UKBouldering.com
places to visit => uk and eire => Topic started by: Paul B on November 09, 2014, 05:13:46 pm
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Currently Nat and I both work for the same company based on the South side of Leeds; the commute is a bitch (and worsening as Christmas approaches) as realistically we're limited to when we can leave the office. Nat has been doing it for >4 years. The plan was always to move up to Leeds but ideally for that I'd like to live on the North side and the commute would change, I'm not sure it'd improve.
About two months ago, Nat was given a promotion (without reward) to the level above me which means she effectively manages a team. That said, for a few different reasons there's not as much work for the team she's been given and she's mildly disillusioned for a number of reasons (one being the client).
The company have won some new work (actually sh*t loads) and are thinking of opening an office near Clitheroe (new client). We've basically been offered the opportunity to be some of the first people to go over there (with Nat taking on what I think would be a great role for her and gaining the opportunity to influence the things she dislikes, for me things would be pretty similar).
In the short term this might mean working out of the Sheffield office (which doesn't usually deal with our kind of work) with a few days over in Skelmersdale (sh*t hole?) with the company putting us up in a hotel/apartment/whatever.
From what I can see the proposed office location looks pretty well located for access to the Yorkshire Limestone, the M6 and thus the Lakes and not too far from North Wales. Longridge would also be on the door step for post work sessions whenever the light allowed. Have I missed anything glaring?
Access to walls is what worries me. BoulderUK is meant to be good but can you train there (routes + boulder problems)?
Kendal is around 1 hour away so doable I suppose. The other solution might be a (decent) home board... Currently I live 5 mins from the Foundry, <10mins from the School and the Works is only on the other side of town!
For UKBers that live over that way, how's it to live? Property seems relatively affordable.
Does this all seem like a relatively sensible choice?
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How about Hebden way? Not too far to Clitheroe and within striking distance of Leeds (esp Depot) ?
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According to GMaps it's 43 mins without traffic to the proposed office location (Whalley). I'd be hoping to be closer.
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Ok. If you want to minimise travel time - work out how many times you go to the wall x travel time and number of times you visit the office x travel time etc...
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I live in Burnley, great central location for everywhere. Boulderuk is really for bouldering, you have Westview in Preston that has routes and boulders also i have a board in Nelson you could come and train at.
It's good for getting everywhere, 1hr ish to the lakes, peak, yorkshire with north wales also in good reach.
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Clitheroe's ok, lived there for 18 months albeit 15ish years ago. You can actually get to Malham/Kilnsey (or Almscliff, etc) in summer for evening sessions so you're not just limited to Longridge. Plus there's the quarries, which aren't Millstone, but do have some great routes.
Preston could be worth considering if you prefer something bigger than village life, lots of new housing around J.31A that would put you in Whalley in around 20 minutes or around J.32 that would add five minutes.
And You're right reasonable for N.Wales and Lakes, a distance but large chunks on motorway.
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Ok. If you want to minimise travel time - work out how many times you go to the wall x travel time and number of times you visit the office x travel time etc...
I guess that's the thing to do when the location is firmly pinned down and the other questions we have are answered/confirmed.
Peewee - thanks for the training offer. You never know I could be taking you up on that shortly!
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Following on from Nai - some ok commuter town/villages around Preston etc..
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Ive got a mate who lives in Worston just outside Clitheroe. Its a lovely place with great view of Pendle Hill and there are some great pubs/restauarants near there.
Isnt there a reasonable amount of "new" stuff in the new Lancs bouldering guide ?
Its only a quick bomb along the A59 to Skipton as well.
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Iodnt think you've sprogged yet, but don't ignore the area around Bolton, particularly Bolton School (get em in early)
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Iodnt think you've sprogged yet
We haven't and it's not on the cards. People may smirk reading this (or quote it in X years time) but show Nat a child and look at the face she pulls if you want confirmation.
We will be getting a cat. I'm told it'll be a rescue cat, the old, nutty one that nobody else wants to take home. I can live with that.
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How about Hebden way? Not too far to Clitheroe and within striking distance of Leeds (esp Depot) ?
