Oh, my goodness-- I love that show! But you're right. It's definitely not soothing entertainment while going through a house purchase.
Oh, Dr. B.- I am so glad to hear that you're having a lovely time watching Channel 4. And I'm glad you're keeping up with the blog, as it provides much-needed entertainment for me and Deborah during our days here at The Office. It isn't quite the same around here without you, and we are missing you Very Much. Come "home" soon so that things can get back to normal around here.
And glad to hear you're taking part in all of the fabulous cardio the city has to offer. Tee, hee.
Property chains are a huge problem in England, though fascinating to us. As I understand it, it's largely due to the fact that (among other things), bridge loans are too expensive for most people to use. Hence the chain effect.
Another intriguing related phenomenon, according to my housebuying London friend, is "gazumping" (which is, fascinatingly, in the OED). Someone like the young couple (with no "chain" behind them) comes in and can offer a faster closing date than the first buyer. So even though the first potential buyer thought they had a deal they don't.
Glad you're enjoying the trip so far!
I think "Property Chain" may be another of the British home improvement shows co-opted by America; there is a new show called "Property Ladder" on The Learning Channel and one on HGTV called "Trading Up" that seem to follow a similar theme.
Commenting by HaloScan
