HERE'S HOPING ...

Today I was a bit trepidatious (sorry Robert) re a visit from the prospective buyers of our house.

The sale and purchase agreement has been signed with a two week period during which conditions have to be met:

• Builder's report
• Geotech report
• Insurance confirmation
• Finance agreement

The builder's and geotech reports are necessary to assuage the fears that the insurers have about coastal properties and the insurer's confirmation is necessary for their bank to agree to whatever loan arrangement they are asking for.

Sheesh! It's like one of Robert's babble stories.

The buyers are well off though. They own a farm which they are going to sell but also have pretty high paying jobs (barrister and energy consultant) so finance isn't an issue. The inspectors' reports are the critical ones. Here's hoping ...

As I said, I wasn't sure what they wanted to see on their visit and discuss but my trepidation (sorry Robert) wasn't called for. They brought with them a chilled bottle of a very good NZ Methode Champenoise which we shared while chatting. Apart from wandering through the house to look at artwork we stayed in the kitchen. I hadn't needed to tidy up the attic, the basement and the shed after all (which I did this morning instead of writing interesting posts to keep Richard happy). They are very nice (like me) so, as I said "Here's hoping ..."

They said that they were very flexible on settlement but I opted to go for the 6 week after unconditional option which takes it to mid November. This still gives me some breathing time to get all the packing and clearance done, organising removal people, arranging storage at the other end and to say some 'goodbyes' to people I know up here.

It also means that I might be able to gatecrash one of Richard's Christmas season luncheons whatever theme he's going for this year. Roasted guinea-pig anyone?