how does that work, exactly? do we all hold hands and make a ring around you? i never have any idea what's going on here anymore--

I hear real estate issues are much like being auctioned off for marriage with an eternal returns policy until you swap a good dowery.
Even if it's not exactly like this, i feel for you.

This time next year, you will be in this (or another) house, having your first Holiday season in it, and warm and busy and happy as a clam.

If Ontario has clams.

Orange, can you really do something about it? To resolve the issue or even expedite its resolution? No. Then take a deep breath and stop fretting over it. I know, it is easier said than done, but what is going to happen, will, don't give yourself an ulcer. Like danf said, think of something else, like next week, like what curtains you will hang and how much cleaning you have to do and what kind of wine you'll open first in your new place... That kind of stuff.

In fact, if you don't do this already, I suggest you buy a very good set of wines (2-3 bottles) and keep them till the first anniversary of moving in. Mmmm, I am really thinking a lot about wine this morning...

Man, I know all about this crap. I've purchased 2 houses over the years. The issue both times was the damn mortgage broker. The first time my real estate agent had to light a fire under his ass, the second time I ended up closing a week later 'cause the mortgage broker couldn't fund the loan on a timely basis. Ended up costing me another month's rent. It's easy to have the "think of something else" tossed at you, but when you're in that position it's all you can think of what with all the crap you have to take care of. Hang in there, it'll work out!

There really isn't anything I can do about it, no. So I'm trying not to worry, but it's hard.

I could easily think about the house and about what I will do to it and how much I will enjoy living in it (i.e., I've got paint chips and fabric samples all picked out, and a name selected for the dog I want to get next summer) but I'm afraid to because it will make things that much harder should there be more problems.

but I'm afraid to because it will make things that much harder should there be more problems.

Well, I am of the school of thought: if things will not work out, things are gonna suck anyway. So why bother now about it? Let me keep reasonable hopes they will work out (you said so yourself) and plan as if everything happens. We deal with loss when we actually lose something. Never before. Keep telling that to yourself, you might believe it. Seriously, that's what I do anyway. It's only a matter of a few days really.

What carmina said. It's hard to relax and let go, but it really is the only option. One way or t'other, it will work out.

Having just gone through the house hunting crap, I do know how you feel. Hang in there.

Home sales/purchases are probably more stressful than anything else in your life, perhaps even moreso than childbirth.

It's not that it's a life-or-death thing; it's that there are so many details that are totally out of your control that totally impact your living arrangements, finances, etc.

Word, Doohickie (see shouting thread for details). Hang in there Orange Swan, you will end up with somewhere fabulous to live, whatever happens. I'm trying to tell myself the same thing, and I know it doesn't always work...

The lawyer for the owner of the house I'm trying to buy has charged me a $500 "extension fee" to extend the closing for four days - this is an addition my paying some direct costs. My lawyer says he never charges extension fees. Basically this other lawyer is just being a greedy asshole, and because she has me up against the wall, I have to pay it.

Our buyer chose the Slowest Lawyers in the World, who have delayed making request for documents, and now the buyer has decided that we have been stalling, and has demanded £500 (via the estate agent) as he has re-mortgaged his house to buy this apartment (an investment purchase for him) and he has to make his first bigger mortgage payment this week. Poor thing.

I'm sorry you're going through this, Orange Swan, but take comfort in the fact that someone on the other side of the Atlantic is going through a pretty much identical situation! We can get through this!!!!