Last night was the first night that both my wife and I slept through the night. Moving yourself is a lot of work and a lot of stress. Both of us have found ourselves waking up at night worrying about some detail of the move and unable to go back to sleep. I have to spend some time reading to divert my mind and R goes into the family room and turns on an old movie to put herself to sleep.
We have been devoting most of our time wrapping valuables and packing boxes. You really find out how much stuff you have acquired when you start digging through closets and garage shelves. When we find a new house and get settled, we are going to host a HUGE garage sale!
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Moving Part V
It has been 21 days since we signed the papers putting the house on the market. Yesterday we had two realtors call and set appoinments to view our home. We left and ran errands during that time. We returned to find out neither realtor had stopped by or called to cancel. Grrrrrr.........
The past couple of days has not been our best. Tuesday we drove to the coast, to Bandon, to sign the papers selling our property over there. We bought it thirty years ago partially with an inheritance I received from my Aunt Hildur. The idea was to build a family beach house on it someday when funds became available. Well, the funds never came and the family vacation home was never built, so with us moving north, it seemed the time to give someone else the opportunity to own it. It probably was the right thing to do but it wasn't easy to say goodbye. We were both bummed about it.
Not having any offers on the Eugene house did not help matters. Our realtor was suggesting that perhaps removing all the furniture out of the house would help it sell, because our furniture is "not modern and follks have trouble seeing their furniture in such a dated environment". Maybe she is right, but it was not a tune I was happy to listen to at the time. More bummer feelings.
Then, to make matters worse, both of our realtors had a discussion and their analysis of the situation was that unless we has an offer on the table for our place, we would not have a strong enough buying position to have an offer accepted in the hot market in Canby/ Oregon City. I emailed our realtor cancelling our trip to view a house up there until something changed.
Yesterday, our realtor called and there is an offer on our house. We are going to find out about it at 11am today, Friday. The buyer's realtor wants to present it to us in person. It is the way it used to be done. I am hoping that it doesn't mean that she is going to try to spring a low ball price on us. If so we are back to square one.
The past couple of days has not been our best. Tuesday we drove to the coast, to Bandon, to sign the papers selling our property over there. We bought it thirty years ago partially with an inheritance I received from my Aunt Hildur. The idea was to build a family beach house on it someday when funds became available. Well, the funds never came and the family vacation home was never built, so with us moving north, it seemed the time to give someone else the opportunity to own it. It probably was the right thing to do but it wasn't easy to say goodbye. We were both bummed about it.
Not having any offers on the Eugene house did not help matters. Our realtor was suggesting that perhaps removing all the furniture out of the house would help it sell, because our furniture is "not modern and follks have trouble seeing their furniture in such a dated environment". Maybe she is right, but it was not a tune I was happy to listen to at the time. More bummer feelings.
Then, to make matters worse, both of our realtors had a discussion and their analysis of the situation was that unless we has an offer on the table for our place, we would not have a strong enough buying position to have an offer accepted in the hot market in Canby/ Oregon City. I emailed our realtor cancelling our trip to view a house up there until something changed.
Yesterday, our realtor called and there is an offer on our house. We are going to find out about it at 11am today, Friday. The buyer's realtor wants to present it to us in person. It is the way it used to be done. I am hoping that it doesn't mean that she is going to try to spring a low ball price on us. If so we are back to square one.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Moving Part IV
The house has been on the market for 14 days. Things are not as I guessed they would be.
Lots of drive-bys, many viewings especially after the MLS Open House. The actual Open House had people all day long, but only one client came back for a second viewing. That was Monday and we have had no calls since. I am not sure what happens next. I will send an email to our realtor to she how she feels.
It must be a slow time, because we have not heard anything from our realtor in Canby either. I would like to have an offer on this house before we make an offer on another. And so we wait....
On the bright side, the sale on our Bandon lot is moving forward. R and I are driving over there on Tuesday to sort thru the items that are inside the shed and bring back a few and take the rest to Goodwill or the equilavent. We will also sign the paperwork at the title office that day also. It will be sad to say "Good Bye" to a piece of the coast that we have had for 30 years.
