Tidying the house ready

for the "valuer" to come this morning has kept me occupied for the last few days.  This has to be done for the purposes of probate, something which is almost complete.

While recognising the necessity for all this to be done I am not impressed by the way in which it has been done. It should have been done soon after the death of the Senior Cat. It is now nearly two years and a matter of some urgency because the law states it must be done within two years of a death.  We have not been able to do anything to the property in that time unless it was deemed "essential". 

At the same time land values have gone up dramatically. Many people might welcome that but, in our particular circumstances, it is going to make matters much more difficult. It is going to be further complicated by the fact that, two doors down, permission has just been granted to knock down an old "war service" house and put up a "two storey" dwelling - but that will actually mean two dwellings on the same land. 

Over the past twelve months we have had real estate people knocking at the door trying to get us on their books. We have had several of them come in and "value" the place themselves. There was one of Middle Cat's former patients, someone she knows and trusts. There was someone I knew who happened to hear I was looking for something smaller. I would trust him to try and get the best price he could - simply so he could sell me something else. Middle Cat and I met a young couple who work together in the real estate business. They have a good sales record in the business. 

What is interesting is that they all came back to us with a figure which was about the same. The figures often widely vary. These were well within our own estimate - and way below what the council claims when it charges rates. 

But, the "official valuation" has to take place. I was told to make sure the place was "tidy" and I was told when they would be coming. If it was not convenient "we might be able to change that". I thought, "Just let's get it over and done with." 

I also looked up the company which does the valuations and found the person I expect to see this morning. The company is run under his name. It doesn't seem to employ more than three people - one of them the "office" person who may well be working remotely.  

I also looked at the price being charged. I asked the young person in the office how long the "valuation" would take. "About half an hour" I was told. Mmm....$500 for that. Yes, I know the valuer has to travel here and back (but I was told today because "he will be in the area") and this is a standard package house about which there will be a lot of information available already. The valuer will do no more than cast an eye over the outside and walk through the house to check for anything unusual. If he is the professional he claims he is then he will write a report in minutes using some sort of pro-forma device. 

I have already informed our contact in the executor company that Brother Cat, Middle Cat and I want to be advised as a matter of urgency if the "value" is above a certain amount. It is unlikely this man will give me one today but I hope he is prompt.

And no, I haven't finished tidying up. Yesterday my youngest nephew, here from interstate, called me just after 8am and suggested going out for "brunch". I had consumed a slice of toast by then but decided another would be a good idea. I no longer care whether the place is "tidy" or not. I estimate the "valuer" is going to get $500 for two hours of work which is far more than I could charge for something far more specialised even if I had to pay all the overheads. 

And I am also wondering what he will make of all the bookcases - all full. It is said their presence "devalues" a house. I will await the valuer's reaction to them with interest.