Adventures of a Non-Binary Author – Completion Ahead

We have our answer. We know where we’re going to be living. It’s the two room situation. Less convenient location, but there will be enough space, and that’s the bit that matters. Well, no, the bit that matters is we have somewhere. We can continue with the new plan now.

Complete the sale. Move. Look for somewhere else to purchase. That’s the new plan.

First thing Monday morning I call our solicitor. I let him know we’ve found somewhere. I let him know when we can move in. Things get set into motion quickly after that. But there’s still a level of anxiety floating around. Until exchange of contracts has happened things could still go wrong. The date we’re aiming for is eight days away. It’ll be two before we know for certain the exchange of contract will go ahead. Until then we have to act as though we will be moving. So many places to contact. This is my least favorite part of the moving process. Always has been. Doesn’t help that moving into all-bills-included means an early exit fee for the broadband. But it’s okay. Just need to focus on getting it all done. Then maybe sorting a little more of the packing.

I don’t say the words out loud, but my brain keeps wondering ‘what if the buyer pulls out‘. My partner and I have discussed what we’d do in that situation. It would be annoying to start again, but we could put more towards the current mortgage. Pay it off a little faster. Be in a better position for next time. But we don’t want there to be a next time. We want to complete this time. After everything we’ve been through the last couple of weeks, if we don’t complete now it would be a disaster.

The idea there will be more bad luck persists. But you have to keep moving forward. Making plans as if it’s not a possibility. Like getting a parent to help take some of the boxes off your hands. We’re temporarily downsizing. That’s the way we have to look at the setup we’re moving into. Just a temporary downsize. With how many moving home things I’ve done the last couple of days, I’ve now got the new address memorised. That has to mean this will happen, doesn’t it? No more bad luck. Just smooth sailing from here on out. I feel like I’m begging the universe at this point. But what else can I do? So much of this whole mess has been out of our hands. We just need this one bit to be easy,

Wednesday morning. Day off for me. Waiting for some of our boxes to be collected and stored at a parents house. First one phone call. Our solicitor. He sounds so serious I’m worried it’s bad news. It’s not. He’s phoning to say contract exchange is moving forward. They’re sorting it now. Just needs my permission to proceed. I agree. Less than twenty minutes later, another call. It’s official. Completion is locked into place. We have no choice now. We will be moving next week. The news feels like absolute elation after everything we’ve been through. Emotional too. I hate moving at the best of times. This flat has been my home for almost six years. It doesn’t matter that I’ve known this day was coming. The reality still makes me feel a little sad, on top of everything else.

Less than a week and we will be in our temporary home. We can finally start thinking about the step that comes after. All of this renting business has given us a new perspective on what we can afford. Just need to see if what we believe is possible is actually possible. And that means speaking to our mortgage broker again.A little more luck smiles down on us. It’s last minute, but we get an appointment booked in for the Saturday before we move.

Are we right about our affordability? Just a few more days and we’ll find out…

To be continued…