It’s been a long, long time since Mike and I lived in a home
that was for sale. Quite frankly, we’d forgotten how nerve wracking
it can be
– not to mention that this feat is now a hundred times more
complicated.
It’s been a long, long time since Mike and I lived in a home that was for sale. Quite frankly, we’d forgotten how nerve wracking it can be – not to mention that this feat is now a hundred times more complicated.
At least we started out on the right foot by deciding to hire a professional. We interviewed several realtors with impeccable reputations and then found out how hard it was to pick just one qualified pro to represent us.
We ended up choosing Marta Dinsmore (Intero) because: she lives on our street and has first hand knowledge of all our block’s assets, she’s detail oriented, a good communicator, has lots of experience and a great sense of humor.
The next step was – and, this is still a craw in my paw – we had to rent furniture. Seems I should have held off on selling my living room furniture at the last garage sale. Who would have dreamt that potential buyers would expect to find furniture in the first room they see? I’m not convinced the furniture I sold would have impressed anyone, but I laugh every time I walk by that room and see someone’s else’s stuff sitting in my home.
Marta also suggested we remove some pictures and knick-knacks. The reasons being it keeps our things from getting bumped or knocked over by lookie-lous and it helps customers visualize how their things would fit in our square footage. (Of course, Mike’s garages with car and motorcycle paraphernalia covering almost every square inch of wall space, were “perfect” as is! A running joke and a craw in another paw!)
In the meantime, we got the yard in ship shape and straightened cupboards and drawers. We packed, pulled, boxed and hauled stuff away. Some went into the workshop for storage, some went to the Goodwill and some just went straight to the dump. When the “sale pending” sign goes on top of the “for sale” sign, we hope to leave with just the things we need or use. This part of downsizing really feels good!
The first week was a rush of activity. We had Realtor tours, open houses and agent appointments. Mike and I went to movies, visited friends or found a spot for coffee and a good book while strangers peeked in closets and critiqued the floor plan of the place we’ve called home for 22 years.
One time I returned in time to hear a woman remark, “Hey, that’s Pepper in the back yard. A famous dog lives here!” Pepper would normally be honored but was feeling too grumpy about being in dog-run seclusion while company was present.
Our early morning ritual now means dusting the floors, doing the dishes, making the bed and fluffing all the couch pillows at the crack of dawn in stead of “whenever.” You never know, this could be the day when an agent brings the cook who just has to have my kitchen or the kid who just has to swim in our pool or the guy who just has to putter in that shop!
Neighbors and friends were surprised that we decided to sell. Some have laughingly confessed to doing “drive by jinx’s” every day because they don’t want us to move.
And, everyone wants to know where we’ll go. My answer is, “At this point, we’re selling not moving!”
Beyond that, we’re not sure. We just know it’s time for a change.
Maybe it’s time for my dream house with a covered front porch and at least one round room. I’ve always thought I’d write better in a round room because I prefer to tell my tales in the old-fashioned circular storytelling style ….pick readers up at one point, take them with me on a journey as I explain the characters, events and scenery we’re passing and then drop them back off at the point of origin. Hopefully, along the way, they’ve enjoyed the trip or heard things they’ll think about for a day or two.
Until then … as long as we can … as long as Marta stays sane with our Laurel-and-Hardy home showing techniques .. we’ll keep dusting and doing what it takes to sell a home in this most pleasant of valleys. The place where we raised Matt and Melissa, participated in community life and called “home” for so many wonderful years.
