right now

right now

Sep 18, 2011

Sunday News!

Ok, I'm ready to spill the beans!  A while back I alluded to something that was causing a bit of stress, but that we were all "a-ok" - well, here's the big development...


FOR SALE!



As of Friday, our house is officially on the market.  It may seem as a bit out of the blue, but I'm a person that tends to stew on things for awhile quietly, but when a decision has been made, things need to happen right away, I call it "ripping the band-aid off".  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this house, I mean LOVE it - you should have seen this place when I first set foot here back in 1994, suffice it to say that it is completely different now than it was, and 100% of it was DIY sweat-equity.  That being said, I have also been a landlord for about 17 years now (I was here way before hubby entered the picture), and I'm just kind of ready to get all my eggs back in our own basket now.  Being a landlord provided us with much needed income to make the place into just what we wanted and needed, however we have some long-term plans for military retirement that most of you know don't include living here in Virginia.  For the past few years I have been content to sort of "ride out the market", feeling sorry for those that had to sell in these times, but I'm sure that you all have been hearing lately about the fact that now predictions are for this housing market to be this way for another 10 years or so.  I'm thinking that interest rates might not stay so low, however, so now is the time to try to attract a buyer while we still in no hurry to depart the area.  We have several years left before hubby's done with the military gig, but when saddled with multiple mortgages up until the end we lose the ability and freedom to even look seriously or move on a future property for us.  The best thing we could do on a future property would be to secure it a bit before retirement, as we all know it's easier to qualify for a mortgage when gainfully employed:)!


So that's it, in a nutshell - we've been busy doing things around here like the neglected weatherstripping, putting a few things into storage that were crowding the house a bit, etc.  I've also had to back off the gardening a bit by getting rid of some things that look high maintenance and spending more time on the perennial beds and such.  Now, we just need to find the few people out there that are both looking for a house AND can afford a house, no small feat in today's economy.  We are lucky in that it appraised well, we aren't underwater, aren't looking to get rich, and have steady rental income and a great tenant already in place.  We are actually hoping an investor type buyer will be interested and are willing to sign on as tenants ourselves, which would equal instant monthly profit for the future buyer.  That would be the ideal, since I could continue to enjoy my big garden and house we love without the worry about having to stay past hubby's "time's up!" day because of the house.  Bottom line, we'll spend a bit more monthly to live, BUT we would be truly free to look at our future options and act on them if the right thing came along.  Clear as mud?  LOL...


Until who knows when now, my day consists of getting the kids out the door and immediately getting dressed and ready, house picked up by 8 am "just in case" I get a text that someone wants to see the house... then I have to round up my dog's, the neighbor's dog and we go to the park and get lost for awhile.  Between little maintenance items last week, I've had the realtor here to do the appraisal, photographer to do the pics, Miss Utility to spray lines so they can spike the sign in, whew!  One nice thing is that I really like our realtor, and I'm very comfortable with her.  I've never sold a house before and it's all pretty intimidating, so a good realtor is a must - we did purchase the house without a realtor and I did most all of the paperwork, and I'm not doing that again - that only works well in a good economy when people are banging down your door to buy (I don't see any banging!).


So now you know :)... and I am very envious of all of you that are already firmly entrenched in your "forever homes", but I understand nothing comes easy so this is our first step.... now where are the buyers?!

23 comments:

  1. Oh, how exciting. I know first hand how tough it is to sell. We've done it twice now- the last time just as the market tanked. Good luck, I hope your investor type comes along soon.
    Judy

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  2. Oh, good luck! We've only bought once, and never sold. I'd hate to move. Just hate it. We have way too much stuff. I don't envy you! But, here's hoping that it will be smooth sailing, everything will fall into place, and you will find your "forever" home. Then hubby can finish his time, you can ride off into the sunset, and live happily ever after. The End.
    ~~Lori

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  3. Wow big news! I wish you all the luck in a quick sale, or maybe thats not good either? What happens if you sell and have to move, I guess you will rent somewhere else in your area for now? Well good luck!

