Del Arun in Arundel: a postscript

I finally sold my house last week – many thanks to the always-cheerful folk at Glyn Jones & Co – which means it’s time for my alter ego of Del Arun to fade away into the sunset. Mind you, I’m not saying goodbye to Arundel completely; I can’t resist the Gallery Trail during the festival or Corpus Christi at the Cathedral… and I still haven’t been to a cricket match in town.

Anyway, thanks for reading and for your comments & support. If you’re curious about what happens next, you’ll find the ‘real me’ online at markbridge.info

Time to call it a day, Del

My house sale didn't happen because the buyer wanted to negotiate a substantial discount - and I didn't want to offer one. Well, that's not strictly true. I didn't want to offer another discount.

So I've found a tenant and have become an accidental landlord. Surprisingly quickly, too. Apparently there aren't many little houses to let in the middle of Arundel. And I've moved into my girlfriend's place, which is over the border in East Sussex. It's not very different from West Sussex, although my mum thinks there's a military checkpoint on the county line and we all drive Trabants here. (Given my history with cars, a Trabant wouldn't be a bad idea. But, as usual, I digress).

All this means I think it's probably time for me to say goodbye to Del Arun, what with me not being an Arundel resident any more. I'll still be reading my favourite PurpleCoo blogs but 'Del Arun' is taking a break. Thanks for all your support. Really - thank you.

Mind you, this doesn't mean that I won't ever blog again. I'll let you know what happens next!

Back to Square One

Anyone who's been watching the progress of my house sale - myself included - will have been getting increasingly concerned over the last few weeks. Well, pretty much as anticipated, the sale's fallen through. My buyer attempted a spot of last-minute gazundering (although the amount she wanted reduced from the asking price was hardly a 'spot') which wasn't acceptable. Neither morally nor financially, some would say. Still, there's also good news in Arundel. The baker shop has re-opened: it's now "The Baker Girls" and is staffed by a couple of lovely ladies who insist on offering free samples of their cakes.

What, you still 'ere?

Yes, I’m still here. This house-selling thing has moved beyond frustration into resignation. With any luck I’ll sell the house this month, although my buyer’s on holiday at the moment. I think my estate agent is the one who really needs a holiday…

Still standing

Well, my house still isn't sold. It's all a bit frustrating but at least I'm not part of a chain. I blame the property market, the weather and the slightly mercenary streak I have. Meanwhile I shall keep tidying the garden, vacuuming muddy footprints off the carpet and baking unnecessary loaves of bread. (Okay, I made the last one up!)

It's a sign!

...and there's other news, too. Someone's coming to view on Wednesday morning. I'll make sure I'm out.

The word is out

Apparently my house is now in the estate agent's window. I say "apparently" because I've not looked yet, even though it's just a couple of minutes down the road. It's also on their web site and on rightmove.co.uk. I'm having the HIP energy assessment done on Monday... and I've just planted a couple of primroses in the box at the front of my house. Wonder when I'll get my first viewing?

We Gotta Get Out Of This Place...

Yes, it's true. After much thought and conversation, I'm putting my house (or "two-bedroom character cottage", as I prefer to think of it these days) on the market. My plan is to head over the border to East Sussex, a county that has the benefit of containing my girlfriend.

Anyway, I was visited yesterday by my chosen estate agent who measured the house with his sonic tape-measure. Cool or what? It's only a step away from David Tennant and his sonic screwdriver. Before you know it, he'll be showing Dalek Sec around. "Yeah, lovely place but I’m not sure my friends can handle the stairs..."

Still, I digress. I've never really sold a house before. There have always been odd circumstances that involved other people doing it for me. So I'm looking forward to this. Sort of.

Stay tuned for more exciting adventures of Del Arun and his incredible disappearing house...