For Sale: Stunning house in rural Cambridgeshire

I'm sorry it didn't work out Elizabeth, but you never know the other property they've gone for may fall through. I've found with house hunting/buying, things have a habit of falling apart for a very good reason and they turn out the better for it, so don't be too despondent at this point.

 

I don't think my parents want to sell to them anymore! It's really put them off; they love the house and would like someone nice to buy it that loves it to - not someone who messes about like that.

I'm just hoping no one makes an offer on the property my parents want to buy, and they sell ASAP so they can go through with the purchase again.

We need a miracle. Any ideas anyone?
You can list houses for sale on ebay as a classified ad - anyone think its worth a go?
Popped the house on preloved, gumtree, vivastreet and my Cities forum.. Trying to get it out there as much as possible.

We were thinking of lowering the price to 415k, but the problem is people may think that they can then reduce it much further, but they can't go 400k really =S

 

I have been reading this post with interest as a person who owned two homes in the UK and three here and now none in the UK and five here. So, I think I know a little about buying and selling properties both in the UK and abroad.

Not trying to be rude or personal Elizabeth, but is this YOUR house also as well as your parents? By that I mean, do you OWN part of it? I don't know how old you are, or what you do for a living, but you seem to be very involved in the sale of the house, moreso than your parents ... well, at least that is my thoughts by what you intimate.

I do know about the sites you mention as last year we bought our caravan/cabin here in Portugal via 'preloved'.

Property movement is difficult at the moment in all countries so one may have to re-think what they are asking. It may have all the 'bells and whistles' you think important to life, but at the moment it IS a buyer's market. If you/your parents are going to make a profit on the sale of the house (which I assume they will) ... well done YOU as many people are taking a loss! If you/your parents want to 'upgrade' then sorry you may have to dig deeper into your pockets to get what you want at the end of the day.

I think you/your parents need to sit down and discuss what is important ... the lovely property you have now or the what seems to be 'bigger and better' one that may now be out of reach.

Just my thoughts.

 

No, this is not MY house, it is my parents, as stated. But it was our family home growing up, and my parents need all the help they can get and fortunately I am more internet savvy then them. Also we have a very good and close relationship, so of course i am involved in helping them to sell it, why wouldn't i? That's what family is about. I don't see how any of that makes me more involved in the sale than them?
I'm not entirely sure what relevance my occupation has to this, but I am an A&E staff nurse..
My parents have purchased 3 houses in the UK now, so they too are not unfamiliar with buying and selling.

Regardless of what it sells for, it WILL make a profit, as they purchased it dirt cheap back in about 1996 - and it will most certainly make more than then. But that was down to good hard work and a lot of money being spent, considering the house was rotten to the core with cat urine when we first moved in. The house was very much in dire straits.

The move will not be an 'upgrade' as sorts as you may think. It will be a much smaller home, but it will have a business included as well, as they will need to earn a living.

I don't quite understand what you mean about the 'lovely home now' or the 'bigger and better' one? The move is a necessity. The current house is not a business as well. Perhaps if the house was in a tourist location, they could have made it work, but alas no one wants to 'holiday' to Warboys!

 

Elizabeth, I am sorry if I have offended you, which I seem to have done.

I appreciate the 'down to good hard work' because that is why t'other half and I have the properties we have today and I can assure you we have gone through the 'rotten to the core' in at least three of ours.

I did apologise and say I wasn't trying to be personal and I wasn't, but what I am trying to say is that if there is an equity in the property then that is a bonus and your parents are in a far better position than a lot of people. But you have talked about the other property and the land that may go with it ... not what the normal person would consider a 'downgrade'.

I am sorry if has come to 'dire straits' for them and I do hope they can sell soon so life becomes more calm that apparently it is now.

I wish you nothing but the best of luck in 2013.


PS Elizabeth, I only asked about the ownership of the property because you have mentioned 'our house' many times so I wondered if you were part-owner.

 

I am not offended by anything you've said, but I have struggled to understand the relevance for some of it if I am honest.

As I said before, the next home has to be a business as well. It needs to have an income. A home is simply not enough anymore, as my father has had to take an early retirement as such, and they need more than just 7k a year to live on. The home they want to buy is just a two bedroom small house, but the business is what is important and will be costing the money but is the necessity - it is the whole point of the move. If they were in the position to simply just retire then I doubt they would move, as they have paid the mortgage off a long time ago for their current home and it is a lovely home.

