Well, they do if reported by the government, but my little spreadsheet is a gem.
We thought we had struck gold with a lovely little bungalow, all tidy and up together.
Sure it needed a few things, but if the price was right, we’d have enough to do them, but we could move in and live, doing one thing at a time.
That’s our dream gone in a matter of seconds following a phone call and a second viewer putting in a higher offer.
I fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book, and offered a little more, which seemed favourable and acceptable.
Until we starting thinking about it, and disagreeing with each other.
Hubby can overthink and in so doing, any trust issue goes out the window.
I rely on numbers, so we parted company to do our own thing, and came up with some interesting data (so we shall be falling asleep friends again : HOUSE RULE, never sleep on an arguement, it’s uncomfortable!)
Hubby found a website which was a mine of information on work carried out on properties which required certain codes, conditions, and official installers.
Hm. The property had no such data, so wall insulation, double glazing, and oil central heating boilers weren’t recorded anywhere.
Now, one of the things we learned from the House Sale from Hell three years ago was that solicitors like to have an array of certain certificates, and if you’ve had work done, you need the paperwork as proof that is was all legit, else they get stroppy.
As for me, now armed with a list of utility costs plus work that needed to be done, my figures are conclusive that basically, we can’t go for it.
My pot is limited, but out of it, I need to buy the property, cover legal fees and expenses, do any immediate work (in this case a new boiler and new oil tank minimum at some £5000), furnish it with the basics, like something to sleep on, something to sit on, and white goods to keep food fresh, frozen, or cooked plus a washing machine.
With my increased offer, I’m about two grand short, and that does not include immediate bills to pay like local taxes, water rates, and power.
If I list everything that will need to be done, project or not, I shall forever be playing catchup and dipping into our meagre savings that will never be replaced and which have to tide us over until we qualify for state pensions, which at present is over five years away.
I can’t do it, so tomorrow I have a couple of calls to make withdrawing not only our second offer, but also our first and our interest. It is not going to go down well, but at least the vendors have another interested party, so they can proceed with their sale.
Tomorrow is our last day here, and just two properties left to see. We may have another shot with one, but I’m not holding my breath after this.
pensitivity101 
In California there are other sneaky costs, like adjusted property taxes, which aren’t covered even if you set up an impound account.
yikes!
Amazing how writing down a work-list with valid costs can change the picture, isn’t it?
It is, and because we have been out of bricks and mortar for three years of boat living, a lot of my figures were guestimates. Having actuals gave a clearer and more accurate picture, so if nothing else it has been a good exercise and lesson in not getting too carried away!
Better to pull out now before you regret it, even when it’s painful.
I know, but it’s still annoying