Striking distance? Maybe for a lanky git like you!
BoulderUK is as good as you can get over that side. As 'first generation born out of Burnley' in my family, I can't really see much of an attraction to living in Burnley. It's having a lot of investment into making it look smarter, but it's super busy to get through. Cheap living though. I think Mr and Mrs Buys live there? Worth asking their opinion.
I have really good friends in Downham. Super picturesque.
If it was me I'd live in Skipton and commute to Whalley. Great for lime, routing in Harrogate, and a better option for hitting the depot. Skipton got voted as one of the best places to live in the country didn't it?
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Ok. If you want to minimise travel time - work out how many times you go to the wall x travel time and number of times you visit the office x travel time etc...
Peewee - thanks for the training offer. You never know I could be taking you up on that shortly!
Dunno if you've heard its reputation Paul, but peewee's setup is a cut above the average garage woody! Unofficial schoolroom of lancs...? ;)
As others have said, west view in Preston does routes. Boulder Uk just bouldering, but they do have a circuit board. Anywhere within striking distance of manchester and you'd have sizeable routes and bouldering walls, but the traffic can be terrible in rush hour.
If you live near Clitheroe you've also got several decent bowland grit crags to play on. Mostly long walk ins, but Thorn Crag is fantastic, and there are some brilliant problems elsewhere if you put the legwork in. Tons of trad in the quarries of course. I hear it's pretty good. Can be a bit seepy over the winter months though.
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Whalley is only half hour from Skipton, stay the right side of the border my friend :)
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The only draw back is the lack of a decent wall, BoulderUK is ok but not very big and there's no circuit board or training board. Preston's pretty close for routes but you'd soon get bored I think.
Otherwise it's great (if you're happy living out of the city). The countryside is under rated, getting to Longridge, Yorks lime, some yorks grit is easy (and Trowbarrow), plenty of gastro-ish pubs (the Ribble valley is surprisingly well to do), lots of nice villages (check out Downham and Waddington) and I believe the road biking is good if that's your bag. I moved to rural Lancs 3 years ago and love it - but then I'm a fair bit older than you so country pubs, nice villages and road biking suit my demograph!
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There is a circuit board. At least , it usually has a circuit on it. Isn't there an 8a at the moment? And another circuit that loops round most of the upstairs room.
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I can never do more than two moves on any circuit set on the steep wall upstairs so fmaybe that's why I don't consider it a circuit board! Traversing the whole room I always find a bit unsatisfactory.
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Well ok. Two circuits. How many circuits do you need? I'm not a router so I have no idea.
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The only draw back is the lack of a decent wall, BoulderUK is ok but not very big and there's no circuit board or training board. Preston's pretty close for routes but you'd soon get bored I think.
Otherwise it's great (if you're happy living out of the city). The countryside is under rated, getting to Longridge, Yorks lime, some yorks grit is easy (and Trowbarrow), plenty of gastro-ish pubs (the Ribble valley is surprisingly well to do), lots of nice villages (check out Downham and Waddington) and I believe the road biking is good if that's your bag. I moved to rural Lancs 3 years ago and love it - but then I'm a fair bit older than you so country pubs, nice villages and road biking suit my demograph!
I think after finding you on the upper tier hiding from the crowds we might just be kindred spirits ;D . In all seriousness, I think we both feel that we use the benefits of the city less and less (although it's proximity to the Peak really does come into it's own during the summer).
I'm not into road biking yet. I got very close to buying one (after yet another finger injury) but stopped myself after thinking I'd likely end up under the axle of a large truck. The money then funded a significant portion of a 6 month climbing trip.
The lack of circuit board / training board is a bit of a pain. However, that can be factored into property in some way shape or form, it just needs to not be utter rubbish or like a lot of home walls it simply won't get used.
R-man / Peewee - pics?
Whalley is only half hour from Skipton, stay the right side of the border my friend :)
How's traffic? I really hate sitting in a car going nowhere repeatedly.
R-man, is there a traditional board? i.e. holds that stay put for vast portions of time.
