Fingers crossed.......

[jenniren]

Yesterday's viewing went really well, Sonia the lady selling (she's moving into a vacant property so no chain) let us have a good look round and then insisted on making us cups of coffee. She's been there for 18 years and has obviously done quite a bit of work over the years as everything looks to be in very good repair. It definitely needs redecorating, quite apart from the fact I'm not keen on a very blue lounge lol it all needs a good lick of paint to freshen the place up. New doors throughout would also bring it up to date. The kitchen needs updating and we must have a shower installed for E, he really can't get in/out of a bath easily these days and that's not going to ease as time goes on. The big job is putting a conservatory or extension on the back, adding that would make it ideal, expensive but doable at the price she's accepted. We decided to check the walk into the village high street and even at E's leisurely pace it only took 5mins which is perfect for him. It's pretty much what we set out to find, okay it would be nice if all the work was already done, but at least now we're down here in the rental we don't have to actually move in and live with it all going on around us. A big plus for me is we get to make it 'right' for us.

Just a little niggle, I'm a bit worried about E feeling it's second best, he's saying we must go for it but I know deep down he would prefer not to be thinking about the work and all the decisions that brings. For me this bungalow when done, pretty much ticks all the boxes. If only we hadn't seen the apartment, it definitely muddied the waters for him, yes it's beautiful inside, but there are negatives, no garage, no outside space, very limited storage, only one convenience store in walking distance etc etc. Of course you can't ignore the stunning view, but at our budget a sea front bungalow isn't ever going to happen. We always knew there would be compromises downsizing, but I honestly believe this bungalow will work for both of us, oh and by the way it's just a 5min drive from the sea front so near enough. Now keeping fingers tightly crossed the survey doesn't throw any spanners in the works.

[TheOstrich]

Sounds lovely, Jenni .... Mrs O and I are quite envious!!

Having the village High Street within walking distance would be one of our main criteria. None of us is getting any younger!

[Diflower]

Jen it does sound ideal, and having the work done will be it completely 'yours'.

The apartment did sound lovely, but those negatives (plus the lack of proper kitchen!) were what we had with Bb's flat, and we couldn't afford one with the extras so sacrificed the sea view for a proper house with a garden.
And honestly, that lack of shops there, compared to a whole village High St within 5 minutes, makes it so much better.
Going there each day you'll get to know plenty of people in no time

[saundra]

Best to look at the positive things
If you can stay in the rental whole
It gets s decorAted and stuff what's the problem
Think positive
Some vibes on the way

[Ally]

It sounds lovely Jen - fingers crossed it all goes your way. xxx

[tonicha]

It sounds ideal - when done, Jen.

There are always good and bad points about houses, nothing is ever ideal and compromises have to be made, sadly.

I know where I'd rather be - the bunglaow.

[Workingman]

Jen, I always use to laugh at the House Doctor and and some of these buying houses programmes when they blab on about the decoration, and even the furniture, of prospective purchases. Decoration is a matter of taste, and the furniture in not part of the deal. What matters most of all is how sound the property is, room sizes and layout, the rest is froth..... apart from location.

If the place can be made 'yours' Jen, and can be done to a budget whilst you stay in rented, it sounds ideal. Another consideration to think of, from both yours and the builder's point of view. Doing the work in what is effectively a clean slate is a lot quicker and easier than having to work around the people living their with all their furniture and bits and bobs.

Good luck.

[Osc]

That all sounds very promising, Jen, and while I can understand E's feelings about the apartment, storage is really important even when you are downsizing. On balance, the bungalow sounds way better and as Di says, getting the work done will make it "yours", plus there being no chain is a big positive. Good luck!

[Kaz]

I was going to say what Di already has Jen - it sounds wonderful, the right location and layout and enough money left over to make it truly 'yours' xxxx