Well, it finally happened. Let me give you a timeline.
January-March
Major decluttering
Numerous trips to Goodwill
Box after box packed and stored in garage attic
More decluttering
New paint ($1300)
New carpet (600)
Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning
My life is consumed with getting the house ready to sell. My social life and my kid's social life has suffered.
March 19th
House officially on the market
March 22nd
First showing of the house at 10 am
Second showing by the same family at 5:00 pm (They are very interested!)
March 22nd/23rd
The family submitted a very disappointing offer. We countered at what we considered to still be a very low offer.
They couldn't afforded our counter and offered us lower. After much discussion we decided to reject it. I mean, come on, the first people who saw it. Something better has to come along. Right?
March 23 - April 26th
At least 20 showings. Many people loved it but didn't want a split/wanted a flatter backyard/different school-all things we couldn't change. At least two people mention they would be willing to buy it for the same price we paid for it (gee, who wouldn't).
I am killing myself keeping the house perfect while living with three children and a husband who is rarely home. Did I mention I was going crazy? Did I mention how much work it takes to keep a house spotless ALL THE TIME!!!!
To make my frustrations even worse, we decide we will rent a house in Idaho instead of buying since we haven't sold. The mortgage situation is more difficult than in years past. I am upset at first but realize it probably is best and will take a lot of stress out of the house-selling situation.
April 26th
We find out an offer is coming but it is really low. In fact, lower than what we paid for the house. We counter at what we think is reasonable.
April 28th
We have two showings (one of them is a second visit) and we receive the counter offer of the counter offer (is there a better name for that?). It is lower than the original offer in March-very disappointing.
January-March
Major decluttering
Numerous trips to Goodwill
Box after box packed and stored in garage attic
More decluttering
New paint ($1300)
New carpet (600)
Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning
My life is consumed with getting the house ready to sell. My social life and my kid's social life has suffered.
March 19th
House officially on the market
March 22nd
First showing of the house at 10 am
Second showing by the same family at 5:00 pm (They are very interested!)
March 22nd/23rd
The family submitted a very disappointing offer. We countered at what we considered to still be a very low offer.
They couldn't afforded our counter and offered us lower. After much discussion we decided to reject it. I mean, come on, the first people who saw it. Something better has to come along. Right?
March 23 - April 26th
At least 20 showings. Many people loved it but didn't want a split/wanted a flatter backyard/different school-all things we couldn't change. At least two people mention they would be willing to buy it for the same price we paid for it (gee, who wouldn't).
I am killing myself keeping the house perfect while living with three children and a husband who is rarely home. Did I mention I was going crazy? Did I mention how much work it takes to keep a house spotless ALL THE TIME!!!!
To make my frustrations even worse, we decide we will rent a house in Idaho instead of buying since we haven't sold. The mortgage situation is more difficult than in years past. I am upset at first but realize it probably is best and will take a lot of stress out of the house-selling situation.
April 26th
We find out an offer is coming but it is really low. In fact, lower than what we paid for the house. We counter at what we think is reasonable.
April 28th
We have two showings (one of them is a second visit) and we receive the counter offer of the counter offer (is there a better name for that?). It is lower than the original offer in March-very disappointing.
Our realtor, Lori, calls the realtor who came for the second visit. They are in the process of writing an offer! Our hopes soar until we find out they want to offer $10,000 less than what we bought it for. Can you believe that!!! She tells them we already have an offer better than that. They can't afford more (story of this whole process!). They are out of the running.
Lori calls the other realtor who showed it that day and finds out we are in the top three. They will make a decision tomorrow.
I must interject that at this point I am about ready to lose it. This house selling process has made me crazy. I am getting really discouraged that the offers are getting lower and lower. I'm filled with coulda, shoulda, woulda and what ifs and how come and I can't believe it. I break down and cry uncontrollably. I spend the night praying that this other family will pick our house and offer us a decent price.
