Strange experience

[jazzactivist]

I just thought that I would share a strange experience that I have had in relation to our house sale. A woman came back for a second viewing today and told me that the schedule that she had for our house had been stolen the evening before. Just after she left a couple and their son stopped and asked to view the house, saying that they were just passing and saw the For Sale sign. However, once inside they seemed to know an awful lot about it for people who hadn't seen it advertised eg they asked to see the loft and extra plot straight away. How weird is that - imagine stealing someone else's schedule and then actually having the brass neck to turn up for a viewing on spec?

[Crocus]

Hi Jazz, I must say, it really sounds weird. Why would they do that? Have you contacted the agency to tell them about this couple turning up for a viewing? If it was the couple who in some way have anything to do with your schedule being stolen, why? I don't at all understand it. Something doesn't add up here. xx

I just read your posting again, and now wonder how the woman who came back for a second viewing, knew that your schedule had been stolen? Sorry for all the questions, but it seems rather strange. xx

[jazzactivist]

Hi crocus, the woman who came back for the second viewing was showing the schedule to her brother when they were out for a meal yesterday evening. It was a carvery and they left the table to get their food leaving the schedule on the table. When they came back it was gone, although they looked everywhere for it. So, it must have been stolen from the table, but nothing else was stolen as she took her bag with her. The people who took it must be the ones who turned up today, as the address was obviously on the schedule, but they couldn't exactly tell me how they found out about the house so made up the story about just driving by. Both sets of people missed one another by about 10 mins. It is very odd, but both viewers were from the same town not too far from here, so it is possible.

I phoned the estate agency and told them about it, but they think that it is quite funny and the response was just "well it's good to have more viewers".

[Crocus]

Imagine if they turned up at your place at exactly the same time!

[lily]

Sounds very dubious, nosey or something a bit worse? Does anyone actually know who these people are?

[jazzactivist]

Hi Lily, no-one knows who they are. But they had taken the trouble to drive for 40 mins to come and look at the house. I am a bit puzzled. They didn't seem dodgy in any way -just an older couple in their 60s, accompanied by their son, looking for a retirement home. But it became obvious that they knew more about the house than they were letting on, so I can only surmise that it was them who stole the schedule from the other viewer. Maybe they thought that the house schedule had been left on the restaurant tables for people to pick up, but if so you would have thought that they would have been upfront about where they found out about the house. I did check around the after they left just in case it was some kind of organised theft or something, but nothing was missing. The woman who had the schedule stolen asked what they looked like to see if she could remember them from the restaurant, but couldn't place them. It is just a strange incident.

[dinger]

do be careful who you let in Jazz we hear such terrible things these days .Could you not ask the agent to do accompanied viewing then you will only be letting genuine people in .

[jazzactivist]

Hi dinger, thanks so much for your concern. There are some funny people about, but luckily not too many. I am happy to do the viewings myself, as I think that most people are absolutely fine, plus it would probably be too difficult to try to organise viewings around my work time and an estate agent's considering that I live in a rural village 30 mins drive from the estate agent's offices. My neighbours are out and about in their gardens and around their houses during the week, and in the evenings, so I could easily shout and get help if I needed it and we all notice if something seems 'not quite right' with someone or their home. I am hoping that there won't be too many viewings and that someone will want to buy the house quite quickly. I have the first viewer's survey tomorrow morning. In Scotland the surveys are done before an offer is put in and it is generally all very quick. The surveyor will come in the morning and she should have his report by email in the afternoon. Then if she wants to put in an offer it will probably be Monday morning. If we find it acceptable then we could be exchanging missives by the end of the week.

I have another male viewer on his own on Saturday morning, but Andy will be around then too. Lucky viewer as it will be the day of the village gala parade (same time too!), so he may get tangled up with a few wagons of pre-schoolers dressed as aliens as the theme is red and gold sci-fi this year. If he doesn't like it then it isn't the village for him!

[Crocus]

Best wishes for the viewer's survey tomorrow as well as Saturday morning Jazz. You never know, it might be the one who want's your lovely house! xx

[dragonfly]

Good luck Jazz. Buying and selling a house is very stressful but it seems a lot easier in Scotland.

[Crocus]

Hi Jazz, how did the viewings go? Any developments? xx

[jazzactivist]

Hi crocus, yes good news we have sold our house, and for a decent amount over the asking price too! I can't believe how quick it has happened, all within one week... and painless so far. The woman who has bought the house is very nice too and given that she has big plans to change her lifestyle I am sure that she will be very happy here, growing her own veg / keeping small livestock etc. I'll, of course, pass on the Rural Muse website address since she will be living in the country on her own and won't know anyone round about. Now I just have to prize myself away from 'my' garden...

[Crocus]

WOW! Congratulations Jazz! That really went quick eh? Now it's the big move and new adventures awaiting you! I'm sure your OH is quite pleased as well. Do you have any idea when the big move will take place? Just think about the new garden ....... xx

[jazzactivist]

We'll be moving in about 5 weeks time, crocus, as our buyer has already sold her house. First we'll be renting a cottage from the end of this month which has a very beautiful, established terraced garden containing lots of unique trees and shrubs. However, I won't be allowed to work in it, only have some containers on the upper terrace, as the garden is the pride and joy of the house owner and she employs a gardener and topiatrist (?) to keep it looking good. However, some nice pots and containers that I can fill with quite rare plants and herbs will suit me fine for a while. There is also a long, thin conservatory which will be great for a collection of small citrus and exotic fruit plants which need protection here. I have made friends already with a Nepalese woman who sells her own unusual plants and herbs from a stall in a nearby market, so can ask her advice as to what will grow well there. Alhtough I'll miss my garden here, i'm really looking forward to my new lifestyle. Perhaps I'll be able to try growing some rooibos tea plants, crocus. Do you know if they are propagated by seeds or cuttings, and where I might try to get some in SA?

[Crocus]

Hi Jazz, I've found this link to the S.A. Rooibos Tea Council - perhaps you could contact them?

http://sarooibos.co.za/content/view/26/74/