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Having seen pics of Peewee's setup on facebook, I can confirm it looks dope
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A good road links Skipton and Whalley, but you'd be hard pushed to average mor than 40mph at rush hour. It flows though so you won't be sat in endless queues
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Pete's board even has close access to a local paper shop, here they sell ear plugs and air freshner.
There is location, 2 mins from the m65, 15 mins from buk, 15 mins to virtually any of the good quarries in lancs, 20 mins from petes, 20 mins from bolton, 20 mins from preston, 25 to longridge, 45 to malham, 1.20 to langdales, 1.50 to beris, anything from 1.30-infinity to the peak, if you stuck a pin in a map and said center of access to uk climbing, this would be it, you can get a terrace for under £40k, it has additives in the water that give you the ability to traverse really well, some cracking boozers (if you squint)... this promised land is called Darwen.. :whistle:
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Seriously, could be worth a look at some of surrounding areas near by, Egerton, Tockholes, Brinscall etc... fairly well priced and not full of riff raff types
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We live on the border in Blacko.....but are moving to Whalley
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R-man / Peewee - pics?
Added you on Facebook so you can see the setup.
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particularly Bolton School (get em in early)
Fuck that.
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Added you on Facebook so you can see the setup.
:o
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What's Clitheroe wall like these days? It used to be good for some old school Bendcrete crimping.
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Not been in a few years but they still have that ace bendcrete type wall.
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Well, they've offered Nat the position from Jan 6th and I should be released at that time. However, that's not a guarantee.
We still need to negotiate terms etc. but I'm thinking this will likely go ahead. Yikes.
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I should be released at that time.
Early Parole?
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It's looking like this is on. Nat has now started working in the Skem office until the new one (around Whalley) opens and I'm set to join her on the 6/2.
We've now spent a depressing amount of time on RightMove and the houses we've favourited seem to be clustering around:
Accrington
Rossendale/Crawshawbooth
Haslingden
(Nelson - less so)
Can anyone shed any light on these areas, I really don't have a clue beyond a quick chat on FB with peewee.
We've had a few valuations on our place now which have been consistent yet looking at reviews of the Agents in question they all score terribly low. The word CVNT seems to appear quite a lot. I'm not sure we can go with an internet only agent due to being away during the week an awful lot, I think that could be problematic with viewings.
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Not sure about Accrington Stanley or Nelson (other than rumours) but the Rossendale/Haslingden area is my neck of the woods so I'm probably biased to say it's a decent place to live, as is Ramsbottom. Decent pubs tucked away, good connections thanks to the M66/A56, not far from BoulderUK, Earl, Lancashire bouldering, good access to Malham/Kilnsey and other Yorkshire sport venues, and the scenery is pretty nice too, rolling moors with towns tucked down in the valley bottom.
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....good connections thanks to the M66/A56, not far from .......Earl,
Always good to have that reliable wet-weather option.
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Other Yorkshire options, Wigglesworth, Gargrave, Long Preston all within 30mins, nice that way and all within 20mins of Cracoe's premier training venue, (however there is a large waiting list, high yearly costs and no guests!). That road aint too bad for traffic either.
If you are keen for Nelson way, I am sure Dave Buchanan can give you some house options: http://www.cs-b.co.uk/ (http://www.cs-b.co.uk/)
I can confirm, Peewiddles board is good and BoulderUK still holds the award for; Best UK wall in a terraced house and Best setting!
Good Luck!
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Other Yorkshire options, Wigglesworth, Gargrave, Long Preston all within 30mins, nice that way and all within 20mins of Cracoe's premier training venue, (however there is a large waiting list, high yearly costs and no guests!). That road aint too bad for traffic either.
I take it this is a private board of sorts?
Thanks for the other input. The office is actually nearer Langho than Whalley it'd seem.
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Just a board at mine, anyone is welcome. There was talk of setting something kind of training facility up in Skipton!
Barnoldswick and Earby have some nice looking properties, also worth a look.
