Moving On

It's been a week of stress and I am praying that I have done enough to keep my move on track.

In this country, exchange of contracts means a 10% deposit, at which point it's unusual and financially punitive to withdraw from the conveyancing process. Then, there is completion which effectively means, leaving the place empty and handing over the keys.

Yesterday I awoke at 5am with the crystal clear realisation that I was being squeezed - on the one hand, the people I am buying from are pushing for a move before the holiday, and on the other, my purchaser is talking about speed but actually delaying because he can't get the money together that quickly.

So I was looking at three days between exchange and completion, and moving out December 18th and my 5am mind told me to take control of this situation as I was the only one here who this didn't suit. A series of emails and phone calls to lawyer and estate agent and removals company seems to have rectified the situation and I THINK we'll now exchange in the next few days and I'll move on January 4th 2008.

Since I am fairly knackered, this is good, as now I actually have time to plan.