April 29th
I leave the house at 9:00 am in perfect condition in hopes that the other family will want a second showing. At 10:30 Brad finally calls Lori to see if she heard anything. We find out that they decided to look at two story homes. We are their top pick unless they find a two story that afternoon. I spend the afternoon anywhere but home. I just can't go home yet.
April 29th 2:30ish
I'm at Sarah P. Brad calls and tells me the other family found a two story and they are no longer interested in our house. We are going to accept the pathetic offer. The one that is lower than the March offer. The one that is (after we pay their closing costs-I really hate that) only $3,000 more than our purchase price (not to mention all the upgrades, new paint, flooring, etc. we put into it). I'm upset but Sarah helps me see that at least it is sold...it is over...it is done. (Thanks Sarah-I'm glad I was at your house when I got the call.)
I don't remember crying anymore about it but I feel a little abandoned by the one above. I can't help it but I do.
May 5th
We are in Idaho and I find a new ad on the online classifieds-a 6 bedroom house with 3400 square feet and a 3 car garage. I get a tingly feeling (even though the rent is a little high).
3:00 pm
We view the "house" (as I will refer to it from here on). I love the neighborhood. It is within walking distance to an elementary school and church. We love the house. The house is owned by a LDS realtor who makes a habit of selling and buying every 3 years. He has had the house for sale for awhile and decided to put it up for lease on Friday (this is Monday). He and his wife give us the scoop on the neighborhood. They love it and say it is a fabulous ward. There is a 6 year old girl who lives behind us (Yea! a friend for Emily). I am getting tingly during the whole showing. Jacob (the realtor) gives us the garage code and tells us we are welcome to come back later.
Oh, and he is willing to do a lease to own agreement.
6:00 pm
We bring Brad's mom and the kids to the house. The kids love it! By-the-way it has 7 bedrooms (the newspaper made a mistake). I explore the house some more.
We drive the neighborhood. It is in the same neighborhood as the preschool Sam will attend. The one I picked because of one recommendation and it felt right even though it was farther from where we though we would live.
ALL NIGHT LONG
I have nightmares about not finding a house to lease. I can't sleep afraid that someone will choose this house before we have finished our housing search.
May 6-7
We look at a lot of properties and I don't like much. Everything feels like a rental (dingy paint, poor carpet, bad lawn, and/or I don't like the neighborhood, etc.) I keep going back to the nice "house". I drive to it over and over. It is 4.8 miles from Brad's mom's house. It is 0.3 miles from Sam's preschool.
May 7th 9:45 pm
Brad and I have looked at the last option (or so we thought). We decide we should probably go with the "house." There is so much right about it. The location, the price, the fact that we can buy it if we want which means we don't have to move again. A huge bonus in my book.
We call Jacob (even though it is late) but dial the wrong number. We realize it is too late to call.
I again have nightmares about not getting the house! I didn't sleep well the entire trip for many reasons.
May 8th 7:30 am
Brad wakes up with Ben and I make sure he knows he should call ASAP!!!!!
11:30 am
We have an appointment set up at 1:00 with Jacob. But we found one more ad and we go to look. It is too far away from Brad's office (and everything) but it is a nice house. We decide that we should lease the "house" and seriously consider buying it in a year if all works out as we hope.
1:00 pm
We meet Jacob at the "house". We go through it again (I can't look at it enough!). Jacob is so nice. He is probably a little younger than me. We have a really good chat about the house and neighborhood again. We eventually talk terms. He offers to take $100 off the monthly rent. He offers to put $100 a month toward the purchase of the house. He charges us only $1000 for June which I think is very reasonable since it is the beginning of May. We set a purchase price if we want to buy it in 12 months. AND he throws in lawn care for the life of the lease!!!!!
All the terms are very agreeable and we write a check for the deposit and June's rent. We are thrilled!!!! He is even going to let me paint the green bedroom (I don't really like green and it won't match my decor).