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Any other thoughts on Crawshawbooth as we've seen a place we both like. Quite a lot actually. Location is a bit further away then I'd have liked for Malham etc. and Langho but commute times look reasonable (i.e. a lot less than Sheff>Leeds).
Crime is a low (10% of) what is reported around our area of Sheffield.
No flooding potential.
Our flat isn't on the market yet but we've been told that can be rectified in ~3 days (now the heating and extractor have been fixed). We think we're going to go with Reeds Rains as she seemed like a nice person and knew what a bouldering mat was.
How does offering actually work? We spoke with the owners during the visit and told them the above and that all the agents seems pretty confident a flat in Sheffield is usually a quick sell atm (famous last words).
TomTom has suggested sellers won't accept offers unless you have one in place yourself (although they're not moving into anywhere, so no chain at that end)?
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Sorry - maybe I've been misunderstood. you can make any kind of offer and it be accepted.. But you'll need to stump up the cash when you buy it :)
Go to the estate agent and make an offer. See if they accept it. Agent will ask about your circs.. You can say your flat has just gone on the market etc...
Unless your earnings are enough to cover two mortgages! In which case you can do things at your leisure!
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Unless your earnings are enough to cover two mortgages! In which case you can do things at your leisure!
They actually are (if interest rates don't suddenly go sky high). However, we'd end up paying an exit fee on the flat mortgage which just seems like p*ssing away cash (even if the company do kinda cover it as an expense).
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That's a good situation to be in. Cash buyer with no chain I believe is the term. :)
You may be able to get your existing mortgage moved over to the new property if you want to keep it..?
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Unless your earnings are enough to cover two mortgages! In which case you can do things at your leisure!
They actually are (if interest rates don't suddenly go sky high). However, we'd end up paying an exit fee on the flat mortgage which just seems like p*ssing away cash (even if the company do kinda cover it as an expense).
Ah - it's more like whether the bank will give you two mortgages!! More than whether you can pay both!!
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There's two of us and this one is all in her name ;)
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Crawshawbooth is a quiet and unassuming place. Nice valley location with some good countryside around. It's probably quite a local village for local people, but I've only been through a few times. Nice reservoir for walks and picnics not far away. Rawtenstall has some good pubs too and isn't far.
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We have recently sold a house and bought a new house. When we were on the market we asked the estate agent whether folk wanting a viewing had sold their property or were a cash buyer. If neither we declined the viewing, you don't want send hours cleaning and tidying. Only to find the viewer still needs to sell their house or hasn't yet even put it on the market.
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Crawshawbooth is a quiet and unassuming place. Nice valley location with some good countryside around. It's probably quite a local village for local people, but I've only been through a few times. Nice reservoir for walks and picnics not far away. Rawtenstall has some good pubs too and isn't far.
We're seriously entertaining somewhere in Rossendale. Commute times looked like 27mins without traffic and 33 with this morning at rush hour. Does that seem reasonable Andy?
Thanks for your help
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Paul if you have the cash to fund the second mortgage before selling then why sell? You'd have no bother renting the flat out and with rents the way they are it'd surely pay for itself. Win win.
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My only commuting experience is getting the bus from Ramsbottom to Bolton, which usually involved some queueing but not a massive amount. Looking at the route you're taking, you'd probably be avoiding any Blackburn rush-hour traffic so I can't imagine the commute would be too much longer than a drive without traffic unless something goes tits-up!
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Paul if you have the cash to fund the second mortgage before selling then why sell? You'd have no bother renting the flat out and with rents the way they are it'd surely pay for itself. Win win.
That's what I was trying to suggest in 140 chars on Twitter Paul - rents are only going to go up, especially in city centres IMO. Worst that happens is you sit on it for a few years and see what happens.
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In effect many reasons but in shot-form; management fees and the fact that if we do so the property will soon need work (kitchen and bathroom I'd imagine having seen other rental properties in the building).
That, and although amassing property is a good long term solution and makes financial sense I don't believe that city-centre flats are best for that and TBH I'd rather be able to travel more etc.
Things for both of us will be very busy so the hassle isn't worth the return (and appointing someone to deal with it makes it even less financially appealling).
