House going on market

Many thanks merleworld... in particular the info on 'sole selling rights'. Things have moved on a bit... the second agent came on Monday... I was able to negotiate sole agency for 6 weeks, but could only get the commission down to 1.25%. I was happier with their marketing strategy which was far wider spread than the previous agent. The agent insisted on doing the viewings himself, which I suppose makes good sense as I have tend to down play things generally.

Photos are being taken on Friday... so I'm breaking my back to get the garden looking half decent.

 

Just before the first agent came, I got the window cleaner round. Anyway, got up the next day and was shocked to see strange marks on most of the ground floor windows. It looked as though a fan covered in a fine powder had been bashed against the windows. Not happy!

Later that day I heard some banging noises and on investigation saw a blackbird frantically flying against the windows. I searched the house to see if it's mate had got in somehow and the bird was trying to get to it... nothing. So with a sigh I went and cleaned the outside windows again. Grrr... I have now cleaned the windows about 8 times... the bird won't go away! I've just gathered my cleaning bits to do them one last time before the agent comes to do the photos tomorrow....... (is it worth it?):

 

Wow, what a setting you have Kaz. I would just love it also. And I know your garden area is wonderful. It would be hard for me to give all that up. What area (or have you found it) that your looking to re-locate to0?

 

Maybe I've made the problem worse John by constantly cleaning the feather dust off... so keeping the windows reflective. I'd hang something over them, but am stuffed with the house about to go on the market.

Redstar, this move is upsetting because I love it here... but honestly, I can't cope with the garden. The lawn alone takes a chappie 3+ hours to mow and I couldn't afford to get extra help to tackle the garden as well. I'm just having to be realistic as I'm a slave to the garden and not getting any younger! As to where I'm moving to... I'm sort of seeing how things pan out. I am equally split between Essex and Sussex. My son and life long friends are in Essex, but the relaxed way of life and new friends are a plus in Sussex.

Tomorrow the agent is taking photos... I've been out trying to fix the garden up in preparation. The white wisteria is just coming into bloom and the purple one has been going strong for about a week now, so will fade soon.

 

Kazzie, have you seen my yard and gardens. I am out there tons of hours, and I work full-time outside the home 50 + hours. I 've learned that none of it can be perfect right now until I retire and am home, so it is done just enough. A situation of a house you have like that is hard to find. I think, to me, the gardens are my stress reducer, burns calories, and a visual delight.

 

Redstar... I know what you mean about gardening reducing stress... that's how it used to be for me before moving here. This one has me going round in difficult circles (and don't forget how hilly it is). I have some smashing mature trees, so spend the entire winter sweeping up leaves and clearing gutters. My next garden will be somewhere I can potter and relax (hopefully).

The agent has just left after taking a zillion photos... now I'm waiting for the killer dog to return home after being looked after for the day by friends.

 

killer dog ???
Who, your Abi???

 

I love Abi. We also spend all winter cleaning up leaves. Last fall did find someone to come and rake just the lawn areas front , back , sides. It took him 3 days to do it, alone. He charged us 300 dollars. But he does not touch all the gardens, I am still raking out the gardens, and work on it in even the cold winter days as long as it is dry.
I hope you find someone worthy of your beautiful place. Give Abi a hug for me.

 

My sweet Abi:


For me, paying someone to sweep up the leaves is a waste of time... they just keep falling! Even though I've spent quite a bit of time in the garden recently, everything still looks a mess. The rain and poor spring has had an impact on the usual staggered flowering... and of course, I have weeds galore!

I took a photo from the bedroom window today and rather than a tidy looking flower bed... there is just a sea of green... it has gone mental out there!

 

But I know Kazzie, truly. I have one now that I have to get the shovel too and will be carting out plant material by the wheel barrel full, several wheel barrels. What I do is tell myself, only only 2 hours with this and that is it. What gets done, gets done. I like to have my Sunday evening to have a stop time, to just sit on the deck with wine and that is it. I am never done perfect in the gardens. The snow will fall and still never perfect. It is what it is.

Yep, my leaves keep falling, we time the guy to come when most are done, which is Novemberish .

 

Thankfully I've started to calm down a bit... I had got myself into a real panic about the overgrowth and general sight of the garden. It always looks a bit rough out there in spring... I wouldn't normally worry so... but felt embarrassed that people would see it. The rain has held things up this year, but I finally feel as though I'm making some progress. Think I'll take up your idea and have some wine this evening. x

 

The house finally appeared on Rightmove this morning... so now I really do need to keep on top of the housework and garden . The guy that cuts my grass has gone to America for 3 weeks... bad timing or what! I still think the garden is looking an over-crowded mess.

 

Moving along, no pun. Have you found your new home?

 

Hi Redstar... I've not even been looking for a new place yet. The market it so slack that I'll wait until I've sold the house first... then panic! The garden is improving... although slowly. I still have some unsightly flower beds where things badly need thinning out. Box hedging has been trimmed and edging done. My next house will have a small and FLAT garden!