The Retirement Thread

[SpokeyDokey]

WoW. In all my years I have never bought a new house. Came close to it once but although the houses seemed well built the only plot we liked was already sold.

I bought my first new house when I was 22, then subsequently another 4, got divorced and bought a 1847 renovated oak beamed cottage (small but lovely) and then this one-off 1970's bungalow.

Fancying another new build for the hassle free maintenance aspect & smaller garden.

Looking at some 4 bed detached places (although, 3 bed would do) in Beverley which look really nice from a company called Ashberry homes £400-480k which tick all the boxes - garage, kitchen-diner, seperate lounge, utility room, downstairs loo and at least one en-suite upstairs.

We shall see what transpires...

 

[Dave7]

We bought this house in 1982. Ex MOD. Every wall is solid brick.
We had a full granny flat built on for Sue's mum.
Now Sue has died and I am struggling I live in the flat while my daughter and family have the house.
My lounge looks out into the garden. I am cozy.
I/we used to say " they will carry me out of here in a box"........many a true word etc.

 

[Paulus]

VAT on Private School Fees given as one of reasons for inflation increase. What is that all about?, what proportion of the population pay Private school fees ?

Indeed, it's a bit like including the price of Baluga caviar in the index.

 

[Mike Ayling]

I understand that WD will no longer be going to the dogs as Wales is to ban Greyhound racing.

 

[Paulus]

I understand that WD will no longer be going to the dogs as Wales is to ban Greyhound racing.

I thought that race was already run😁

 

[PaulSB]

VAT on Private School Fees given as one of reasons for inflation increase. What is that all about?, what proportion of the population pay Private school fees ?

Yep, and air fares. Bread is up 1% apparently and lamb 17%. According to the BBC food prices have risen 35% since January 2021. Now that is inflation.

 

[PaulSB]

Good Evening. Dark. Wet. Windy.........but cozy indoors. I'm not sure what happened yesterday other than it was full on granddad day. We visited an Alpaca farm, she was beside herself. Which is just as well as it cost £30 for two grandparents to take a four year old to feed some Alpacas!

Over the weekend the forecast for today was excellent, sunshine and a gentle breeze. We arranged the first trip of the year to the Ribble Valley and the wonderful Potters Barn cafe. The day dawned. We met at 9.45. At 10.30 the rain started and didn't stop till 1.00pm. We got very wet but decent kit and a rolling route kept us warm, very wet but warm. We arrived at the cafe to discover only one table available, three feet from a roaring log fire. We hung jackets etc. around the fire, we gently steamed while eating very good potato and leek soup. Tonight I am very hungry and I know I'll sleep soundly.

All the talk of water meters sent me to do the check on United Utilities website. The calculator only offered a £40 saving. I've decided to note our daily use for a month and try again.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

We bought this house in 1982. Ex MOD. Every wall is solid brick.

Same here, all walls are solid brick.

Not bothered that they won't be in a new build as we will only live in a detached house.

Can't do with neighbour noise plus we would be bad neighbours in a semi, or whatever, as we often have our music loud until the early hours.

 

[Drago]

Detached was essential when I moved as not everyone appreciates living next door to a bassist.

It's a new build and the walls are insanely thick because of the many layers of insulation, so I can crank the Marshall up to 11 and not a peep can be heard outside. Ideal for murderers using power tools to dismember bodies.

 

[Mike Ayling]

I thought that race was already run😁

There is no date as yet AFAIK

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I've had 5 new houses across the years and the short timescale issue never came up back in the day.

What are these 'ways round it' that you mention, please?

They can normally talk to the solicitor and work it out - normally involves co-operation between the builders and the solicitors based on them already having most of teh documentation sorted out

If the sale is likely to be delayed they cna also sort out a delay if necessary - although clearly if you have buyers for your that are causing the delay then they can;t help with that
However, bear in mind that they have seen all this before
and they want the money so are not likely to turn down a certain sales for the sake of a few weeks

but talk to them - but make sure they don't talk you into anything - they tried it with me but I realise just in time

 

[Drago]

24 days from paying the £1000 deposit to moving in. The builders bought my old house so the situation was simplified, but it was still fraught trying to get everything done in that time.

 

[Tenkaykev]

I am not allowed to go near our espresso m/c ( it’s Mrs exlaser domain) so cleaning and descaling are not part of my responsibility.😀.
(Unfortunately Mrs exlaser is not very regular with part of the procedure. )
But on the other hand cleaning up the kitchen after the filter that holds the coffee has blown of the m/c because of back pressure and covered the place in coffee IS deemed to be part of my responsibility. 😂😀

I had that happen with our machine after I had neglected to descale it for a few weeks after the symbol lit up. Took the " Brew group " out and cleaned and descaled everything. Noticed that the small flexible tube had blown off due to pressure build up. Spoke with Melitta and they sent me a complete new Brew Grout FOC although the machine was out of warranty.
I now descale it as soon as the light comes on.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

24 days from paying the £1000 deposit to moving in. The builders bought my old house so the situation was simplified, but it was still fraught trying to get everything done in that time.

Was you trading up?

We would be trading down by a fair old chunk.

Can't find a builder that wants a more expensive property in p/x.

 

[Drago]

Aye, traded up.