Sunday 2 August 2015

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly


Or, the story of how we became homeowners once more.

You know I love beautiful things and pretty pictures. But this blog is also about real life, so if you're looking for dreamy images of domestic loveliness: Look away now. And if you want to read on, just be grateful they haven't invented smellivision yet.



Friday was Completion Day. We received a call from the solicitor at 9.10am to inform us the house was now ours. The keys would be available for collection around 2pm. Well, the keys were still with the vendors at 5pm. By 5.30 we were waiting at the estate agents (who had kindly agreed to stay open late). Eventually, at 6pm, said vendor - who I do actually know from my school days - came rushing in, full of apologies and excuses. It had been a hard day. Unfortunately 'a few things' had been left in the house: fridge, cooker, dining table and chairs, chests of drawers.



The house was sold as 'vacant possession', i.e. - according to the estate agents - emptied of all furniture as well as people. A hurried call was made to a house-clearance man. He agreed to empty the last few things. The vendor gave us the money to cover his fee.

We then went on our way to see our new house. Oh dear. Outside on the pavement: washing machine, stereo, speakers, boxes of rubbish. All left for us to dispose of. Inside: cupboards still full. More furniture. Piles of unwanted stuff: an old hoover, iron, sewing machine. Clothes. More speakers. Out of date food. Dirty ashtrays. And the most awful smell of stale booze, nicotine and dirt. The place was absolutely, stomach-turningly filthy.



You're probably wondering why I didn't notice the lack of cleanliness when I went to view the house. I did. But the extent of it suddenly became clear. It was supposed to be left in 'broom clean' condition. 



The garden didn't fare much better: piles of dog crap, old traffic cones, broken toys. Luckily we have a great solicitor who, at going on for 8pm, advised us that the vendors would have to cover the cost of disposing of all the abandoned stuff. She told us to take pictures. We did. And you, lucky reader, get to share.



And to top it all off: we only received one set of keys. This is because the sellers sneaked back into what was now our house late that night and took some cutlery from a drawer, then posted the keys they'd used back through the door. This is a Very Naughty thing to do. And a bit odd. You see, what is to be my workroom has a safe in the wall. Inside that safe are personal things. Old Parker pens in a case, photographs, someone's Last Will and Testament. All left behind. But they came back for a few spoons.

This house belonged to a lady and her husband who passed away four years ago. It went to their children, one of whom has been living there ever since (with her partner and children). It's extremely neglected. But it will be lovely. I have faith. 

And fortunately we didn't need to move in on completion day, as the builders start work tomorrow.


What's keeping me going right now is the garden. It needs clearing but we have lovely views over the fields behind. We have a birch tree and a twisty hazel. 


I really don't understand how these people could have left everything in such a state. They had a month between exchange of contracts and completion. That's quite a long time.

Still, we have nice new neighbours (who all seem relieved to have seen the back of the house's previous occupants). And there's a lot of potential. It's why we were excited in the first place. Also, we did manage to salvage a few treasures hidden amongst the junk - things which have been in the house for years and years. Some old drawers which can be painted and hung from the walls for quirky shelves. Victorian-looking technical drawing equipment which will be polished up and displayed above my desk.


And a box, from the attic, containing some vintage blankets. They were buried away so don't smell of dirt or cigarettes. I've already washed them. I'm a little bit in love with them.


After all the drama and initial dismay, a walk alone this morning on the moors. It was needed and it reset my calm levels.



Fresh air and a lively breeze, a look at what's happening as the summer moves slowly towards autumn...


A few oddities (we're miles from the sea and a whole lot further from Stornoway)...


I do love to examine what's growing. I also picked a few leaves of this and that as I like to press them. Pressed leaves and flowers are very useful reference tools when I'm drawing.


Other good things: I bought a beautiful old dresser for the house. It's sitting in our current living room and has transformed it. I can't wait for the builders to finish at the new place (it'll take an estimated 4-6 weeks) so we can get in and make it feel loved again.


Jay's off work tomorrow so we can meet up with the builder before the renovation begins. And we need to show the solicitor the photos of the House of Horrors. After that I'm going to see a friend for coffee, just for an hour or so, to catch up.


My drawings are coming along nicely and I'm almost at the finish line. Next stage: watercolouring them. I'm looking forward to that bit.


And we're having duck tonight, with greens. If that's not a reason to be cheerful then what is?

Thank you for reading such a lengthy rant post - if you're still here, that is. Have a lovely week.








37 comments:

  1. Oh, grim... How strange that they'd just leave everything like that. But the bones of the house look good. Looking forward to the follow up post after the builders are done!