Thanks though.
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I don't believe that city-centre flats are best for that and TBH I'd rather be able to travel more etc.
in Edinburgh, a flat close to the city centre is exactly the criteria for a buy to let (unless you're on crack), since it's far more appealing to the student/graduate/young professional that doesn't own a car. that and a property with double the purchase cost (again in edinburgh) won't return double the rental income
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Its not like that in Sheffield though and there are a fair few flats that been built since ours. We stayed in Edinburgh recently and I could see why that is the case up there.
I discussed this with our resident student-slum-lord Shark.
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Its not like that in Sheffield though and there are a fair few flats that been built since ours. We stayed in Edinburgh recently and I could see why that is the case up there.
I discussed this with our resident student-slum-lord provider of luxury student accommodation Shark.
There are obvious risks and scare stories are numerous but in general hanging on to property if you can afford to and are prepared to deal with the hassle is a good bet. At the 5/6% gross yield you think you would be getting it is on the fringes of being a worthwhile investment if buying from fresh but you're in the position of having already bought it with the survey, solicitor and finance fees that entailed. If it keeps its nose clean in paying for the mortgage and other expenses (remember interest costs is still a deductible expense) then you get any capital gain thrown in for free and hopefully rents rise over time too whilst original capital amount is eroded by inflation. I fully admit to not understanding flats and how they are valued and run and steer clear for that reason but as I said in your shoes I would seriously consider this as an option.
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:agree:
The only thing that would put me off is P-Ben's propensity for bad luck.
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:agree:
The only thing that would put me off is P-Ben's propensity for bad luck.
:)
..and we'd never hear the end of it
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:agree:
The only thing that would put me off is P-Ben's propensity for bad luck.
:)
..and we'd never hear the end of it
Plus the grubby moral feeling that goes with knowing you're (most probably) denying a young person or couple their chance to get a foot on the housing ladder / start a future together. Not that this has stopped anybody has it?!
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How so? It's not as if there's a shortage of flats for sale in Sheffield.
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Which is probably why P-Ben isn't that keen. Kelham island etc to my mind was massively over-developed during the housing boom with a lot of flats that I'm not convinced are very desirable properties in Sheffield. Maybe fashions will change but I suspect they will be slower to appreciate than the average terrace of a similar price.
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Logically that makes perfect sense. However, as shark says, logic doesn't seem to apply to the value of flats.
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How so? It's not as if there's a shortage of flats for sale in Sheffield.
I was more making a point re: ownership of multiple properties, many of which are at the cheaper end of the market. I guess the Sheffield flats thing is a bad example, but I know of a good few people who've scraped together deposits despite already paying exorbitant rents, only to be beaten at offer stage by buy-to-let landlords with deeper pockets.
Think the whole "generation rent" thing is a massive issue that none of the political parties want to touch with a bargepole.
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Crawshawbooth is a quiet and unassuming place. Nice valley location with some good countryside around. It's probably quite a local village for local people, but I've only been through a few times. Nice reservoir for walks and picnics not far away. Rawtenstall has some good pubs too and isn't far.
We're seriously entertaining somewhere in Rossendale. Commute times looked like 27mins without traffic and 33 with this morning at rush hour. Does that seem reasonable Andy?
Thanks for your help
Depends wherabouts in Manchester you are commuting to and at what time. M60 can be an absolute nightmare at times. A56 from Rawtenstall to the M66 at Ramsbottom can be a crawl. I live in Ramsbottom and commute to Belle Vue (Park and ride to work) daily. My brother commutes from Helmshore and drives along the back roads to Ramsbottom to pick up the M66 there. This is a good option to those in the know.
If you head up towards Bacup, (which I would not advise, it's very local) it may be quicker to go through Whitworth into Rochdale and pick up the M62 from there.
Hope this helps.
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Which is probably why P-Ben isn't that keen.
Its not that really, in fact I think despite the large number of flats that flew up not so long ago, Kelham Island is finally starting to develop as expected. I've seen lots of change since I've lived here.
