What are we buying or selling you ask? Well, hopefully something, possibly nothing, but it’s a whole lot of everything right now. If you have ever asked me if I feel a little crazy, this would definitely be one of those times where I feel like there is a lot of crazy oozing out of every pore on my body. We are “in the process” of listing our home and looking for an acreage to buy in the country. All you Norwegians have the exact right phrase for this process, “uffda”.
Selling a home has changed so much since my younger days when my ex husband and I tried our hand at the whole “flip this house” thing. We lived in four different homes in 10 years. It was kind of fun, listing was easy and houses sold fairly quickly. But it’s not quite like that any more, I guess? There is an actual process and we have a home selling “team”. And that’s just on the selling side….
First there was Chuck. Chuck was one of the dozen or so realtors that called and emailed me because I filled out a few questions on an online app to try to figure out what our home was worth. Note to self - do not do that on a whim unless you want your phone to ring off the hook for the next few hours. Chuck visited with me about what their team could do for us and then we talked a bit more about our house and which of their team members would best be able to help us.
Next we met with Marcia. Marcia took the first look of our home and gave us a rough estimate on what we would be able to ask for our house. She went through each room with us and got us started with her team. It wasn’t a short visit. It was a long visit. I admire her stamina. She was a blast. I love visiting with Marcia. She’s a no nonsense person and gives it to you straight. I admire that in a person. I am going to love working with Marcia and she is already working her butt off for us. This lady doesn’t rest, I promise you.
Then it was Noelle who messaged me, but she sent out Trisha. Trisha is the “stager” aka the person who has to tell you your house is overcrowded and you have too much crap. That probably isn’t brand new information to a lot of people. The stager is of the firm belief that less is more. So virtually all decorations need to come out and as much unnecessary furniture as possible. Libby and I almost had a small heart attack when she mentioned packing and moving out our books and book cases. That will not be easy. Especially considering it may be MONTHS before we find something and actually put our house on the market. How will I live without being able to browse through my bookshelves for the next great read. Doesn’t seem fair… The kitchen countertops also need to be cleared, right down to the mixer…. It was suggested to keep a tote of things to “bring back in” when needed. Really? People won’t buy my house if I keep a mixer or toaster on the counter? Aren’t they going to possibly have small appliances? Do they realize that we LIVE in the house that is for sale?
Next up will be the photographer. The professional photographer will come and photograph the home AFTER we get it fixed up and cleaned out. Their goal will be to highlight the positives and downplay any negatives. The photos will be just a small part of the photographer preparing our presentation which can also include a video tour of our home and a professional write up about our home. Then we wait. We wait to fall in love with the perfect property and list our home. A little different from the old process that seemed to take one visit and the house was listed. But I’m only complaining a little.
Which brings us to the other side of this process. Looking for the perfect acreage is impossible. Heck, looking for the semi appropriate, give a little/take a little acreage is impossible. There are so few to choose from and even fewer that are big enough for a family of 6. We aren’t incredibly picky but, to use that infamous Norwegian word, “uffda”. I have joked that at the three properties we have looked at so far, we have discovered the carcasses of dead animals at exactly 2/3rds. I also kind of feel that some of the sellers we have viewed properties at didn’t get the “clean out the clutter and garbage” memo.
With that said, we have fallen in love with an acreage and lost out on it. These properties do not stay on the market long. It was a little heart-breaking for some of us and I’m not going to lie that tears were shed. It’s hard to remember that there will be other properties and if it is meant to be it will be. It is also hard to be patient when so many of the properties that we have looked at are so peaceful and the idea of having our ponies in our own backyard again is such a dream of ours. I can’t wait for the day when I can do chores in my pajamas again. But the reality is that it may be a long ways off.
All of life is an adventure and I’m super excited to share this adventure with Tim and the kiddos. Even the process can be a source of entertainment. It’s a great feeling to get rid of and purge your own home and to view new homes and imagine making it your own. So forward we go. It’s not quite the same as the old days, but new and improved is okay too!
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