Christchurch - Open Fires/Woodburners

[veronica]

I would also say that on the whole there is no difference in the estate agents either. didn't find most of them hungrey enough to put much effort in in NZ when we were looking last Autumn.

[Moorf]

Hi freeflyer - I hear what you are saying... but we ARE looking for a home.. that is the only thing that is missing here. Couple that with rent money being "money down the drain" and that the rent we are paying would be almost the same as a mortgage payment then financially it makes sense too.

We have offered on another place - strange thing is it came on the market the day we walked away from the other property.

Personally, I feel that if you can get into a home and get out of the awful rentals then you may even stand a better chance of staying here! Especially if, like us, you know what you are looking for in terms of insulation, heating etc.

Of course, house buying isn't something to rush into but we feel we are doing what is right for us.. it's not for everyone.

Moorf

[freeflyer]

Hi Moorf,

just a quick apology for my OH's mad rantings on this thread, unfortunatly the combination of the words 'Christchurch , woodburners and real estate agents' seems to send him into a manic depressive frenzy, well more manic than normal anyway

He is off to cairns this week (no woodburners required) so should cheer up soon.
good luck with the home.

Anna

[Timbo]

Anna. Make sure hubby packs his brolly.

[Moorf]

Hi Anna.. oh don't apologise!! His rantings may ring true for some people, just not for us

Veronica - I wonder if things have changed since you bought, all the estate agents we have had dealings with seem pretty desperate to sell - mind you, we do appear to have been looking at lemons : - most of the houses we have been interested in have been on the market for some time and Woz is always up for a barter - but it would appear that if a property is on for a while there's probably something wrong with it rather than no-one being interested :? at least, in our experience.

A house here in Sumner was up for $310k the other day (south facing, hill in the way so not much sun and on a section only freeclimbers could use :eek i.e steep) and the day it went on sale it had an offer and 5 back up offers!! :eek

[freeflyer]

We went to try and view a house here in the UK the other day and the estate agent said maybe we could have a look at it next week, if he could find the keys!

In NZ I was once trapped in a car all day with a REA, who insisted on showing me every property he had, and some that belonged to other companies!
another insisted that we viewed the bedroom of a property , even though the owners were in bed asleep.
another REA showed us a bathroom whilst the owner was taking a shower

and one REA was so desperate that after falling down the stairs of a property we were looking at, she insisted that we checked out the indoor/ outdoor flow whilst she was writhing on the floor in agony with what looked like a broken ankle - she was still trying to sell the property to us as we were driving her to the hospital

Moorf - you havent reached lemon stage , until the REA tries to describe to you the benefit of the property's composting toilet system

Timbo - would the brolly be for fending of the crocs or stabbing the cane toads

Anna

[Moorf]

I didn't know whether to laugh or sob at your post Anna !! Funny though - having said that it was cruel to push that REA down the stairs

.. actually, no it wasn't!

We've had our valuation and building inspection for our recent "find" back today - more negotiating power within them so here's hoping we aren't going to lose this one too.. didn't post about it sooner as didn't want to jinx it!! If we don't get this house then we are going to rent for another 6 mths to a year as we have had a GUT-FULL of it so far and it's taking over our lives, costing us heaps in solicitors, valuations and building inspections and stressing me out....

Costs: (each time you prepare to buy)

Building inspection : c. $400
Valuation c. $400
Solicitor c. $800 (or if there are probs more.. we are currently in for a $1200 fee from previous disaster and this current purchase)