Whether property value increases at the same rate as a terrace I haven't a clue. Some of the properties in the older buildings are VERY nice. Some of the newest flats are VERY small.
I'm mainly not keen due to time and hassle (and lack of free income for trips and general flexibility). Nat has a new job (at a higher level) = very busy. I'm fairly damn busy, we're going to relocate etc. and I still want to go climbing. Faff can be offset by allowing a letting agency a slice of things but then the cost-benefit is skewed the wrong way [IMO].
Management charges are also not ideal, they're quite large and they often have 'adjustment charges' which basically mean they've screwed up or something expensive went wrong and here's the bill!
Buying property is a very sensible long term plan but I want to be able to enjoy myself, travel freely etc. (even the possibility to travel without having TWO mortgages to pay). Maybe I'll look back and wish I'd rented my flat in Sheffield, however, I doubt it; if I'm to try and gain financially though property it'll more likely be through developing something from a sh*thole to habitable by being a tight-arse.
Depends wherabouts in Manchester you are commuting to and at what time.
Hope this helps.
I'm not, it'd be Langho/Whalley. Its a 9-5 job with some flexibility on times but not too much. Any clues on the commute based on that?
Ta all.
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Depends wherabouts in Manchester you are commuting to and at what time.
Hope this helps.
I'm not, it'd be Langho/Whalley. Its a 9-5 job with some flexibility on times but not too much. Any clues on the commute based on that?
Ta all.
Langho/Whalley, Helmshore would be ideal, straight on the A56, left at Padiham, Bob's your uncle. Crawshawbooth and that way one will mean either a trip through Burnley or through Rawtenstall to the work. Rawtenstall can be a pain at rush hour. No experience of Burnley. There are rumoured to be nice places in Burnley, which may cut down on journey time. Avoid Accrington like the plague, either to visit or live in.
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What are peoples thoughts on Chatburn? (Teaboy has commented elsewhere).
I note there is a railway through the village but this doesn't seem to be a huge line and having spent a while in the house (shielded by an arch of terraces) we didn't notice any noise.
The house in question is currently gas heated, would 2k be a reasonable estimate for installing a log burner?
In one of the upstairs rooms there's some peeling of wallpaper (on the roof), not near to a window and with a modern loft conversion on the floor above. Is this indicative of bad wall papering, a past leak, or a bigger problem?
If we do offer on this property it'd be subject to survey.
Also, as bidding will only go in one direction, how low do people generally kick of preceedings? We were thinking around 5% below ask.
I hate this game.
(ps - we've accepted an offer on our place, it was online for 8 days with 3 viewings in that time).
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we didn't notice any noise.
Nothing to worry about then :)
The house in question is currently gas heated, would 2k be a reasonable estimate for installing a log burner?
Have you lived with a wood burner before? They are a pain in the arse, have you got somewhere to store the wood? they're dirty, they take a while to light, longer to heat up and then you have to have somewhere to dump the ashes. If you do want one I guess the most important factor is the state of the chimney (has it been blocked, does it need lining etc.)
In one of the upstairs rooms there's some peeling of wallpaper (on the roof), not near to a window and with a modern loft conversion on the floor above. Is this indicative of bad wall papering, a past leak, or a bigger problem?
Could be any of these, condensation etc. have a look in the roof space above to see what's happened. If its all dry up there and the wood is not damp or rotten should be ok. If you are concerned about the wood then you can usually get a wood survey for free.
If we do offer on this property it'd be subject to survey.
Surveys are generally useless even the more expensive ones. Go in the roof space and check out the roof, look as closely as you can at the chimney breast and check out the pointing flashings on them. Check for bowing and cracks (unlikely to be an issue on an old stone built terrace) and also windows, remove some light switches/plug sockets to see how old the wiring is, if you do all that you'll probably do more than a survey would.
Also, as bidding will only go in one direction, how low do people generally kick of preceedings? We were thinking around 5% below ask.
Tricky, it largely depends on the sellers situation.
I hate this game
Don't personalise it, it's a transaction so when people try to eat you down on price it's not and insult. Likewise don't feel bad about what you offer.
