Owning your own home

It used to freak mini_com out if she heard it, but we've now got her saying "hello radiator" instead.

Has anyone got any tips for getting a buyer's solicitor to respond? We're at the end of our purchase and sale but they haven't replied to emails or answered the phone for a week to anyone (even the buyer). Google/Trustpilot reviews suggest we're not the first people to experience this from that solicitor, is there anything we can do other than wait?

Short of you, your solicitor and your buyer calling them up twice a day and letting them know you'll keep calling until they've done what is needed, not much.

Think someone else on here had success speaking to their solicitor's boss, if that's applicable

Be that pain in the arse. On every available communication channel.

Also, once you’ve completed, get your solicitor to report them to the Law Council. I had similar problems years ago and my solicitor, who was lovely but very definitely not someone you messed about, reported them the moment after we’d completed.

At the bottom of a chain of 4

Ah OK that's a reason :o

I'm only a second time buyer so no expert on this, but my understanding is that completion being delayed is unusual because everyone is contractually obliged. The most common reason according to Google is funds not being received in time.

touted as two years with standard AAs

Hahaha not a chance.

Rechargeables are a no-no too - they don't have 3enough oomph, amd trigger the low battery warning (which is way too sensitive)

@stevo_com @andyp I was under the impression calling your buyer's solicitor was out of the question?

@hoefla yeah, that's been tried already, unfortunately. So frustrating to be this close but also potentially also miles away.

Going for a second viewing and meeting the sellers on Thurs. Victorian terrace with relatively recent side return and loft conversion.

What do you wish you had double checked/looked twice at before you bought your house?
What do you wish you had asked the sellers if you had the chance?

Just get the feel of the place and road/area I'd say, the specifics (questions like recent work guarantees, rewiring etc) can be handled later IMO. The non quantify-able stuff is more important at this stage.

One thing I always thought was a great thing to do is try diff modes of transport there and visit at diff times of the day.

Good points. We already did this before even going on viewings, had a good idea of what we wanted and where. We are quite far down the conveyancing process now so it's now about things like guarantees, rewiring, neighbours etc.

Edit, and yes, it has bay windows

What do you wish you had asked the sellers if you had the chance?

(I asked some of these...)

• Dates for all modifications
  
• Roof replenishment, when? If not done, why not?
  
• Re-wire, when? And what horrors will I find at the CU
  
• Does everything pass Building Control?
  
• Has the place been corrected for subsidence?
  
• When was the boiler last replaced?
  
• Has the mains water inlet ever been replaced or tested for pressure?
  
• Heating bill in mid winter, what is it?
  
• Mains water shut off, where is it?
  
  

Critically:

• When to do they want to move? Have they found somewhere? If not why not?
  
  

(edit - I see you are already conveyancing so you'll know already)

Don't bother:

• What are the neighbours like (they'll lie if the neighbours are no good)
  
  

Worth asking these because when your solicitor comes back with completely different answers to the same questions you get a feel for whether the sellers are feckless idiots. You might be Ok with buying somewhere from feckless idiots, we were, but our offer reflected the risk that brings...

What do your buyers say, or do they care? Tell them if they don't get their shit together (including their solicitor) you'll have no choice but to put it back on the market.

Realistically they aren't going to tell you anything that might endanger the sale.

If you're not that familiar with the local area then worth chatting about that with them, schools and stuff if you both have kids.

One slightly strange thing that I wish I'd known was what paint they'd used, where they got kitchen cabinets/worktop from, switches, sockets,etc. If you end up doing any touching up, adding new sockets, etc then trying to match the existing stuff is a real ballache.

Also, depending on what the garden is like (if it's clear they've put a bit of effort in) and how green fingered you are you might also want to ask about the garden and the best way to care for it

Most of it will be covered by conveyancing but I'd ask who did the work, have a close look around windows, etc for leaks.

It's unlikely there are going to be any deal breakers from this, it's mainly about making your future life easier.

For the neighbours, I'd definitely go and knock on their doors to make sure they're not crazy. I did it under the pretence of wanting to ask them about the local area.

Your place is in such good order I feel like I wouldn't be worrying too much!

Howard's points are pretty comprehensive. I'd take photos of the boiler and consumer units, make sure you get the model number/names.

Knocking on the neighbour's doors is definitely a good idea, we did it for that place we got beaten to by the cash buyer, but haven't done it for the place we're buying now because asking someone to keep their door open for a chat in this weather seems like a big ask, it's not like they can ask you in and some people might not even be comfortable having a doorstep conversation at the moment given the whole pandemic thing.

This is why we have stalked ours instead ;)

(Not entirely joking, we have a reasonable sense of both sides!)

Want to do the some stalking for me? You know you love it.

What's the best/most suitable Microwave for the 40k kitchen (I don't have a 40k kitchen but my choice of microwave is aspirational).

One without a stupid spinny glass plate.

Also interested, do small stylish microwaves exist?

One without a stupid spinny glass plate.

This was a revelation. Going back is impossible.

I don't know why so many people put up with their spinning, upturning your food, clunky ways

Just have to pronounce it like Nigella

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KrUxLBHVu8

"Give it to Mike" was a common refrain when I worked in pub kitchens...

I've still got a spinny round glass plate microwave but then it's at least 17 years old (Mrs GB had it from before she'd even met me.)

Anything with a clock that is set from an external source (eg MSF)

It is impossible to overstate how much I hate this.