How many of you out there right now are trying to sell your current home?
We’ve had ours on the market for nine months….and I have to say….it’s getting to me.
Luckily – I’m not one of the many that ‘has” to sell – I just want to downsize and move
closer to town.
But…with only 10 showings in nine months….I’m getting a bit discouraged. Of course – my case is certainly not the worst case…I understand that. I talked to a woman in Syracuse the other day that had her house on the market for 2 years! TWO years?
She had small kids too. Ended up finally selling – but WAY under….like $80,000 under what she was asking. OUCH!
Granted…I have kids as well. But a 13-year old understands the dealio. He keeps things fairly picked up and helps me out. My 7 year old…..well…she’s 7….so her priorities are
not keeping the house “museum” clean.
My husband and I have sold many pieces of furniture to make it more spacious. We’ve cleaned…. organized. I have even…..sadly – moved out some pieces of furniture I really liked – that were comfy and made my house “home” for me. It doesn’t feel like my home anymore – and I know that is the goal when you’re selling. That’s what staging a home is all about – de-personalizing! But gosh darn – I don’t want to feel like I live in a hotel or vacation rental every day. Let alone months and months…..or years and years.
Even our family dog, Graycie…..a silver lab, is very concerned with all the spaciousness we now have. Her familiar haunts are gone….only her crate is left for a feeling of security. She follows us around as if to say….”What goes next, and why? Will you be eventually getting rid of me too?”
I read about the economy tanking daily. Gas is through the roof. My husband’s job isn’t very secure anymore (Are any of our jobs secure? Ever?) The election – well – it goes without saying. …. change always causes skittish attitudes. Buyers want YOUR house for nothing. I’ve heard of low ball offers that are so insulting it’s ridiculous. To me it’s taking advantage of others. But – I’m not a buyer right now…..I’m a seller – so it’s hard to be objective.
My house is nice. Nicest house I’ve ever lived in. So what the hell is my problem? Why move? Why not just stay put and ride this out til happier days?
I guess I’m more of a city person than a country person. My oldest would love to be in town (which is a small town) – closer to his friends. I myself would like to be able to be closer in where there are sidewalks, coffee shops, parks.
But I’m getting wore out from the roller coaster ride that comes with selling a house in hard times. You get that call for a showing…..and clean the house, making sure there isn’t a CRUMB on the counter – and then you get the feedback…..”Nice home…but….”
I’m tired of “buts”.
I really hate it when an agent cancels or just doesn’t show up. To me – that’s grounds for a smack upside the head. You sellers out there KNOW what I’m talking about!
So what do we do fellow Sellers?
I know we’ve all read the tips and watched HGTV shows that aid sellers.
What is really working out there?
How many are just about to give up and just stay put a few more years?
How many are willing to just get what they owe on their house to get out of it??
I feel something different every day…..my emotions run from one extreme to the other which makes my husband bonkers. My kids have told me recently that they’d rather just stay put than to suffer anymore “showing cleaning prep”. I know it can be disruptive to drop everything you’re doing and start cleaning like a total nut-job.
Not to mention now there is yard work to hop-to-it and do as well. I become like a cyclone of frenzied panic and elation when I get that phone call for a showing. Similar to Pavlov’s dogs – but way scarier!
Maybe I need a crate like Graycie. Somewhere that I can crawl into and feel safe and secure? OH yes…I forgot….that’s my home….that isn’t really my home anymore….
My new address……LIMBO Street.