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  2. Gosh I'd be so embarrassed to leave a house in that state for anyone. You will no doubt make it beautiful. It looks like it has lovely rooms and the garden looks promising. Love that you found some treasure. A small reward for having to deal with the mess. So excited to see how you turn this house into your home. Bee xx

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  3. Wow. I'm amazed at the condition they left the house in. I didn't know anyone could get away with that, but I guess "broom clean" might be a subjective term. I think you have a really positive attitude, considering. I am sure you will make this house a beautiful home for your family.

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  4. How can people do that?! But I'm sure your new house will look beautiful soon...and what gorgeous views.

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  5. The blanket in your photo looks like a Welsh handmade blanket. They are hard to come by now and new ones are really expensive. If it is a nice reward for the horrors of the house! You must have lovely ideas for making a new home, regards
    Peta-Ann

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  6. So frustrating when people don't do what they say they are going to do!! Such a good job your not moving straight in. Please keep the photos coming, I love watching other people's DIY/building projects. It's so much better than trudging through your own projects. Sarah

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  7. I've just found your lovely blog and right away, find a Stornoway connection! I'm really looking forward to seeing your house transformation- you'll soon forget about the dodgy start as it becomes your own. xx

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  8. That's a horror story which I'm sure you will soon expunge from your memory. So glad you didn't have to try and spend your first night in that mess. Our first house was a similar story but it was a very old lady who clearly couldn't cope with the move and some of the furniture she left behind was very useful for us. I still have a bamboo table, a brass cache pot and a pressed glass jug to remind me of what became a very happy and much loved home.Your blanket looks like a real treasure.

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  9. It will be beautiful, and that is the exciting thought to hold onto.

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  10. I am glad you have a few weeks before you are moving in. It looks shambolic now but I can see some lovely features in the house, particularly the window bench and the wooden floors in the same room. It will be so beautiful once all traces of the inconsiderate previous owners have gone. All will be just the way you like it. Good luck! Have you considered changing locks (just in case)? We moved into a similar property (top floor tenement in Glasgow), no central heating, no kitchen, dry rot, toilet deodorizing bricks all over to mask the stench, rotten carpets, flock wall paper etc. It was a long fraught process before we could live there but it was worth it in the end. xx

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  11. Oh my gosh! What a mess! Thank goodness you don't have to move in until after the renovations. I'm sure it is going to look amazing once you fix it up. And I hope you'll share the 'after' pics with us too :-) x

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  12. Oh, my! Who could leave a house looking like that for the new owners? Luckily, you are all set to remodel - it will be fun to see the "after" shots. I like all the blooms you have growing. We have the pink fireweed blooming here in CO, too.

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  13. Hang on in there Sarah, it will all be worth it in the end, it looks as though it has amazing potential and I know you will make a beautiful home. Unfortunately there are people out there who just can't get their act together enough to clear a house, or live in a civilised way. It sounds as though your solicitor is on top of it all though. Once the work starts and all of the horrors are removed it will be exciting. A lovely home to make your own, and a pretty garden for your little man to have adventures in. It will all be worth it. I'm wishing you all much happiness there. If I lived nearby I'd come and give you a hand with the disposals! CJ xx

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  14. It will be lovely, perhaps not quite the start you wished for, but that garden...that view, worth it! :) xxx

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  15. creepy, I'd be changing the locks FIRST!

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  16. Some people... Our previous house was left in a right state and the seller was rather deceitful which soured the move somewhat, also v late getting keys, most stressful day of my life, the move here was much more relaxing in comparison. Looking forward to see what you do with it, love the view from the garden. Happy new home

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  17. Oh crikey, Sarah! Thank goodness you didn't have to move in straight away. Change the locks pronto. Some people just do not know how to look after themselves or a house (not necessarily their fault). But all will be well and you'll make it a beautiful home. Hang in there. It sounds as though you have your sense of humour intact and a pragmatic approach to it all. I look forward to seeing the transformation over time if you share it here. All good wishes for your new home. Sam x

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  18. Sorry to hear you have had a stressful time. I do hope the renovations go smoothly and you can start enjoying your new home very soon.
    Jacquie x

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  19. What a nightmare! Thank goodness you still have your home to live in while the renovation and cleaning takes place. The views are lovely and I'm sure you will make the house 'yours' very soon. Looking forward to seeing some 'after' shots. Good luck with it all Sarah.

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  20. Oh my goodness! But behind the mess the bones of something lovely are clearly there, and all the best things are born of a labour of love. I can't wait to see what you do with it because I know it's going to be lovely.

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  21. Urgh! I amshocked at all that rubbish they left and the sneaky sneaking in at night. But it will be so worth it in the end. The blanket looks gorgeous. Is it any consolation to know that when we bought our house the vendors left a large drum of rancid chip oil with mouse droppings in it in the kitchen and a wheelless car in the garden?