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As far as I can tell there's no way I'm seeing more than I have with regards to loft space as its a (well) converted room. All boxed in, all insulated. The room in question (with the paper) is below this. Having spoken to the agent (and them to the vendor) the paper was there when they moved in, 15 years ago.
Its had a full re-wire.
With regards to a log burner, no I haven't. I've lived with Economy 7, now that's truly a pain in the arse as it's useless. Yes, there's a store on the side, and a man-shed.
The seller is in a pretty good position having bought another house already which they're renovating. Once done (~2 weeks) they are OK to move.
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Personally I found wood burners great, clean and no hassle.. mine only needed emptying twice a year (run on good dry wood every day in winter)...
For the survey - I would suggest a valuation (the cheapest to satisfy the mortgage co) and an engineers report from a local surveyor... Gives you much more information - and is normally calibrated for local houses (IE surveyors from building society may see very few stone houses in lancs etc..).. Works out about the same/little cheaper than a full survey (valuation c.£100, eng report £3-400)
Teaboy is right to a point - it is a transaction - but if you (or they) are too much of a cnut then it can force either to back out. Depersonalise, but be sensible... 5% below is fine - tell the estate agent. If you hear back straight away yes or no it means you were either too high (yes) or too low (no). If it takes a while and its a no - then that means you're close and they are thinkign abotu it. Estate agent will also suggest what the vendors will accept etc..
Mine was on for 145 - I offered 135 - we went back and forth a couple of times and settled on 139...
Dependant on survey/engineers report you can then re-negotiate if the wallpaper/patch is an issue etc...
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In one of the upstairs rooms there's some peeling of wallpaper (on the roof), not near to a window and with a modern loft conversion on the floor above. Is this indicative of bad wall papering, a past leak, or a bigger problem?
When the loft was converted the joists will/should have been upgraded which can disturb the ceiling below especially around the periphery of the room where they're fixed. Longshot but could also possibly be condensation from the conversion, plaster drying out, etc.
Also, as bidding will only go in one direction, how low do people generally kick of preceedings? We were thinking around 5% below ask.
I'm sure you've thought of this but check what similar properties in the area have sold for and base what you're prepared to pay and where you start your bidding on that.
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I should stress that this isn't like there are huge patches of wallpaper hanging down, its heavily rippled for about 2 inches along the whole length of the room where the ceiling meets an internal wall.
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Ah missed the bit about the loft room, if the room above is ok it's hard to imagine that there'll be anything too horrific in the 8 inches between it and the ceiling below. It does bring to mind one thing though (and I'm sure you've checked this) is the loft room a proper conversion (fire doors, low windows etc) as I've seen some estate agents still advertise loft rooms as bedrooms when they are not, according to building regs.
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Ah missed the bit about the loft room, if the room above is ok it's hard to imagine that there'll be anything too horrific in the 8 inches between it and the ceiling below. It does bring to mind one thing though (and I'm sure you've checked this) is the loft room a proper conversion (fire doors, low windows etc) as I've seen some estate agents still advertise loft rooms as bedrooms when they are not, according to building regs.
:agree:
have a search through local building standards and check that it is even allowed to exist as anything other than storage, i.e. has been converted as warrantable work that the local council have been made aware of. if not, it may be worth putting in a cheeky offer on that basis
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All the paperwork is there for the loft.
The vendors are playing fairly hardball by perverting our last offer at ask subject to survey and it being removed from the market with no further viewings (submitted fri AM), by firstly, holding onto that offer and allowing further viewings (which turned out weren't in a position to buy) and then now (Sat PM), by saying they want to continue to market the property until our survey is complete.
We've pushed back on that and are waiting a reply because as far as we can see it, we carry all the financial risk (and the risk of wasted time) while they can fish about for more money which seems a bit poor.
Thoughts?
As I said previously, you're not going to see the loft space / beams due to the conversion, it has been re-wired. The roof line and level looks reasonable, there's no signs of cracking etc. We're finding it hard to want to progress without the survey whilst at the same time, the pressure to do so triggers a few alarm bells!