I must interject that at this point I am about ready to lose it. This house selling process has made me crazy. I am getting really discouraged that the offers are getting lower and lower. I'm filled with coulda, shoulda, woulda and what ifs and how come and I can't believe it. I break down and cry uncontrollably. I spend the night praying that this other family will pick our house and offer us a decent price.
April 29th
I leave the house at 9:00 am in perfect condition in hopes that the other family will want a second showing. At 10:30 Brad finally calls Lori to see if she heard anything. We find out that they decided to look at two story homes. We are their top pick unless they find a two story that afternoon. I spend the afternoon anywhere but home. I just can't go home yet.
April 29th 2:30ish
I'm at Sarah P. Brad calls and tells me the other family found a two story and they are no longer interested in our house. We are going to accept the pathetic offer. The one that is lower than the March offer. The one that is (after we pay their closing costs-I really hate that) only $3,000 more than our purchase price (not to mention all the upgrades, new paint, flooring, etc. we put into it). I'm upset but Sarah helps me see that at least it is sold...it is over...it is done. (Thanks Sarah-I'm glad I was at your house when I got the call.)
I don't remember crying anymore about it but I feel a little abandoned by the one above. I can't help it but I do.
May 5th
We are in Idaho and I find a new ad on the online classifieds-a 6 bedroom house with 3400 square feet and a 3 car garage. I get a tingly feeling (even though the rent is a little high).
3:00 pm
We view the "house" (as I will refer to it from here on). I love the neighborhood. It is within walking distance to an elementary school and church. We love the house. The house is owned by a LDS realtor who makes a habit of selling and buying every 3 years. He has had the house for sale for awhile and decided to put it up for lease on Friday (this is Monday). He and his wife give us the scoop on the neighborhood. They love it and say it is a fabulous ward. There is a 6 year old girl who lives behind us (Yea! a friend for Emily). I am getting tingly during the whole showing. Jacob (the realtor) gives us the garage code and tells us we are welcome to come back later.
Oh, and he is willing to do a lease to own agreement.
6:00 pm
We bring Brad's mom and the kids to the house. The kids love it! By-the-way it has 7 bedrooms (the newspaper made a mistake). I explore the house some more.
We drive the neighborhood. It is in the same neighborhood as the preschool Sam will attend. The one I picked because of one recommendation and it felt right even though it was farther from where we though we would live.
ALL NIGHT LONG
I have nightmares about not finding a house to lease. I can't sleep afraid that someone will choose this house before we have finished our housing search.
May 6-7
We look at a lot of properties and I don't like much. Everything feels like a rental (dingy paint, poor carpet, bad lawn, and/or I don't like the neighborhood, etc.) I keep going back to the nice "house". I drive to it over and over. It is 4.8 miles from Brad's mom's house. It is 0.3 miles from Sam's preschool.
May 7th 9:45 pm
Brad and I have looked at the last option (or so we thought). We decide we should probably go with the "house." There is so much right about it. The location, the price, the fact that we can buy it if we want which means we don't have to move again. A huge bonus in my book.
We call Jacob (even though it is late) but dial the wrong number. We realize it is too late to call.
I again have nightmares about not getting the house! I didn't sleep well the entire trip for many reasons.
May 8th 7:30 am
Brad wakes up with Ben and I make sure he knows he should call ASAP!!!!!
11:30 am
We have an appointment set up at 1:00 with Jacob. But we found one more ad and we go to look. It is too far away from Brad's office (and everything) but it is a nice house. We decide that we should lease the "house" and seriously consider buying it in a year if all works out as we hope.
1:00 pm
We meet Jacob at the "house". We go through it again (I can't look at it enough!). Jacob is so nice. He is probably a little younger than me. We have a really good chat about the house and neighborhood again. We eventually talk terms. He offers to take $100 off the monthly rent. He offers to put $100 a month toward the purchase of the house. He charges us only $1000 for June which I think is very reasonable since it is the beginning of May. We set a purchase price if we want to buy it in 12 months. AND he throws in lawn care for the life of the lease!!!!!
