Time to Sign!

Solicitors have done a great job and will have the contract ready for us to sign tomorrow. A short visit to North Devon is then plannned to remind ourselves what we are buying and to take a few measurements.  Hopefully we will have the chance to chat to the current owners and ask questions like, 'How does the central heating work?'  Assuming all goes to plan we could complete on the 11th April.
With completion in sight we are now beginning to prepare for taking ownership.  The pile of items to take down when we gain ownership is building on a daily basis and now includes a tool-box although you bet the first tool I need will be back in Stourbridge.
Now also getting quotes for insurance as apparently buildings insurance is required from the Exchange of Contracts. 

Getting Closer...

My solicitor seems to be trying her best to destroy my ambitions for a paperless domestic office.  In recent days we have a received a ream of documents including the results of surveys, draft contracts etc .  The good thing is that date for completion is getting closer and no problems have been identified so far (fingers-crossed).
This purchase is generating so much paper I shall have to give up my usual practise of scanning all documents into Evernote and shredding the originals, I will hold on to everything for a while and then just scan the importants documents in a few month's time when we have completed.
With things moving at a pace we are struggling a little being 180 miles away -  it would be good to be able to pop in and check on a few things which we only vaguely remember from our 10 minute look around the property 3 weeks ago!  It is a little worrying that we are making a huge investment based upon a few minutes in the cottage -  I suppose that is what surveys and searches are there for.
I did speak to the agents today and suggested that we would like to visit the property before we complete to check a few things and she is to speak to the vendors about this.  It will probably mean an overnight stay as I no longer want to be driving 400 miles in a day, as I might have done 20 years ago.

That Difficult Stage

We are at that difficult stage in the house purchase process where things are out of our hands while the solicitors do their bit, hopefully.   As far as we are aware things are all going to plan and it is just a matter of time for searches to be completed, draft contracts prepared etc.  
It leaves us in a state of limbo as we don't want to start planning too much in the way of furnishings, just in case.  Whilst at the same time, the pressure will be on to get things underway as soon as we have exchange and completion.
Have done a bit of internet searching and window shopping to look at major items of furniture and now have some idea of the kind of things we will need in terms of beds , sofa beds, sofas etc.
Also have some old Ercol dining furniture which stripped down and painted or at least lightened would look really good in the new cottage.  This may be the first project to get started on.

No Major Defects!

This morning I opened with some trepidation the email attachment sent by our appointed surveyor. The file title, Major Defects Survey was not encouraging however, the contents were.   There appear to be no substantial issues associated with the property except for a few items seen as routine maintenance. There is condensation in the 2 downstairs bedrooms and this is something we will need to sort out but, with stone walls is to be expected.  If the cottage is to be left vacant at times we will need to get condensation under control as we do not want to return to damp beds etc.  Researching on the net there appear to be many different solutions. Probably the first thing is to buy a dehumidifier. 

A further comment suggested that in 5-10 years the roof tiles may need replacing as they are an asbestos slate which has a limited life. Currently the roof looks pretty sound and hopefully it has a good few years left. 

Solicitors appear to be working away and a draft contract has been received, we would like to take ownership as soon  as possible so that we are able spend a good part of the summer in North Devon.   

We have finally done it!

After many years of consideration and a thwarted attempt a few months ago we have had our offer on a property in Parkham, North Devon accepted.  We will initially be using it as a 'holiday home'  but as we are both semi-retired we will hopefully be in residence for some time each month.
All very exciting, just keeping our fingers crossed that there will be no hitches before exchange of contracts and completion in around 6 weeks time.  Will save the photos until the purchase is finalised.
Now busy thinking about how will furnish the cottage and planning many visits down with friends who are all eager to join us at the start of our North Devon adventure!