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  22. Oh what a flaming nightmare for you - such a shame to turn a should-be-happy positive moment into one of upset and stresses. It will be lovely, it will be wonderful and it is a good thing that you have that creative vision to picture the end result and hold that image in mind to focus on through this initial stress x

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  23. What a lovely quirky house, and the garden - priceless! Please take loads of photos as you do it up. I spent last week helping my cousin clean her old house, only to have to clean her new house too! People can be so selfish. Glad you found those blankets as compensation.

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  24. We had dog hair on the carpet so thick you could scoop it up in your hands. But how anybody would leave a house filthy is beyond me. I hope you get the cost of ridding back, and that the builders make it ship shape for you before you move in.
    Like somebody else said, the bones are good and when you have moved in and loved it and it has loved you back, it will be better. (if you're a church goer, ask the Holy Man of your faith and he will happily come and pray over the house and bless it; if you're not a holy person, gather your friends and do it yourself. There is something about a welcoming ritual, even only lighting a candle and speaking a few words of welcome that makes a difference to the way you see the house.)

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  25. When I found my little cottage and brought my mother to see it, she burst into tears when we walked through it. It was in rough shape. There were fleas! It hadn't been lived in for awhile and it was disgusting inside. But I could see it's potential even when everyone else thought I was nuts. It's amazing what deep cleaning and lots of paint can accomplish! Good luck to you!
    Cheers,
    Dana (from the USA)

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  26. You like a challenge then ! the way you photograph and show us snippets from your life, I believe this house is going to look stunning when it's finished , you saw past all the mess and fell in love with the place. Some day's you will have to be strong, very strong but you will get there.
    I wish you well and look forward to watching the transformation.
    Amanda xx

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  27. Our house was left in a similar condition, although thankfully less smelly than yours sounds, and we had to move in that day. We had skips and skips to get rid of all the stuff and had to pay for the clearance ourselves. So I can totally relate! However, you will soon have it in a totally different condition and make it your very own and it will be wonderful! In fact, I think that I love this house more because of the memories of all that we went through and had to do, so I sincerely hope that the same will be true for you! Wonderful that you have the keys - but do get them changed for some new locks, just in case they have any more keys still in reserve!! xx

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  28. I'm so pleased that the house is finally yours, but what as shame it was left like that! We rent at the moment, and I have hired a cleaning company to clean throughout, the carpets, everything when we have moved on. I thought it was just what you did...I even usually leave a note behind about bin days etc...

    I hope your new home cleans up very quickly and you have many happy years there x

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  29. It certainly looks like you have a massive job on your hands, but it will be so worth it for you to transform it into a special place for your family. I like the idea of having a house blessing as someone else suggested, in whatever way works for you. I am sure you have already started building positive memories here and these pictures will give you a starting point for an album that will be exciting to look back on in years to come x

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  30. Can you believe some people?! Grrrr. But you have vision Sarah and it will be a gorgeous, cosy cottage in time.
    After ripping out and disposing of everything you don't want, take your time, there's no rush.
    How wonderful to have views. Whenever we've moved, we always change the locks, expensive I know, but worth it.
    So brilliant you're not living there straight away!

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  31. Oh dear, what a mess. But I'm sure it will soon be a cosy home and it will be worth the bumpy start. Good luck x

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  32. How awful of them to leave the house in such a state. I have no doubts though that you will make it into a beautiful, cosy nest. Wishing you much happiness in your new abode and hope the stressful start will soon be forgotten x

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  33. I am certain your new home will be lovely when you have finished but my heart did go out to you reading this post Sarah. It defies belief that anyone could live like that never mind leave it in such a state for someone else to clear... And coming back in later is just appalling! good luck with the clearing up and renovations.

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  34. Don't be apologetic for the photos - these real "before" photos are ten times more interesting than cropped "after" shots! But, my god, you have my sympathy. What horrible people. And dog poo in the garden? Eugh. Shame on them, the least they could do was fulfill their end of the bargain, But at least you might have spied some vintage treasure in amongst the rubbish and you'll have a beautiful home at some point too. x

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  35. Phew, thank goodness you weren't sat outside having to move in, so that's a blessing. When we bought our house, we had an issue on completion. At 9am the solicitor rang us to say that we'd completed but he was making a note to say that we had gone against his instructions and we shouldn't have done so. Hang on, I said. You are telling me this after completion - yes he agreed.............. If they had pets and you are keeping any carpets -deflea them before you move in. We didn't and it took 3 attempts at defleaing the dog and house before we beat them!!!! Hope your new home is full of much happiness and love. x

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  36. such a shame the house was in such a state.... but it will all be worth it xxx

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  37. even in all of those less than perfect photos you can see that you have gained a beautiful home, here's to the incredible process of making it yours x

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