We've been gone awhile. Wild Bill and I took a trip up to the chilly north to see Middle Daughter and family, then we went down to Tennessee and looked around a bit.
It felt good to get away for a little while. Chemo starts again this week for Bill, and we will be putting the house up for sale soon.
Our House In Winter
We had planned to put it up for sale sooner but then the house next door, AND the house across the street, AND the house down the street all went up for sale at the same time!
We decided to wait a bit until at least one of the three other houses sold. Thankfully, two of them have sales pending, so we feel better about putting ours on the market now.
Our House In Summer
It seemed heartless to add another house to the mix so we spent the time boxing up what we wanted to keep and donating/giving away the stuff that no longer brings us joy.
Hopefully waiting will benefit us too. I think our house is much more attractive in the summer with the grass all green and the planters with flowering plants to liven it up.
How about you? Does your house have a season it seems to favor?
The flagstone patio we put in the front, on the east side of the house, comes alive when the potted fig tree bursts out in green and the sun beats down on Texas.
The patio is a great place for a cup of tea in the early morning or a cool drink in the afternoon when the sun goes over the house and it's shady all the rest of the day.
We'll miss the house, but we're ready to move on. I personally dread the process of selling the house. Maybe that's another reason why we've put it off until now...
Tell me...Do you remove everything but the absolute necessities? Do you live in the house while it's up for sale or do you move out?
If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them please.
Thanks for dropping by!
I'd say don't make yourself crazy. Your home is probably lovely as it is and whatever you've packed up or donated has probably already lightened the living up a bit. I would say live as you normally do. And I wish Bill an easy week...
ReplyDeleteYour house is absolutely lovely - it should sell easily.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to take a little trip before chemo starts.
No real advise - just take your time.
We have always lived in them as they were being shown. I used to have a routine where everything that was setting out would be packed away...and a basket was always at the ready to gather up "stuff" One time I put dirty dishes in the oven...not sure if they looked in there. Best of luck to you with the sale of your home and to Bill with his chemo treatments:)
ReplyDeleteI laughed at your hiding the dishes in the oven. One of our daughters was taking a shower and heard something downstairs so she wrapped a towel around her and went to peek down. There stood a realtor with a family staring up at her! He didn't bother to call ahead and tell her he was showing the house. They must've liked what they saw as the people bought the house!
DeleteYour house is so lovely and appealing that I am sure it will sell very quickly.
ReplyDeleteNice that you were able to get away on a mini vacation before dealing with other difficulties. I hope that your husband does well with his therapy.
Take care.
The house we sold to the one we live in now, has been our only purchase and sale. Initially we delayed ours for the same reasons as you, and it did work out better for us as well because those sales set our sale price, which was a little bit higher than we had initially thought. And I find that the warmer months are better because of the "life" all around.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any advice, I just know that if we could sell a house with 4 dogs, you can do it easily and I know you will. I did always have something yummy in the crockpot, something that smelled "homey" and clean too. It was mostly to cover up any dog odor people may have picked up on, and that I could have written a book about because I got amazingly good at it, and our buyers had NO idea we even had dogs.
Your beautiful home will sell quickly, it's the season and it's meant to be.
I haven't sold a house for a little more than 25 years, so any advice I could offer would be out of date :-)
ReplyDeleteI agree, I am sure your house will sell easily. I have stayed in the house during the sale but found it quite stressful.
ReplyDeleteWe've been in our house for over 40 years and to tell the truth I would like to downsize, this is a family home. Good luck on the house selling front and best wishes to Bill.
ReplyDeleteDiana
I will keep you and Bill in my prayers. Your home is so beautiful, it won't take long for you to sell. I'm glad that you got away for a little bit.
ReplyDeleteSending good wishes for Bill. I don't know if you saw my post on caregiving but I have great and newfound respect for those of us on that end.
ReplyDeleteSelling the house -- I've never had one to sell till now (and not selling!) so I'm a bad one to ask!
I am sure your home will sell quickly. It is gorgeous. With two selling quickly in your neighborhood that is a good sign it is a sought after neighborhood. I am praying for Bill and his next round of chemo. When we downsized from our big house to this small home it was overwhelming to let go of things but in the end I am so much happier with less house. We now use every inch of our home. I wish you the best in selling your home.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Your home is beautiful! I think moving and selling is hard too, and I think we women especially get caught up in memories. Praying it goes well and praying for Bill!
ReplyDeleteRivercrest Cottage,
ReplyDeleteI wish I had some professional advice to share, I don't.
When we listed our home on the other side of the Prairie, I had furniture in place, a lovely tablescape for six, lawn was perfectly landscaped and the prospective buyers walked out.
After we moved to this side of the Prairie,
I had a card table and four folding chairs in the dining room, an easy chair and an ottoman in the living room and a full size bed in the master bedroom. Those prospective buyers made an offer that day, which we accepted and the rest is history.
I would agree, don't stress yourself over staging the details for prospective buyers. Your home is lovely. . .inside and out. Your realtor should be chosen with care.
So glad that you and Wild Bill took some time to be together and visit family before this round of chemo begins. Savor the moments. Trust that the sell of your home will happen.
Holding you close to my heart, and in my thoughts and prayers.
Pat
Thanks Pat for reminding me that there is no "perfect" answer. I think I'm just stressing a little too much. We sat down and asked the yes or no question yesterday instead of pro and conning it. We both voted no to making a temporary move and will just bite the bullet and live here thru the showings. And also thank you for your words of comfort.
DeleteYou have a beautiful home and live in a desirable area of the Metroplex. You will have no problem selling. Everything moves quickly in the DFW area. Praying for you both and hope things go well with the new round of treatment! Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck with the sale of the house.....I have never moved...Lived here for the 40+ years that we are married and the thought of moving makes me want to vomit!!! Someday, I think we will move down the street into the Apartment complex that my both sons live in and enjoy a maintenence free life like they do!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!!!
Happy Easter!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Houses take quite a while around where I live to sell. I think it can go either way. A staged house is good so people see what can be done. But then a completely empty house people can have a clean slate and picture their own things in it. That is what we are doing now. Whole house as been completely painted. People like CLEAN and shiny houses. I think clean goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the sale of your house.
Happyone, you point out the conundrum. Either way has its good and bad points, but as long as the house is clean, both will work out.
DeleteWe lived in our home until it sold. We then moved our five kids,and a dog to a local campground for six months. My advice would be not to take my advice!Lol If I wanted alone time at the pool I found that all I had to do is reveal we were homeless. Plus side it taught my children about having compassion for those with less and we all were extremely grateful for our new home when it was finished.Prayers for your family!
ReplyDeleteI was fascinated by your decision to rough it for 6 months to be able to recreate your life! And I cracked up at your ability to clear the pool by sharing your situation. Thank you for your insight suggesting you do what it takes to get what you want in life.
DeleteCatching up with you! Good luck selling your house--it is so pretty it will not be on the market long. The side patio is so inviting! wishing Wild Bill all the best in his next battles. He'll win, I am sure, but the process is not for the faint of heart. Hugs to you both.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. He's in round two and the girls at the chemo room say sometimes it takes two or three tries before the chemo wins completely. We are planning for an Act Two for our life...just not sure what state we'll end up in.
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