Tuesday 29 December 2009

What have I been working on....

and it's not crafting...






Well it's all done and dusted, my daughter and fiance have

a house....


We all viewed it on Friday 20th November...

then while Clive was away in Birmingham at a train exhibit on Saturday 21st, I made an offer for the house, and after a little bit of haggling they accepted... (well that will teach Clive to leave me alone for the day, lol)...

But of course Clive, Sam and Matt have been working, so who's been left sorting out the solicitor's, estate agents, financial adviser, getting a survey, people in to check things out but on the 22nd December, it was all worth it, as Steven and I collected the keys, yes while the other were working...

To say I was in state of shock was an understatement, as I had hoped to push it through quickly as wanted to save on stamp duty that is due to go up on the 1st January 2010, but was also frightened they would back out the sale, as already lost 2 in the last 12 months.... but to do it all in 32 days, WOW no wonder I had a sore throat with all the phone calls...

It needs a bit of work on it, like replacing the NAVY bathroom suite and tiles, and the kitchen are the original cupboards.... the decor is not too bad, but Sam and Matt can sort that out, it will take time, (and money) but will make them appreciate things and make it their home, rather than just a house...

The kids didn't know I had picked the keys up, in fact they didn't even know we had exchanged let alone completed. (one advantage of Steven not being able to talk and spill the beans)...Clive and I decided, we would tell them when we were all together, and the earliest that would be would be Christmas Day in the afternoon, so that what we did. We put the keys in a cracker (it was just making sure they had the right cracker) and watched their faces when they pulled the cracker for the keys to fall out, they were speechless, lol...



Matt was in shock and Sam just said 'does that mean we've actually got it, it's really ours?'......



and yes it is....

9 comments:

jan said...

wow fantastic Maria, what a lovely surprise for Sam and Matt, aah, what excitement, and well done you for all the work you did, take care and enjoy, Jan x

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks jan, let the fun begin, lol...xx

sue-bubbles said...

That has to be the best 'secret project' ever eh! How lovely...and the keys in the cracker - wonderful!

Sue x

Crafting to stay sane! said...

Thats excellent work Maria and I'm sure it made your daughter and her fiance's christmas!
Best wishes for 2010!
Hugs and sparkles
Alyson xxx

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks sue and alyson...xx

SusieJ said...

How wonderful Maria! Inspired idea to put the keys in a cracker !
Hope they'll be very happy there.
Sue xx

dottygin said...

its brilliant news, they are so lucky, and im sure they know it.
love the pictures.
hugs gina xxxxxxx

Susan said...

What a great Christmas present you have given them :)

Hi it's Maria said...

thanks gina and susan...xx