The Eagle has Landed

Well, we have finally exchanged contracts for the sale of our house. Phrases such as, 'About bloody time' and 'I'd like to punch their solicitor' are rolling round my head but I suppose I ought now to calm down a bit! Michael rang our solicitor this morning, who rang their solicitor, who - knowing damned well that the deadline is lunchtime today - said something like, 'Oh yes, I suppose I'd better sort that out, hadn't I?' Hence temptation to punch him. But apparently we have had confirmation that exchange has actually taken place. So although their deposit is a measly 5%, they are now contractually tied to the sale and Michael and I can heave a huge sigh of relief.

Sadly of course I now have to inform our friends that the possibility of them buying the house is now over, but having agonised about it for the last couple of weeks I think that it is perhaps the best thing. Although I appreciate how difficult it has been for them to find somewhere to suit them all, this house does come with attached problems: the students next door, noisy roads in the area, and likely future problems with damp etc. As they haven't previously looked at houses in this price bracket, I wonder if they might find somewhere similar if they look at similar houses in the area - houses with fewer problems than this one might throw up? I really hope so, as I know that they will be incredibly disappointed.