The Purchase

October 2011

We are back on the mainland now and, after much discussion, we decide to let the agent know we would like to buy the house - and at the asking price, no bartering. We know other people are looking at it, and that will cut them all out of a bidding war. We rang him and, after his initial shock that he didn't have to try a counter offer, the wheels were set in motion. Then the paperwork began. Arrange to pay a deposit, employ a conveyancer, do some basic research, arrange a settlement date - all while packing up our current home.

Next we organised a building inspection. This took place one sunny afternoon, and I think the interior was a bit of a shock to the inspector. Most items listed had written next to it "the item described is performing the function it was designed for and its condition is very typical for it's age". Painting had "generally in poor condition, and will need repair to improve appearance". Well isn't that stating the obvious! We will replace the walls that has the paint on it - entirely! There were thankfully no surprises. Everything he saw as needing work was as we had already surmised. It was necessary to do, and I'd recommend the process to anyone buying a "renovator's delight".

The house was built about 1900, and is named "Birch Cottage". That's a good name - think we'll keep that. It brings an instant image to mind, and even suggests a colour scheme. We are thinking blue grey Colourbond roof, cream weatherboards, and perhaps a terracotta trim. The front door will have to be terracotta and cream - it needs to have impact. The blues and greys reflect the colours of the mountain. The Federation cottage revamp plans have started.

November 2011

A couple of weeks after the deposit has been paid, we arrange with the agent for Robert to visit the property again - this time with a trundle wheel to measure the property to make sure it measures up, and to take lots and lots of photos of the interior, and exterior. He takes this opportunity also to take a load of fragile goods to a storage space we have rented nearby - the things we are reluctant to be entrusted to the removalist. We have booked a container to be delivered to our Victorian home a week before settlement, which we will load ourselves. The container will be collected and stored in Burnie until the Tasmanian settlement date, after which it will be delivered to the site. We have decided to leave it on site for 3 months, while we start the renovations. Then we can unload pieces direct to their final position.

The first job for Robert will be the French drains. Without that being done, the septic overflow will continue to ooze up to the surface and leave the ground permanently wet. The next task will be to get the stumps looked at, and arrange for them to be repaired. Then will be the replacing of the roof and guttering (so that rain water can safely be collected off it), removing the cladding and repairing the exterior weatherboards. The aim is to get these tasks done before winter sets in.