Lots of drive-bys, many viewings especially after the MLS Open House. The actual Open House had people all day long, but only one client came back for a second viewing. That was Monday and we have had no calls since. I am not sure what happens next. I will send an email to our realtor to she how she feels.
It must be a slow time, because we have not heard anything from our realtor in Canby either. I would like to have an offer on this house before we make an offer on another. And so we wait....
On the bright side, the sale on our Bandon lot is moving forward. R and I are driving over there on Tuesday to sort thru the items that are inside the shed and bring back a few and take the rest to Goodwill or the equilavent. We will also sign the paperwork at the title office that day also. It will be sad to say "Good Bye" to a piece of the coast that we have had for 30 years.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Selling th House Part III
This week-end we traveled up to Canby to check out a house. It was built in the 70's, well maintained, nice location, even had a shop area, but it was not "the one". The lot was larger then we want to maintain, but more importantly, the floor plan was not what we want. The layout we are looking for involves no living room, but a large family room/dining area/kitchen all in one. Eveyone wants to be near the food and the cook want to be near the action so this is the arrangement we are aiming for. The plan is popular with newer homes, so looking at older homes is almost a waste of time.
As long as we were giong north, I loaded the Prius with as many packed boxes as it would hold. We rented a large storage unit in Canby to use until we find a home. If our current house sells before we find another, we will store the everything in the storage unit until R and I complete our volunteer commitments at Tallac and Cape Blanco. That means September. It is a bit early, but we are planning just in case.
Sunday, the 7th, our realtor, hosted an Open House, at our house. I was concerned because the weather has been rainy and cold, but our agent said that she was busy the whole time. R had made chocolate chip cookies to put out for the visitors and all but two were eaten so that was good. Many viewers of the place and still no offers. Patience, patience............
As long as we were giong north, I loaded the Prius with as many packed boxes as it would hold. We rented a large storage unit in Canby to use until we find a home. If our current house sells before we find another, we will store the everything in the storage unit until R and I complete our volunteer commitments at Tallac and Cape Blanco. That means September. It is a bit early, but we are planning just in case.
Sunday, the 7th, our realtor, hosted an Open House, at our house. I was concerned because the weather has been rainy and cold, but our agent said that she was busy the whole time. R had made chocolate chip cookies to put out for the visitors and all but two were eaten so that was good. Many viewers of the place and still no offers. Patience, patience............
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Selling the House Part II
It has been eight days since we signed the papers. We have had more then a half dozen realtors bringing clients through the house. MLS (Multiple Listing Service) viewing day was last Wednesday and twenty plus agents left their cards. No offers as yet. I somewhat disappointed. I thought we would have been done with the showing part by now. This is such a great house and fabulous neighborhood, I figured it would go quickly. Patience, my son, patience.
"Ok. Grant me patience, Oh Lord, but could you give it to me right now? "
Yesterday was spent with more packing. I bought some more packing boxes from a gal in Springfield so I believe we will be ok now. I saved the box that the Lighthouse dishes came in so that was easy. The glass pitchers were a challenge to wrap. We will need to purchase a third roll of bubble wrap at Costco before this is over.
Thursday I rented a 6 x 12 enclosed trailer from U-Haul and we loaded it to the gullets and took it up to Canby where we rented a storage unit. The unit is 12 x 30 so it is big enough to put our whole household goods in if we do not find a house before we head down to South Lake Tahoe the middle of May.
Today, we are going up north again to look at a house that came on the market this past Thursday. The realty market has picked up in the Portland area and the good houses come and go rapidly, so you have to go see them quickly when one comes along that has the features you are looking for. This one has some, but our realtor says that it is so cute and well maintained that it is worth a look. The Prius will be taking as many boxes as it can hold at the same time. More up north mean less in this garage to move later.
Sunday is an Open House here at the house. We will not be here! R made chocolate chip cookies to have out for visitors to enjoy. Unfortunately, it is a typical rainy April week-end. hopefully we will get a call from our realtor afterword.
