Despair

It was all going so well.  We found a house, we did the paper work.  But we need to carry our existing mortgage with us.  Seems simple enough.  But it is not.  We are reassessed as if we were first time buyers.  And I am a self employed low earner and he has just lost his job.  The bank did not say no outright but probably will in three weeks time.  Which means we will have to continue to live here in a house that is too big that we cannot afford until the mortgage is finished.  Or buy a very low priced dump.

Dropped the price and the heat was on

A hefty drop in price made us more realistically priced and the viewings rose dramatically.  However, any hope we had of getting that price or in excess of it vanished.  Every one is out for a bargain.  There is no logic to house prices.  Next door sold for £230 000 about eighteen months ago but we have only been offered 175 000.  Even allowing for differences (garage and conservatory) that is a big drop.  Round the corner our friends have sold their huge six bedroomed house for 250 000, and it took as long as ours did and three agents.  Meanwhile a modern and tiny box by a lake is on the market for £250 000.  How much is a view worth?
Meanwhile we have found a house and are on tenterhooks waiting to know if our offer is accepted and if our buyers are still keen after we initially turned down their offer.  If they have found somewhere else that thatis that.
Decorating the kitchen and we have bought paint for the study.

Price reduction

A hefty reduction in the price and a little increased activity.  One lady was very keen, came for a second visit and talked of a third with supporting relation but from what she said I could not see how our house would be suitable for her aged parents and two mobility scooters.  We have four storeys with a lot of stairs, including steps to the front door and no back access.  Where would the scooters go?
Another viewing is arranged for a lady from Dorset.  Dorset to Dover!!  Another cancelled, as she did some weeks ago.  Frustrating tidying up for cancellations.
We cannot afford to take any offers on our reduced price.  A perusal of Rightmove indicates that there is not a lot to grab the attention out there.
Meanwhile we have electrical sockets to sort in the kitchen and boiler repairs ongoing.

Still no buyer

Londoners and Australians, people with nothing to sell, people who see that you get more for your money in Dover, but still no sale, not even an offer.  Builder in today to work on the bay window roof and planning to decorate the study.

Contract renewed!

That's it!  I said.  We are changing agents.  I rang agents.  Then James came with his dimples and chatted and looked round the house and we signed up for another 20 weeks with Wards.
It was the dimples that did it.
Another viewing yesterday, Londoners with about 8 houses to view in the one day.  Phew.

Contract up for grabs

The end of August came with the end of our contract with Wards and Partners and we signed up for a further ten weeks.  We dropped the price a bit and arranged for an 'open house' which was arranged for today 11a.m.  Yesteday I popped into their branch to confirm we were on for today.  Yes they said but only one viewing.   I spent two hours cleaning then waited, then worked in the front garden.  At 1145 I tried calling Wards but could not get an answer.  Once it was answered but the man yelled hello a few times. Apparently he could not hear me.  Another time it was picked up and put down.  Eventually, half an hour later, I  gave up and emailed , shaking with anger.  Contract ends November 9th and is up for grabs.

Who has not been to look at our house?

We have had the two blokes and the two women.  Various people with dogs have visited as have those with children and the expectation of more children. We have shown an Asian couple round and a lone man who did not walk into the dining room but went back up to the top floor when he could not marry up the windows with what he had already seen.  this is a reasonable number of viewings and the more 'traffic' as the estate agents put it, the more chance of selling, but there has not been a single offer and I don't think more than one viewer had even sold their house.  It is wearing tidying up and decluttering.  I think for the next viewing we should be untidy and homely.  That might do it.