I also have to paint over the bathroom door jamb. I left it for
last, because it has my kids’ heights penciled on it for the last
twenty-one years: Nick on the right, Oliver on the left, and Anne
up the middle.
I bring tidings of great joy for all bureaucrats and socialists in Gilroy: we are moving to Livermore as soon as we sell our house. My friends and relations try to console me by telling me I will like Livermore, but I cannot imagine loving any town the way I have loved Gilroy for the past 21 years.
We are moving because of my husband’s job. Two years ago, he came home from work, slumped on the couch, glowered at me from under his brows, and said, “The company is moving to Livermore.”
It was not unexpected. The company had been considering the move for a month. Now it was official, and we already knew that from Gilroy to Livermore is 72 miles of exceptionally brutal commute traffic.
“Well,” I said, “This is Anne’s last year at home. I think we should stay put till she goes off to college, then we can move to Livermore.”
He sat up. He stared at me. He leaned forward and touched my hand. “You’d move to Livermore for me?”
To the ends of the earth, my love.
So for the last two years, in addition to my three part-time jobs and my wifely and motherly tasks, I have been getting the house ready for market. In the meantime, the bottom fell out of the housing market, and our house’s value is approximately half what it was three years ago. Alas.
We are selling For Sale By Owner. I sold our first house in Vallejo 22 years ago, and it is just not that hard. I have good friends in Gilroy who are in real estate and I have a mental list of whom I will call if I cannot sell the place in a reasonable amount of time. But by and large, I think the commission real estate agents charge for their services is ludicrously high.
In my view, there are three kinds of work in the world. There is work I can do better than anyone else: mothering my kids, homeschooling, and teaching math would be three examples. Then there is technically challenging work that someone else can do much better: laying carpet or vinyl are two examples.
Then there is a very large category of work that a professional might be able to handle faster or even better, but I can do it, and I have the time, and in some cases, even the inclination. Pruning trees is an example. Most people hire a professional, but I love pruning my trees every January.
Twenty-two years ago, I checked out a book, followed the directions, and sold our house for our asking price. These days, it is even easier, because of the internet. One searches on For Sale By Owner and follows the directions.
The directions are the same regardless of how one is selling: fix anything that is broken. We called in Higgenbottom’s to replace the bathroom floor. Clean everything. Declutter. Have the house appraised. We called in Ken Minor to do this. I recommend him: nice guy, very professional and competent.
And advertise. So far we have listed in the Dispatch classifieds and on Craig’s List, and have had several nibbles, no bites. Both of the prospective buyers and their real estate agents said the house showed very nicely, which was reassuring. My next tasks are to get a yard sign – that will be from Diamond Signs – and post us in the multiple listings service, which I can apparently do for a flat fee. Now that school is out, I have all the time in the world.
I also have to paint over the bathroom door jamb. I left it for last, because it has my kids’ heights penciled on it for the last 21 years: Nick on the right, Oliver on the left, and Anne up the middle. Plus the heights of a couple of their stuffed animals at the bottom.
But that sentimental nonsense has to be eradicated so the our house can became a simple 3/2, 1344 sq. ft., 0.14 acre lot, R-3 zoning, detached 2 car garage, alley access; near downtown, library, schools; mature fruit trees. The mockingbirds and I are enjoying the cherries now.
Cynthia Anne Walker is a mother of three, a mathematics teacher and a former engineer. She is a published, independent author. Her column appears each Friday.
