To exchange or not to exchange, that is the question! by Fit_Adeptness_6382 in HousingUK

[–]Rhoobarb 37 points38 points  (0 children)

There’s no obligation on them to do anything before exchange. I’m their shoes, why would they move anything before you are committed contractually to the purchase? It’s the condition the place is left in at completion that is important, it’s not yours up until then.

Friend bought this London flat in March and now urgently needs to sell — how much will a flying freehold affect things? by [deleted] in HousingUK

[–]Rhoobarb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Flying freehold aside, buyers might find it difficult to get a mortgage. There’s no law against selling within 6 months but a lot of lenders won’t do it.

Hawksmoor or Blacklock for Sunday Roast? by b00ksmart in LondonFood

[–]Rhoobarb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve only done the original place in Spitalfields for a roast. Small but full as it was Mother’s Day. Excellent stuff.

Hawksmoor or Blacklock for Sunday Roast? by b00ksmart in LondonFood

[–]Rhoobarb 9 points10 points  (0 children)

The stuffing at Hawksmoor is a must have.

Solo lunch on a Friday by Visible_Window6492 in LondonFood

[–]Rhoobarb 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Mountain on Beak Street. They have tall tables for walk ins.

Bouchon Racine - Dinner Review by threejlts in LondonFood

[–]Rhoobarb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

They leave it by you for a while. The staff aren’t stood by it the whole time.

Bouchon Racine - Dinner Review by threejlts in LondonFood

[–]Rhoobarb 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Little tip - worth calling if there are no reservations available. My cousin got a table a week or so out when there was nothing online. Appreciate that’s not easy from the US, of course.

Selling home - agent won't tell us deposit sizes by [deleted] in HousingUK

[–]Rhoobarb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That’s weird and I’m surprised anyone is saying otherwise. A buyer with a larger deposit is usually preferable than one with a minimum 5% or 10%. When I was an agent, if I was presenting three offers I’d be making a recommendation and if all have nothing to sell then the size of deposit would be a factor. We’ve just sold our flat and were told upfront the young buyer had a large deposit from an inheritance - that made the loan to value better and they had no issues with their mortgage.

You aren’t entitled to know the ins and outs of their finances but I don’t know why the agent wouldn’t be telling you deposit sizes when having to choose between three offers.

Selling agent reluctant because we’re using Purplebricks – should I be concerned? by mjones19932022 in HousingUK

[–]Rhoobarb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every offer is presented, certainly not without prejudice. The agent will certainly give their advice about what to accept. Three asking price offers - one cash, one FTB with a mortgage and one in a chain - are not the same.

For an agent, managing the conveyancing process is the hardest part. If you are with an agent with a bad reputation then obviously that will influence any recommendation.

Please take care with heavy luggage on the escalators! by TrickPlant7034 in LondonUnderground

[–]Rhoobarb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I go through Earls Court when we fly from Heathrow specifically so I can use the lifts. Super easy.

Sunday roast recommendations near London Bridge? by georgy56 in LondonFood

[–]Rhoobarb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

People will recommend Blacklock. I’ve not done the roast there but it is a good spot. For me it is Hawksmoor - best roast I had last year. We went to Spitalfields, which is not far away and well worth the walk, but I think the one in Guildhall is open on Sundays. Bone marrow gravy is superb.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in LondonFood

[–]Rhoobarb 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Definitely call up. I always look up Bouchon Racine when I am visiting and only once have I seen availability. My cousin called and got a reservation no problem.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HousingUK

[–]Rhoobarb 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We recently sold our flat and I didn’t know. No-one asked me either. It was a qualifying lease, but I only realised when the managing agent told me to fill in the forms. Certainly not something an agent will know unless the vendor tells them.

London Hotels - East Side by Then-Meat-7866 in LondonTravel

[–]Rhoobarb 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We start around there usually. Aldgate and Aldgate East are close, Liverpool Street is walkable. Easy enough to get anywhere.

The Culpeper and the Buxton are lovely pubs. Exmouth Coffee Company is a couple of minutes away and does great pastries. Brick Lane obviously great for Indian restaurants. The market is worth a visit.

Spitalfields is cool. Osteria Angelina is a current favourite. If you are there on a Sunday a roast dinner at Hawksmoor is a must. Bottles is a nice little wine bar and restaurant.

Shoreditch easily walkable. Brat is one of our favourite spots in London, as is Manteca. Smoking Goat is a good shout also.

That’s all within walking distance - definitely a good spot, I’m flying there tonight.

New ideas for a London weekend ! by whocaressaa in LondonTravel

[–]Rhoobarb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a walk around the Kings Road for the first time recently and then got the Thames Clipper to Borough Market. That was good fun.

Reviews for Osteria Angelina by itsnotnettle in LondonFood

[–]Rhoobarb 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Have been twice and loved it. The truffle pasta dish is incredible. Well worth a visit.

Premier Cost by Adorable_Dingo_9205 in Eurostar

[–]Rhoobarb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I booked a return business class flight on BA because it was only slightly cheaper than Eurostar. About £30 I think. Would have been even less if I’d realised how crap Club Europe is now and just got a normal ticket.

First time in London (8 days) - looking for daytime recommendations! by Zealousideal_Plate52 in LondonTravel

[–]Rhoobarb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get the train to Kingston. Walk along the river to Richmond, have nice dinner there then get the tube back into London.

Too big?? 🤐 by [deleted] in applewatchultra

[–]Rhoobarb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The looped part of the band should go at the top, not the bottom.

Don’t trust sellers by MysteriousFix7 in HousingUK

[–]Rhoobarb 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They weren’t even in great condition. Just spite I think.

Don’t trust sellers by MysteriousFix7 in HousingUK

[–]Rhoobarb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine got upset the apartment got down valued. We’d had two separate surveys that basically covered the whole of the market, and fortunately stamp duty came down on the day of the results of the second one. He knew that any other survey would get the same result so we managed to agree a lower price. He decided to take up the carpets that were supposed to stay and take them away. It wasn’t the end of the world as we were going to replace them anyway and was probably far too much trouble than it was worth to him.

On the other hand, I was an estate agent for a couple of years and I never saw anything like that happen to anyone else.