Gazumped

Such a totally intriguing word - such a terrible feeling of being so let down.

We made a decision, a month or so ago, that renting is not for us and we want our own home. The lending manager at the local bank was an absolute wonder, stretching the limits of the regulations to breaking point to tell us that, yes, we could have a loan to make up what we didn't have.

I did the calculations and worked out what we could afford, and Juergen has continuously researched online and in local newsprint for something that suits us and fits our financial constraints.

We made an offer on a property before Christmas, but weren't really convinced that it was the place for us, and that it would quite probably be too expensive. We were right on both counts.

The next house was listed on Christmas Eve. It looked interesting. It was in the right price range. It was in the right location, only a block away from the first one we were interested in.

The "silly season" hampered all progress, and finally we got to see it last Wednesday afternoon.

It was a bit more "colonial" than Juergen liked. The kitchen was not really how we would have had it. The living room was a bit small, and not really able to be changed. And there was only one toilet, and nowhere to put another.

But it was a very solid construction and the garden was nice and it had such beautiful big verandahs that I could just see both of our hammocks hanging out there.

We made an offer. The owner accepted.
I contacted the bank, a solicitor, and a building inspector and the process was started...

Then Saturday comes - another offer is made - and the gazumping process is begun. We so didn't want to be involved in it and I explained our point to the real estate agent. The vendor wanted to keep his word to us, but his partner thought that the other buyers needed it more than us. The woman is pregnant and due in March, so of course they need a house before we do so that the nursery can be painted before the baby comes...

I don't know if it's right or fair - but I do know it feels wrong and unfair.

So, back to the beginning again, but with an even clearer picture of what we want - which includes a hassle-free purchase.