"Ok. Grant me patience, Oh Lord, but could you give it to me right now? "
Yesterday was spent with more packing. I bought some more packing boxes from a gal in Springfield so I believe we will be ok now. I saved the box that the Lighthouse dishes came in so that was easy. The glass pitchers were a challenge to wrap. We will need to purchase a third roll of bubble wrap at Costco before this is over.
Thursday I rented a 6 x 12 enclosed trailer from U-Haul and we loaded it to the gullets and took it up to Canby where we rented a storage unit. The unit is 12 x 30 so it is big enough to put our whole household goods in if we do not find a house before we head down to South Lake Tahoe the middle of May.
Today, we are going up north again to look at a house that came on the market this past Thursday. The realty market has picked up in the Portland area and the good houses come and go rapidly, so you have to go see them quickly when one comes along that has the features you are looking for. This one has some, but our realtor says that it is so cute and well maintained that it is worth a look. The Prius will be taking as many boxes as it can hold at the same time. More up north mean less in this garage to move later.
Sunday is an Open House here at the house. We will not be here! R made chocolate chip cookies to have out for visitors to enjoy. Unfortunately, it is a typical rainy April week-end. hopefully we will get a call from our realtor afterword.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Selling the House
Selling the House -- Part I
1. After thinking about it and thinking about it, finally make the decision to sell.
2. Find a realtor that you know or that seems to have the same mind set as you do.
A. Talk to others who have experience with the person.
B. Interview several realtors. You do not have to hire the first one you interview.
3. The realtor will offer advice and knowledge on how to prepare the property for sale.
A. Make necessary repairs.
B. Paint and clean walls, carpets, patios, decks, yard, etc.
C. Declutter the house.
1) Clean closets, garage, attic, basement to remove excess items.
A) Garage sales
B) Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.
C) Recycle
2) "Stage" your rooms.
A) Remove personal items, family pictures, diplomas, etc.
1] Neater appearance
2] The idea is to get the buyer to imagine their pictures on the walls.
B) Less furniture makes the rooms appear larger, less cluttered.
C) Less items on shelf units has the same effect.
3) Pack excess items in boxes out of site (usually in the garage or storage unit.
4. When house is ready to sell, meet with realtor to start the process.
A. Decide on the selling price.
1) Realtor's experience.
2) Look at comparable sales in your area ("Comps")
B. Sign the paperwork to begin the process.
5. The sign will be pounded into the yard.
6. The realtor will take pictures of the inside and outside of your property.
7. The realtor will return to the office and enter information into the computer and within 24 hours your house will be on the Internet with all the information, pictures, and price for all of the world to see.
That is the process in a nutshell. It is not difficult. The realtor does all the paperwork, atl least until the sale is made. But it is a lot of work to get the property ready to be shown to prospective buyers.
1. After thinking about it and thinking about it, finally make the decision to sell.
2. Find a realtor that you know or that seems to have the same mind set as you do.
A. Talk to others who have experience with the person.
B. Interview several realtors. You do not have to hire the first one you interview.
3. The realtor will offer advice and knowledge on how to prepare the property for sale.
A. Make necessary repairs.
B. Paint and clean walls, carpets, patios, decks, yard, etc.
C. Declutter the house.
1) Clean closets, garage, attic, basement to remove excess items.
A) Garage sales
B) Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.
C) Recycle
2) "Stage" your rooms.
A) Remove personal items, family pictures, diplomas, etc.
1] Neater appearance
2] The idea is to get the buyer to imagine their pictures on the walls.
B) Less furniture makes the rooms appear larger, less cluttered.
C) Less items on shelf units has the same effect.
3) Pack excess items in boxes out of site (usually in the garage or storage unit.
4. When house is ready to sell, meet with realtor to start the process.
A. Decide on the selling price.
1) Realtor's experience.
2) Look at comparable sales in your area ("Comps")
B. Sign the paperwork to begin the process.
5. The sign will be pounded into the yard.
6. The realtor will take pictures of the inside and outside of your property.
7. The realtor will return to the office and enter information into the computer and within 24 hours your house will be on the Internet with all the information, pictures, and price for all of the world to see.
That is the process in a nutshell. It is not difficult. The realtor does all the paperwork, atl least until the sale is made. But it is a lot of work to get the property ready to be shown to prospective buyers.
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