around naked and squatting on the carpet. Another had partly laid laminate flooring ..none ofthe edging was done. Overgrown gardens complete with plates, clothing and a rotting mattress at one. No ... they are not well looked after and few are clean

I am shocked, it's basic stuff surely. The toddler well I can't think of anything to say just what on earth ? . I would agree with the translation. So glad I am not house hunting. Rubber gloves and disinfectant by the bucket load by the sounds of it .

 

[Sam Luvit]

Hope the meal with friend was good and the book absorbing. Back to the glossing for me

I’m fairly good at interpreting online photos, so I took a good hard look at the house, I’ve since showed it to a builder friend and he agrees with my repair estimates (although he thinks I can do it for less). They have taken down the worst photo, the one showing no ceiling due to water damage!!! So how she could say “it really just is cosmetic Sam” is beyond me. Yes ... I agree estate agents must go to a specialty course in creative descriptions @Bikerbeth

I’ve looked at hundreds of houses online, dismissed them due to distance, tiny kitchens or just rubbish layouts. This is the second one that fits the bill. (The first sold while my seller was messing about). I’m very decisive when buying anything I know what I like, or more importantly, what I don’t like. You can change colour schemes, knock down a wall (putting in supports) and tame a garden. Moving a staircase, adding a loft conversion or building an extension are major expenses .. only doable with a decent budget and if the property value will stand it. Fingers crossed this one lives up (or down) to my plans

Puff pastry was from Lidl, it’s better than I could make in a “proper” kitchen lol. I just fancied something sweet. It’s fun messing about trying different things in a kitchen. Much easier when solo as you can bin the disasters.

I’ve just finished a Jodi Picoult book, I like the way she writes from a different perspective. The mother of a school shooter, the black nurse pretending to herself she isn’t the subject of daily prejudice, the sister of a child needing a bone marrow transplant. It’s thought provoking

I’m going back to crime for my next book, it’s less torture on my soul

 

[Sam Luvit]

...Rubber gloves and disinfectant by the bucket load by the sounds of it .

I hated house hunting the last time. I got to the point I wouId have made a “no way” decision within minutes of walking in the door (sometimes as I parked up). I was appalled at the dirt and mess, with no reason for it. I understand a Probate sale being less than brilliant, but not a family sitting around watching TV surrounded by dirty mugs and plates on the floor. The toddler made me gag @Bikerbeth

It’s the long hot shower and scrubbing brush you feel is needed as you walk back to your car that gets me

I’m going to try to stop off at places enroute to see if any other houses are on offer. It’s a long trek to only look at one option

Ugg. Rather you than me on the glossing. I used to have to break that job into segments ... skirting in one room, then easier jobs in another, before going back for second or third coats. Glossing just seemed to take me forever. I hope you don’t have loads to do

 

[Woo2]

Oh that is just , about the toddler and the state of some houses, I find it incomprehensible that people live like that ! Imagine how strong their immune systems must be . Good idea to stop en route and have a look around. hope it goes well and is a productive trip .

 

[jugglingmum]

I was in costco xmas eve and there was a toddler with no nappy and one shoe running about by the checkouts. Mum and grandma had clearly had hair and make up done ready for xmas. Everyone was giving them a wide berth.

When I bought this house, the seller's mum wouldn't let us in each room until she had cleaned. They couldn't get the keys for theirs - surname began with W and money didn't go through until 3pm. So both of us were at the same house. We were both self moving - but they couldn't empty house until they had emptied luton van and come back - in the end we gave them keys to our luton van (both hired). I was buying from my boss - still work with him. Sadly seller's mum died last year from VD. She was fine when my mum had her crisis - seems VD is often faster .

 

[Sam Luvit]

I actually bought a house that would make you gag @Woohoo He obviously had dementia and used the corner of his bedroom rather than go downstairs to the loo , but I fell in love with the house, despite the stench

Floor boards came out, carpets all out, buckets of bleach and scrubbing brushes for all doors and remaining floors. Specialist products as used by valeters to breakdown and remove the stench. Lots of long hot showers to make me feel clean too

That smelly space became a warm inviting home and we loved it. It felt welcoming as soon as I walked in the first time and I never regretted buying it. Selling was a hard choice, but I couldn’t get mum to move to me, so I had to let it go

However .... the house I went to view ... not the same in any way. Half an hour away, it’s nice, big open spaces, little villages, shops etc. It looked promising. It went downhill from there ..

Imagine a four house terrace. Knock down the wall between the end two and you get .. two bathrooms, two staircases, four bedrooms, one kitchen and three lounges??? Ok, you can play with the layout, take out a staircase, but you can’t make it flow.

Financially it was possible, so my head said “yes”, but the area was not working. No parking, so Poppet wouId be an issue and I couldn’t see how to make it secure for her. Add in a fair distance to local shops, it wouId be isolating and nothing for visitors to do

So, I’m back searching the web and planning on more driving around .. but not for a few days. I really hurt today. 360 miles in one day, two hours of that on rubbish roads, I need to recover lol

 

[Woo2]

That’s a fair ole round trip , could you book several in at once and stay in a cheap hotel ? Or are you taking poppet ? I worked in a house like that once, couldn’t find the bathroom for mess and clothes literally , the kitchen cupboards we thought were cream with brown flecks . No when we washed them it was fly poo we used to wear disposable aprons and gloves but in return home jumped straight in hot shower, we did get it clean and tidy eventually . A lot of elbow grease and you can get anywhere looking lovely , I don’t have foresight , hubby does so he sees the opportunity and potential . Glad you can too . Have a rest , a large cm and relax .

 

[jugglingmum]

We looked on line at a house which was 2 cottages in one, downstairs linked through but upstairs was effectively still 2 separate houses - it's come back on the market since with a better layout

Now I do 360 miles in a day - and it is a lot of driving - and leaves me pooped - in between the out and return leg I have mainly stood up for about 5 hours as well. Hope you have an easy day to recover.