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The vender should be accepting it's sold subject to contract if they've accepted your offer. I would be walking away if they are trying to better your offer while you are having it surveyed.
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The vender should be accepting it's sold subject to contract if they've accepted your offer. I would be walking away if they are trying to better your offer while you are having it surveyed.
Yup - they're pissing you about. This all sounds a bit odd to me...
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The vender should be accepting it's sold subject to contract if they've accepted your offer. I would be walking away if they are trying to better your offer while you are having it surveyed.
Yup - they're pissing you about. This all sounds a bit odd to me...
Sounds like they know there's a problem that even a crap surveyor would pick up
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I'm glad we're all clear we're being pissed about.
My opinion is they're on a fishing expedition but unwilling to let an ask offer pass them by... The agent let it slip that this is on their advice.
Anyhow we've pushed back as it's all at our financial risk with their counter and that's not OK.
I've just reviewed a sample survey doc and there's nothing in there I'd deem as useful.
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Did you check with local building standards to find out if they even know the loft conversion was carried out?
Actually your solicitor should already have done this.
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It's all legit yes.
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I don't understand why you said to the vendor your offer was "subject to the survey"? That's always the case, implicitly isn't it? Everyone understands that. It's normal to knock down the vendor on price once you discover e.g. some rotten joists after the survey. If they're not prepared to take it off the market for your offer then walk away. You're a complete mug to assume they're going to sell it to you if they keep marketing it whilst you pay for a survey! Sounds like they're waiting for a better offer and you'd be wasting your time.
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Sounds like they're waiting for a better offer and you'd be wasting your time.
This is my general impression.
But see above, we won't progress with it still on the market. That was never an option, without a full survey (buildings) was the alternative.
Generally, this is making me very uncertain they'll sell it to us at all.
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Reluctant to weigh into this but having read it...and with some (limited) personal experience...if you sense something is not being done correctly/honestly now, it probably won't be later either. Some people aren't great to do business with.
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Indeed - vendors who start off acting like wankers will probably carry on or get worse... Sorry to hear about all this Paul - it's a shit old business isn't it..
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Indeed - vendors who start off acting like wankers will probably carry on or get worse... Sorry to hear about all this Paul - it's a shit old business isn't it..
Mrs. Vendor seemed very very reasonable/nice (both times). I get the feeling that this is the agents (all agents should be locked in Room 101).
Thanks all. We'll see what comes on Monday.
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Unless the agent is on a percentage they'll be keen to just get the deal done so they can get their fee. Good luck
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Well, YYFY, we moved on Wed having exchanged the day before.
We found out about 1 week from exchange that the "cash" buyer we had, only really became cash, once she'd sold another property. It's unclear when the agent found out about this, however, it was certainly before they told us (our solicitor had suspicions and teased it out of them).
My commute has dropped from ~1h15 to ~12minutes (delayed this morning by not one, but two lollipop ladies delivering the little darlings out of the safety of their Porsche Turbo's to the school safely).
The house seems great although I've noticed many little things I'd missed (I'm sure that's nothing new), and I've had more people knock on my front door in the past two days than the last 10 years in Sheffield. The current view from my office window is fantastic.
Having the champagne (from First Direct for moving house) delivered by the local funeral director made me chuckle.
Thanks for all of the help and advice people of UKB, I'll endeavour to add my thoughts on Solicitors (Good I think), Agents (C-bomb) etc. as and when. One recommendation I will make is Shark's mortgage advisor; for a small fee he improved upon the best rate we were offered by a decent margin, he (and his team) was/were also a pleasure to deal with throughout.
...and I will be fitting a log burner, or my gas bill is going to be eye watering.
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:dance1: :dance1: :dance1: :dance1:
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Congrats Paul!
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...One recommendation I will make is Shark's mortgage advisor...
...and I will be fitting a log burner...
Just don't take Shark's advice on lighting the thing...
;)
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Excellent - nice one Paul!
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Nice one Paul, glad it's all sorted. I'm sure you'll enjoy the drive to Malham a lot more as well as the commute.