Yes, we have a new home for Christmas.
Hopefully we will actually be in it by next Christmas ... there is a lot of work to be done. But it was the only way to be able to afford to get the shell of something that we can redesign to our own specifications as this will be our last ever home. Our last ever move ... thank goodness for that.
We have lived in so many places both individually and together, moved so many times that it seems ridiculous, but hopefully this bungalow will be totally future-proofed. We are using everything that we have learnt from doing our previous works, and the work that we had done on Mum's bungalow ready for my brother to move into, to get this final home just right and future-proofed.
We picked up the single solitary key on Wednesday afternoon after we had visited Mum. It all worked out very well timewise, we were sat in the services having a coffee when the email from our solicitors arrived, telling us to collect the keys from the auction house which was just a slight detour into Preston, which is one our way home. I have to say buying at auction, with our brilliant solicitor made for a very easy process. It was just 28 days from bidding on the property to us picking up the key.
Now we are having lots of meetings at the bungalow with the architect, the builders, the solar guys, the roofing guys etc etc, I can barely keep up with Alan's timetable. But as long as we can fit Christmas in I will be very happy.
I spotted what could be the perfect front door as we were driving home from Mum's a couple of weeks ago, we were stationery at the traffic lights at the time so Alan said 'quick get a picture' ... so I did. That's one thing ticked off my list of things to choose then. 😄
Sue xx
Wow that was quick, how exciting, I wish you both every happiness in your new home, albeit you be renovating!
ReplyDeleteThank you. 😀 The auction process was so much easier than buying via an estate agent. BUT, you need to rush to get a survey done, or have some previous building and renovation knowledge, AND have a brilliant solicitor that you trust completely. You have just 28 days to fulfil the contract or you are fined heavily. We were lucky it worked for us. 🙂
DeleteHow exciting! I'm really happy for you.xx
ReplyDeleteThank you. 😀 xx
DeleteI'm looking forward to following your adventures through the coming year. With every good wish for the future.
ReplyDeleteI'll document some of it as the work progresses. 🙂
DeleteI’m confused Sue, are you or your brother moving into your Mum’s bungalow or have you bought a different bungalow? Sorry it doesn’t take much to confuse me nowadays🤣 Wishing you a busy but exciting 2026. June xx
ReplyDeleteMy brother will hopefully inherit Mum's bungalow, as long as we don't have to sell it for the care home fees. Mum's bungalow only has one bedroom and would be too small for us, and anyway I would never move back to Manchester I'm a small town girl now. 😀.
DeleteCongratulations Sue - the next step of the journey on the horizon, then!
ReplyDeleteThank you ❤️ The final step hopefully. 😄
DeleteI could not believe the price of front doors when we got ours a year ago. But it is secure, it insulates the hall, and like the one in your picture, has a sensibly placed letter box (halfway up and horizontal!) But do check, if it is a "composite" one , that the colour goes deep and is not a thin coat on the surface. Doors do get bashed, and the cheaper ones show the damage quickly!! I did so much research, I can bore for Britain on "what to look for in a new front door"!!
ReplyDeleteDoors (and windows) are very expensive aren't they, but they do have to be secure. I would never get a 'bottom of the door' letterbox ... I want our postman to like us and they hate having to bend right down don't they, and I don't blame them!!
DeleteI know where to come to now for expert advice. ;-)
What wonderful news and a brand new adventure for you both in the next year, exciting times to be shared with us please!! Guessed the front door would be green Sue, enjoy it all. Jan in Castle Gresley
ReplyDeleteOh it just had to be green, fingers crossed I can get this particular one.
DeleteI'm not going to enjoy ANY of the process, I hated it last time, but I just have to grit my teeth for a year and get on with it.
I am so pleased to hear your good news. Looking forward to reading about the whole project - you are both going to have a busy 2026. I can see your attraction to that door in your favourite shade of green!
ReplyDeleteWendy (Wales)
That door just screams my name doesn't it. :-)
DeleteI am really looking forward to seeing your progress. I love that front door too.
ReplyDeleteI'll share some of the goings on for sure, but not too much.
DeleteSounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThank you. xx
DeleteBrilliant news! Front door is the same colour as our new super duper double glazed door but no glass in ours as we have a glass panel at the side. Looking forward to hearing all about your renovations and decorating as the house takes shape. We moved to this bungalow 37 years ago-the day the plane crashed over Lockerbie just a few days before Christmas 1988. We keep thinking we should move to a flat but instead we have futureproofed the garden, new glazing, bathroom and heating this year so I guess we’ll be staying! Catriona
ReplyDeleteOurs should be opening into the porch ... that hasn't been built yet!
DeleteGosh I envy you staying in one place for so long, you must have your bungalow to your exact specifications by now. :-)
How very exciting, and nice to know that the buying process can be quick and efficient. Good luck with your project. It's like doing an enormous three-dimensional jigsaw, but so satisfying.
ReplyDeleteIt's only this quick at auction, it has to be or you get a huge fine. Seemingly the average straightforward house purchase is now taking six months via the estate agent route. A 'jigsaw' is a very good way to describe it. :-)
DeleteThis is heartwarming news, Congratulations x
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
Thank you Alison. xx
DeleteCongratulations! I love the colour of the front door - what a change from the dreadful "fashionable grey" currently blighting the UK's streets! xxx
ReplyDeleteThere will be NO grey inside either!! :-)
DeleteGrand news. Looking forward to hearing about your renovation plans.
ReplyDeleteI will share some of the renovation news, but not all.
DeleteCongratulations on your new home. Lots of plans to be made. Will you stay in your current home whilst all the work is done. We moved in to newish build, someone had lived in it before we bought it, so if there were any problems, they had been ironed out. The only thing to do was the garden and that kept me nicely occupied. Xx
ReplyDeleteWe have to stay in our current home as this one will soon have no floors, missing walls and holes where doors and windows used to be. :-)
DeleteThe garden will be scheduled for a very basic redesign in 2027, hopefully.
Will you be like Eddie and Patsy from "Absolutely Fabulous," flying to New York City to get your door handle? LOL!
ReplyDeleteExciting news about the house! I can't wait to see pictures!
Of course .... haha. :-)
DeleteI will share a few photos of before and after, as everyone seems to want to see, but I'm wary of turning into a 'homes' blog. ;-)
Congratulations! Perfect timing to get started planning ready for next year!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe it happened so quickly. Our solicitor was rubbish when we were buying our new build bungalow and I was constantly chasing him up. It makes me dread moving again if I'm left on my own at some point in the future. But how lovely to be able to design things exactly how you want them :)
Angie
I guess that's the good side to buying at auction, the seller and the buyer HAVE to complete within 28 days or they get fined. You do need a good solicitor, luckily ours has been with us through many past purchases. 🙂
Deleteexciting news! i hope all goes well for you both, from Julie x
ReplyDeleteThank you. 🙂 xx
DeleteWow, are you ever going to be busy. Congratulations on finding your forever home.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you, yes I predict a busy year ahead of us. 🙂 xx
DeleteCongratulations, hope everything goes well!
ReplyDeleteIt's so creative to prepare your new home!!
Thank you. I've designed a few, even the architect was impressed with my plans. 🙂 xx
DeleteCongratulations. How exciting for you. It's always fun to watch someone else do all the moving, seeing the pictures. It really is a fun adventure - buying a new home, decorating it and all. Moving in to a ultra clean home,already finished. I just don't think we could handle such a big life event anymore.
ReplyDeleteIt really is so easy to watch someone else do all the fun stuff isn't it. First though we have to take up floors, knock down walls and build rooms, not fun at all ... although strangely Alan seems to think it is!! Crazy man. ;-)
DeleteMany congratulations to you both, what a lovely "pre-Christmas-present" 😉
ReplyDeleteThe usual way of buying has become such a shambles, six months is ridiculous especially with the stress of knowing the whole thing could collapse at any moment if someone pulls out. A system long overdue for a complete change. Perhaps more and more properties will sell by auction in future?
Haha ... possibly the biggest pre-Christmas present we have ever bought. The auction way of buying definitely is a lot simpler if you are ultra careful.
DeleteThanks for explaining the situation Sue, much appreciated. June
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I could clarify it for you. xx
DeleteExciting times. Fingers crossed everything else goes as smoothly for you. xx
ReplyDeleteExciting news, something to look forward to for 2026.
ReplyDelete