All the terms are very agreeable and we write a check for the deposit and June's rent. We are thrilled!!!! He is even going to let me paint the green bedroom (I don't really like green and it won't match my decor).
Fifteen minutes later, we are driving back to Brad's mom's house. Lori's assistant calls to tell us the house inspection went well. There were a few minor problems but the buyer's aren't asking for anything. Our house is SOLD! She puts the SOLD sign up that day.
8:00 pm
We take some friends by the house after dinner. I'm so excited to live there!
End of My Long, Drawn Out Story
I have come to terms with the fact that we lost money on the sale of our MN house. But as Brad says between our Houston condo and this house we are still on top! Our average is good. It could have been worse and it has been for others. At least it is sold and we close June 24th (four days after we move-perfect!).
I have been emailing Jacob's wife. She is going to paint the green room for me so it is all ready before we move in-how nice is that!!! We have each mentioned that we are an answer to each other's prayers. They have been praying that not only would they be able to lease the house but it would be the right family. They felt we were that right family. I know that it is not a coincidence that they put the house up for lease 3 days before we came to town.
So, once again, I realize that I am watched over. My thoughts, hopes, and dreams are looked after. My Father in Heaven knows more than I do and things work out better than I could have expected.
PS
I'll email anyone who wants my new address (I'm still weird about posting particulars on my blog.) Oh, and I'll post pictures when I download them from my camera-it is getting late tonight. I didn't mean for this to be so drawn out but it is nice to get it out of my head. Whew!
12 comments:
Congrats, Jenni! There's no doubt you'll love Ammon. It's a great community, and a lot of my great friends came from that area. I'm excited that I'll be able to call you when we visit I.F. In fact, we'll be there this July!
P.S. This is one suspenseful post!
We'll have to do lunch!
I'm so glad your house is sold. Congrats! Sorry it was such a pain. I'm so happy about your new house. Good luck with the move. I'll have to email you about the address.
Congrats!!! What a long drown out ordeal. I am sure you are glad it is over. Just think though. Even though you didn't make money on your house you would have lost a lot more if you rented a house. I am so glad it sold. And the new house sounds perfect. They sound very nice and I am sure it was a huge relief after the selling ordeal. I can't even imagine trying to keep the house clean all that time. When I thought about us maybe needing to do the same thing I thought about going to my sister's in Boston until it sold. By the way please email me your updated information. Congratulations and I am glad it is over for you.
Jenni, I am so glad that the process is over for you. Sounds like you will be in a good place. I want your address, so maybe we can visit or meet in the middle!
Whew. . . . glad it is over. Selling/buying a house is sooo stressful. Glad you can enjoy your last month here!
I'm so glad you found a house! It sounds amazing, Jenni. And I'm glad I was there when you needed someone.
And I'm sure going to miss you Jenni. Let's just pretend it's a long ways off.
Wow Jenni! What a story! We are just about to put one of our condos on the market and I'm nervous about it. It's not a good market to sell right now.
Even though you sold for less than you wanted, I agree that what's most important sometimes is that it's sold and done with. Getting rid of the stress is so wonderful.
Oh, I was biting my nails through that whole post! I'm glad it all worked out. I am dreading when it's our turn to do that whole ordeal.
Seven bedrooms!! Can I move in?!!! That will be so nice for you Jen. I too will miss you when you are gone. I already miss my friends that I know are moving this time next year. It is really so so sad!! But again, I am happy that you are moving on and will be closer to family and done with school and on to the next adventure. Those in your new ward are so lucky to be getting you and your sweet family. Thanks for always being so kind to us Jen.
Jenni, you are a superwoman! Congrats on the whole process, it could have been a lot worse. I'm so excited for you to move closer to Utah and look forward to seeing you and your family soon!
oh hooray, and i think you're lucky to come out on top at all after closing costs and everything. better than us!
I'm glad it's sold. You have a good attitude about it. And I love hearing about your new place... you know the Lord is watching over you!
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