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  4. Erin, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!! You've done so much to the house and garden, hopefully you'll find a buyer soon. Good luck!!!

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  5. Judy, you know all too well what I'm in for :)
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    Lori, thanks! Luckily we don't have a lot of stuff, our small house ensures that!
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    Jane, a quick sale would be awesome, I don't want to think about it dragging out, and we always have the option of military housing if we had to, then you would see me acquainting myself with container gardening LOL
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    Anke, thanks!

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  6. I know how much of yourselves you've put into your house and garden which will be hard to leave. But, bottom line, it's all for the good so I say WA-HOO and good for you for being your usual proactive self!!

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  7. Good luck! we've been trying to sell our AZ property for over two years, even dropped the price by $20,000 to what we paid for it before I put in 8 years of improvements. The price is waaaay below the assessed value now, with no buyers in sight. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you if you keep yours crossed that we finally find a buyer this winter.

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  8. How exciting! Your place looks fantastic and with the rental property and beautiful yard I would think it would sell fairly fast.
    I've got my fingers crossed for you that it sells quickly and at a great price. Oh, and that you can continue to rent and live there until you need to move.
    Good luck!

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  9. You really have it all thought out. I hope you find a great buyer willing to rent back. It's clear as can be-you're very smart to do it this way! Best of luck, Erin!!!

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  10. Sounds like you're in for some exciting times, one way or another. Hope it all goes well!

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  11. WOW! Congratulations on your big step! I hope all the particulars come out in your favor. Your home is so lovely and so well organized. I sure would think that would help. I hope, and expect, to hear all GREAT news. :)

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  12. Oh boy, that's a big step! Good luck! That would be great if you could still live there as a tenant. It would be a bummer to have to build new gardens for only a few years before moving again. I hope everything works out (I'm sure it will).

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  13. We're hoping with you for the perfect buyer to come at the perfect time.

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  14. Exciting, stressful and a major change at the same time. Sounds like you've got it well planned out...

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  15. No wonder the blood pressure is up, lol. I hope it sells quickly for you!!

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  16. Mama Pea & Ruth, I definitely have the "plan" together, but it will take lots of baby steps and waiting!
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    Gran, I sure hope you are able to get a buyer once the snowbird season is upon us again, it sure is stressful!
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    Sparkless, Sue & Kaytee, it sure would be nice if things would fall into place for us as renters, that would be the ideal!
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    AGWH, I am in for a wild ride, I'm sure!
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    Patty, Dani & Jody, thanks so much for the well wishes, we'll need them I think in this market!
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    Kelly, LOL, yes I think that's probably a big factor in the recent BP spike :)

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  17. Wow - I miss reading blogs for a weekend and WHAM. Very sound logic. We all know that your house is immaculate and in pristine shape. I hope you sell quickly and for what you want and how you want it!

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  18. Whoa! That IS big news! I hope it all goes very smooth and the possibility of two tenants entices a buyer. I remember well packing up dogs on last minute notice to get the heck out! And always keeping things orderly, so for those reasons, I will really really really pray it is sold by yesterday! That way you can just chill out and then get out to greener pastures. Literally!

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  19. Congrats on the decision - wow that is big news! I've got everything crossed here that I can for you! Come on, buyers!! Start knocking RIGHT NOW!

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  20. It's pretty evident through your blog how much time and effort you put into maintaining your home. I would definitely list your web address to potential buyers - if I was a buyer, it would definitely be comforting to see the place from the current owners eyes.

    Just think of how much fun you'll have planting your next garden!

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  21. Thomas, I know the blog address is on my email signature lines, my realtor has probably already surfed it LOL! Fishing is not good, not even so much as one looker so far, darn economy! Oh well, I expected as much though, it's rough in the market right now...

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  22. Wow, that is quite an endeavor. I hope the house sells quickly and for a great price!

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