Unfortunately the RAF decided to get rid of the Harrier engine, resulting in there being no need for a Pegasus Engineer anymore - hence the loss of a very important income.

Edit: and I will always refer to it as 'our house' because I grew up there, so it is still 'our house' same as my room there is still 'my room' In a sense it is still my home, until they move.. I still view it as my home.

 

Well, we've finally decided to lower the price tomorrow a tad more. I must admit I've been nudging them that direction now - they can't wait forever!

Also, my parents have decided to tell the estate agents they have one month - 'else they are sacked. Considering the one we've had for nearly a year has only provided two viewings (both last year, and one doesn't seem able to afford it and lives in Germany!) and the other has only provided one viewing this year after saying they were the top seller in the area. Turns out, from my research on those sold around the area currently on rightmove.co.uk they have sold only one or two in comparison to others having sold 10-30!

They've also found another possible property if they lose the property they currently want. It's a lot cheaper but needs all the renovation - whereas the one they want is already done and an up and running business. Still, looking brighter!

 

Glad to hear there's another house in the running Elizabeth. Reference my post #46, I hope things are taking a turn for the better now for your parents.

 

Thanks Sheal

I wish it'd hurry up though, I have 3x clematis and a rose sat here at mine that my mum has purchased already for the move! They could be with being planted out soon!

 

Having read many of the previous posts, selling houses in England sounds absolutely horrendous! I was born down South and lived near London until my early 20s but wasn't involved with buying/selling houses thank god. Up here in my experience it is much more straight forward and none of this backing out at the last minute/sales falling through. Once an offer has been accepted then it is difficult and expensive to renage. I do hope your parents get a sound offer soon Elizabeth. All I will say is that something is only worth what somebody else is prepared to pay for it and presumably your parents won't need to pay top whack for their next home. As life is all too short maybe they might consider taking a less than great offer and then be able to move on with their lives. If nothing else they'd not have to put up with ghastly people viewing! While I appreciate they have feelings for their home it REALLY is down to finance regarding any sale. I sold a truely beautiful house with a 4 acre garden which I had created to the 1 person I really didn't want to buy it BUT he came up with the best offer. My garden was completely destroyed as his son was into football and motorbike scambling!!!!, over 50 trees I'd planted ripped up and burnt but hey it wasn't my garden any longer. 10 years on the sadness has gone but the financial gain hasn't!
Having looked at the photos of your parent's house it's very obvious that the photos were taken last summer due to what is flowering. Perhaps it might be an idea to take new photos as giving buyers an idea the property has been on the market for a long time might not be to your parent's advantage. Only a thought, the photos are nice tho!

 

Yes, i am hoping the weather will be nice tomorrow to take some new ones.
The Estate Agents to be fair haven't done anything themselves.
We have another that wants to sell our house and will bring a photographer, but it will take a month as they want us to stop with the other estate agents! (takes 28 days to cancel with one)

 

Such a stressful time for you all

I do agree with Sheal though, all things happen for a reason. Try to stay positive - you already have a very stressful job, but the added stress of helping your parents with selling their home must be very trying.

Fairly sure the other sellers didn't mean to mess you about on purpose; probably just found something more financially attractive and made a compromise

As for the rose and clematis, could they be potted on into larger pots just for this year?

 

Just wanted to add that it looks like a lovely house and priced very fairly. Round here it would be at least £500k, probably quite bit more. Unfortunately the market is terrible at the moment and the only way to sell quickly is to sell cheaply. My mum's house was incredibly marketable, desired street, catchment area to top school, 5 mins walk from tube station and put on the market at £40k below what it had been valued at 2 years previously. It still took several months to sell and in that time she got several VERY low offers. Hang on in there, it will happen!

 

Thank you all

Well it is now reduced again, so fingers crossed we get some views!
It has been a beautiful day today, so hopefully people have been out and about house hunting.

I think I may have to plant out these clematis's - they're getting a bit big and fluffy!

 

Best of luck Elizabeth ... as the weather is getting brighter there, perhaps the real buyers will come out looking.

Boa sorte! xx